Vilous | Imagoi [+Pre-reading of WIP concepts for deeper-dive into imagoi lore!]

Hello, dear Vilous fans~!

Today's mini-update comes with a yummy and exciting lore tidbit with regards to a mysterious Talyxian organism, Imagoi, alongside a neatly refined description with artwork snippets including both pieces drawn by Kiki-UMA herself and a collaborative effort between  Mick and Kiki!

Imagoi is a sessile organism, possessing highly hallucinogenic properties akin to psilocybins. 

Due to their inner liquid functioning akin to alcohol, some people may consider it as an equivalent in the Vilous universe, however, they cannot be roughly compared or said to be the same material. Imagoi is a much riskier substance and requires very careful handling, much more than that of normal alcoholic beverages. There are some alcoholic beverages within the Vilous universe, thus, Imagoi is still independent and a different material from the common alcohols.

To avoid misunderstanding, Imagoi liquid still could be used for an ingredient for alcoholic beverages. Imagoi drinks as one of the kinds of alcoholic beverages also would be present, though it's definitely to be the illegal products in the Gold Ring nation. However, the important point is that Imagoi itself is not the only material of alcohol equivalent within the Vilous universe.  

Notably, as presented in the upper right picture, a snippet from the past collaborative work by Mick and Kiki, viewers might consider the fact that the Sergal enjoys such a beverage. The artwork itself almost lends to believe that the imagoi has the consistency of ice cream, however, it is a totally different element.

For the details, please read and learn below!

Basic concept of Imagoi

Imagoi (イマゴイ) is a sessile type Talyxian organism that has an appearance similar to a mushroom, found deep in the Talyxian biome forests of Magoe and Lower Magoe. There are smaller types within the Vetla regions as well.

Imagoi is an important resource for people living in the North, especially for the Shaman tribes.

Biology

Removing the head, there are internal organs including a thing that resembles a gray brain inside, floating in a liquid that functions akin to alcohol. These organs are considered poisonous and therefore are not normally used. Folks would bury them under the ground and take only the liquid as the primary substance to harvest.

The liquid is similar to alcohol, however, it is still not perfectly the same material. It has a strong psychotomimetic effect and unidentified potential risks. When Eltus drink it, they would get some sort of psychic influence that alters the senses with regard to Talyxians.

The "brain" part which is planted underground later grows into a new imagoi.

The liquid contained within an imagoi, will become quite viscous when exposed to outside conditions after a certain amount of time. The processed imagoi liquid which can be seen within the upper right corner of the image also corresponds to that state.

Use

Early primitive Northern tribes had used the imagoi liquid as an intoxicating drink. It is known to maximize the impact of Miasma on the drinker and induce a state of unified senses with the Talyxian forest. More notably, Northern Sergals who belong to Shaman clans tend to drink this on a daily basis. Distilled versions of this are used in traditional, religious ceremonies. Brave clans also occasionally purchase this substance from the Shaman clans.

As a representative example, from "A Braveyard", the novella, there is the scene that Rain had offered Bergt a cup of Imagoi drink. It is a traditional custom that shamans perform. It serves the function of an easy to perform a magic ritual. By serving Imagoi drink to a newcomer, and allowing them to drink it, they admit the newcomer in as their tribesman. This act doesn't necessarily have any sort of formal ceremonial manner or preparation, at the same time, however, the lack thereof does not imply that it has no meaning behind it at all, either.

Agudners usually decline when given the opportunity to drink this, however, if they do decide to try it, the effects are very potent, although the effects incurred are different from that of Sergals.

Generally most Eltus people, apart from the Northerners, do not look favorably on the consumption of the Imagoi liquid. It is a very grotesque habit and causes unpleasant mental side-effects.

Distribution in the southern regions is heavily regulated and is limited to medical drug use.

On the upper right of the picture, Vivian the Sergal (character belongs to Verdilacs) is enjoying a processed product of imagoi liquid. This product is made of imagoi liquid that has turned to a viscous state, or, there is even the possibility that it includes other kinds of Talyxain creatures originated from northern regions, that have body fluid functions similar to that of imagoi liquid. 

Imagoi products cannot be readily used for easy thrills and pleasure within the Gold Ring nation due to legal issues, barring the product from casual consumption as it has been labeled quite illegal. 

— Bonus Section for Kiki's Patreons —

Details of the effects and risks of Imagoi 

Regarding the effects when Eltus ingest imagoi liquid, it is explained that it maximizes the impact of Miasma on the imbiber and induces a state of unified senses with the Talyxian biomes. Thus, it can be rationalized that this effect is limited to situations wherein the person that ingests this liquid, finds themselves within a Talyxian environment for it to take effect.

The effect described as inducing a state of unified senses with the Talyxian biomes, technically refers to its underlying basis and parasitoid effect which the imagoi possesses. 

If Eltus ingest it within a Talyxian biome, their sensation synchronizes with the surrounding Talyxian natural environment, due to the temporary mind-altering properties by the imagoi’s parasitic effect.

However, should one ingest it in a place where there is no Talyxian environment, as the “Talyxian-altered” sensation lacks the external stimulus and vectors needed to synchronize, the imagoi component will attempt to create realms within the host body, in which the imbiber’s body and brain can synchronize with. During this phenomenon, the drinker experiences a sort of perception-altering effect, however, this act also promotes the Talyxianization of the imbiber.

This is the reason why imagoi products are heavily regulated and limited to medical drug use in Gold Ring. However, it stands to reason that it has a different legal status and condition for regions closer to Talyxian biomes, such as Shigu and Reono.

Imagoi addicts are more prone to attract various Talyxian creatures of sort, as they are recognized as “a part of the Talyxian biome” from the Talyxian sense and perspective, because of the progressed Talyxianization. However, this may bring about some benefit, in which they would potentially not be preyed upon or attacked by Talyxians, as they would not recognize them as Eltus.

In conclusion, what is important in the use of imagoi is that, it depends on how and where to use it. We consider the effect as a temporary “turning into the Talyxian biome itself” effect. If people make use of it within a Talyxian biome forest, it makes the body ‘match’ the forest. If people use it in the desert, the ‘Talyxian-forested’ body, would enter and enact a defensive state, in an attempt to isolate themselves from the desert. If people use it within realms where there is no miasma, their body would therefore attempt to create the miasma, by altering their inner physiology into that of a technical, Talyxian organism.