kereminde (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} kereminde) wrote,@ 2009-02-02 21:58:00 |
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Writing Project #6: Letters from another world
So there was this setting for a Dungeons and Dragons game or three which I've spent roughly 3 years working on. I've taken a lot of shortcuts with putting things together, borrowing out of history and fictional interpretations of that history in order to base things on. I've taken a couple dozen cliches and well-known devices of fantasy writing, and made use of them while working to get something together which I could look at and go "now THAT looks good". Not "cool" or "awesome" but "good" or "serviceable".
End result, I have a lot of time which has been sunk into a history which has grown around some concepts which are perhaps used before . . . but I tried to study and adapt them to my own use. One of these was the idea of a "lost civilization" which would on the surface represent a past which is not reflected in history books. The real world parallels are, naturally, intended. But once you enter a fantasy realm . . . the end conclusions might potentially . . . differ.
What follows is an in-character rendition of what today would be called archaeology. I don't know if that was an actual term back in the period this particular world is modeled after, but that isn't important. What is important is how it is handled inside the world's eyes . . .
To my fellow seekers of knowledge,
It has long been a suspicion held by a few of us the Empire was not the first establishment of human presence on Erisdaire. Proof has been far from difficult to find, yet the belief persists. I find it quite ludicrous to see the voices of otherwise intelligent men and women raised in defense of an erroneous conclusion. There are countless leads with which to begin, and I shall endeavor to detail some of the more interesting details. I will prove the allegations are indeed serious and not at all grounded in fantasy, as the detractors would state.
Three years ago there were ruins located in the desert along the southern border of the Empire, which had been long abandoned by residents and consumed by the sands. The exploration of those ruins found several artifacts which could not be connected to early Imperial years or development, not to mention journal entries detailing "a vast dried fountain which rivals some dwellings in size and is exceedingly complex in operation". The expedition is better known for the ends it met after spoiled food and tainted water supplies led to their deaths before they could retrieve significant physical evidence of their trip. The conclusions reached by the expedition were delivered largely through the journals which still survive in the keeping of the Imperial Arcanists; this was a settlement of a rather advanced human civilization, who had knowledge of how to build a fountain and possibly aqueducts. I believe this city was indeed real, and it would be exceedingly worthwhile to return and attempt a more detailed examination.
A second tangible piece of evidence would be the existence of certain objects, which are in the keeping of several learned colleagues of myself. They are made from metals which I have been assured are not workable by even master metalsmiths, and as well the material has not been positively identified. Foremost is a metal with a dark blue luster which is heavier than steel and significantly harder to damage. For an example, I would point to a suit of armor which is kept by Lord Mayor Tersa Calendria in Valencia; it has been serviceable to a great many conflicts with only minor adjustments and repairs to the leather fittings and buckles. The armor itself, however, has neither rusted nor succumbed to the lure of time. I would stress this is far from the only such material on record whose source has gone unknown all this time.
Lastly I would note there are several parts of arcane research which bear names of those who remain unknown to the records of Imperial Arcanists or Myrisian Sages. Despite a great amount of attention taken to recording the names of illustrious members of either group, there are no fewer than six names attached to carious incantations and methods of research which cannot be located in the records. From where do these names come, and what is it which caused the record of their existence or affiliation to vanish?
I present in further evidence some correspondences which were recovered from the estate of a noble family recently brought down by plague and untimely deaths. The earliest letters are written in an archaic version of our own language, but there is a number of references to a place or person known as "Ortega". I would suppose on this evidence we have our first clue on where to direct research into these matters. It is imperative we understand the true course of past years, no matter how far back it may go, in order to chart the progress of future years. No doubt my learned fellows would agree, as we are keenly aware how much history influences the world of current years.
In Service of Truth,
Rao Demasica
Second Arcanist of Tor Sanguinus
###
Gentlemen and Fellow Arcanists,
It has come to my attention the raving lunatics who spread the myth of "Ortega" have gained purchase again, this time with the letters and published works of a former Arcanist. I would stress the need to prevent the rumors and myths which undermine the exalted truth of Rhyliss from spreading any further. I call upon those who are capable of investigating the so-called evidence to do so without further delay, and assist in preventing this falsification of history. It is unbecoming of one who has sworn an oath to the good of the Empire to question the origins of this exalted land and the Imperial House's role in its creation.
This brings me to my next sad duty. I have understood there are some who would agree with some details raised in the letters and research. Any member who speaks a word of support, who writes a single agreement to the material will have their access stripped and will be branded oath-breaker and outcast of the order.
There must be unity in our group, if we are to proceed with research into the nature of arcane mysteries without distraction. Leave the pursuit of the past to the fools and Myrisi of the world, and focus on the present and that which is before us now. And it would seem, we have the honor of the Empire to defend amidst the other duties of the perform.
It must be done. Be certain it is done well, thoroughly, and completely.
Tavalan Aldirin
Arcanis Primus
So there was this setting for a Dungeons and Dragons game or three which I've spent roughly 3 years working on. I've taken a lot of shortcuts with putting things together, borrowing out of history and fictional interpretations of that history in order to base things on. I've taken a couple dozen cliches and well-known devices of fantasy writing, and made use of them while working to get something together which I could look at and go "now THAT looks good". Not "cool" or "awesome" but "good" or "serviceable".
End result, I have a lot of time which has been sunk into a history which has grown around some concepts which are perhaps used before . . . but I tried to study and adapt them to my own use. One of these was the idea of a "lost civilization" which would on the surface represent a past which is not reflected in history books. The real world parallels are, naturally, intended. But once you enter a fantasy realm . . . the end conclusions might potentially . . . differ.
What follows is an in-character rendition of what today would be called archaeology. I don't know if that was an actual term back in the period this particular world is modeled after, but that isn't important. What is important is how it is handled inside the world's eyes . . .
To my fellow seekers of knowledge,
It has long been a suspicion held by a few of us the Empire was not the first establishment of human presence on Erisdaire. Proof has been far from difficult to find, yet the belief persists. I find it quite ludicrous to see the voices of otherwise intelligent men and women raised in defense of an erroneous conclusion. There are countless leads with which to begin, and I shall endeavor to detail some of the more interesting details. I will prove the allegations are indeed serious and not at all grounded in fantasy, as the detractors would state.
Three years ago there were ruins located in the desert along the southern border of the Empire, which had been long abandoned by residents and consumed by the sands. The exploration of those ruins found several artifacts which could not be connected to early Imperial years or development, not to mention journal entries detailing "a vast dried fountain which rivals some dwellings in size and is exceedingly complex in operation". The expedition is better known for the ends it met after spoiled food and tainted water supplies led to their deaths before they could retrieve significant physical evidence of their trip. The conclusions reached by the expedition were delivered largely through the journals which still survive in the keeping of the Imperial Arcanists; this was a settlement of a rather advanced human civilization, who had knowledge of how to build a fountain and possibly aqueducts. I believe this city was indeed real, and it would be exceedingly worthwhile to return and attempt a more detailed examination.
A second tangible piece of evidence would be the existence of certain objects, which are in the keeping of several learned colleagues of myself. They are made from metals which I have been assured are not workable by even master metalsmiths, and as well the material has not been positively identified. Foremost is a metal with a dark blue luster which is heavier than steel and significantly harder to damage. For an example, I would point to a suit of armor which is kept by Lord Mayor Tersa Calendria in Valencia; it has been serviceable to a great many conflicts with only minor adjustments and repairs to the leather fittings and buckles. The armor itself, however, has neither rusted nor succumbed to the lure of time. I would stress this is far from the only such material on record whose source has gone unknown all this time.
Lastly I would note there are several parts of arcane research which bear names of those who remain unknown to the records of Imperial Arcanists or Myrisian Sages. Despite a great amount of attention taken to recording the names of illustrious members of either group, there are no fewer than six names attached to carious incantations and methods of research which cannot be located in the records. From where do these names come, and what is it which caused the record of their existence or affiliation to vanish?
I present in further evidence some correspondences which were recovered from the estate of a noble family recently brought down by plague and untimely deaths. The earliest letters are written in an archaic version of our own language, but there is a number of references to a place or person known as "Ortega". I would suppose on this evidence we have our first clue on where to direct research into these matters. It is imperative we understand the true course of past years, no matter how far back it may go, in order to chart the progress of future years. No doubt my learned fellows would agree, as we are keenly aware how much history influences the world of current years.
In Service of Truth,
Rao Demasica
Second Arcanist of Tor Sanguinus
###
Gentlemen and Fellow Arcanists,
It has come to my attention the raving lunatics who spread the myth of "Ortega" have gained purchase again, this time with the letters and published works of a former Arcanist. I would stress the need to prevent the rumors and myths which undermine the exalted truth of Rhyliss from spreading any further. I call upon those who are capable of investigating the so-called evidence to do so without further delay, and assist in preventing this falsification of history. It is unbecoming of one who has sworn an oath to the good of the Empire to question the origins of this exalted land and the Imperial House's role in its creation.
This brings me to my next sad duty. I have understood there are some who would agree with some details raised in the letters and research. Any member who speaks a word of support, who writes a single agreement to the material will have their access stripped and will be branded oath-breaker and outcast of the order.
There must be unity in our group, if we are to proceed with research into the nature of arcane mysteries without distraction. Leave the pursuit of the past to the fools and Myrisi of the world, and focus on the present and that which is before us now. And it would seem, we have the honor of the Empire to defend amidst the other duties of the perform.
It must be done. Be certain it is done well, thoroughly, and completely.
Tavalan Aldirin
Arcanis Primus
