Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Darth Syntax 07-30-06, 04:55 AM	As I have been studiously avoiding work on the Eberron Goblin Glossary (mostly due to a colossal sized case of linguist block) a thought occured to me. Who are the great thinkers, artists, writers, scientists, political philosophers, and the like of Eberron? When and by whom was the calculus discovered in the world? Has it even been discovered? Who can be rightly claimed to the Socrates of Eberron? What works of art are discussed decades, even centuries, after the death of their creators? For those of us with 'knowledgable characters' these might well be important questions. Furthermore, how can we go about creating an Intellectual History for the world that carries with it both a sense of internal consistency and keeps the feel of Eberron? To these and other, probably less interesting, questions I propose something like the following solution. . . . Those of us here on the forums that are interested in this sort of thing (and I know you exist, don't deny it) could pool our ideas and create a series of relativly short essay-like documents that touch on varrious subjects in the world which would have a history of scholarly or artistic inquiry. Ideally these essay-like write-ups would be of a world-internal character, we'd make up scholars, artists and the like and then refer to them or impersonate them and thereby craft a self-referental body of work. Sort of like inventing the Encyclopedia, only for a fictional world. The subject matter should be diverse, ranging from discussions of the nature of the varrious planes, to something like the history of mushroom usage in Karrnathi cuisine, or what have you. Those hypothetical writers to whom I refer need not agree on everything, scholars on earth never seem to. So if you have a theory about the origins of papermaking in Karrnath, and this directly contradicts someone elses papermaking theory, thats fine, hell thats good. We'll have built-in debate. In the next few days, Aureon willing, I will post a small essay on the nature of outsiders (as concieved by a Zil scholar), and if I am feeling really ambitious, 'excerpts' from a much earlier work which concieves of the outsiders in a totaly different way. So if anyone out there is interested, drop by and let me know and we'll see if we can't produce the Encyclopedia Eberron. It will finally give us some idea what all these professors in Eberron are talking about, and give a little more flavor to the results of knowledge checks. Let's face it, having ranks in knowledge: history, is simply more fun when your character can refer to actual historical events like the really happened.
Ellorin 07-30-06, 05:23 PM	Hm...interesting. VERY interesting idea.Let's give it a try... ( Excerpt from "A study in Undeath", by Faeldrith Draelneth, a female Aerenal Elf researcher, historian and Priest of Transition) " It should be noted that the generic Vampiric Dragon's psychology tend to differ in a large extend than the one shown by a humanoid one. It is a "creature" totally overcome with lust- the traditional coveting that leads to the draconic hoard ( both in the material and the Prophecy&signs aspect, as honoured Sholan Faen Melideth states) is added to the craving of blood and life force that characterizes any vampire. Unlike most humanoid vampires, the Vampiric Dragon avoids society, either that of its kind or another, and when it does,it rarely aspires to a cause rather than the steady accumulation of blood and wealth,with one exception (see below). Of course, when they do, they are some of the most dangerous and nightmarish creatures across Eberron.) Unlike what is believed by many, the largest portion of the Vampiric Dragons do not reside in Argonessen-it seems that most draconic factions would not tolerate such corruption. Many of them see them and Dracoliches as perversions created by the fiends of the first age. (As it has already been noted, this essay accepts the common view that identifies the Rakshasa Overlord Katashka as the creator of such monstrosities. See chapter V-Origins of Undeath .) The vast majority of the Vampiric Dragons are to be found in the depths of Khyber. Many of them exist in isolation, but others pose as gods to the denizens of Khyber, gathering worshippers around them-victim pools. In some cases, the Vampiric Dragon does have delusions of godhood. These Cults of the Dragon Below vary in size- in a few cases, true cities have been formed. Most of these worshippers-victims are grimlocs, medusae and minotaurs..." This is it. I hope you liked it.
Darth Syntax 07-30-06, 06:18 PM	That is indeed what I am thinking of. I especially liked the fact that you made reference to other scholars of the world as well as making reference to 'commonly accepted theories' it lends a certian weight to the whole thing. Excellent work. -- Some additional Ideas I have for moving things along. 1. Creating a list of potential scholars on varrious subjects as well as fields of discipline. 2. Inventing a particular 'Alter Ego' or even 'Alter Egos' for each potential contributer so that the work of a particular scholar can be simultaniously understood to be closest to the thinking of an actual poster. 3. Perhaps the creation of some classic intellectual conflicts, complete with polmic essays defending one side or the other. -- What follows is the rough introduction of an essay on varrious Planar theories I have been having of late. This essay represents the classical understanding of the planes. Being An Accounting Of The Moral Order Of The Cosmos And Its Various Substances -San Barhakon, -Editor’s Note: Barhakon, writing in the fourth century before the reign of Galafar, based his analysis of the Plane and their inhabitants on the then-current medical theories regarding the regulation of bodily fluids. This should be of no great surprise considering Barhakon’s formal training was as a physician rather than as a philosopher. It is also worth noting that while the medical ideas upon which Barhakon based is cosmos have fallen into disfavor, his explanation of the cosmos is still widely accepted with some modifications. J.B Occamlargo, The Library of Korranberg, 982 YK That the whole of the cosmos is structured along the lines of moral order cannot be doubted, good and evil are rightly seen as objective forces which have properties every bit as comprehensible as the behavior of light (see Ghaanurlaan Tavolan’s classic work The Optics). Further, this moral order is determined by the balance of certain primal substances which exist from out of eternity, and the continued existence and health of the cosmos is determined by the proper proportion of these substances. Just as the health of the body is determined by the proper regulation and balance of the fluids, so too the health of the cosmos is determined by the proper balance of primal substances. If the cosmos is to be likened to a body, then it must first be said that this body is primary, and prior to, our own existence, and that it is composed of substances both vastly superior and infinitely more vital that those earthly substances which make up our own sublunary world. Moreover, it must be stated that while the body of the cosmos is vastly superior to the mortal body, it, like us, is prone to corruption and disease. Of the six primal substances of which the cosmos is made, only three can be termed in any why beneficial, these three are axia (Law), beneficia (Good), and vivicos (Positive). The three remaining substances, entropos (chaos), malificos (Evil), and moricos (negative), have no beneficial properties. In our current age, the primal substances are sadly in complete balance which indicates and overall decline in the health of the cosmos. At any moment the equilibrium could be broken and an increase of the three harmful substances cause a great wave of disease over the whole. . . -- More later
taski 07-31-06, 01:49 AM	An excerpt from Gioppa Geralli Geran: Painter and Visionary, by Paenyin d'Thurrani, 983 YK The Death of Janas (885 YK) Largely considered one of Geran's finest works, The Death of Janas powerfully articulates the story of Janas d'Denieth, who, in the War of the Mark, sacrificed her life to kill Ennydaen the Telekenetic. According to legend, Ennydaen was an Aberrant Heir capable of calling forth a telekinetic sphere, witch he used to trap and throw Ferrik d'Denieth, Janas' husband, over the rocky cliffs of Rekkenmark. In the painting itself, we see an already injured Janas lunging foreward with her halberd just as Ennydaen lets loose his last volley of magic missles. Though the painting is no moving silent image, Geran's masterful strokes bring a tangible motion; we can only conclude that the collision will occur with violent, flesh-rending force. However, Geran chose not to depict the collision itself, as Kellirun did in his painting, The Battle at Rekkenmark. Instead, Geran denies us the satisfaction of Ennydaen's death, or the final peace of Janas'. Geran shows us the moment just before the climax, giving us a view of Ennydaen's suddenly waining arrogance, and Janas' poignant fury. In this imeasurably tiny slice of history, we can see in Janas' spiritless eyes that she will not die when the magic missles inevitably hit. She is already dead, her heart and soul shattered with Ferrik on the sharp rocks of Rekkenmark, and only the mindless zeal of vengeance keeps her body in motion. This deep re-examination of legendary figures is a hallmark of Geran's work, most familiar in her now-ubiquitous Portrait of Galifar I. The Death of Janas currently resides in the private collection of Baron Breven d'Denieth, in Karrlakton.
Eela6 07-31-06, 03:16 AM	From a Collection of Essays: The Last Scion “Reflections of the Last Scion -disortion in the eye of the beholder." “Possibly the most interesting aspect of The Last Scion's darkly prophetic words can be illustrated by the recent experiences of my protege, a Ms. Angela Darnie. Ms. Darnie frequents a bar in Sharn that caters to the self-professed 'word-eaters' – the newly emerging literate young, dissastisfied upper-middle class stranded by the sudden end of hostilities. The Last Scion is a popular topic of discussion, especially by the Khorovar that frequent the bar. After discussing the book with thirty educated and interested patrons, twenty-seven believe that the book was written within the last ten years. Even further, all but one believed that the book was written by a Half-Elf. While the identity of "Daedalus", the book's author, has not been fully unearthed, it is at least known to the annals of history that he was a hobgoblin immigrant from what is now Darguun, and he wrote the majority of what is now The Last Scion between 862 and 884 YK. As is noted on page 271 by the deaf Dwarven Seer, Alihiand, in her final moments. “Mark me, Nura. I may not hear the cries of the dying, but I can see the future of this world. War, strife, and great works are soon to commence, but not even they can save those races that are soon to die. You will survive, you and the Khorovar among you, but history and our lives, even our memory, are soon to be lost. Some day my words will be written as coming from your mouth.” ~Gabriel Shive
Splendide 07-31-06, 07:49 AM	Excerpt from the Kundarak handbook, A Guide To Incorrect Transactions, pertaining to the Order of Allervandt ------------------------------------ ALLERVANDT Any transaction order received containing the word Allervandt, in any context, should be refused until an alternately routed and secure request is received confirming the order, in all circumstances. The incident should be immediately reported to House Sivis, and all orders normally routed through the message stations involved in the transmission of this faulty order should be similarly confirmed by alternate means until Sivis have replaced their message stones with those of an alternate configuration. 98.3% of recorded transaction requests containing this word have been found to be benign, with the remaining 1.7% instances resulting in incorrect transactions. We are not in the business of allowing incorrect transactions. The word itself may appear to be a cohesive part of the message, or as a non-sequitur. We suspect that the majority of these interruptions are of the mischievous intent normally associated with younger gnomes, but young gnomes become old gnomes. Fortunately the occurance of these interruptions is rare - there have been only 30 instances of it in the past 43 years. This type of disruption to the secure communication of release orders was first noted in 835, and these disruptions are linked to a rumoured cabal of gnome dissidents and pranksters, referred to by Sivis as the Order of Allervandt. Sivis investigations into the source of communication disruption have only ever uncovered one culprit of whom we are aware, a Korranberg scholar named Rudal Estemar Menecci, whose studies focused on planar research and divination. We were unable to question him directly, due to his sudden and suspicious disappearance. While the message stations of Sivis are secure for most purposes, there are clearly methods of interception and alteration in circulation amongst the mages and artificers of Zilargo. The details of these methods have not been revealed to our satisfaction, and a standard Kundarak S31 reward applies to anyone who can provide concise details on these methods. As always, sensitive communications within House Kundarak should employ the latest ciphers prescribed by the Master of Orders.
Kinger 07-31-06, 05:59 PM	Excerpt from Military Philosophy of the Ancient Dhakaani Empire, a series of articles by noted Zil historian Agnosi Vincenillio regarding the translations of artifacts and documents of the Dhakaani age discovered at a dig in the Seawall Mountains, 712 YK. ---------------- Akhuul, Warrior-Philosopher A common occurence through the documentation is the reference to a figure known as "Akhuul." Though a common Darguun name now, in the same fashion Pinnico and Zook are common Zil names, the moniker Akhuul appears to originally have been a military title, one written with much reverence and respect. The closest translation I have reached has been "one who leads with sound judgement on all fields of battle," though my colleague- and I use the word ever-so-unwillingly- Figrian believes it more to be "one whose mind wins all battles" (see his inferior article Thought-Leaders of Dhakaan Revealed, 710 YK). The Akhuul referred to appears to have been granted this title by the Dhakaani Emperor of the time, Jahkraag the Invincible, who ruled for close to forty years some ten thousand years ago, before assassins disproved the accuracy of his title. It seems Akhuul was a knowledgable advisor of the Emperor, and the dominant reason for his success. It appears the sole reason for Akhuul himself not being Emperor was a lack of ambition fostered by a rather cynical outlook on life. Judging from the unearthed tablets and scrolls, Akhuul was most known for his lectures and articles on the philosophy and art of battle. One page appears to be from such an article, in fact. I have translated its contents and present them below. Victory should not be the sole goal of the warrior, for victory is fleeting. No sooner has one emerged victorious, than one faces further challenges. Nay, survival should be an important goal, for one may be victorious and dead, rendering that victory meaningless. A warrior may triumph over his opponent in battle, but should he succumb to his wounds, only the crows are truly victorious. Similarly dour and pessimistic philosophy could be found on another page, which describes the warrior philosophy held by Akhuul. To be disabled is to be defeated. To be disarmed is to be defeated. To be denied is to be defeated. One must seek to disable, disarm, and deny one's opponent, for in doing so victory is assured. One must avoid being disabled, disarmed, or denied in any form, lest defeat become inevitable. Such ideas, it seems, have survived long after the original manuscripts they were first contained within. Bastardized versions of the above philosophy can still be found recited in warrior camps of Darguun, and Akhuul's work as a whole appear to have been a major influence in many facets of both Darguun and Zil culture, from warfare to negotiation to business and economy. Even one of Korrenburg's early mottos, "Victory on every front," can be traced to Akhuul's teachings.
Purple Yin 08-01-06, 07:17 AM	Im sorry to break the theme, but you have to also remember that there must have been many dark ages in the history. The eberron material throws around timespans like 40,000 years as though it were at least twenty times shorter. The only way for the people to be at the level they are now is if there has been repeated dark ages, where knowledge and enlightenment have regressed. so every 500-1000 years, or so, someone new would discover triginomitry or how to measure density or any other fundamental system of logic.
Eela6 08-01-06, 11:51 AM	Well, yes. The question is, how many times have people run through the streets of sharn naked shouting "Eureka!*" *Whether it means "give me a towel" or not in Khoirvare is up to your interpretation.)
Darth Syntax 08-01-06, 03:35 PM	Im sorry to break the theme, but you have to also remember that there must have been many dark ages in the history. The eberron material throws around timespans like 40,000 years as though it were at least twenty times shorter. The only way for the people to be at the level they are now is if there has been repeated dark ages, where knowledge and enlightenment have regressed. so every 500-1000 years, or so, someone new would discover triginomitry or how to measure density or any other fundamental system of logic. I agree with you here, and given some of the known history it's not too hard to pin down when some of these 'dark ages' occured. certianly after the Age of Demons a great deal of knowledge was lost, the same can be said for the collapse of the Xen'Drik civilizations. We don't know enough about Sarlona to really make much of an educated guess about that, so we can either leave it alone or we can make it up from nothing. I would also venture to say that after the Dhakaani empire fell (it lasted 11,000 years) quite a lot of scientific an cultural information was lost. Otherwise Eberron would be massivly more advanced than it is. -- All that said, what DO the modern people know? What issues are discussed? To further that end I would like to see if we can't compose a list of ideas, scholars, inventions, and the like so that we have a framework to work with.
taski 08-01-06, 10:11 PM	The Kingdom of Galifar was around for almost 900 years, with no indication of a dark age... However, I could see a "Blah" Age, a period of slow technical and intellectual growth spanning up until the early 800's. Dispite being founded in 15 YK, the Arcane Congress might have done little to advance arcane knowledge, using very slow methods weighed down by tradition, beuracracy, and corruption. Also, the monopolistic nature of the Dragonmarked Houses could atrophy technical growth in the applied and artistic fields. With no one to seriously compete against, the Houses can put off innovation indefinately. Or until 802, anyway. The upgrade of Stormreach into a port of call provides the Kingdom of Galifar with artifacts and knowledge from the ancient Giants, available to anyone who gets there first. This in turn propells commercial competition, magical innovation, and historical discussion. Perhaps 802 would be a good cutoff point for most (but not all) modern Galifaran writing. Much of Zil writing, on the other hand, has been kept safely in the Korranberg Library for "centuries" (page 242 of the ECS even hints at it being pre-Galifar). Still, we can keep in mind that the gomes rarely share their best secrets.
okaynowa 08-01-06, 11:18 PM	These are a few scholars who've appeared directly or indirectly in my game-- consider them a nerdy DM's "heroic geeks." Names are followed by a reference to their era and field of study; the spoiler has notes on how I use them or their work in-game. Phex (Present Day, language and culture) Phex is both the first “out” changeling to become a full Sage-Professor at Morgrave University, and the first scholar to tackle what he calls “comparative studies.” Though he hasn’t quite settled on the terms yet (partially because he can speak every language known in Khorvaire, and several beyond), Phex has proposed what are basically the beginnings of linguistic taxonomy and typology with a heavy dose of cultural studies. Where previous scholars merely recorded the vocabulary and grammar of languages, Phex’s studies insist on an immersive and frequently political understanding of language in context. His seminal works, Goblinoid Intra-Cultural Communication and Symbiotic Cultures of Khorvaire, were simultaneously praised for their attention to detail and decried for their sympathetic portrayal of “monsters” (Phex considers worgs, for example, to have a distinct language and culture no less complicated than that of the Aereni). In the post-War environment, most people interpret Phex’s work as pro-Droaam and pro-Darguun, but it’s more accurate to say that the changeling sage is simply too willing to walk in another person’s shoes… Game use: In my Eberron campaign, Phex is my primary “hook” NPC, serving up plot points and exposition to the party. As a capable disguise artist and master of languages, he can accompany the party anywhere and act as a mediator or guide. He’s too busy taking notes and asking for definitions to get directly involved in anything but conversation, but he’s happy to follow adventurers to the ends of Eberron if there’s a chance he’ll find a language he doesn’t know yet, and he’s handy for decryption… Usuro Doldarun, “The Father” (200-552 YK, mathematics and economics) The major principles of mathematics have been lost and rediscovered several times in Eberron’s long history, but modern mathematicians in Khorvaire start counting from the year 378, when the dwarf Usuro published the Doldarunhold Codex. This tome standardized the notation systems for algebra and calculus; it also had a lot to say about compound interest and market forces, for the Father of modern mathematics was an investment banker competing against House Kundarak. Usuro’s Codex prompted a great surge forward in astronomy, physics, and engineering, and is still a principle text in universities. Game use: In my campaign, Usuro was also the “father” of the Aurum conspiracy (also known as the “get rich slow” scheme). Uxura Doldarun, “The Daughter” (300-560? YK, mathematics and planar physics) Uxura’s apple fell about as far from Usuro’s tree as possible. Born with a platinum spoon in her mouth and a genius’s brain, this prodigy flew off to Cyre and the art scene in Metrol at an embarrassingly young age (for a dwarf). When the Father cut off her allowance, the Daughter supported herself through writing. The Journals of Uxura were instant best sellers. In between the trippy poetry and scandalous accounts of parties with other contemporary figures, Uxura offered up profound number theory (including the still-used definition of infinity) and some extremely radical theories about the relations of time, space, and planar forces. Uxura published new Journals every ten or twenty years, mixing new number sets with tales of planar travel and really wild bacchanals. After the publication of The Journal of Uxura (560 YK), which debated inconclusively whether the plane of dreams occupied actual or merely psychic space, some party must have really gotten out of hand, for the Daughter of mathematics vanished without a trace. Game use: In my campaign, Uxura’s Journals are the source of numerology and any in-game reference about the number 13. Her work also serves as an unreliable guide to the non-material planes, if one can discern the truer travel accounts from the really good tea.
Seth of the First Brigade 08-02-06, 12:59 AM	Being An Accounting Of The Moral Order Of The Cosmos And Its Various Substances -San Barhakon, -Editor’s Note: Barhakon, writing in the fourth century before the reign of Galafar, based his analysis of the Plane and their inhabitants on the then-current medical theories regarding the regulation of bodily fluids. This should be of no great surprise considering Barhakon’s formal training was as a physician rather than as a philosopher. It is also worth noting that while the medical ideas upon which Barhakon based is cosmos have fallen into disfavor, his explanation of the cosmos is still widely accepted with some modifications. J.B Occamlargo, The Library of Korranberg, 982 YK That the whole of the cosmos is structured along the lines of moral order cannot be doubted, good and evil are rightly seen as objective forces which have properties every bit as comprehensible as the behavior of light (see Ghaanurlaan Tavolan’s classic work The Optics). Further, this moral order is determined by the balance of certain primal substances which exist from out of eternity, and the continued existence and health of the cosmos is determined by the proper proportion of these substances. Just as the health of the body is determined by the proper regulation and balance of the fluids, so too the health of the cosmos is determined by the proper balance of primal substances. If the cosmos is to be likened to a body, then it must first be said that this body is primary, and prior to, our own existence, and that it is composed of substances both vastly superior and infinitely more vital that those earthly substances which make up our own sublunary world. Moreover, it must be stated that while the body of the cosmos is vastly superior to the mortal body, it, like us, is prone to corruption and disease. Of the six primal substances of which the cosmos is made, only three can be termed in any why beneficial, these three are axia (Law), beneficia (Good), and vivicos (Positive). The three remaining substances, entropos (chaos), malificos (Evil), and moricos (negative), have no beneficial properties. In our current age, the primal substances are sadly in complete balance which indicates and overall decline in the health of the cosmos. At any moment the equilibrium could be broken and an increase of the three harmful substances cause a great wave of disease over the whole. . . -- More later Change earthly to eberronian. :)
Darth Syntax 08-02-06, 03:16 AM	Okaynowa, your format is brilliant for a discussion of scholars, consider it 'stolen' as a very useful template for things. As to the contents, they are also excellent. So if any one has an interesting in scholars if you could please write it up in a similar fashion (but feel free to expand and add details if you wish) that would be great. Now, for some scholars of my own. -- Tlöön Vannyaakvar (960-Present, language, culture, and symbolic systems) Tlöön Vannyaakvar, the noted hobgoblin scholar of languages, began his work as a scholar of the Old High Dhakaani language, and his revalations about pronuciation, gramaticality, and phonotactics were well recieved by the larger accademic community, but incured the wrath of his people, the kech volaar, as he maintained that they had been speaking the ancient tongue in an inauthentic fashion. Subsequent discoveries have sense vindicated Vaanyaakvar but he remains abroad so as to make no further 'uncomfortable' discoveries. His work, at present, has focused on attempting to classify the varrious languages spoken in the Demon Wastes. This has proven somewhat difficult, not the least owing to the propensity of the native speakers to indulge in a little recreational cannibalism. His grammar of Luzhun Daigo (known to most by the exonym Ghaash'Kala) was well recieved in Aundair and Karrnath, but angered several prominent linguists in Breland as well as House Tharashk, because of its position that Luzhun Daigo is in no way related to the languages spoken in the Shadow Marches, but is an isolate. Jadranlo Belanlarsha Occamlargo(906-Present, Planar Metaphysics, esoteric mathematics) Occamlargo (whose family name means 'the home of reason' in Zilashtro, the official language of Zilargo), served for twenty years as the director of the Library of Korranberg before seemingly disappearing into the vastness of the archives. For several years it was assumed he had died until several books writen in his unique hand were discoverd as varrious locations in the offices of his former staff. From these works, one of which was a journal, it was learned that Occamlargo had actually made his way to the second layer of Daanvi* by means of a portal which exists in the depths of the Library of Korranberg. Sense traveling to the planes, Occamlargo has come to radically different understanding of the nature of outsiders, and has written several works in which he questions the traditional views concerning the nature and purpose of the outsiders. His most widely know work, The Ontology of the Infinite, focuses on a discussion of the monistic philosophy which is central to all outsiders. He also divides the whole of the outsider community by means of their particular form of monism (idealism, materialism, neutral monism) rather than by their alignments, which he maintains is a secondary characteristic. Although his theories have substantial support in Zilargo and in Breland, his emphasis on monism and his general disregard of the importance of good and evil has caused many of his works to be banned in Thrane, and met with hostility by those of a more traditional bent. * I have been working off and on the nature of the Planes of Eberron with the goal of creating a unique cosmology that dosent just port the great wheel. Although I am a great fan of Planescape, I like the oppertunity to re-imagine planar concepts and make them unique to the world. Concerning Daanvi, the second layer in my imagining, is an infinite library which is based on Jorge Luis Borges story The Library of Babel. -- I will post some more scholars in the near future. Thanks again to everyone for participating in this thread. -- Edit: Oh and I thought about changing 'earthly' to something like 'eberronian' but the later seemed too specific in its semantic connotations and I wanted something more like 'materialistic and base' but without having to say that. A dilema indeed.
Kinger 08-03-06, 06:49 PM	An excerpt from Portraits of Breland, by scholar Rulfgar Gallaway of Morgrave, 891 YK Roccard the Ogrebane Rides Again (854 YK) A famous work recognizeable by near anyone with a passing interest in art or military history, this work by famed Sharn native Olliv ir'Odelay is nonetheless blatantly inaccurate. It is said amongst those educated in the arts that ir'Odelay dipped her brush too much in the pot of artistic license. Not since Throma Slimsbry wrote her controversial article Equality of Our Goblin Kin (849 YK) had such an idealized version of a situation been put to paper. Still, that doesn't make the painting any less to look at. The viewer's eyes are immediately drawn to Roccard, the titular subject and famed captain of the Brelish Army, circa 831 YK. He is clad in shining full plate, the Bear of Breland emblazoned on his chest, and holds his shining sword high above his head as his mount charges into battle. This is not at all an original focus for a work of art, but one can ignore that based on the skill with which ir'Odelay manages to evoke an emotional response from the viewer. One cannot help by inwardly cheer on this great Brelish warrior. One can assume that the look of the Ogrebane's armor and weapon is accurate simply because it appears very similar to that worn and wielded by the many busts and statues sculpted of him during his successful campaigns across the mountains into western Breland. Still, that appears the extent of this works versimilitude. Note Roccard's choice of mount, for instance. By all written accounts, including his personal journal, the half-orc warrior always rode his mottled grey stallion Lager into battle. According to most, the aging horse was Roccard's closest friend and companion. However, an elderly horse of questionable breeding is hardly fitting for such a hero, according to this painting, for it depicts Roccard as riding an armored bear into the fray. While a patriotic and inspirational image, it is nonetheless blatantly false and historically inaccurate, considering Breland did not begin fielding bears into battle until Worton's Skirmish in 861. However fictional, though, it remains a magnificent beast. Such great shoulders and jaws, and a luxurious coat so well portrayed one feels one could reach into the painting and sieze a handful of fur. Secondly, and somewhat more subtley, are the features of Roccard himself. Roccard Ladelgirth, a half-orc born to a lower-class family of Sharn, was never described as a man as handsome as that depicted in this painting. In fact, several accounts depict him as nearly homely, with prominent tusks, a flat nose, and a substantial under-bite. Still, all descriptions speak of Roccard's incredible presence and charisma. This, one must admit, is well depicted in this painting, for one cannot help but pay attention to this great man, however artificial the depiction may be. Thirdly and finally, we see the scene about the titular hero. While none can deny the Ogrebane's tactical prowess, strategic cunning, and ability to lead, there is no chance that the man in question could have performed the feats implied in this painting. In the wake of his charging bear, one can make out the crumpled forms of at least a half-dozen ogres, lying sprawled on the feild of battle with no foe but Roccard nearby. Ir'Odelay obviously intends the viewer to assume that the great Roccard the Ogrebane smote these foul creatures on his valorous charge, but she could not possibly have expected an educated viewer to believe such skill was possible. Roccard and other heros have been lauded for their martial abilities, and rightly so, but six ogres on one's own? Surely not. ---------------------------- Roccard the Ogrebane was a Half-Orc Paladin and Captain of the Brelish Army for a period. His deeds in western Breland (now Droaam) are the stuff of folktales, and most believe that the actions sung of have been exagerated with time. The fact that the half-orc was a PC-status-worthy character begs to differ. :)
mhacdebhandia 08-04-06, 09:27 PM	It looks like Faiths of Eberron posits the existence of some specific scholars in the setting: This book discusses the major religious movements in Khorvaire, as well as some of the lesser but influential sects. It is largely drawn from a living document kept in the Department of Ecclesiastical Studies at the University of Wynarn in Fairhaven, Aundair. Many of the lengthier commentaries are the work of the esteemed provost Camarind Alst, who remained a vigorous scholar of faith until his death in the year 997 YK at the age of eighty-four. Shorter essays have been added over the years by students and independent researchers. Such notes vary widely in quality and reliability; the reader is forewarned not to draw conclusions hastily.
JulesCARV 08-05-06, 03:38 AM	I think that in Eberron, the Dark Ages are contemporary with campaigns: i.e., they started around 894 YK, and are continuing as of 998 YK. That's why there's so much room for PC adventurers: eras of peace and enlightenment don't have as much room for violent pulpy heroes who throw fireballs around (a little room, perhaps, but not nearly as much as a dark age). Of course, in Eberron, it happens to be both a Dark Age and an Age of Exploration (Xen'drik), which means even more oppurtunities for PC-type pulp adventuring. Anyway, my contributions: five authors. A dwarf heretic of the Silver Flame, a human comic book author and advocate of the Sovereign Host, a half-elf empiricist artificer and philosopher, his wife, a spiritualist changeling bard and activist, and a warforged novelist. Hera Nythran (YK 490 - YK 758) (LG Dwarf Adept 2/Monk 2) A monk dedicated to the Silver Flame, little is known of Hera Nythran. By most accounts, she lived a scholarly, prayerful life. In 613, she had a vision which lead her to claim that Tira Miron was never a mortal woman, but a manifestation of the purity of the flame itself, and that her corporeal form was a mere mask, and illusion that allowed her to complete her mission on Eberron before returning to the flame. This heresy eventually lead to her expulsion from the Church of the Silver Flame for heresy. She lead a schismatic sect of the Church, known as the Nythranists for the next century, but after her death, the sect quickly fell apart, and its members rejoined the mainstream Church The True Nature of Our Savior (YK 615) This book claims to reveal the true nature of the flame, and, more controversially, of Tira Miron herself. Rather than ascending to her quasi-deific status as the Voice of the Flame, this work claims that Tira Miron was always a divine entity, never a mortal woman, and that her time in Eberron was merely a semi-illusory corporeal manifestation of her true nature as a being of pure good and energy. It was banned by the Church of the Silver Flame until YK 780, after the dissolution of the Nythranists. An Appeal to the Keeper of the Flame (YK 703) A famous letter, asking for reconciliation between Nythran and her followers and Flamekeep, this letter offers to recant the claim that Tira Miron was purely divine, and offers to claim that the nature of Tira Miron "human, but with divine aspects prior to her death and ascension" in exchange for re-admittance into the Church of the Silver FLame. This lead to a long and detailed theological correspondance between Nythran and Cardinal Werdan, which lasted for two years, but ultimately there was no resolution. Bathin ir'Cannith (YK 870 - YK 943) (N Human aristocrat 2/expert 2) A minor Cannith and graphic novelist, Bathin wrote and illustrated several comic books. His most famous work is the series The Adventures of Cartican. After the war started, Bathin increasingly became a Cyrean propagandist, and much of his later work is regarded as significantly inferior to his earlier works. Bathin was a devout worshipper of the Sovereign Host, and he always worked his faith into his works, although subtly at first (his later works show a more blatant, crude form of evangelism for the Sovereign Host, often as a part of his war propaganda against Karrnathi followers of the Blood of Vol and Thranish followers of the Silver Flame). The Adventures of Cartican, Vols. I - XVI. ((c) YK 888 - YK 895) The stories of a roguish, anthropomorphized fox named Cartican, this series begins by tracking Cartican's adventures as a thief, con man, and mercenary-bandit. Cartican steals royal jewels, creates pyramid schemes, raids caravans, seduces wealthy heiresses (and a wealthy gay heir, on one occassion), and myriad other schemes, succeeding and failing sporadically. Later in the series, Cartican becomes increasingly disillusioned with his ill-gotten wealth and regrets his ill-spent life, turning to "The Celestial Legion" (a thinly disguised Sovereign Host) for redemption. The middle-aged Cartican eventually becomes a champion of good, and finds true love and forgiveness in a pious fox-woman whom he formerly betrayed and stole from. Although the later, more contemplative and didactic volumes are less popular than the more swashbuckling earlier volumes, all volumes show a tolerance of moral ambiguity and subtlety absent from Bathin's later work. The Keeper's Servant ((c) YK 904) A fanciful work of Cyrean propaganda, this graphic novel claims that King Kaius I is a demon-possessed servant of the Keeper, and that the Blood of Vol is a mere disguise for worship of the Dark Six. In one scene, the comic shows Kaius gloating over atrocities his forces have committed against the Cyreans, and, when a Karrnathi officer who continues to worship the Sovereign Host piously expressed pity for the Cyreans killed, Kaius turns into a Balor to disembowel her. (Ironically, one of the few accusations the comic book doesn't make against Kaius is that he is a vampire) Dirrick Mastings (YK 948 - present?) (NG half-elf expert 2/artificer 4) The son of a highly regarded Brelish khoravar wizard, Dirrick was taught by his mother from an early age on all topics, with intensive study and discipline. By age five, he spoke common, elven, dwarven, giant, draconic, and goblin. By age eight, he was casting his first infusions. Combining innate genius and an intense education, he published his first (although not particularly notable) original paper in 961, and made significant advances in primal magical theory by 964 with Applications of Zero-Eigenvalue Spell Matrices to Counterspelling. However, in 965, he suffered a mental and existential crisis, feeling that his learning did nothing to help him with life's larger problems. He found solace neither in his mother's mechanistic rationalism nor in the religions he found in Breland (although for a brief time during this period, he experimented in attending services of the Silver Flame, the Path of Light, the Sovereign Host, and even a secret service of the Blood of Vol). It was eventually in his future wife (married in 968), the changeling bard Ann Tell, that he found the strength and vitality to continue. Dirrick's work after his recovery was far more varied than his earlier work, dabbling in philosophy, politics, and economics, and while he continued to contribute to abstract magical theory, he began to blend it increasingly with bardic ideas of magic. In YK 996, Dirrick and Ann both went to Thelanis with the aid of a Kalashtar nomad, seeking greater understanding of magic. They are presumed to still be alive, though nothing has been heard of them since then. Applications of Zero-Eigenvalue Spell Matrices to Counterspelling ((c) YK 964) This work used innovative ways of describing the magic dispellation process, and proposed far stronger and less easily resisted counterspelling processes than previously known. However, the magical power needed for this new spell was beyond that of any known mage (in game terms, it requires the use of an epic spellseed, basically), so it turned out not to have any application as originally intended. The techniques of using spell matrix filters to amplify or dampen spells along eigenvectors, however, later found application in being a small part of the basis of eternal wands, allowing infinite, albeit slow, sources of magic, through a "self-amplification and recycling" process. (co-authored with Ann Tell) A Vindication of the Rights of the Warforged ((c) YK 967) The first collaborative work between Dirrick Mastings and Ann Tell, this was a prescient call for the recognition of the sentience and dignity of the warforged. The essay goes through several philosophical and religious perspectives, showing that the rights of the warforged are, if not intrinsic to, at least compatible, with the perspectives mentioned. Over half of the book is devoted to debunking anticipated or real objections to the concept of warforged rights. The essay was obscure until King Boranel started promoting the essay among his staff and the populace at large (although Boranel himself has reputedly never found the time to read the sometimes dry and didactic essay personally, needing no persuasion of the rights of the warforged). The Cerebrocracy of Dharkuul ((c) YK 976) This book is a novelistic imaginary history of a goblin republic that broke off from the Dhaakani empire, and retaining its independence after several attempts by the Dhakaanis to retake it (failing owing to geographic isolation and impassable terrain in the area of the Mror Holds). In it, Mastings explores the ideal of a state ruled by merit and intelligence, negotiating the line between entrenched aristocracy and the feared "mob rule" of democracy. He envisions a system where standardized testing of relevant knowledge weight the vote of each citizen, where "the meanest of citizens who desires it may have one vote, but the wisest might command three hundred." At first, the republic prospers, developing new magic and improving the lives of all, but in time, the system of tests becomes increasingly rigged, and the wealthy begin to ensure that education is available only to those loyal to them. In time, it becomes an aristocracy again, stagnates, and is reconquered by the Dhakaanis. The book also serves as an exploration of utopian ideals contrasted with the fallibility of people, showing the ambivalence of those who, like Dirrick, hoped to improve the lives of all, but believed that perfection was impossible. Doldarun Series Integrations of Complex Harmonic Resonances: Psionic and Bardic Magic ((c) YK 981) This paper showed Dirrick Masting's increasing interest in the bardic magic of his wife (and other bards) and the psionics he was studying among the Kalashtar. He attempted to link two of the traditionally less well-understood aspects of magic -- bardic magic and psionics -- to other magical methods. His view of magic seems to have gradually taken quite a different turn than his early work, increasingly focusing on "wave-based" analysis of magical power (in contrast to what many have retrospectively termed his earlier "corpuscularism"), probably because bardic magic is far easier to describe using such analysis. Wartime Economy and Finance ((c) YK 985) This work, a response to Breland's increasingly dire financial crisis, was an attempt to explore Breland's financial circumstances. Most of the work is spent laying out mathematical models of economics and finance, then making projections of various scenarios, including a widespread system of rationing, debasement of the Brelish currency, tax increases, and default on the Brelish debt. Although generally balanced and cautious in its assessment, the work is widely perceived as an attack on the conventional view, advanced by Borin d'Kundarak, that default would be an unmitigated disaster for Breland. In the end, he concluded that, on the balance of probability, tax increases were the best approach, but cautioned that none of the options were good, and under some plausible parameters (even if not the most likely ones), the models showed default to be the best option. The Morals of Using Animal and Elementals: Elemental Airships, Abattoirs, and More Meaty Matters ((c) YK 992) See entry under Ann Tell. Ann Tell (YK 944 - present?) (CG changeling magewright 2/bard 3) Ann Tell was the daughter of Sim Tell, who bore her while in female form (although he switched back after her birth), although he was naturally a male. Her other father was gone by the time she was born, and Sim was an innattentive, if not quite neglectful man, primarily interested in wealth and pleasure. Largely left to her own devices, she dabbled in magic, music, spiritualism, philosophy, cooking, art and politics. She was a vigorous opponent of the war, calling for peace regardless of any resolution of claims by the different thrones. A spiritual wanderer, she picked up various bits from the Greensingers, the Silver Flame, the Path of Light, and others, as well as the rationalistic philosophy of Dirrick Mastings once she met him, adding and discarding bits of each philosophy from her worldview as it suited her. She met Dirrick while he was in the throes of anxious depression, and her more easygoing, tolerant view of life helped him live with the fact that many of the hardest questions are unanswerable through rational inquiry. Her frequently bold, strident, and confident style often complemented Dirrick's reticence, qualifications, and ambivalence. In YK 996, Ann Tell left for Thelanis with her husband, seeking a deeper understanding of magic, with the aid of a Kalashtar Nomad. Nothing has been heard from them since, although they are presumed to still be alive. The Alliance Duet ((c) YK 963) Written to celebrate the alliance of Breland and Zilargo, this piece exemplified Ann Tell's hopes that the war would soon be peacefully resolved. Structured as a two-voice fugue, the duet has a lighthearted, soothing theme. Ann later publicly regretted the optimism she showed in the Alliance Duet, bitterly disappointed by the long continuation of the war. A Modest Suggestion: Stop Killing Each Other, You Idiots! ((c) YK 965) Polemical yet humorous, this book advocates an immediate end to hostilities, a pact to unite against any aggression that breaks the new peace, and the formation of an agreed upon council to resolve extant claims among the nations, gradually working toward the restoration of a united Galifar. She anticipates that Khorvaire will never be united by war, but in peace, the differences between the nations might gradually become blurred again, and over a few centuries, Galifar might be re-united. She criticizes all of the belligerants, but her harshest criticism is reserved for her own Sovereign, King Boranel, in his conduct of the war. The work caused her to be monitored by the Dark Lanterns for a time, until Boranel discovered this and called them off, sympathizing with her message of peace in spite of her attacks against him. She also advocates resistance to the war among ordinary Brelish subjects, calling for draft resistance in a possibly tongue-in-cheek manner that left many in doubt as to whether she was truly publicly advocating breaking the law. (co-authored with Dirrick Mastings) A Vindication of the Rights of the Warforged ((c) YK 967) see entry under Dirrick Mastings. Healing Canons: Music for a Fractured Kingdom ((c) YK 973) This is a strange collection. It includes both transcriptions of instructions for music used in casting bardic healing spells, as well as some purely non-magic, musical canons, mournful in tone, that are supposedly a "lament for a wounded world." Ann Tell believed that the works would complement each other, the musically inclined possibly being interested in useful healing magic, and the magical gaining some aesthetic taste in music. However, after many complaints from customers, the Korranberg Publishing Company decided to split the work in two, providing the musical and magical healing spell sections in seperate works, to Ann Tell's dismay. Blithe Spirits: An Outsider's-Eye View of the Greensingers ((c) YK 979) This work is an exploration of the sometimes obscure Greensinger sect of druids. It contains many accounts of Greensinger rituals, magic, and philosophy. She professes her love of the vivacious spirit of Greensinger spirituality, but ultimately criticizes them for excessive reliance on intuition and reverence for the Fey, who Ann Tell regards as prone to the foibles of ordinary people, with the Greensingers mistaking their innate power and beauty for wisdom. She does say that there are many lessons to be drawn from their beliefs, however, concluding with a list wise truths that people of any faith could learn from the Greensingers. Brelish Vegetarian Cuisine (Magical and Mundane) (Tested by Humans, Khoravar, Changelings, Kalashtar, and Gnomes) ((c) YK 983) Dirrick Mastings became a vegetarian in 962, at age 14, and Ann Tell eventually followed in 972. Having improvised an extensive collection of recipes, Ann decided to publish them. The book frequently makes use of prestidigitation in recipes, but claims that it is never essential, and just an optional spell for those with access to it. Having tested the recipes on her friends (and husband), she cautioned that she knew the recipes were nutritionally balanced and healthy for humans, khoravar, changelings, kalashtar, and gnomes, but was uncertain as to whether they would suffice for dwarves, shifters, halflings, orcs, or goblinoids. The Morals of Using Animal and Elementals: Elemental Airships, Abattoirs, and More Meaty Matters ((c) YK 992). Ann Tell and Dirrick Mastings jointly edited this collection of essays. Ann Tell contributed more essays than any of the other contributors individually, although others, including Dirrick, contributed the majority of the essays. This work includes essays from all sides of the debate on the morality of the new practice of elemental binding, and the very old practice of raising and slaughtering animals for food, clothing, and other purposes. Ann Tell's essays frequently contain impassioned appeals for mercy and justice, with essays such as, "Imagine That You Are An Elemental" and "The Ethics of Torturing Animals for Taste, Fashion, and Convenience." Dirrick Mastings' essays take a more measured, analytical tone, condemning the suffering caused by the practices, but attempting to take all sides into consideration, offering a plan advocating gradual reduction of animal usage and amelioration of the worst abuses, magebred animals altered into non-sentience, and the development and use of charm magics to entice elementals into working happily instead of more coercive binding magics. Repair Kit (YK 971 - YK 997) (CN Warforged Warrior 2/artificer 2) An Aundairan warforged trained in the repair and maintenance of its fellow Warforged soldiers, Repair Kit's claim to fame was its authorship of a fanciful, novelistic adventure which it claimed was its own biography. The "biography" consisted almost entirely of fabrications, and Repair Kit had spent much of the time in which it was absent without leave from the Aundairan military (during which it allegedly had its adventures) in Passage pretending to be a port security inspector, collecting stories from sailors in bars. Nonetheless, the tale was well-liked for its fluid writing style. Much of it turned out to be veiled plagiarizations of adventure stories from the Korranberg Chronicle, some were sailors stories that Repair Kit had heard and modified in Passage, and some was brilliantly fanciful fabrications. Ironically, the knowledge that Repair Kit had fabricated the tale did more to encourage the idea of Warforged sentience and figurative humanity than the tale would have had it been true. In another irony, in 997, Repair Kit decided to make good on some of its previous claims of having been to Xen'Drik, and went on an airship there. Unfortunately, the airship crashed when its elemental went out of control, killing 25 of the ship's 79 passengers and crew, including Repair Kit. The True Adventures of Repair Kit the Warforged ((c) YK 983) An adventure novel thinly disguised as an autobiography, this book traces Repair Kits "adventures" as it goes on expeditions with various other explorers (some of them real, famous, and quite displeased to be included in Repair Kit's fantasies) into the depths of Khyber, explores the jungles of Xen'Drik, explores the bottoms of the oceans, and many other things. In one part of its travels on Xen'Drik, its party, lead by Jorlanna d'Cannith herself, comes across a manifest zone of the plane where the gods themselves resides, and they witness a fierce battle between Dol Arrah and the Mockery. In another instance, the Deathless of Aerenal threaten to "disassemble" Repair Kit so that they might better understand the forces of life and improve their necromancy, possibly to include Warforged grafts for the deathless, but Repair Kit heroically and wildly implausibly escapes by wearing a Deathless mask and pretending to be an Undying warrior in plate armor and escaping to the Tairnadal, where more adventures ensue. Other adventures include meeting Uxura Doldarun in the outer planes and exploring the Syberis ring.
Darth Syntax 08-05-06, 04:18 AM	I really don't think the 'modern era' can be likened to a Dark Age. Granted the political situation is unstable, and another war is likely, but really, the fall of Galafar dosen't seem to have done much to alter the way people live, nor has it lead to a massive loss of material culture and the like. I would say a somewhat better historical analog for the current situation in Khorvaire would be the period before WWI (although the inter-war period also makes sense). There is tention in the air, and it seems likely that the treaty which holds the peace is going to fail. Every one is just waiting for 'the archduke to be assassinated.' Because of the tention, and due to the rise of nationalism and the like, the modern era could actually be full of innovation and discovery, the need to be 'on top' when the next war comes would be a powerful motivating force.
taski 08-08-06, 04:36 AM	Dr. Dirkmeil Roc Lurryn (956-Present, Archaeology & Xen'Drik History) Formerly a professor at Morgrave University, Dr. Lurryn has overseen a number of archaeological digs in Breland and northern Xen'drik. Dispite his extensive experience and the love of his students (who reffered to him as "Doc Roc"), the professor's developed senses of curiosity and ethics could not abide by the unspeculative, acquisitive nature of Morgrave's digs. Dr. Lurryn planned to amass evidence of the University's less scrupulous practices, and bring what he could to Wroat, with the intention of notifying Parliment of the extent of these practices. Unfortunately, in his search, he found that not just a few members of Parliment have knowingly bought unstudied and ill-gained antiquities at Morgrave auctions. Dr. Lurryn, however, did not cease his questioning soon enough, and was discovered by the heads of the University. To ensure he could not ruin the good names of their noble customers, the University heads ruined Dr. Lurryn, by planting a high-profile statuette in his home, and claiming that he stole it from the Dezina Meuseum. Presently, he lives in Precarious in Sharn, spending as little of his money as possible on food and lodgings, so that he may independantly purchace antiquities and study them. He no longer publishes papers, but continues writing them. Game Use: Dr. Lurryn is a good man to go to if the PCs have useless, ancient pottery shards to sell. Also, he can tell a fake from an authentic piece of Xen'drik or Dhakaani origin. He generally has a poor opinion of mercenaries working for Morgrave, but he would welcome the company of any true scholar. If offered to join a group of enthusiastic history buffs for a trip to little-known Xen'drik sites, he would accept in an instant, bringing with him personal experience of the drow, giants and other dangers of the dark continent.
Naudachu 08-08-06, 07:18 PM	Don't forget about the Journeys of Valtreaux the Mad (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebsi/20050613a). J'naalik Saga (Age of Monsters -6,000, Dhakaani epic sea poem) And she saw the white rimmed mountains Crackling lightning they bore And never was there More longing These lines are the most oft debated amongst scholars about the ancient duur'kala saga. Meltash Qishqay, a noted kalashtar historian, asserts that these lines describe the mountain city of Adar in Sarlona. Others argue that the peculiar local weather pattern described could hardly have lasted throughout the centuries. It also breaks with popular opinion about the level of ancient Hobgoblin maritime technology. Of course modern Darguuls take much pride in what they consider is proof that hobgoblins discovered humanity in Sarlona long before Lhazaar discovered Khorvaire. Discrepancies in translation from Old High Dhakaani really allow for varied interpretation even among the Dhakaani. It should be noted that the saga was written during the chaos of the Daelkyr War in what many term the Dhakaani escapist fantasy era. The Library of Korranberg holds the only surviving original, though many copies and forgeries abound in Darguun and elsewhere.
Rosary 08-11-06, 08:33 AM	One of the most discussed (and least understood, some would say) works in the history of Brelish literature is arguably D. Mannheims “Disillusions” from 977 YK. Written after almost a century of war, it is a depressing journey through the life of a man (Holy Masden), who slowly but steadily kills himself through abstainment from joy. The language is heavily laden with symbols and metaphors, leaving a host of possible interpretations open. Readers have described the book as anything from “nationalistic and hateful” (Fervv Manick, Chief Linguist, Korranberg U.) to “The greatest philosophical work of our time” (Professor Phex, Morgrave U.). Whatever its true meaning (if there is one such), it has introduced a whole new genre in litterature, the third-person, intraspective POV and has inspired countless writers thoughout the later years. The book spans over 30 years, picking out small, seemingly unrelated events from Holys life and describing them in such exhaustive detail, that several prominent scholars have described it as “unreadable”. With its almost 5000 pages, it is indeed a work few have the intellectual capacity to digest. The book has its fans, though, and professor Phex from Morgrave University actually co-founded the “Disillusions Discussion Society” which have regular meetings where single subchapters (some only a few pages long) are discussed for hours on end. Hope it fits :) <edited for errors>
Ellorin 08-14-06, 04:16 AM	[Excerpt from "The fall of Chazaak Draal", by Faeldrith Draelneth (already mentioned scholar)] "At this point it should be underlined that most Dhakaani sources describe the goblin emperor as a great warrior but as a cruel, autocratic person, jealous of the accomplishments of his greatest generals, a description that is mostly based on the imprisonment of Gharnuul Dresh, a distinguished general and his right hand in defending the emperor's most beloved city, after many victories against the besiegers' hordes. As it is mentioned in the previous chapter, this feat gave the emperor the name of Lhesh Garnishaak, the Lord-Jailmaster(a title " of dubious grammatical accuracy" according to the acknowledged hobgoblin scholar Tloon Vannyaakvar*). The dirge singers of the Kech Volaar tribe claim that the emperor's motives were not related to jealousy. According to the Kech Volaar, Gharnuul Dresh was nothing but a false persona. A group of adventurers charged by the emperor to uncover an assasination attempt against the imperial swordmaster discovered that not only Dresh was behind a plot that would discredit the emperor himself and put Dresh on the throne but that he was the Zakya Rakshasa Draktharus as well. The emperor was furious, yet he could not bring himself to execute the fiend-he was his most brilliant general and, ironically, a beacon of hope for the soldiers. Thus, Draktharus was imprisoned in the imperial dungeons' the most secure, magically augmented section, where he was the only prisoner. There the Emperor offered him a deal: if he would continue to create military plans for the defence of the city, on the day of victory he would bereleased and exiled. If he refused, he would remain chained there for all eternity, with only a cursed ring of sustenance that the fiend wouldn't be able to remove. A set of items was created: a helm to ensure that the fiend would be in telepathc contact with the emperor, a breastplate to make sure that the emperor would be immune of the fiend's tricks, and a belt which would release it-but would only manifest its powers when the other items were also worn. The set was also named "Lesh Garnishaak" The deal was fruitful for some time, but it didn't save the city. The emperor himself perished with Chazaak Draal. Neither he or the items were recovered. The fiend supposedly remains chained in the ruins, with the exception of a particular lay which states that Draktharus in the his last conversation with the emperor claimed that " though his body would remain chained, his mind would be soon free to roam the world and exact his revenge on him and his descendants". The unknown composer seems to imply possession abilities. The Kech Volaar traditions identify the Platinum Imperial Breatsplate which was briefly displayed in a museum of the Morgrave University in Sharn 20years ago until "mysteriously disappearing" as the breastplate of the legend..." *Note by the author: I hope that Darth Syntax won't mind. I really liked that scholar.
Darth Syntax 08-14-06, 05:10 AM	Ellorin: No, I do not mind at all. In fact, this sort of internal reference is exactly what makes this sort of thing great. Due to an unfortunate situation involving some data loss, It will be a day or two before I get another thing posted. However, I expect it to be something by Tlöön Vannyaakavar on common misinterpretations of OHD, and how they have colored modern understandings of the empire (both by the Galifarans and the modern Goblinoids)
okaynowa 08-18-06, 09:12 AM	Herani Thol d'Orien (260-323 YK, art and cartography) Herani was born into the Thol branch of House Orien. Though her parents were Marked members of the Couriers Guild, young Herani's skill at drafting won her an apprenticeship under Raellon d'Phiarlan, the greatest portrait painter of the Actualist school. Herani easily met the Actualists' demanding standards of visual fidelity, and entered a prolific phase of commissioned historical pieces (her Lhazaar's Landing and Karrn's Refusal of the Shield date from this period). Shortly before the formal end of her apprenticeship, Herani manifested the Mark of Passage and was obliged to take on guild duties for her House. Her artistic production slowed dramatically, but the opportunity to travel brought her into contact with many contemporary painters. Of those, the Zilargo-based Maximalists were certainly the most influential on Herani's development. She began incorporating Maximalist theories of "complex referents" into her vivid landscapes, using moon phases, flora, and cartographic signifiers to fix her scenes in time and place. The grand Courtyard of the Castle Tayun is recognized as the first true work of the Geographist movement, and her Gardens of Wistcreek Village, a canvas familiar to all Couriers, still hangs in the offices of the Orien postmaster. In time, Herani's work became so popular with Galifaran nobility and Dragonmarked elite that House Orien allowed the painter to take on her own apprentices, guaranteeing the proliferation of the Geographist movement. Later masters of the Geographist school include Apro d'Orien, Csini Thuranni d'Phiarlan, Taanhush the Escapist, and Hausker Bowyersin. Game use: In my campaign, an intact canvas by Herani or another master of the Geographist school is a non-magical artifact worth a small fortune. A teleporter who knows how to interpret the clues in the picture (Knowledge (geography) DC 25) can treat the depicted locale as "studied carefully."
taski 08-19-06, 07:34 AM	I've posted about this scholar before, but here she is again, for compilation's sake. Chanri of Sigilstar (134-212 YK, the planes, specificly Syrania) It is known that when Syrania is coterminous for one day in every ten years, it is possible to go to the plane simply by flying upward far enough. The only Galifaran known to have made the journey was Chanri of Sigilstar, a daredevil sorceress who "enjoyed flying perhaps too much," as her friends would often say. Dispite her acrobatic hobbies, Chanri was already an accomplished scholar before her famous departure to Syrania. Her reason for going was largely for fact-collecting. She had long held the opinion that the Angels could disagree with each other while remaining "good". This was not a widely-held view at the time, but there was too little reliable information about the plane to prove things either way. The day Syrania was coterminous in 163, Chanri levitated herself higher and higher, bringing one ioun stone of sustanence and one of breathing with her. She remained on Syrania for ten years, carefully observing the ways of the Angels, and recording her findings in her journals. Once she returned to Eberron, she compiled and revised her notes into several books, and her accounts of Syrania are the most extensive known to the Five Nations. Copies of her Angels of Syrania can be found in most libraries that have sections on the planes; other volumes, such as Syranian Governance, and Mathematica Angelorum can only be found in the most extensive of libraries. Game use: Chanri left Chaotic Neutral and returned Exalted. From her return to her death, she glowed with a beautiful bluish light. A few strands of her hair still do glow, and, braided, are held as an invaluable relic in the Temple of the Host in Sigilstar. It is said that when one touches the braid, one briefly recieves visions of Syrania and a potentially life-altering sense of peace. In life, Chanri had numerous detractors, who claimed that she was using enchantments and illusions to build a cult following, and that she never went to Syrania at all. Today, some still believe she was a hoaxster, dispite a few of her writings having been verified by other planar travelers. - - - An excerpt from Syranian Governance by Chanri of Sigilstar, 178 YK The City of Li'hyn From afar, the city of Li'hyn looked like a fragile sculpture made from delicatly carved crystals. As I approached the city, I could easily see the airy construction glimmering with its own white light, and hear the soft tinkling of bells. Angels, so many of them, flew from spire to spire with such a serene, synchonized pulse that I knew they held the city in their hearts, and their hearts in the city. On Eberron, I had heard the phrase "A city is like an organism," and when I came to Li'hyn, I finally knew what that meant. On seeing such a healthy, living city, I could see how our own are malnourished, and nearly dead. The only guards of the city were at the gate, who, I later learned, wait to defend the city in case of invasion from another plane. No guards were needed to bully or scare the citizenry, because the serene Angels of Li'hyn conducted themselves completely, even supremely, within the limits of their law. As time went on, I came to familiarize myself with Li'hynian law, which was so abstract in mindset that I never could fully comprehend it. However, I shall make my best attempt to convey what facets of it I do understand... The Law of Li'hyn is not meant to deter harmful actions, because the Angels have no impulse to cause harm. Instead, the Law is meant to suggest actions that are in tune with the plane's energies and currents, to teach -- rather than enforce -- a harmonious way of life. This harmony is more than metaphorical: throughout the city, wind harps, chimes, and bells catch the refreshing Syranian breeze, and the music produced is dutifully 'read' by the Planetars and Solars. They then calmly debate their interpretations of the music, none of them vainly clinging to their own ideas, and together eventually reach a consensus on why and how to change the laws to provide the greatest benefit to all the citizens. This local benefit, in turn, is meant to influence the ratios of cosmic energies present throughout the interplanar universe. They hold this belief so strongly that they have a commonly-spoken greeting encapsulating the philosophy: "Peace within is peace without." It is important to note that their philosophy not only accounts for the outpouring of energies, but also the influx. If you were wondering why the Syranian wind was so significant, you were right to do so. The wind is not simply a random, meaningless source of power for the Li'hyn chimes; it is an ever-flowing, subtle indicator of the direction and force of changes in planar energies, across all planes. In effect, the wind is a chronicle, a weathervane, and a scale. The goings-on of other planes are echoed in the wind, and the Planetars and Solars of Li'hyn strive to adapt their law as these events unfold, in hopes that the laws will continue to provide the greatest benefit. Because they rely so heavily on the wind to determine the direction of their civilization, the Li'hynians do not have a "King" as we would know it. Instead, they have a Chief Interpreter, who is usually drawn from the three Solars who live in the city. There is no line of succession between them; they simply abdicate when the winds indicate that another's specialty is needed... Listening to the Music of Li'hyn: When in the central courtyard of Li'hyn, a character may make a knowledge(the planes) check to listen for the "news" within the music. Those who have not made study of the planes a priority are not likely to succeed, and may not even recognize the significance of the melody. Planetar and/or Solar council members will be available to make knowledge(the planes) checks on their own (at +26 for Planetars or +36 for Solars [trade out one martial feat for a skill focus]), and may inform the PCs of important events, should no cosmoligist be in the party. Knowledge check DCs and examples: 15: Vague, general information (The start of a war) 20: Specific information (The start of a battle during the war) 25: Detailed information (The name of a General who dies in the battle) +0: On Syrania, or on Eberron when coterminous +5: On the Astral Plane, the Plane of Shadow, or on Eberron when not remote or coterminous +10: On most other planes, or on Eberron when remote +15: On Shavarath
Ellorin 08-25-06, 02:58 PM	Yet another excerpt written by a member of the line of Draelneth. This time it is from the 6-tomed " The worship of the Sovereigns across the ages" by Lysheen Faen Draelneth, former archmage and now Undying Councillor. " A most remarkable incident concerning the modern worship of gods in Galifar is the fact that a single person is considered to be a saint both by those who pray to the Sovereign Host and by the followers of the Traveler. Saint Bax of the Rapier was a changeling of great prowess with the forementioned weapon, a wanderer and a very talented orator and adventurer. A rebellious spirit, he is said to have caused the fall of no less than 7 corrupt city rulers and many minor villains across Galifar, sometimes by infiltrating and exposing their darkest secrets to the throne, sometimes by rallying the common folk against them or even challenging them to a duel. His undoubtedly virtuous actions caused his sanctification by the Church of the Host almost immediately after his demise in Metrol.It is believes by the followers of the Host that he had been blessed by Olladra and "spared from Dolurrh"(see tome V, chapter IX). Yet some consider Bax to have been blessed by another deity, the mischevious Traveler himself. Bax, so the followers of the Traveler claim, was an agent of change, always wandering and creting new things "relying not on prayers but on his intellect and swordmanship", a theory that the worshippers of the Host reject, as it is to be expected. Few even believe that he wast he Traveler, his apparent demise another trick..."