Entities_011–4D
Nickname: The Barrow-Rot
Danger Ranking: 4.D
First Reported: 1978-07-04 — Lewis County, WA

Summary:
The Barrow-Rot is a microbial phenomenon localized to burial sites within a specific 9-square-mile region of the Willapa Hills. It first drew attention after a series of exhumations revealed severe decomposition anomalies: corpses reduced to blackened sludge within weeks, regardless of burial method. In rare cases, coffins were found cracked open from the inside, the remains missing entirely.

The anomaly is not a visible entity but a pathogenic environment—seemingly guided, or at least responsive, to intrusion. Attempts to study the affected soil result in rapid corrosion of tools and, in some cases, hallucinations in personnel working onsite. Reports include hearing one's name whispered in a rasping, soil-saturated voice.

Autopsies conducted on those buried outside the area, but later moved within its boundaries, show aggressive necrosis starting at the mouth and fingertips, progressing inward. DNA from the recovered material has shown non-human proteins.

Despite extensive aerial and subsurface mapping, the full subterranean extent of The Barrow-Rot is unknown. Drilling operations are prohibited due to previous disappearances.

Known Properties:

• Accelerated decomposition within minutes to days of contact with anomaly-infected soil.
  
• Whispering auditory hallucinations begin after 20–30 minutes of close exposure.
  
• Physical remains become genetically unstable within 72 hours of interment.
  
• Soil samples decay rapidly unless sealed in triple-reinforced containers.
  
• Reinterred corpses exhibit unnatural postures upon retrieval, often with bones rearranged.
  

Containment Procedure:
Affected land has been cordoned off under the pretense of toxic groundwater contamination. Warning signage and patrol drones are in place.

No burial is to occur within 5 km of the infected zone.

Personnel must not remain on site longer than 45 minutes without full hazard gear and audio isolation.

All soil shipments from the region must be burned under supervision or returned to their origin point.

No drilling or excavation is permitted under any condition.

Encounters:

• 1978-07-04 — Lewis County, WA: Local mortician reports spontaneous decomposition of three newly buried bodies. First confirmed case.
  
• 1983-10-11 — PARADIGM Survey Team Echo-4: Field kit melts during sample collection; one member hospitalized with severe fungal infection in the lungs.
  
• 1990-03-22 — Unlicensed Grave Digging Incident: Teenagers unearthed partial remains and reported seeing “faces in the dirt.” Two missing, one institutionalized.
  

Recommendation:
Further investigation suspended. The anomaly is to be observed remotely only. Use satellite thermal imaging to track subterranean shifts in suspected colony size.

Do not disturb the earth. Do not speak the names of the buried.

List of Case Workers:

• Dr. Helena Rhys (Status: Deceased, 1983)
  
• Agent Carl Ingram
  
• Geopathologist Mei Lin
  
• Containment Specialist Dominic Trell
  
• Regional Overseer “LATCH-9”