What exactly is Weeping Ink Syndrome? it seems really underdocumented...
is it linked to the parasite?
It is. There's almost zero documentation on it due to most cases being fatal.
In short, Weeping Ink Syndrome, or WIS, is a disease caused by a waterborne parasite that hosts on Inkfish. Most people get it through GrizzCo work, due to the low safety protocol and high water exposure.
The parasite attaches to the host's nervous system and manipulates their instincts. Main symptoms include personality changes, fascination with water, twitching, lack of pain and/or survival instinct, and excretion of ink from the eyes, mouth, and nose– Hence the "Weeping Ink."
WIS is not actively contagious. The goal of the parasite is to lead the Inkfish to water, so the host will die and the parasite can spread. There's a lot of fearmongering about WIS holders, but as long as we're alive we're safe to be around. Aggression can be a symptom, but attacks are incredibly rare.
There's no cure for WIS at the moment. The parasite is aggressive and resistant to most modern antiparasitics. There are some medications that can ease symptoms, but most of them are still experimental.
WIS has a very high mortality rate. Most people don't think anything of it until it's too late. If you notice any of the symptoms in yourself or a loved one, consult a medical professional immediately. It's important to note that most studies are conducted on adult male Inklings, and symptoms may present differently in children, females, and other inkfish.
[Graphic by @/FernShawArt on Twitter]
