Source map notes: Difference between revisions
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As you look at the map, you realize that finding and restarting all these manses may take a while. The five manses are scattered all over creation. It's pretty clear that the moon icon represents the moonsilver manse, the sun the orihcalcum manse, the star the starmetal manse and the skull the soulsteel manse. The symbol near the center is a common symbol used for jade, so that is probably the jade manse. Your guess is that the eye icon represents where you are now, that is, where the Eye is right now. | As you look at the map, you realize that finding and restarting all these manses may take a while. The five manses are scattered all over creation. It's pretty clear that the moon icon represents the moonsilver manse, the sun the orihcalcum manse, the star the starmetal manse and the skull the soulsteel manse. The symbol near the center is a common symbol used for jade, so that is probably the jade manse. Your guess is that the eye icon represents where you are now, that is, where the Eye is right now. | ||
{{#ifexpr: {{#ifeq: {{CURRENTUSER}} | | {{#ifexpr: {{#ifeq: {{CURRENTUSER}} | Eswoboda | 1 | 0 }} or {{#ifeq: {{CURRENTUSER}} | Word1man | 1 | 0 }} | | ||
'''Adrios''': Your combined Intelligence + Lore score of 7 tells you that the numbers next to the icons are a radial coordinate system, pinpointing the location of the manses. The first number is clearly an angle, measured relative to an imaginary line between the centerpoint of the map and the middle of the far right edge (representing the line between the elemental poles of earth and wood). The second number is obviously a distance from the center of the map to the manse. These are really big numbers, so you guess that they are measured in yards, which would make them very accurate. You think the last number might be elevation above sea level, also in yards. | '''Adrios''': Your combined Intelligence + Lore score of 7 tells you that the numbers next to the icons are a radial coordinate system, pinpointing the location of the manses. The first number is clearly an angle, measured relative to an imaginary line between the centerpoint of the map and the middle of the far right edge (representing the line between the elemental poles of earth and wood). The second number is obviously a distance from the center of the map to the manse. These are really big numbers, so you guess that they are measured in yards, which would make them very accurate. You think the last number might be elevation above sea level, also in yards. | ||
'''Stag''': Your combined Intelligence + Lore score of 6 tells you that the numbers next to the icons are a radial coordinate system, pinpointing the location of the manses. The first number is clearly an angle, measured relative to an imaginary line between the centerpoint of the map and the middle of the far right edge (representing the line between the elemental poles of earth and wood). The second number is obviously a distance from the center of the map to the manse. These are really big numbers, so you guess that they are measured in yards. You're not sure about the last number. | '''Stag''': Your combined Intelligence + Lore score of 6 tells you that the numbers next to the icons are a radial coordinate system, pinpointing the location of the manses. The first number is clearly an angle, measured relative to an imaginary line between the centerpoint of the map and the middle of the far right edge (representing the line between the elemental poles of earth and wood). The second number is obviously a distance from the center of the map to the manse. These are really big numbers, so you guess that they are measured in yards. You're not sure about the last number. | ||
|}}{{#ifexpr: {{#ifeq: {{CURRENTUSER}} | | |}}{{#ifexpr: {{#ifeq: {{CURRENTUSER}} | Wordman | 1 | 0 }} or {{ #ifeq: {{CURRENTUSER}} | Word1man | 1 | 0 }} | | ||
'''Gutts''': Your combined Intelligence + Lore score of 2, and your emerging reading ability, tells you that the symbols next to the icons are called "numbers", but you have no idea what they mean. | '''Gutts''': Your combined Intelligence + Lore score of 2, and your emerging reading ability, tells you that the symbols next to the icons are called "numbers", but you have no idea what they mean. | ||
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The jade manse is very near the center of the map, but not exactly at the center. It appears to be on the spot of the Imperial Mountain, also called Mount Meru. This mountain rises ''six hundred miles'' high and is both the literal and symbolic heart of Creation. It can be seen from every part of the Blessed Isle and, on a clear day, even from the Threshold. Though called the Imperial Mountain, the Imperial City is actually far away on the east cost of the Isle. | The jade manse is very near the center of the map, but not exactly at the center. It appears to be on the spot of the Imperial Mountain, also called Mount Meru. This mountain rises ''six hundred miles'' high and is both the literal and symbolic heart of Creation. It can be seen from every part of the Blessed Isle and, on a clear day, even from the Threshold. Though called the Imperial Mountain, the Imperial City is actually far away on the east cost of the Isle. | ||
{{#ifexpr: {{#ifeq: {{CURRENTUSER}} | | {{#ifexpr: {{#ifeq: {{CURRENTUSER}} | Eswoboda | 1 | 0 }} or {{#ifeq: {{CURRENTUSER}} | Word1man | 1 | 0 }} | | ||
'''Adrios''': If the final number of the coordinate system really is an elevation, this manse being only 155 yards above sea level would mean that it is ''deep'' under the mountain. | '''Adrios''': If the final number of the coordinate system really is an elevation, this manse being only 155 yards above sea level would mean that it is ''deep'' under the mountain. | ||
'''Stag''': You've seen the Mountain up close with your own eyes. Back when you were masquerading as an Immaculate, thousands of people a year used spend a month or so making a pilgrimage up the mountain, though you never did so. Near the very top of the mountain lie the ruins of Meru, once the seat of the Solar Deliberative, from where the solars ruled Creation. It is said to be inhabited by all sorts of strange creatures now. The mountain itself is the manifestation of the elemental pole of earth. Unlike most elemental poles, it is not surrounded with the chaos of the Wyld, but there are occasional unpredictable currents of earth essence that can be dangerous. | '''Stag''': You've seen the Mountain up close with your own eyes. Back when you were masquerading as an Immaculate, thousands of people a year used spend a month or so making a pilgrimage up the mountain, though you never did so. Near the very top of the mountain lie the ruins of Meru, once the seat of the Solar Deliberative, from where the solars ruled Creation. It is said to be inhabited by all sorts of strange creatures now. The mountain itself is the manifestation of the elemental pole of earth. Unlike most elemental poles, it is not surrounded with the chaos of the Wyld, but there are occasional unpredictable currents of earth essence that can be dangerous. | ||
|}}{{#ifexpr: {{#ifeq: {{CURRENTUSER}} | | |}}{{#ifexpr: {{#ifeq: {{CURRENTUSER}} | Wordman | 1 | 0 }} or {{ #ifeq: {{CURRENTUSER}} | Word1man | 1 | 0 }} | | ||
'''Gutts''': The mountain is extremely deep into Imperial territory. Getting there is likely to be difficult, even by air, as the large chunk of the Realm's military, including airships, defend the Blessed Isle. | '''Gutts''': The mountain is extremely deep into Imperial territory. Getting there is likely to be difficult, even by air, as the large chunk of the Realm's military, including airships, defend the Blessed Isle. | ||
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You have been told by [[Sundial]] that the sword [[Soul Mirror]] is somewhere in Rathess, and have recovered the memories of the two terrestrials that hid it. Stag was chosen to view those memories. After doing so, he told each of you a step on the path to locating the sword. With Jorias' help, he eliminated all knowledge of the path except the proper ordering of your hints, placing it into a sorcerous gem, which was then destroyed. | You have been told by [[Sundial]] that the sword [[Soul Mirror]] is somewhere in Rathess, and have recovered the memories of the two terrestrials that hid it. Stag was chosen to view those memories. After doing so, he told each of you a step on the path to locating the sword. With Jorias' help, he eliminated all knowledge of the path except the proper ordering of your hints, placing it into a sorcerous gem, which was then destroyed. | ||
{{#ifexpr: {{#ifeq: {{CURRENTUSER}} | | {{#ifexpr: {{#ifeq: {{CURRENTUSER}} | Eswoboda | 1 | 0 }} or {{#ifeq: {{CURRENTUSER}} | Word1man | 1 | 0 }} | | ||
'''Adrios''': When spreading instructions about finding Soul Mirror, Stag told you: "While looking at the face of the room's major feature, take the passageway to your immediate left. Take the first left, then a quick right, then go a half mile until you see the sun." | '''Adrios''': When spreading instructions about finding Soul Mirror, Stag told you: "While looking at the face of the room's major feature, take the passageway to your immediate left. Take the first left, then a quick right, then go a half mile until you see the sun." | ||
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One of the wonders of Rathess was its Great Observatory, supposedly the greatest astrological tool in all of Creation, in some ways apparently surpassing the Loom of Fate itself. It is known to be damaged to the point that it no longer functions. | One of the wonders of Rathess was its Great Observatory, supposedly the greatest astrological tool in all of Creation, in some ways apparently surpassing the Loom of Fate itself. It is known to be damaged to the point that it no longer functions. | ||
|}}{{#ifexpr: {{#ifeq: {{CURRENTUSER}} | | |}}{{#ifexpr: {{#ifeq: {{CURRENTUSER}} | Wordman | 1 | 0 }} or {{ #ifeq: {{CURRENTUSER}} | Word1man | 1 | 0 }} | | ||
'''Gutts''': When spreading instructions about finding Soul Mirror, Stag told you: "In the water, enter the mouth of the dragon. Go left, then right, another right and a left, until you lament the shark." | '''Gutts''': When spreading instructions about finding Soul Mirror, Stag told you: "In the water, enter the mouth of the dragon. Go left, then right, another right and a left, until you lament the shark." | ||
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Its possible the Lintha pirates would be that far south the Wavecrest, but since it is far out of shipping lanes, this would be unlikely. | Its possible the Lintha pirates would be that far south the Wavecrest, but since it is far out of shipping lanes, this would be unlikely. | ||
{{#ifexpr: {{#ifeq: {{CURRENTUSER}} | | {{#ifexpr: {{#ifeq: {{CURRENTUSER}} | Eswoboda | 1 | 0 }} or {{#ifeq: {{CURRENTUSER}} | Word1man | 1 | 0 }} | | ||
'''Adrios''': If the last number on the map really is an elevation, then this manse is almost a half-mile under water. | '''Adrios''': If the last number on the map really is an elevation, then this manse is almost a half-mile under water. | ||
'''Stag''': Somewhere out in the middle of the southwestern ocean lay the remnants of an undersea civilization of hybrids, humans altered to survive underwater (and breed true), called the pelagials. During the First Age, they ruled a vast empire across the ocean floor. They have dwindled to nothing now, but the ruins of their civilization probably still holds caches of First Age technology, particularly the empire's capital, known as the [[City of the Shining Reefs]]. Since the Usurpation, the sidereals have gone to great lengths to hide the location of this city from the world in general, and the Scarlet Empire in particular. When you were in the Imperial City, one of your (minor) standing orders was to mess with and/or supress any information about the pelagials that you found, though you never ran across any. Supposedly Yu-Shan gate #44 floats on the surface of the water, above the [[City of the Shining Reefs]], but passage through that gate is restricted. You're not sure of the location of the city, but the Pelagial Empire was so large that any action going on in the depths of that part of the ocean is likely to encounter its ruins. | '''Stag''': Somewhere out in the middle of the southwestern ocean lay the remnants of an undersea civilization of hybrids, humans altered to survive underwater (and breed true), called the pelagials. During the First Age, they ruled a vast empire across the ocean floor. They have dwindled to nothing now, but the ruins of their civilization probably still holds caches of First Age technology, particularly the empire's capital, known as the [[City of the Shining Reefs]]. Since the Usurpation, the sidereals have gone to great lengths to hide the location of this city from the world in general, and the Scarlet Empire in particular. When you were in the Imperial City, one of your (minor) standing orders was to mess with and/or supress any information about the pelagials that you found, though you never ran across any. Supposedly Yu-Shan gate #44 floats on the surface of the water, above the [[City of the Shining Reefs]], but passage through that gate is restricted. You're not sure of the location of the city, but the Pelagial Empire was so large that any action going on in the depths of that part of the ocean is likely to encounter its ruins. | ||
|}}{{#ifexpr: {{#ifeq: {{CURRENTUSER}} | | |}}{{#ifexpr: {{#ifeq: {{CURRENTUSER}} | Wordman | 1 | 0 }} or {{ #ifeq: {{CURRENTUSER}} | Word1man | 1 | 0 }} | | ||
'''Gutts''': You're pretty sure that Wavecrest has a decent navy, but otherwise have heard very little about the west in general. | '''Gutts''': You're pretty sure that Wavecrest has a decent navy, but otherwise have heard very little about the west in general. | ||
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Gethamane is ruled by a hereditary ruler, known as the Master, advised by a council of 15 citizens representing various vocations (hunter, farmer, merchant, etc.) within the city. | Gethamane is ruled by a hereditary ruler, known as the Master, advised by a council of 15 citizens representing various vocations (hunter, farmer, merchant, etc.) within the city. | ||
{{#ifexpr: {{#ifeq: {{CURRENTUSER}} | | {{#ifexpr: {{#ifeq: {{CURRENTUSER}} | Eswoboda | 1 | 0 }} or {{#ifeq: {{CURRENTUSER}} | Word1man | 1 | 0 }} | | ||
'''Adrios''': Having spent most of your life in the South, you know very little about Gethamane. | '''Adrios''': Having spent most of your life in the South, you know very little about Gethamane. | ||
'''Stag''': Yu-Shan gate #31 supposedly opens on a very deep level of Gethamane, but you've never heard of anyone using it. Gethamane was built during the First Age, but something happened to it after the Usurpation that killed all of the inhabitants, even the gods. The current population didn't begin until several hundred years later. | '''Stag''': Yu-Shan gate #31 supposedly opens on a very deep level of Gethamane, but you've never heard of anyone using it. Gethamane was built during the First Age, but something happened to it after the Usurpation that killed all of the inhabitants, even the gods. The current population didn't begin until several hundred years later. | ||
|}}{{#ifexpr: {{#ifeq: {{CURRENTUSER}} | | |}}{{#ifexpr: {{#ifeq: {{CURRENTUSER}} | Wordman | 1 | 0 }} or {{ #ifeq: {{CURRENTUSER}} | Word1man | 1 | 0 }} | | ||
'''Gutts''': You know next to nothing Gethamane. | '''Gutts''': You know next to nothing Gethamane. | ||
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This manse appears to be in or near the city of [[Yane]], one of the more important of the eight city-states making up the [[Varang confederacy]]. Varangia is a strange little nation, known for its rigid caste system, inscrutable customs and a fixation on astrology. The culture is extremely xenophobic, and foreigners are allowed in only two of the cities in the confederacy, the coastal cities of [[Kriss]] and [[Talt]]. Yane lies between these two cities, also on the coast. | This manse appears to be in or near the city of [[Yane]], one of the more important of the eight city-states making up the [[Varang confederacy]]. Varangia is a strange little nation, known for its rigid caste system, inscrutable customs and a fixation on astrology. The culture is extremely xenophobic, and foreigners are allowed in only two of the cities in the confederacy, the coastal cities of [[Kriss]] and [[Talt]]. Yane lies between these two cities, also on the coast. | ||
{{#ifexpr: {{#ifeq: {{CURRENTUSER}} | | {{#ifexpr: {{#ifeq: {{CURRENTUSER}} | Eswoboda | 1 | 0 }} or {{#ifeq: {{CURRENTUSER}} | Word1man | 1 | 0 }} | | ||
'''Adrios''': The [[Tri-Kahn]] of [[Chiaroscuro]], like most of the Chiaroscuro's inhabitants, has little good to say about the Varang confederatio, dismissing it as a den of superstitious crazies. Chiaroscuro had no treaties at all with Varang, and no official trade, though the Guild would often move goods between the two realms. | '''Adrios''': The [[Tri-Kahn]] of [[Chiaroscuro]], like most of the Chiaroscuro's inhabitants, has little good to say about the Varang confederatio, dismissing it as a den of superstitious crazies. Chiaroscuro had no treaties at all with Varang, and no official trade, though the Guild would often move goods between the two realms. | ||
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Varang as a whole is more than "fixated" on astrology: it runs their whole country. Yane is a particular hot bed for astrology, because most of the priestly class converges on Yane to discuss the topic periodically. The Varang worship the Loom of Fate and the Five Maidens openly, as their primary (but not sole) religion. | Varang as a whole is more than "fixated" on astrology: it runs their whole country. Yane is a particular hot bed for astrology, because most of the priestly class converges on Yane to discuss the topic periodically. The Varang worship the Loom of Fate and the Five Maidens openly, as their primary (but not sole) religion. | ||
|}}{{#ifexpr: {{#ifeq: {{CURRENTUSER}} | | |}}{{#ifexpr: {{#ifeq: {{CURRENTUSER}} | Wordman | 1 | 0 }} or {{ #ifeq: {{CURRENTUSER}} | Word1man | 1 | 0 }} | | ||
'''Gutts''': Each of the city-states in Varang run their own military. The Varang are not expansionist, so their forces tend to be heavily defensive, mostly using infantry and artillery (some mounted on armored elephants), keeping cavalry only for scouting. They do, however, have a national waterborne coastal defense force, based out of Yane, that includes sailors from every city. | '''Gutts''': Each of the city-states in Varang run their own military. The Varang are not expansionist, so their forces tend to be heavily defensive, mostly using infantry and artillery (some mounted on armored elephants), keeping cavalry only for scouting. They do, however, have a national waterborne coastal defense force, based out of Yane, that includes sailors from every city. | ||
Revision as of 21:33, 26 June 2009
As you look at the map, you realize that finding and restarting all these manses may take a while. The five manses are scattered all over creation. It's pretty clear that the moon icon represents the moonsilver manse, the sun the orihcalcum manse, the star the starmetal manse and the skull the soulsteel manse. The symbol near the center is a common symbol used for jade, so that is probably the jade manse. Your guess is that the eye icon represents where you are now, that is, where the Eye is right now.
Some things you notice about the various manses, in alphabetical order:
Jade manse
The jade manse is very near the center of the map, but not exactly at the center. It appears to be on the spot of the Imperial Mountain, also called Mount Meru. This mountain rises six hundred miles high and is both the literal and symbolic heart of Creation. It can be seen from every part of the Blessed Isle and, on a clear day, even from the Threshold. Though called the Imperial Mountain, the Imperial City is actually far away on the east cost of the Isle.
Orichalcum manse
The orichalcum manse looks to be suspiciously close to Rathess. As you will recall, though now in ruins, Rathess once was the capital of Creation, possibly the oldest city ever. In the Wyld, you also learned that the city was the center of dragon king culture.
You have been told by Sundial that the sword Soul Mirror is somewhere in Rathess, and have recovered the memories of the two terrestrials that hid it. Stag was chosen to view those memories. After doing so, he told each of you a step on the path to locating the sword. With Jorias' help, he eliminated all knowledge of the path except the proper ordering of your hints, placing it into a sorcerous gem, which was then destroyed.
Moonsilver manse
The moonsilver manse appears to be in the middle of the western ocean, way south of the Wavecrest Archipelago, the largest nation in the West. Wavecrest itself is relatively peaceful, though it is often a target for pirates, and the citizens are known to appease the gods of the local volcanoes with human sacrifices.
Its possible the Lintha pirates would be that far south the Wavecrest, but since it is far out of shipping lanes, this would be unlikely.
Soulsteel manse
This location looks to be close the city of Gethamane, a large city built into a mountain in the frozen north. The city is self-supporting, making its inhabitants practical and fairly patriotic. Being buried under a mountain, the city is easily defended, and so has not had to bow to the Realm. It tries to remain neutral and has strong ties to the Guild, but this sometimes pulls it into conflict. This happened most recently about 200 years ago, when disagreements between Gethamane's neighbor to the north, the Haslanti League, and the Guild led to the League occupying the lands surrounding Gethamane for a time.
Gethamane is ruled by a hereditary ruler, known as the Master, advised by a council of 15 citizens representing various vocations (hunter, farmer, merchant, etc.) within the city.
Starmetal manse
This manse appears to be in or near the city of Yane, one of the more important of the eight city-states making up the Varang confederacy. Varangia is a strange little nation, known for its rigid caste system, inscrutable customs and a fixation on astrology. The culture is extremely xenophobic, and foreigners are allowed in only two of the cities in the confederacy, the coastal cities of Kriss and Talt. Yane lies between these two cities, also on the coast.