Immortality

Subject: D-22113LS
Overseer: Strond (Author)
Clearances: All
Classified: Yes, under protection of the IWPS section LS-1
Witness account(s):

Subject D-22113LS seems to be a draconic figure (possibly an effigy of a wildclaw,) made of ceramic[1] and a metallic substance[2], of yet unidentifiable origin. The ceramic is highly resistant to any manner of abrasion, and is presumably as old as the construct itself. The unidentified metal is lustrous, and seems to be quite malleable (as the construct is capable of nearly natural locomotion), though attempts to alter or manipulate the metal by any number of personnel through physical, magickal, or alchemical means have all failed. Subsequent attempts to scan the metal that D-22113LS is made of have also ended in failure. After an accidental triggering of subject D-22113LS' "defense systems"[3], no further tests are permitted to be run on its' makeup.
D-22113LS seems to be entirely hollow[4], the space inside of it seemingly entirely devoid of light and incapable of being illuminated by any means. The only object (or possible entity) residing within D-22113LS is a small (2cm radius) orb or disc[5] of light, that can illuminate the exterior of the subject and its' surroundings. It can move freely throughout the subject's "body", but often remains behind its' "eye sockets", giving it the appearance of having glowing eyes.
To the touch, D-22113LS is usually very cold, having no internal body temperature nor cells to maintain in a homeostatic state. Researchers are suggested to wear gloves in its' presence, or make sure that hands and wings are clean of free liquid to avoid contact-freezing.

D-22113LS is capable of extremely fluent speech in common draconic, and multiple as-yet unknown languages, presumed to be either dead languages, or, in some cases, entirely nonsensical languages that it has formulated itself[6]. Subject speaks in a voice that is neither gendered nor markedly not draconic, but still comprehensible to any native speaker.
Attempts to converse with the subject are encouraged, as it does seem to be, at the very least, sentient, and seems to "enjoy" interaction with other sentient beings[7]. Subject appears to have extensive knowledge beginning from when the pillar was deconstructed, to the modern era. All accounts seem to be firsthand, the subject referring to accounts of events in first person, often using phrases such as "I saw" or "I remember". All accounts are seemingly entirely clinical, and devoid of any personal bias or emotion[8].

[1] The ceramic that makes up approximately 46% of subject D-22113LS' surface area absorbs nearly all light. It is presumed that this is also the same substance that lines the interior of its' body, preventing the "light" that moves freely within it from illuminating its' interior.
[2] The metallic substance is not any known metal, and exhibits a hardness greater than that of tungsten when not being manipulated by the subject itself to provide locomotion.
[3] An attempt to gather a sample of the material or to damage it via a weapon (advised against by Overseers, but carried out regardless due to the possibility of a positive sample) carried out by two Keepers (deceased, names not mentioned for the sake of confidentiality), resulted in the subject entering a "defensive" mode, the sentient mind inside the construct seemingly going "offline", being instead taken over by a defensive "autopilot" protocol [see: addendum 22-E] that resulted in the death of both Keepers involved, disassembly of two mechanical artifacts, and the deaths of multiple on-site personnel. Further attempts by non-Sentinel personnel are explicitly prohibited.
[4] The subject seems to be entirely hollow, and lacks any and all organ, skeletal, and tissue structures that would be expected in a dragon of similar build. Objects "eaten" or dropped into the void inside subject D-22113LS do not make any noise, nor does it sound like they hit any "walls" within the subject's body, leading researchers to believe that there is nothing inside D-22113LS at all. Further research of this theory is on hold due to the fact that the subject, in its' inert state, is incapable of fully enveloping an adult dragon to permit physical exploration. Research personnel have suggested provoking D-22113LS into its' "defensive state" and "jumping in to have a look around", which has been repeatedly denied without appeal. Overseer Theron states in his final rejection letter to research team 31-D that "[if] any of you ask me for permission to provoke the Pandora [term "Pandora" refers to subject] again, I'm going to come down there and [expletive] kill you myself." It is safe to assume that further inquiries will incur consequences from the board of Overseers.
[5] Due to the inability do gauge depth inside the subject's "body", and the lack of reflectivity in whatever material (if there is one) that lines its' interior, it is nearly impossible to know if the "light" within D-22113LS is a three-dimensional orb, or a two-dimensional disc.
[6] Subject is extremely intelligent by draconic standards, and has shown the ability to "entertain" itself by inventing entirely new languages, theories, and concepts. Any and all "languages" as yet unknown to present linguists and etymologists are to be recorded diligently and their meanings studied. All attempts to learn or communicate with the subject in these "languages" is highly discouraged, and may lead to ill effects [see addendum 22-F].
[7] Subject under no circumstances is to be placed in the presence of any weapons, machinery, or fragments thereof predating the fall of the pillar. All exposure to these objects if accidental is to be reported immediately to a Sentinel and subject is to be quarantined until any effect that it has had on either the object or itself has entirely subsided. Subject is not to be permitted to converse with subject D-11224EV unless supervised by Overseers and the magicks within D-11224EV suppressed by a team of no less than four (4) magi.
[8] Subject is capable of expressing emotion, though it seems to not have the capability to understand the emotion that it is expressing, the emotions possibly being something similar to tactics mimics employ in simulating the behavior of other creatures.

Parent file: Report 22-A on Subject D-22113LS
Clearances: All
Classified: Yes [see parent document classification code for further information]
Subject Matter: Report on experiment carried out on Subject D-22113LS, Incident Report Included.
Incident Summary: During a scheduled test to ascertain whether the ceramic and metal "skin" that D-22113LS is in possession of is capable of being damaged by physical means, or perhaps capable of being collected for sampling and analysis, D-22113LS became agitated due to proximity to a weapon theorized to be able to damage its' exterior. Multiple fatalities resulted from this incident, as well as a moratorium on any and all physical testing on subject D-22113LS.
Artifacts(s) of Import: Artifact B-134R, a blade most likely of alchemical origin from the end of the Second Age, capable of cutting nearly any material it comes into contact with only if the wielder intends to damage it. It was suggested that this blade, if desired to, would be able to remove a section of D-22113LS's "skin" to send into Artifact Processing for analysis and categorization.
Result: Failure
Further tests authorized: No

Parent File: Report 22-A on Subject D-22113LS
Clearances: All
Warnings: This text may contain information and descriptions of events that may be disturbing for some personnel. Please proceed with caution if you do not wish to read descriptions of: death, mild body horror, and violence.
Classified: Yes [see parent document classification code for further information]
Subject Matter: Report and eyewitness accounts of the deaths of personnel at the hands of an "angered" D-22113LS, description of anomalous behavior.

Begin Report.

[11:30] Test scheduled to begin. All personnel are ordered to begin initial stages of the test, and experiment is to carry out as usual. All direct command to go through Overseer Theron. Keepers may enter D-22113LS' habitation chamber under observation.
[11:31] Box containing Artifact B-134R is brought into the chamber on a cart, and unloaded by one of two Keeper class personnel.
[11:34] Upon being introduced to Artifact B-134R, subject became immediately agitated, cycling rapidly thorough simulacrums of multiple "negative" emotions.
[11:35] Distress noted, test is permitted to continue under order of Overseer Theron - reason stated: subject poses no threat to Keeper personnel, and is not designated to be dangerous.
[11:36] Test continues, Keeper 134-1 (name removed as per classification of file, deceased) approaches subject, holding 134R outstretched in front of them. Keeper (as per Artifact Usage Guideline 134Ra) makes audible statement of intent to use the blade to remove one (1) cubic centimeter of subject's "skin". Statement is confirmed to be heard by no less than two (2) other personnel. Test continues.
[11:36:42] Subject D-22113LS becomes increasingly agitated. "Light" visible within its' body begins making rapid, erratic movements.
[11:37] Unusual reaction noted. Test is to continue on prior pretenses. Keeper 134-1 continues to approach subject, but stops one (1) meter away from Subject.
[11:37:08] Subject seems to calm measurably, begins speaking to Keeper 134-1 in a monotone voice, in anomalous language 22113LS-5.
[11:37:20] Keeper 134-1 continues to approach with apparent mental effort, repeating a few words of 22113LS-5 to D-22113LS.
[11:37:31] Subject utters a mechanical hissing noise, and an extremely loud, coarse alarm.
[11:37:37] Keeper 134-1 drops Artifact 134R, and ceases further movement. Keeper 134-2, still holding the containment equipment for 134R, collapses.
[11:37:45] Subject D-22113LS opens its' "mouth" and begins to violently, rapidly, and efficiently unfold its' body into a mass of sharp, thin ceramic blades and a set of what appears to be twelve (12) organically-shaped winged legs and a "torso". Subject's head flattens and becomes bladelike as well. "Light" feature within the body of subject D-22113LS sits in the center of its' "torso", emitting short-lived flashes of light. Subject continues emitting alarm noises throughout transformation process.
[11:37:50] Subject approaches 134-1 and appears to consume them entirely, appearing to convert them to a fine, dust-like substance which is then absorbed into its' "core". Air smells strongly of heated metal. 134-2 remains unconscious, and is similarly "absorbed".
[11:38] Test designated critical failure, Keeper personnel declared dead/irretrievable. Extraction of 134R to continue as usual.
[11:40] Multiple personnel sent into the room with an agitated D-22113LS to retrieve 134R. Despite D-22113LS' prior capability to cooperate with personnel, subject lets out another mechanical shriek and alarm, "absorbing" both personnel, and attempting to distance itself from 134R by climbing the opposite wall.
[11:42] D-22113LS shatters the reinforced permafrost-unit wall between its' chamber and two neighboring habitation chambers.
[11:42:35] Attempts to calm or contain D-22113LS continue. Subject encounters S-14532EV and S-14533EV, and proceeds to "stun" them. Subject neglects to "absorb" these entities, though, possibly due to their incorporeal nature, and instead quickly and forcibly disables them. Subject almost immediately collapses into a heap of bladelike objects, and appears to go into a recovery state.
[12:22] Subject is deemed hibernal and relocated to a suitable habitation chamber.
[12:31] Subject begins slowly "reverting" back to prior form.
[14:45] Subject has reassumed its' usual form, but remains in a hibernal state.
[18:26] Subject leaves hibernal state, begins behaving normally again.

Notes: Subject D-22113LS seems to have no recollection of these events, yet seems to have a base understanding of them, stating that the "fault" was most likely due to "some sort of unprecedented anomaly", and that the second form that it becomes is "defense protocol" that it "cannot alter". Subject seems to express remorse at learning of the deaths of Keeper and retrieval personnel, as well as the disabling of S-14532EV and S-14533EV. This appears to be a genuine emotion that it has "learned" to feel. Subject also begins displaying an aptitude for both writing strings of "poetry" in both its' own "constructed" languages and known languages, and an interest in studying aircraft, both behaviors present in 134-1 and 134-2 before their "absorption". Whether this is coincidence or evidence that D-22113LS is capable of "learning" behaviors and emotions through consuming others is still being studied. End report.