Internal Archive Document - The Pale Veil Oversight Council

Subject: Examination of the "Warmth Conduction Rites" Observed in Hollow Pines

Date: September 26, 2025

File No: PV-2025-09-26-HPC

Transcript of Recorded Observation by Operative 46 (Codename: "Frostwatcher")

Location: Hollow Pines, Perimeter Zone C Date of Recording: September 24, 2025 Equipment Used: Standard Issue Audio-Visual Recording Drone, Model XVII

[Begin Transcript]

00:01: Drone activated. Visual on Hollow Pines outskirts. Temperature - unusually cold for this season, 2 degrees Celsius. Wind north-northwest, light.

00:17: Movement detected. A gathering of approximately thirty individuals in the central clearing. All cloaked in ashen-gray robes. Their hoods are drawn, obscuring facial features.

01:03: A large circular formation is observed. Central figure, presumed leader, The Thin Boy, raises hands. A low chant begins, barely audible through the wind.

01:27: The participants step closer, forming a denser circle. Noticeable drop in external temperature, drone sensors marking a sudden decrease to minus 5 degrees Celsius. No apparent technological or natural cause.

02:45: The chant intensifies. Participants begin a slow, rhythmic stepping pattern. Footsteps synchronize, creating a palpable rhythm that echoes through the drone’s microphones.

03:16: Central figure, The Thin Boy, opens a tattered book, identified as a copy of "The Ashen Gospel." Begins to read from a page marked with the symbol "◬". The wind ceases abruptly.

04:05: The air around the participants begins to shimmer slightly, visible distortions akin to heat waves, yet the temperature is still markedly sub-zero.

05:10: An ice sculpture, crudely resembling a large bird, possibly a penguin, is placed in the circle’s center. Participants extend their hands towards it.

06:21: The sculpture begins to exude warmth; steam rises from where the participants' hands hover. No direct contact. Temperature around the sculpture climbs, recorded at 20 degrees Celsius.

07:49: Thin Boy closes the book. Participants lower their hands, stepping back. The warmth around the ice sculpture dissipates as quickly as it formed, leaving no meltwater or residue.

08:30: Participants disperse silently into the surrounding woods. None acknowledges the drone, which remains cloaked in shadow.

09:00: Drone retrieval initiated. All observed phenomena have no clear scientific explanation at present.

[End Transcript]

Examiner’s Note: Operative 46 ("Frostwatcher")

The observed ritual, tentatively titled "Warmth Conduction Rites," appears to be a controlled manipulation of temperature, likely a ceremonial demonstration of dominion over natural elements, a common theme within The Pale Veil’s doctrinal practices. The usage of a penguin-form ice sculpture may symbolize mastery over extreme cold, mirroring the survival traits of such creatures in their natural habitats. Further analysis of the recited passages from "The Ashen Gospel" is required to understand the theological implications.

The absence of any technology or known physical interaction during the heating process suggests a potential paranormal influence or an undiscovered scientific phenomenon.

Marginalia: Archivist’s Commentary on "The Ashen Gospel"

Documented By: The Archivist Relevant Page: Identified in transcript; marked with "◬".

The symbol "◬" is recurrent within The Ashen Gospel, often preceding instructions for rituals believed to impact the natural order. This use case in "Warmth Conduction Rites" suggests a possible connection to other environmental phenomena documented in prior reports (see File Nos. PV-2023-11-17-RT and PV-2024-05-09-XT).

Inter-Department Memo

To: Pale Veil Oversight Council From: Environmental Anomalies Unit Subject: Urgent Review of Hollow Pines Activities

Given the unprecedented nature of this phenomenon, I recommend immediate escalation to High Priority Observation Status. The potential for broader environmental impact or misuse of these observed abilities poses a significant concern. A dedicated surveillance team should be established to monitor all future gatherings and any similar occurrences.

Final Note:

Upon further review of environmental sensors across Zone C, an unexplained thermal anomaly lasting precisely 8 minutes and 30 seconds was recorded coinciding with the reported times of the ritual. This corroborates Operative 46's observations and suggests a real, measurable impact on the local environment.

We do not sleep. We wait.

[End of Document]