Topics

Hey,

Ya did great in the PIT OF SACRIFICE.
Real heroic work!

Killed lots of goblins too and defeated your scaly nemesis.
Was great to see the hero in action!
Felt real protected with ya.

Sincerely,
Omar

Nadiri Mevura,

Regarding your DEVELOPING THESIS, I have outlined some critique, commentary and suggestions:

1 ) You write better than you speak. The succinct expressions and structures that you use in the thesis generate faith towards you as a serious researcher.

2 ) It is good that you define restricted lore. I find it very helpful. You should also define 'evil'.

3 ) The three rules you outline in your proposal should be simplified and stripped of RESTRICTED LORE so that they may be disseminated to the public, as to better inform their decisions. This may be a further refinement of the thesis work. Critique of rule number two (2): most of you do not know how to carry a shield and therefore the SUBJECT may easily neutralize even many of you. It was very brave of you to face the RECENT DANGER and wise to recruit help outside our ranks. I expect a detailed overview of the SUBJECT's strategies and proposed counters as a part of the full work or its refinement.

4 ) It is very wise to note that there is always something to know. Your thesis statement could be refined to either RECOGNITION, PREVENTION or CODIFIED PROTOCOL.

5 ) I enjoy the use of CAPITAL LETTERS FOR STRESS in some of our RECENT REPORTS.

6 ) I defer to your vast personal experience related to the SUBJECT and its KINDRED but I would like to see references to existing research. Perhaps a brief summary of what is known can be helpful.

7 ) The table of contents you suggest seems clear. Based on it, it seems your thesis is solely focused on IDENTIFICATION. A clear focus is acceptable and should be made explicit.

Collaborate with me on the LAST THREE ITEMS on the table of contents.

Overall, your developing work is a very worthy subject of a thesis and with a strong thesis statement it shall be possible to outline useful knowledge that can be both disseminated to the public (stripped of RESTRICTED LORE) and shared among our peers.

I believe it is possible to use what you have learned and experienced in order to formulate a thesis that provides an overview of the threat, offers evidence-based means of identification and then details a codified protocol for addressing the threat in a manner that is both grounded in science and tested in practice.

Further research questions can include:

1 ) How little can the SUBJECT's name be twisted before it becomes a problem.
2 ) Detailed study of physical and arcane countermeasures in response to the threat.
3 ) Further study in identifying and understanding the threat.
4 ) Case study in long term health and other effects of continued exposure to the threat.
5 ) Study in long term restoration of our peers following an encounter with the threat.
6 ) Codified measures of reducing the impact of the threat and restoration of those gravely afflicted.
7 ) Codifying levels of SUBJECT INTERFERENCE.
8 ) Further study focusing on preventing and addressing the threat.


Sincerely yours,
Nadia Starikova
Nadiri

[Abstract]

Small Unit Tactics by Starikova
Revised edition


Abstract
Since many refugees are not given to lengthy ruminations and reading, a brief guide is provided below.

This is a summary of a much longer primer on Small Unit Tactics by Starikova. Its purpose is to guide refugees in forming small units of five in order to take mercenary work.

Each group of five consists of the following roles, which are to be seen as broad categories of oft-required ability and not an exhaustive list. The roles are described so you can understand what you can bring to a mercenary group and what a leader should seek in the people they recruit.

Each unit should start by naming a leader and then discussing responsibilities of each member in detail so that there is no confusion or surprises later along the line. Preparation is half the battle. Indeed, every mercenary should come prepared with curatives, vials of blurring and vials of invisibility. Anything else they may bring is up to their own discretion, but the above three things are in constant demand. More important than your individual strengths is your ability to communicate your needs and expectations clearly so that the group as a whole may prosper.

A shieldbearer: holds the line and is the first to secure choke points for the small unit. They are the first to enter battle and the last to retreat, or else the formation will fall.

A spearman: uses the opportunities created by the shieldbearer to deal grievous harm to the enemy, whether by large ax or carefully placed strikes.

An archer: a ranged spearman variant who depends on the front line to hold so that they may address high priority enemy targets.

A mender: every group should name someone who is responsible for dispensing curatives in the battle. Magi are ideal for the role, but others may perform it as well.

A magus: magi can offer bolstering and defensive wards, control the battlefield with debilitating incantations and conjurations, and rain havoc upon the enemy. Most groups need at least one magus to cover most sought after enchantments, but it is possible to do with supplies prepared in advance.

A specialist: exists to cover many other niches that a group needs. For instance, skilled scouts and loremasters both have their place in some jobs.  There is demand for talented scavengers and trapfinders as well.

A balanced formation includes two shieldbearers, one spearman, one archer and two magi. This formation can hold down choke points, address enemy threats at range and rain destruction on their enemies and boons on their allies. In the balanced formation, the mender is usually the magus who has fewest spells left after preparation.

Positioning
The shieldbearer anchors the formation at defensible positions. Do not advance past the shieldbearer unless you have agreed otherwise before doing so. Use choke points and walls to your advantage, and avoid exposure to enemy archers as best as you can.  This tactic also protects you from enemy magi who often rely on their sight to direct hostile invocations at you.

Supplies and wards
Every mercenary in the unit should at least have vials of blurring, vials of invisibility and water for the journey. In addition, everyone should bring camping supplies consisting of rations, oil and  a bedroll.  A shovel, a grappling gun and some rope are usual supplies if one combatant can carry them for the unit.

Commonly requested wards include weapon sharpening in the form of a lesser weapon ward, a lesser mind ward or a circle ward and elemental coating for the weapons.

Most frontline combatants will need vials of strength, grace, endurance, barkskin and shorter term boons such as vials of divine favor and blessing.  Many of these can be provided as wards by the magi, but combatants should always carry their own supply.

According to Snorri, shields should carry at least two vials of blurring for easy work and five or more for more demanding expeditions. It is recommended to carry vials of other boons in amounts that allow the combatant to recover if their wards are stripped by enemy magi.

Tactics, in brief
The shieldbearers choose the choke points and similar defensive points and anchor the frontline there. The spearman falls in and flanks the enemy. The archer picks out high priority targets from the backline, whereas one of the magi is prepared to unleash disruptive or devastating invocations as required. If incantations not required, they shall use offensive cantrips while the other magi acts as the named mender of the group and works to keep everyone well-supplied and healthy. It is vital that the shieldbearers control where the formation moves and that their security is ensured by the backline, especially the named mender. Clear communication should be valued and the tactics issued by the leader should always take precedence over others.

[Divulgence of Zojhir - III]

[These papers are circulated in caches around the Well, perhaps poorly hidden under a rock or stuffed into a wall where the surface has cracked. The papers are unsigned and likely in poor order and condition when found, but they are accessible.]

Divulgence of Zojhir - III

This paper examines three notable sources of lore concerning the Adherents: a book titled 'Divulgence of Zojhir - III', an interview of an Adherent and a pamphlet titled 'Divulgence of Z'. What follows shall be an analysis of each of the ten tenets provided in the book 'Divulgence of Zojhir - III', after which the tenets will be compared to oral lore gathered from a self-professed Adherent and a note called 'Divulgence of Z'. Afterwards, the findings shall be contextualized with existing Pra'Raji lore. Only the Divulgence of Zojhir names a source directly and even its authenticity has not been confirmed with undeniable certainty. The author of the pamphlet called 'Divulgence of Z' is not known and it may be different from the author of the 'Divulgence of Zojhir - III'. The Adherent interviewed for this paper is known, but they are not named nor described due to the sensitive nature of the research and their beliefs.

Below is an exact transcript of a book titled 'Divulgence of Zojhir - III'.

[the pages appear to be missing - perhaps stolen or omitted]

What follows is analysis of the ten tenets divulged in the above text.

The first tenet (I.) seems to adhere strongly to the core of Pra'Raji beliefs; one must continue to challenge oneself in order to grow and grasp Godhead. The fangs of lions is likely a metaphor for people who are inimical to the Adherents. The strong wording suggests that the author - possibly Zojhir, a follower, or a scribe - wishes the reader to feel assailed on all fronts. This angle shall be explored in more detail below, where an oral account of an Adherent is given. In summary, though, alienating the aspiring Adherent from the wider society serves as a means of control, not growth. Adversity and challenge are important, yes, but isolation may not be necessary until it is forced upon you.

The second tenet (II.) describes growth through agony. It is important to note here that agony is not the purpose, but a likely result of facing hardship. The ultimate goal is enlightenment, not suffering. However, the author's claim to enlightenment is self-serving at best. While someone who has made progress on the path likely has valuable counsel to offer, it seems clear that each Adherent must ultimately carve their own path and face challenges of their own. There are no shortcuts, and thus mindless supplication to a fellow Adherent can be as harmful as supplication to the Wheel.

The third tenet (III.) is especially noteworthy for its reference to the twin gardens, which might be another allusion to the Twindari faith. The twin gardens could be a bridge between life and death, both of which are purview of the twin powers. The entirety of the text suggests that one's sojourn to enlightenment may take several lifetimes, and the repeated journeys between the gardens may indicate that it is either impossible or nearly so to grasp godhead within a single mortal lifetime. It is, in fact, possible that death is a necessary part of the journey and thus longer-lived races might take longer to find enlightenment. It is, also, possible that there is no ultimate goal - if the powers themselves are imperfect, it is likely that even they need to strive to grow. Therefore, this writer must caution the reader against hastily seeking death in search of enlightenment. To delay the hardships of one's full lifetime is to delay all the growth that results from facing any difficulties one might experience. Furthermore, the tenet seems to warn one against being caught in the trappings of life. Taken to the extreme, the path suggested by the author might involve extreme asceticism. Alternatively, it may open up an avenue for the author to exploit the faithful to render their labor unto them, instead of working on their inner growth to honor God.

The fourth tenet (IV.) is easily one that resonates with clarity. The accumulation of knowledge, the act of challenging pre-existing notions and inquiring further even as inquiries have been made before are integral to both scientific advancement and one's personal growth. Moreover, it has been a lifelong journey to learn and understand that people do not always speak with logic and truth in their heart. Our words are twisted by feeling, ambition and even ulterior motives. In addition to seeking out knowledge, one must be critical of what one learns and always be willing to have one's own beliefs challenged. When we defend what we have learned with a calm mind, we come to see the faults in our thinking and hone our knowledge as a smith would hone a blade.

The fifth tenet (V.) may refer to salvation by reaching Godhead. Perhaps a power is no longer subject to a cycle of reincarnation and the struggles one faces with continuing one's journey with fresh memories. It is not known what the reference to the mist implies. There is always a chance that it is not a metaphor for the cloudy recollections of the reincarnated. Codwick's Almanack of the Rings, 2nd edition, insinuates that the Mist might be related to the impassable shroud surrounding the old keep of the King in the North. Further study opportunity could involve scouring texts in reference to the Mist and the nature of reincarnation and memories retained.

The sixth tenet (VI.) further reinforces the notion of reincarnation and progression towards enlightenment over several lifetimes. Moreover, it seems to resonate with the necessity of inquiry and critical thought - and eschewing material trappings. Temptation comes in many forms, after all. One may be lured into indulgence, swayed by false promises or even caught supporting theories that cannot bear the weight of being scrutinized.

The seventh tenet (VII.) suggest hostile relations between the Mother's pantheon and the Adherents that follow Zojhir. This has an interesting link to the oral lore received from the Adherent and it shall also be discussed further below.

The eighth tenet (VIII.) appears to refer to the importance of both knowing and mastering oneself. Mental and perhaps even physical fortitude is important for resisting outside influences, and one would be a fool to discount social threats that test nothing but your ability to understand your convictions and to hold fast to them in face of persuasive and potentially dangerous arguments to the contrary.

The ninth tenet (IX.) seems to offer guidance for operating behind the lines of the perceived enemy. Surrounding lore suggests that Zojhir's Adherents see the Wheel faith and potentially the Sultanate as a mortal enemy. Taken with the interview of the Adherent and 'Divulgence of Z', it is possible that at least some Adherents have taken to forming underground resistance against the established order. However, it seems this tenet may not be crucial to one's journey towards enlightenment. Crucial to survival, perhaps, but not spiritual guidance.

The tenth and final tenet (X.) in Divulgence of Zojhir - III states that the Adherent is eternal and one's progression on the road spans many lifetimes. It is possible the forgiving attitude regarding the stumbling adherent stems from the fact that there is no sufficient evidence of people being reincarnated and also being able to use knowledge from their past lives to any real effect. Perhaps a true soul will always return to the path and maybe the path is paved with many failures and missteps, but such is very difficult to verify.

[Abstract]

[These papers are primarily spread on public notice boards in Ephia's Well and in Hasheema's Hope.]

Abstract
In order to survive in the harsh and unfamiliar desert conditions, the refugee must known the essentials of having water and food, staying in shelter, planning one's journeys, having proper equipment  and the possibilities and difficulties with navigation. This paper provides a refugee with a simple outline, which is then elaborated further.

Desert survival
This is a manual regarding common principles that ensure a refugee's survival in the desert. Many of us hail from circumstances where the unique challenges presented by the local environment are not familiar or widely understood. Firstly, a brief guide consisting of advice any refugee is able to follow is provided. Secondly, the manual examines some suggestions in depth for more advanced survivalists and patient readers alike. Lastly, a summary and suggestions for further research are given.

I. Do not challenge the Sun. You will lose. Find shade during the day. Ensure that you have water.
II. Adopt the loose, lightweight clothes favored by the locals.
III. Cover your head, face and neck as best you can. Sunburns are serious.
IV. If your feet chafe, dry them out and stop to remove sand from your shoes or leg wraps. Infected sores mixed with sand are painful.
V. If forced to navigate during the day, charcoal under your eyes may help preserve your sight. Glare from the Sun can cause blindness.
VI. Avoid exertion and sweating. Breathe through your nose to conserve moisture.
VII. Prepare adequately. Bring suitable clothing, plan your route and have enough water and food to survive detours and unique challenges on the road. A knife and lamp oil are valuable survival supplies. The desert can be cold at night. Take a warm bedroll with you.
VIII. Many creatures wandering the dunes are hostile. Avoid confrontation. See tip VI.
IX. If you travel with a caravan and your journey is interrupted, stay put unless you know with absolute and tried certainty how to navigate. Take time to consider how oft-traveled the route is. Another caravan might come along soon to rescue you.
X. Have patience and stay resilient.

[A hastily scrawled addendum reads:]
XI. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE ASH STORMS!

Surviving in a desert environment may be a challenging task. The primary concerns are finding water, seeking shelter, staying cool, finding food, remaining oriented, and maintaining a resilient and calm state of mind.

The first and most critical concern in this situation is finding a reliable source of water. This can be accomplished by looking for signs of vegetation or digging in a dry riverbed. Once a water source has been found, it should be purified by filtering or more advanced methods and stored in a container to ensure its safety for consumption. In case no reliable source of water is located or the survivor lacks the skill to extract drinkable water from the environment, it becomes important to ration one's supplies. The consumption of food increases one's sensation of thirst and should be first moderated and ultimately avoided when the threat of running out of water becomes an increasing concern. When planning a journey, one should always plan for less than ideal circumstances and ensure that the water supply can be transported both securely and with ease.

The second concern is seeking shelter from the harsh elements. In fact, if you are not a seasoned traveler, staying in shelter during the day and avoiding exertion should be your primary concerns. Adequate shade can be achieved by constructing a simple shelter from natural materials such as sticks, branches, and leaves, or by seeking out natural formations such as caves or large rocks.

The life-sustaining importance of staying cool during the day in order to avoid thirst and exhaustion cannot be overstated. Covering the body with loose, lightweight clothing will help, in addition to which one should avoid exerting oneself during the hottest hours of the day. Combined with adequate shelter, a calm survivor may wait out the fury of the Sun and brave the sands when the temperature is more amiable to travel.

A simple man-made shelter and a hood over your head are not enough to protect you from an ash storm, however. An ideal shelter in those circumstances is a sturdy cave or a tall building that you can escape even if the entrance is buried in ash. It bears repeating, an ash storm can raise enormous amounts of matter that is able to bury small buildings over time. Contact with ash and the resulting overabundance of positive energy will cause serious and life-threatening burns that may, in extreme cases, turn the victim into one of the ash wraiths. In the absence of better tools to determine the likelihood of an ash storm occurring, one is advised to keep a sending chip so that they may receive communications from The Astronomer's of Q'tolip.

In addition to the above challenges, finding food can be a difficult task. Edible plants, fruits, and insects can be found in some desert environments, but an uneducated traveler should not risk eating unfamiliar plants. Small animals such as rodents and lizards can also be caught by setting up simple traps or snares. While some plants may contain nourishing moisture, it is also possible that their make includes liquids that are harmful to you and may, according to a refugee physician called Victor, cause 'nausea, stomachache, fever, vomiting, profuse sweating, muscle aches, and even death'. Victor suggests many of these harmful plants can be identified by their foul smell or taste - or otherwise unappealing form.

Maintaining orientation in the desert can be challenging in the absence of proper charting equipment. Natural landmarks such as mountains or other formations can be used to guide direction. The position of the sun and perhaps the stars may also be used, though one should not rely on them intuitively without expert knowledge. Considering how sparse these landmarks are in the vast plains that surround Ephia's Well, an uninitiated traveler is advised to avoid haphazard attempts at navigation. It is best to rely on established caravan routes.  The likelihood of survival is much greater if one has the presence of mind to wait for rescue. Even experienced survivalists should know their route well and be eminently certain of their ability to navigate before attempting to cross unfamiliar sands.

Finally, it is critical to maintain a resilient outlook. This can be achieved by avoiding defeatist thinking by focusing on the immediate needs and priorities. Perseverance and resourcefulness are key traits in a desert survival situation.

In summary, surviving in a desert environment requires a focus on the essentials of  water,  shelter, food, orientation and equipment. One should seek to maintain a calm and hopeful state of mind while remaining cognizant of the challenges ahead. A focus on the essentials will help to guide the survivor's actions while keeping despair at bay. Lastly, to caution budding survivalists, you should start your experiments in a relatively safe and well-known environment. Note that the conditions in which the squatters outside the gates live are already tremendously challenging and you might be in a life-threatening situation as soon as you depart the Gate of Roses. Have patience, thus, and try to get a mentor if possible.

Further study
A review of the advice given, contrasting the paper's suggestions with advice from seasoned survivalists. A new ranking of importance could arise. Complementing suggestions, alternative and detailed strategies, and challenges are all desired.

A review of an illiterate refugee's ability to commit the advice to memory. A more efficient mnemonic might surface. Research into easily memorized rhymes and songs might yield desired results.

A thorough codex of local flora and fauna, and study on the identification thereof.

Efficient and sufficiently available methods of gathering and purifying water.

Practical experiments in survival with lacking equipment. Preliminary studies suggest that it is possible to survive a night in the desert using one!s cloak to capture warmth and a natural rock formation to provide shelter even in the absence of fire and other comforts.

References
Personal survival expertise and manuals lost to time
Medical insight from refugee physician Victor, Iyar 20th, IY 7787

[Starikova approaches the Hetman in person and with a letter, if they are busy]

Hetman Po'Rorus,

Inside the Well, there is an engraving on a monolith that states:

[A copy of the original Colossi script is provided with a translation]
HEAVY WAS THE HAND THAT CARVED
TOGETHER DID WE LABOR
TO FASHION ALWAYS TO THE WILL OF OTHERS OUR GIFTS
UNTIL HE DRANK OF THE WATER AFTER THE GREAT LABOR

Is this related to the people of the Tablet or the colossi?
Is there anything you can tell me about the water deep in the Well?

Best regards,
Starikova

[At a glance]

[The following papers are made available on boards around Ephia's Well.]

LAMENT'S DIAS, High Orentid Script, translated by Starikova
1: Sewn in the Martyrs' garden
2: nourished by proper rites
3: observed by the Sun
4: from the hyssop branch the Well
5: offers a final thirst, slaked
6: by the grace of the Treasure's keep-master
7: and flock and train, in splendor
8: on this step proclaim thy lament
9: for them, these honours bestowed.

At a glance
Lament's Dias is a large platform found in the graveyard in Ephia's Well. The stone platform is engraved with high Orentid script that has been translated into common  as seen above.

Taken as a whole, it seems the Dias is meant for last rites that are administered to the departed.
It is likely that the water from the well is an integral  part of the funeral rites described on the Dias. Furthermore, the script suggests that the act of lamenting the departed is a vital part of funeral rites. This assumption is further supported by Reverend Bekele,  according to whom mourning is a vital part of Twindari faith.

The Preparator of the Maqam is able to further elucidate the funeral rites observed in the Well:

The worthy dead - which also suggests the existence of the unworthy dead - are interred with a dinar beneath their tongue. The dead person's deeds and qualities are proclaimed from the Dias and then a vigil is performed by mourners. It seems that families of the worthy dead often hire mourners for this purpose. Finally, and most interestingly, the body of the deceased is cleaned with dewy hyssop aspergillium.

Once the cleansed corpse is interred, the evacuated soil from the ground in which the corpse was buried is put into a pot. The corpse stays in the ground until it turns to ash while the dirt taken from the grave becomes a sacred memento.

All in all, such painstaking rituals are likely reserved for the Voiced of the community.  It is difficult to imagine that we refugees are offered much in the way of remembrance. Even if we were, we surely lack the funds for professional mourners.

A closer look at the script
1: Sewn in the Martyr's garden

The first line is a clear reference to the Twindari faith, as the powers known as Kalim and Gamil are together known as the Martyrs. Their doctrine includes the interment of the dead and the mourning of the dead.  This further strengthens the connection between the Orentid of the old and the Twindari. It can be extrapolated that this connection between the old civilization of the Orentid and the current burial rites in the Well has remained for a long time.

2: nourished by proper rites

The interesting part here is that the rites might nourish the hyssop or the Well that ties into these rites.

3: observed by the Sun

According to oral tradition, Pra'Raj is the Sun and it is curious to see them mentioned here. Previously acquired information suggests that the Pra'Raj is anathema to the Wheel. If Pra'Raj is truly the Sun that is to devour the World, this seems like an odd connection  in relation to the Wheel.

4: from the hyssop branch the Well

Hyssop, it is known, is used to treat worms in some places of the World that Was.
It is interesting that the fragrant plant is referenced here. Perhaps it is the very fragrance of the hyssop that makes it an important component in ritual purification of the dead.
It is possible the exact funeral rites involve mixing the plant with water taken from the Well.

5: offers a final thirst, slaked

This line reads like a warning to the living.
Perhaps the water from the Well is not meant for those who are not ready for their last sip.

[A hasty addendum is scribbled on the papers]

HEAVY WAS THE HAND THAT CARVED
TOGETHER DID WE LABOR
TO FASHION ALWAYS TO THE WILL OF OTHERS OUR GIFTS
UNTIL HE DRANK OF THE WATER AFTER THE GREAT LABOR

BEWARE!

6: by the grace of the Treasure's keep-master

While treasure sounds like a lucrative prospect, it is possible the keep-master is the Pilgrim. The writing in the well suggests the monoliths in the Well were engraved by the colossi or the stonefolk who may speak colossi. As an interesting aside, a monolith inside the Well mentions the stonefolk were happy to continue toiling for the people who gave them orders until something transpired.

[A hastily written addendum is provided]

They drank from the Well! They drank from the well and it did something to them.

7: and flock and train, in splendor

Perhaps this means people are supposed to gather for the funeral rites.

8: on this step proclaim thy lament

The rite of mourning is likely performed on the lament. Considering the vigil implies extended duration, it is easy to see why the affluent might have a need for hired mourners bound to the Dias.

9: for them, these honours bestowed

Perhaps something is still missing in the translation, as it cannot be stated with confidence to whom 'them' refers to here.

Opportunities for further study
Easily the most important study would be one that compares an alternative translation or a set of alternative translations with the translation provided in this study. It is often possible to glean further information by referencing the work of several scholars in order to arrive at a more accurate approximation of the original message.

Alternatively, a more informed in depth review of the lines present on the Dias could lead to further insight. Additional sources in the local funeral customs could further explain the exact meaning of the script.

Finally, the message present on the Dias and its Orentid nature could be used to review historical records in order to infer an approximation of the Dias' age.

As a footnote, the purifying properties of the hyssop and the nature of the water in the Well might well deserve its own study.

In conclusion
It can be stated that the funeral rites of Ephia's Well go back a very long time. While it is not possible to determine the exact amount of time that has transpired from the information that is available, it is possibly a very long time indeed considering the reference to Pra'Raj present on the Dias.  It is clear a lot has changed since the words were first engraved on the stone.

[Abstract]

[These papers remain unpublished.]

Abstract
This text collects written and oral lore surrounding the Adherents of Pra'Raj.