An Idea

[TymTheEnchanter]

How about rather than a conspiracy or plot etc, it is simply an infection which started with the Royal Jelly having unforseen consequences when ingested (maybe it didn't react well with the researcher's previous meal ) and now spreads much like a virus, requiring some specific form of contact or maybe that any victims have eaten the same foods as the researcher did (prior to ingesting the jelly) to be susceptible. That way
a) it becomesa task to find a cure
and
b) along the way the hive mind controller (maybe the tloke queen) could begin to become overwhelmed by all the new and different minds and starts to behave erratically/aggressively (giving the impression of conspiracy) or alternatively tries to seek help from other places in Yliakum ... the possibilities are almost endless.

There have probably been a number of conspiracy type themes played out already, maybe this slant would be a little different?

[Shadow1490]

My mind has started to wander along the idea that the researcher, not giving any names Alirukell develops a sickness due to [Insert item here] (not entirely sure of that detail yet) and basically looses his identity then, due to his nature of believing the world should be as one which is about all of him that survives the infection he tries to spread this collective mind,now his own, to others. Note that anyone else who becomes infected will not repeat NOT loose any remnants of themselves Well not unless you want them to. Just an idea here. Any more of the wonderfully helpful comments would be appreciated.

[Dihenis]

This sounds nice. I'm sure Vidoferus (I think it was him) would probably like to take part in this, he's a pretty radical Xiosia follower (gah, story spoilers )

[Under the moon]

* Under the moon starts chuckling madly.

The Un-Common cold