Research:The Graveyard - Revision history

INIQUITY: included evoke of 315 for gate

2022-01-15T07:39:02Z

included evoke of 315 for gate

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:39, 15 January 2022
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	''Remove Curse (315)''		''Remove Curse (315)'' (note: The old Neutralize Curse function was moved to "evoke" of 315.)

			>cast gate
	You gesture at a massive bronze gate.		You gesture at a massive bronze gate.
	You channel your prayers to the rusted gate, and command it to open. But the curse is too strong, and you would be unable to remove it permanently. You might, however, be able to neutralize it for a short time.		You channel your prayers to the rusted gate, and command it to open. But the curse is too strong, and you would be unable to remove it permanently. You might, however, be able to neutralize it for a short time.

	The gate shudders violently, but nothing else happens.		The gate shudders violently, but nothing else happens.
			Cast Roundtime 3 Seconds.

			>evoke gate
			You gesture at a massive bronze gate.
			Summoning the power of your deity, you channel your prayer to the rusted gate, and command it to open. Dark buglike specks scurry from its surface, and then, with a protesting screech which sets your teeth on edge, the gate opens wide enough for you to pass through.
	Cast Roundtime 3 Seconds.		Cast Roundtime 3 Seconds.
	</pre>		</pre>

INIQUITY: correction on neutralize curse history

2022-01-14T07:41:55Z

correction on neutralize curse history

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:41, 14 January 2022
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	'''Pushing Gate Made Easier'''		'''Pushing Gate Made Easier'''

	The following is a [[The Graveyard creatures/saved posts\|saved post]] detailing an [[Landing Events - 5122-01-12 - Spitballing to Slim Down and Feel Gate (log)\|incident early]] on 1/13/2022 where the [[Barnom Slim]] NPC, who is a self-styled "Lich King", went to the Graveyard to make it easier to take undead out of it. The main effect of this was to make it more feasible for a single character to push the gate open on their own. The stated premise is the curse on the gate was lessened. This is dubious in the original context, ~~before the Neutralize Curse ability to open~~ it, because a solid bronze gate of that height would weigh at least ten tons. It would be effectively impossible for one person to budge the door on its hinges.		The following is a [[The Graveyard creatures/saved posts\|saved post]] detailing an [[Landing Events - 5122-01-12 - Spitballing to Slim Down and Feel Gate (log)\|incident early]] on 1/13/2022 where the [[Barnom Slim]] NPC, who is a self-styled "Lich King", went to the Graveyard to make it easier to take undead out of it. The main effect of this was to make it more feasible for a single character to push the gate open on their own. The stated premise is the curse on the gate was lessened. This is dubious in the original context of 1990, because a solid bronze gate of that height would weigh at least ten tons. It would be effectively impossible for one person to budge the door on its hinges.

			However, "Word of Opening" (the original implemented name of Unlock) and "Neutralize Curse" definitely had this property in [[Kulthea Chronicle volume II number I\|early 1995]], though they would only open the gate for 5 seconds and would not work if people were pushing. Neutralize Curse (309) appears to have been implemented some time before [[Kelfour Edition volume II number IV\|September 1991]], though it is unclear if it opened the gate. The Open Essence list was "tentative" in [[Kelfour Edition volume III number I\|June 1992]] and implemented through level 25 by October 23, 1992. In the form of "Open I" (404) it was unimplemented yet in [[Kelfour Edition volume II number VII\|December 1991]]. This shows the blizzard of red rust messaging from magical opening is not original (i.e. 1990), but may be old enough to be consistent with the original intent. This does mean the "flame burst" visual effect with the iron rust was added after the fact. This may be why the hinges are not explicitly painted as iron, though the spikes are iron.

	<pre{{log2\|margin-right=350px}}>		<pre{{log2\|margin-right=350px}}>

INIQUITY at 14:34, 13 January 2022

2022-01-13T14:34:25Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:34, 13 January 2022
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	Shadow Valley mostly has similar segment numbers as the Graveyard expansions. This looks like they may have been reorganized and clustered together later. But the only way to tell would be for a GM to look under the hood at the segment creation dates compared to these approximate release dates. With only the few listed exceptions, most clearly the Slither Creek copy, the 1990 rooms are their own segment.		Shadow Valley mostly has similar segment numbers as the Graveyard expansions. This looks like they may have been reorganized and clustered together later. But the only way to tell would be for a GM to look under the hood at the segment creation dates compared to these approximate release dates. With only the few listed exceptions, most clearly the Slither Creek copy, the 1990 rooms are their own segment.

			===Graveyard Gate===
			The Graveyard gate has been modified over the years. New spells or abilities have been added for opening it, so a lot of the opening message variants do not date back to the I.C.E. Age.
			<pre{{log2\|margin-right=350px}}>
			''Pushing''

			XXXXX digs her feet into the ground and begins to heave against the heavy bronze gate with her incredible strength!
			The gate budges a little more.
			The gate budges a little more.
			The ancient hinges of the gate creak loudly as they give way. A chain halts the opening of the gate, but there is enough clearance for you to slip through.

			The gate moves a tad. You hear straining on the other side.
			The gate moves a little. You hear straining on the other side.
			The ancient hinges of the gate creak loudly as they give way. A chain halts the opening of the gate, but there is enough clearance for you to slip through.

			(Note: "The gate hinges creak slightly." seems to have stopped happening as of January 13th, 2022.)


			''Charge''

			With a roar, XXXXX lowers her shoulder and charges the bronze gate!

			The bronze gate pops open, leaving XXXXX staggering, trying to catch her balance!


			''Bash''

			(?)


			''Unlock (407)'' (also: softly glowing blue potion)

			XXXXX pours his potion on the gate.
			The huge gate shudders violently! Dark red flakes of rust fall from its massive hinges like a blizzard of bloodstained snow as it slowly swings open.


			''Consecrate (1604)''

			Channeling the divine energy of your deity, you direct a prayer toward the bronze gate. With a deep shudder and a shrieking scrape, the gate slowly opens wide enough to allow passage.
			Channeling the divine energy of his deity, XXXXX directs a prayer toward the bronze gate. With a deep shudder and a shrieking scrape, the gate slowly opens wide enough to allow passage.


			''Bless (304)''

			Summoning the power of your deity, you channel your prayer to the rusted gate, and command it to open. Dark buglike specks scurry from its surface, and then, with a protesting screech which sets your teeth on edge, the gate opens wide enough for you to pass through.
			Summoning the power of her deity, XXXXX channels her prayer to the rusted gate, and commands it to open. Dark buglike specks scurry from its surface, and then, with a protesting screech which sets your teeth on edge, the gate opens wide enough for you to pass through.


			''Neutralize Curse (1716)''

			(?)


			''Remove Curse (315)''

			You gesture at a massive bronze gate.
			You channel your prayers to the rusted gate, and command it to open. But the curse is too strong, and you would be unable to remove it permanently. You might, however, be able to neutralize it for a short time.

			The gate shudders violently, but nothing else happens.
			Cast Roundtime 3 Seconds.
			</pre>

			'''Pushing Gate Made Easier'''

			The following is a [[The Graveyard creatures/saved posts\|saved post]] detailing an [[Landing Events - 5122-01-12 - Spitballing to Slim Down and Feel Gate (log)\|incident early]] on 1/13/2022 where the [[Barnom Slim]] NPC, who is a self-styled "Lich King", went to the Graveyard to make it easier to take undead out of it. The main effect of this was to make it more feasible for a single character to push the gate open on their own. The stated premise is the curse on the gate was lessened. This is dubious in the original context, before the Neutralize Curse ability to open it, because a solid bronze gate of that height would weigh at least ten tons. It would be effectively impossible for one person to budge the door on its hinges.

			<pre{{log2\|margin-right=350px}}>
			GS4-MERAKI

			Graveyard Gate Curse Lessened on 01/13/2022 03:32 AM EST
			Links-arrows 15270

			On the evening of the 12th, mere hours ago, Lord Barnom Slim the Lich King descended upon the Graveyard of Wehnimer's Landing in an attempt to recruit undead minions. He was met with a rather sturdy (and quite stubborn) massive bronze gate guarding the entrance to the graveyard. In no short time, many had gathered to bear witness and assist Barnom's entrance into the graveyard. Of course, the gate can be bested by some skills, magics, and magical objects, but for the average skeleton or ghoul, it is rather difficult to PUSH the gate open and make one's escape. Well that simply wouldn't do!

			After orchestrating the escape of a rather macabre group of denizens from the Graveyard, Lord Barnom recruited the assistance of some of those gathered, Inck and Brigadeena, in his casting of a powerful spell. Upon the completion of the ritual, it was determined that the Graveyard Gate's curse had lessened and it was now considerably easier, and less exhausting, to PUSH open the gate! Not long after, Lord Barnom and the group dispersed.

			- A nameless observer


			OOC:

			Thank you to everyone who showed up for tonight's little fanfare. A HUGE THANKS to the GM behind Lord Barnom for his assistance in tonight's release. :)

			A few mechanical updates to the Graveyard Gate were made tonight in the Prime instance that should ease travel into and out of the graveyard area. Prior to these changes, it was often impossible for a single character to PUSH open the gate on their own and even when they could, it would often take several minutes. Although many ways to circumvent the Graveyard Gate exist, it's core mechanic was not very friendly for new players or those without such tools. So the following changes were made:

			- On average, it should take a single character PUSHing the gate less than 30 seconds to open it on their own. It will go faster for stronger characters or those with assistance from others.
			- Characters will no longer suffer roundtime when PUSHing the gate and will no longer need to STOP and rest. You may still STOP if you'd like to cease making progress towards opening the gate.
			- A bug where a character would still be considered PUSHing the gate after they went through it has been fixed.
			- A bug where the gate would not stay open very long when BASHed has also been fixed.



			> Meraki – Greek Word of the day – Doing something with love, passion, and a lot of soul. It is what happens when you leave a piece of yourself (your soul, creativity, or love) in your work.
			</pre>
	</div>		</div>

INIQUITY at 21:52, 3 July 2021

2021-07-03T21:52:46Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:52, 3 July 2021
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	It is possible the whole rim and river around the bog is supposed to be Circle 7, which is backwards, as the higher number Inferno circles are the ones nested inside the lower ones. In this case Circles 5 & 7 add up to 18 rooms, and the burial mound is treated as Circle 6, the City of Dis with its ripped open gate (the dolmen on the west side of the mound) and heretics burning in tombs (the Viking ship burial).		It is possible the whole rim and river around the bog is supposed to be Circle 7, which is backwards, as the higher number Inferno circles are the ones nested inside the lower ones. In this case Circles 5 & 7 add up to 18 rooms, and the burial mound is treated as Circle 6, the City of Dis with its ripped open gate (the dolmen on the west side of the mound) and heretics burning in tombs (the Viking ship burial).
	[[File:Graveyard-NumberedRooms.gif\|800px\|thumb\|center\|Modification of Zepath map from 1994. The case for Circles of Inferno correspondences is spelled out in other sections.]]		[[File:Graveyard-NumberedRooms.gif\|800px\|thumb\|center\|Modification of Zepath map from 1994. The case for Circles of Inferno correspondences is spelled out in other sections.]]
			While it is unclear how valid this hypothesis is in its fundamental premise, some of its features are now corroborated by room segment analysis. These are listed further down. The identification of concept sections, often in blocks of 10 rooms and distinct sets for original creature roaming ranges, seems to be basically correct and rightly identified. The identification of glued on rooms in particular, especially for bridging between those sections, is correct and this map largely predicted their locations. One anomaly is that Zepath's map is missing a cobra room that is on earlier and later maps. That would make "Circle 7" seven rooms, with the room labeled "7" instead a "+1" room.

	===Tarot===		===Tarot===

INIQUITY: room segment analysis

2021-07-03T11:23:54Z

room segment analysis

Show changes

INIQUITY: cerberus, links

2021-05-07T21:16:17Z

cerberus, links

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:16, 7 May 2021
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	'''Related Projects:'''		'''Related Projects:'''

			''(1) Research Pages''

	The following research pages are interrelated with the subject of this one:		The following research pages are interrelated with the subject of this one:
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	* [[Research:The Rift (planes)]]		* [[Research:The Rift (planes)]]
	* [[ICE gods]]		* [[ICE gods]]

			''(2) The Heretic's Guide: Historical Exploration Series''

			These are YouTube videos covering the subject of this research page as documentaries:

			* Episode 1: [https://youtu.be/-3Yv2XcE0mk Introduction] ---------------------- (March 3rd, 2021)
			* Episode 2: [https://youtu.be/HTp6LBufBwk I.C.E. Orientation] -------------- (March 21st, 2021)
			* Episode 3: [https://youtu.be/yy-YvAIy85w Shadow World, In Depth] ----- (April 2nd, 2021)
			* Episode 4: [https://youtu.be/lK2phJkbJrA Death] ------------------------------ (April 15th, 2021)
			* Episode 5: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVmA8Z62EkM Allegory] --------------------------- (May 4th, 2021)

	<span class="mw-customtoggle-shadow-world-methodology mw-customtoggle-shadow-world-empress-kadaena mw-customtoggle-shadow-world-black-hel mw-customtoggle-shadow-world-wars-dominion mw-customtoggle-death-deeds mw-customtoggle-death-purgatory mw-customtoggle-death-dark-path mw-customtoggle-major-subtexts-dante-inferno mw-customtoggle-major-subtexts-egyptian mw-customtoggle-major-subtexts-medieval mw-customtoggle-major-subtexts-lovecraft mw-customtoggle-grand-design-plants mw-customtoggle-grand-design-creatures mw-customtoggle-grand-design-prophecy mw-customtoggle-grand-design-layout mw-customtoggle-grand-design-vvrael-quest" style="color:#0000ff">'''Collapse/Expand all sections</span>		<span class="mw-customtoggle-shadow-world-methodology mw-customtoggle-shadow-world-empress-kadaena mw-customtoggle-shadow-world-black-hel mw-customtoggle-shadow-world-wars-dominion mw-customtoggle-death-deeds mw-customtoggle-death-purgatory mw-customtoggle-death-dark-path mw-customtoggle-major-subtexts-dante-inferno mw-customtoggle-major-subtexts-egyptian mw-customtoggle-major-subtexts-medieval mw-customtoggle-major-subtexts-lovecraft mw-customtoggle-grand-design-plants mw-customtoggle-grand-design-creatures mw-customtoggle-grand-design-prophecy mw-customtoggle-grand-design-layout mw-customtoggle-grand-design-vvrael-quest" style="color:#0000ff">'''Collapse/Expand all sections</span>
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	This might be entirely coincidental. "Tirion" is a Welsh girl's name meaning kind, gentle, compassionate. "Tirion byth" would then mean "the ever compassionate." It is difficult to parse what "ronian" might mean. "Ronion" is archaic for scabby creature, and "rhonion" is medieval Welsh for maggots. "Ubl" is likely a medieval German variant of names like Ubba or Ubald, which could relate to the Baldur premises, or Ubba the leader of the Viking invaders in the "Great Heathen Army." It comes from "übel" meaning bad or evil. This is assuming Ubl is not a former Shadow World place name that was converted without being listed. If it were "Ulor" it would have drastic implications, as the Lord High Cleric might secretly be Lorgalis. Whatever the precise meaning it suggests the deed ritual has implicit medieval symbolism.		This might be entirely coincidental. "Tirion" is a Welsh girl's name meaning kind, gentle, compassionate. "Tirion byth" would then mean "the ever compassionate." It is difficult to parse what "ronian" might mean. "Ronion" is archaic for scabby creature, and "rhonion" is medieval Welsh for maggots. "Ubl" is likely a medieval German variant of names like Ubba or Ubald, which could relate to the Baldur premises, or Ubba the leader of the Viking invaders in the "Great Heathen Army." It comes from "übel" meaning bad or evil. This is assuming Ubl is not a former Shadow World place name that was converted without being listed. If it were "Ulor" it would have drastic implications, as the Lord High Cleric might secretly be Lorgalis. Whatever the precise meaning it suggests the deed ritual has implicit medieval symbolism.

			Other possibilities include "ronion", pronounced like the name Ron, is very similar in sound to the Welsh pronunciation of Rhiannon. Which is an Otherworld figure from Welsh mythology, and the name of one of the GMs from 1990. (However, Rhiannon is also the title of a Fleetwood Mac song, it's just mythological in origin.) It could also be playing off the Mycenaean ruins of Tiryns. The Crypt is implicitly built as Cyclopean masonry, which originates in Tiryns, and Tiryns was the site where Hercules (or "Heracles") went to the Underworld to wrestle and bring back the gate guardian Cerberus. Cyclopean masonry is very frequently used in H.P. Lovecraft horror stories.

	===Biblical===		===Biblical===
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	</pre>		</pre>
	In the Black Hel context it might instead (unlikely) refer to the race track in the Underworld, below the Songstone of Solus on page 48, where V'rama Vair rides her chariot in endless circles as a demi-gorgon. The reason for suspecting this is the relative likelihood of references to Aranmor in the Crypt, along with the stands in the chariot race cavern being filled with cheering skeletons animated by a fake sun.		In the Black Hel context it might instead (unlikely) refer to the race track in the Underworld, below the Songstone of Solus on page 48, where V'rama Vair rides her chariot in endless circles as a demi-gorgon. The reason for suspecting this is the relative likelihood of references to Aranmor in the Crypt, along with the stands in the chariot race cavern being filled with cheering skeletons animated by a fake sun.

			Something more subtle is that Cerberus is in the Third Circle. The Crypt is implicitly constructed in the form of Cyclopean masonry, which originates in the Mycenaean city of Tiryns. Hercules (or "Heracles") travels to the Underworld, wrestles Cerberus, and brings Cerberus up to the king of Tiryns. The Cyclopean masonry is otherwise likely intended as Lovecraftian.

	===River Styx===		===River Styx===
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	Obvious paths: southwest, northwest		Obvious paths: southwest, northwest
	</pre>		</pre>

			Mastabas were made from mudbrick. Later Egyptian monuments were made from granite. The Crypt in the Graveyard is made of granite, even though the High Plateau is limestone. (Limestone in a sense is bone, and so would be the white sand in the creek bed.) The Crypt is described as "ponderous blocks" cleverly fitted together without mortar. This is likely supposed to be Cyclopean masonry, which is Bronze Age Greek rather than Egyptian, and very frequently used in H.P. Lovecraft stories.

	'''Blinded Rooms:'''		'''Blinded Rooms:'''
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	</div>		</div>
	==H.P. Lovecraft==		==H.P. Lovecraft==
	The Graveyard is generally symbolic of the death mechanics and [[Shadow World]] lore on death. The messaging on spirit death appears to be taken from a few H.P. Lovecraft stories about dream walking or astral projection. The "purgatory" throne room is especially dense on Lovecraftian motifs. Bandur arguably corresponds to Nyarlathotep, who is a mixture of the pharaoh and fallen archangel premises. The story does not seem to lean that far into any given Lovecraft story, even if Bandur were a Lovecraft style protagonist in general. Potential models include Nathaniel Wingate Peaslee and Wilbur ~~Whatley~~.		The Graveyard is generally symbolic of the death mechanics and [[Shadow World]] lore on death. The messaging on spirit death appears to be taken from a few H.P. Lovecraft stories about dream walking or astral projection. The "purgatory" throne room is especially dense on Lovecraftian motifs. Bandur arguably corresponds to Nyarlathotep, who is a mixture of the pharaoh and fallen archangel premises. The story does not seem to lean that far into any given Lovecraft story, even if Bandur were a Lovecraft style protagonist in general. Potential models include Nathaniel Wingate Peaslee and Wilbur Whateley.

			The Crypt might be implicitly intended to be Cyclopean masonry. This involves huge blocks fitted together without mortar. The name comes from the myth that cyclops were needed to move the huge stones. Lovecraft very frequently described the places of his horrible Old Ones as made with Cyclopean masonry.

	<span class="mw-customtoggle-major-subtexts-lovecraft" style="color:#0000ff">Click to Collapse/Expand Lovecraft sub-category...</span>		<span class="mw-customtoggle-major-subtexts-lovecraft" style="color:#0000ff">Click to Collapse/Expand Lovecraft sub-category...</span>

INIQUITY: restructure conclusion into bullet points

2020-12-29T22:07:17Z

restructure conclusion into bullet points

@@ Line 3,914: / Line 3,914: @@
 >look throne
 The bones that make up this grisly seat look as though they were somehow melted together.  They flow and twist like half-melted wax.  '''You have no idea how it was done and less wish to find out.'''
 </pre>
 ===False Tombs===
 These bodies are suggestive of being Terate's parents. They match the descriptions of the bodies of King Arthur and Guenevere in Glastonbury Abbey, a famous archaeological hoax, as reported in "[https://d.lib.rochester.edu/camelot/text/gerald-of-wales-arthurs-tomb Liber de Principis Instructione]" by Gerald of Wales. This in turn is a parallel to the fake royal tomb in the crypt of the Graveyard. The creatures of the Anwyn crypt happen to be arch wights.
@@ Line 3,938: / Line 3,944: @@
 </div>
 =Conclusions=
 [[Category:Player Research]]

INIQUITY at 02:45, 2 June 2020

2020-06-02T02:45:31Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:45, 1 June 2020
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	===Paleo-History===		===Paleo-History===
	The source books provide two kinds of implicit meaning to the room painting and story of the Graveyard. The first are specific references to details in the source books, where recognizing the relevant documentation gives immediate meaning. This is "paleo-history" in the sense that it has hidden meaning defined by mostly forgotten archaic books. It is highly conservative and not synthetic.		The source books provide two kinds of implicit meaning to the room painting and story of the Graveyard. The first are specific references to details in the source books, where recognizing the relevant documentation gives immediate meaning. This is "paleo-history" in the sense that it has hidden meaning defined by mostly forgotten archaic books. It is highly conservative and not synthetic. It includes the background lore for the creatures and plants in The Graveyard.

	'''''Example: Scroll Room'''''		'''''Example: Scroll Room'''''
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	* The manuscript in the crypt is made of shaalk (Modern: vultite) and bears the symbol of Kadæna (Modern: Gosaena), Empress of the Lords of Essaence. In the first edition of the Master Atlas it says that the Lords of Essaence, an extremely ancient race, made their most valuable manuscripts out of shaalk. This is changed from Lords of Essaence to "Loremasters" in later editions of the Master Atlas.		* The manuscript in the crypt is made of shaalk (Modern: vultite) and bears the symbol of Kadæna (Modern: Gosaena), Empress of the Lords of Essaence. In the first edition of the Master Atlas it says that the Lords of Essaence, an extremely ancient race, made their most valuable manuscripts out of shaalk. This is changed from Lords of Essaence to "Loremasters" in later editions of the Master Atlas.
	* The manuscript also bears a library seal of Nomikos (Modern: Biblia) claiming it is from the Reference section. Bandur was banned in the story for stealing Lord of Essaence artifacts.		* The manuscript also bears a library seal of Nomikos (Modern: Biblia) claiming it is from the Reference section. Bandur was banned in the story for stealing Lord of Essaence artifacts.
	* The volume in the niche is titled "Servants of the Shadow: Power through Thralldom." The phrase "servants of the Shadow" refers to Kadæna's surviving followers who "fashioned" the first of the Great Demons. It is found in the history sections of the 1989 adventure modules, ~~and~~ ~~mostly~~ ~~refers~~ to ~~[[Lorgalis]]~~. Earlier and later versions do not use the phrase, referring instead to servants of the Unlife.		* The volume in the niche is titled "Servants of the Shadow: Power through Thralldom." The phrase "servants of the Shadow" refers to Kadæna's surviving followers who "fashioned" the first of the Great Demons. It is found in the history sections of the 1989 adventure modules, but it is vestigial text of older books where the Lords of Essence created the demons. Earlier and later versions do not use the phrase, referring instead to servants of the Unlife.

	===Crypto-History===		===Crypto-History===
	The second kind of implicit meaning is sub-text using the Shadow World source materials, in much the same way other mythological and literary sources are argued to be influences. This is '''theoretical interpretation''' using the source books to make an argument. The more details explained naturally from a given source increases the likelihood the theory is correct. It is not possible to reduce the Shadow World meaning of the story to the canon of the source books. Some details make no immediate sense and require interpretation, such as Kadæna contrasted with Eissa as "Guardian of the Forbidden".		The second kind of implicit meaning is sub-text using the Shadow World source materials, in much the same way other mythological and literary sources are argued to be influences. This is '''theoretical interpretation''' using the source books to make an argument. The more details explained naturally from a given source increases the likelihood the theory is correct. It is not possible to reduce the Shadow World meaning of the story to the canon of the source books. Some details make no immediate sense and require interpretation, such as Kadæna contrasted with Eissa as "Guardian of the Forbidden", or Kadæna worshipped as a goddess.

	With the Graveyard it is often the case that the details are multi-referential. The major sub-texts, assuming they are correct, are interlocked. Implications of Bandur as "Baldur" play off both the Black Hel from Shadow World and the Viking references which are both implicit. The Egyptian pharaoh and fallen archangel sub-texts cross in the Nyarlathotep references. These amount to a holistic integrated theory.		With the Graveyard it is often the case that the details are multi-referential. The major sub-texts, assuming they are correct, are interlocked. Implications of Bandur as "Baldur" play off both the Black Hel from Shadow World and the Viking references which are both implicit. The Egyptian pharaoh and fallen archangel sub-texts cross in the Nyarlathotep references. These amount to a holistic integrated theory. This weakens each case as well, being explained in independent ways.

	'''''Example: Scroll Room'''''		'''''Example: Scroll Room'''''

	* The manuscript is in a wall niche near the ceiling of the scroll room. This (might) correspond to the high niche in the scroll room in the Temple of Burning Night with a letter bearing the symbol of Orgiana, whose Black Hel theocracy was run by Empress Kadæna's daughter, which is around the corner from where the Helm of Kadæna is kept. This is from page 40 of Demons of the Burning Night (1989).		* The manuscript is in a wall niche near the ceiling of the scroll room. This (might) correspond to the high niche in the scroll room in the Temple of Burning Night with a letter bearing the symbol of Orgiana, whose Black Hel theocracy was run by Empress Kadæna's daughter, which is around the corner from where the Helm of Kadæna is kept. This is from page 40 of Demons of the Burning Night (1989).
	* This sealed letter and helm location were (probably) not present until well after Bandur's death. This is implying his omen, nightmare vision abilities. There are other examples.		* This sealed letter and helm location were (probably) not present until well after Bandur's death. This may be implying his omen, nightmare vision abilities. There are other examples, but this can easily be accidental.
	* Thralls are the Viking slave class. Hel is the Norse goddess of the Underworld, mostly described in the legend of Baldur, who had nightmare omens of his own death.		* Thralls are the Viking slave class. Hel is the Norse goddess of the Underworld, mostly described in the legend of Baldur, who had nightmare omens of his own death.
	* This is a cross-reference to the niches in the public collections of Nomikos (Jaiman source book), but this manuscript never would have been kept in that part of the library.		* This may be a cross-reference to the niches in the public collections of Nomikos (Jaiman source book), but this manuscript never would have been kept in that part of the library.
	* Wording from this room is borrowed in the Vvrael scroll room of Castle Anwyn. Several rooms in Vvrael quest associated areas make Graveyard parallels.		* Wording from this room seems borrowed in the Vvrael scroll room of Castle Anwyn. Several rooms in Vvrael quest associated areas make Graveyard parallels.

	This is much more treacherous and speculative than so-called "paleo-history." The question is more whether an extended metaphor is ''plausible'' as a whole than if specific examples "explained" by it are correct, as the authorial intent is precisely the thing we do not know. The point is to make the strongest possible case for something, and then decide if it is too weak to be taken seriously, or if some other case (including nothing) is just as good or better.		This is much more treacherous and speculative than so-called "paleo-history." The question is more whether an extended metaphor is ''plausible'' as a whole than if specific examples "explained" by it are correct, as the authorial intent is precisely the thing we do not know. The point is to make the strongest possible case for something, and then decide if it is too weak to be taken seriously, or if some other case (including nothing) is just as good or better.
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	(6) Over-analysis: Excessive reasoning on the sources beyond what was actually considered.		(6) Over-analysis: Excessive reasoning on the sources beyond what was actually considered.

	(7) Imputing ~~purpose~~ into fine details that were not actually considered.		(7) Imputing purposes into fine details that were not actually considered.

	(8) More variables makes higher risk of coincidental pattern matches.		(8) More variables makes higher risk of coincidental pattern matches.
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	</div>		</div>
	==Empress Kadæna==		==Empress Kadæna==
	[[The Legend of the Necropolis of Etrevion]] (1990) claims that Bandur pledged himself to Empress Kadæna early in his servitude to the Unlife, and later he established a theocracy in homage to her called the Dark Path. This is the '''central paradox''' of the story. Empress Kadæna was decapitated 100,000 years earlier. For this to be meaningful she must still exist in some form, or have some (telepathic?) contact with him across time, or be idolized as a dead god in a warped theology as a proxy for some other dark power. Kadæna fashioned herself as an "Empress-goddess" in the books, but the Lords of Essaence were not actually gods. In the Shadow World books from 1989, the forces of Unlife in the Wars of Dominion are sometimes spoken of as servants of ~~Kadaena~~, in spite of the anachronism.		[[The Legend of the Necropolis of Etrevion]] (1990) claims that Bandur pledged himself to Empress Kadæna early in his servitude to the Unlife, and later he established a theocracy in homage to her called the Dark Path. This is the '''central paradox''' of the story. Empress Kadæna was decapitated 100,000 years earlier. For this to be meaningful she must still exist in some fallen form, or have some (telepathic?) contact with him across time, or be idolized as a dead god in a warped theology as a proxy for some other dark power. Kadæna fashioned herself as an "Empress-goddess" in the books, but the Lords of Essaence were not actually gods. In the Shadow World books from 1989, the forces of Unlife in the Wars of Dominion are sometimes spoken of as servants of Kadæna, in spite of the anachronism.

	In the modern setting it is taken for granted that there is an association with Gosaena, prophetic foresight of death, and the other side of the Ebon Gate. In the Shadow World setting Empress Kadæna has nothing to do with the Gates of Oblivion and there is no premise of her knowing future events. There is some reason for suspecting that Kadæna might be something along these lines in GemStone III~~, but the idea is probably that she is worshipped as a dead goddess~~.		In the modern setting it is taken for granted that there is an association with Gosaena, prophetic foresight of death, and the other side of the Ebon Gate. In the Shadow World setting Empress Kadæna has nothing to do with the Gates of Oblivion and there is no premise of her knowing future events. There is some reason for suspecting that Kadæna might be something along these lines in GemStone III.

			But the idea is probably that she is worshipped as a dead goddess, even though this is backwards from the Master Atlas on Orhan versus the Lords of Essaence. It might be using the "brief whirlwind" history in the adventure modules, such as page 3 of the Quellbourne book, which has a typographical error saying Kadæna led a faction of Lords of Orhan. In this text her surviving followers are the servants of the Shadow leading the Wars of Dominion, while the Loremasters are perhaps descended from the other faction, who are less forthcoming with knowledge to the lesser races. Overall it seems that this is the relevant text for the Graveyard story, even though it is inconsistent with the Master Atlas. What follows is working through the logic of the canon and what it would mean if some of the other books applied.

	<span class="mw-customtoggle-shadow-world-empress-kadaena" style="color:#0000ff">Click to Collapse/Expand Empress Kadæna sub-category...</span>		<span class="mw-customtoggle-shadow-world-empress-kadaena" style="color:#0000ff">Click to Collapse/Expand Empress Kadæna sub-category...</span>
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	Obvious exits: north, northeast, southeast, south		Obvious exits: north, northeast, southeast, south
	</pre>		</pre>
			This is particularly remarkable because the "but still alive" conceit, which is used in forms in similar contexts such as Black Swan Castle, is used here to refer to almost falling into the darkness. This is what is happening to Randolph Carter in the scene of "The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath" that we argue provides wording for the Purgatory messaging. This room painting with its almost-fall is arguably parallel to the leap into the dark abyss on the east side of this area where people exit from Shadow Valley. This argument is spelled out on [[Research:Shadow Valley#Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath\|Research:Shadow Valley]], but Shadow Valley was made over five years later.

	'''(7) Lord High Cleric'''		'''(7) Lord High Cleric'''
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	Carries no treasure \__________________________________/		Carries no treasure \__________________________________/
	</pre>		</pre>
	The shadow assassins were listed in the [[ICE age\|SHIFT verb]] for the De-ICE conversion (late 1995), but they were replaced with arch wights by the time of [https://web.archive.org/web/19990218141906/http://home.navisoft.com/zepath/mapidx.html Zepath's] 1/1/1996 map.		The shadow assassins were listed in the [[ICE age\|SHIFT verb]] for the De-ICE conversion (late 1995), but they were replaced with arch wights by the time of [https://web.archive.org/web/19990218141906/http://home.navisoft.com/zepath/mapidx.html Zepath's] 1/1/1996 map. There is a log from some time around 1995 in the "purgatory" section of the Graveyard, before the De-ICE, where wight lords were the creatures fought. Shadow assassins did not appear in this log, the [https://web.archive.org/web/20021005133136/http://www.ipass.net/~vaultsysop/assassin.htm dyari assassin] was an NPC.
	===Symbolism===		===Symbolism===
	The symbolism of the creatures is covered in detail in the other sections. This is a more concise summary of the points, though they require explanation. Phantoms and cobras do not fit cleanly.		The symbolism of the creatures is covered in detail in the other sections. This is a more concise summary of the points, though they require explanation. Phantoms and cobras do not fit cleanly.

INIQUITY at 01:33, 25 May 2020

2020-05-25T01:33:48Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:33, 24 May 2020
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	{{TOCright}}		{{TOCright}}

	This is a research page for systematically decrypting the hidden meaning and references in [[The Graveyard]]. The allegorical and symbolic aspects of The Graveyard are mostly backwards or inverted from their real world counterparts. There are several "major subtexts" that interlock with each other at a hidden layer of meaning. The most conservative of these in a sense is also the most complicated, because the Shadow World documentation was changing in important ways at the same time the Graveyard was designed. This requires carefully considering which source materials apply and which do not.		This is a research page for systematically decrypting the hidden meaning and references in [[The Graveyard]]. The allegorical and symbolic aspects of The Graveyard are mostly backwards or inverted from their real world counterparts. There are several "major subtexts" that interlock with each other at a hidden layer of meaning. The most conservative of these in a sense is also the most complicated, because the Shadow World documentation was changing in important ways at the same time the Graveyard was designed. This requires carefully considering which source materials apply, and how far their internal logic applies, and which do not at all.

	This involves quoting substantial amounts of text to show the reference being made, or to highlight the inconsistencies in the sources. Several other locations in the game are subtly related to The Graveyard. These relations are matters of interpretation. Theoretical and speculative content on relevant [[ICE age\|I.C.E. Age]] category pages will be pushed to this page or its related research pages ~~with a forwarding link~~.		This involves quoting substantial amounts of text to show the reference being made, or to highlight the inconsistencies in the sources. Significant amounts of what is worked out will be unintentional because the merits are being weighed. Several other locations in the game are subtly related to The Graveyard. These relations are matters of interpretation. Theoretical and speculative content on relevant [[ICE age\|I.C.E. Age]] category pages will be pushed to this page or its related research pages.

	'''Related Projects:'''		'''Related Projects:'''
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	=Shadow World=		=Shadow World=
	The world setting of GemStone III in the [[ICE age\|I.C.E. Age]] (Dec. 1989 - Sept. 1995) was set on [[Kulthea]] rather than [[Elanthia]]. This is the archaic [[Shadow World]] historical timeline, in contrast to the modern [[History of Elanthia]]. The story for the Graveyard is "[[The Legend of the Necropolis of Etrevion]]" (1990), and it is set in the context of Shadow World. This means the details and areas associated with the story must be interpreted in terms of the contemporary Shadow World source books. More subtly, it must be interpreted using books of an early enough date, as details first existing in later books would be apocryphal.		The world setting of GemStone III in the [[ICE age\|I.C.E. Age]] (Dec. 1989 - Sept. 1995) was set on [[Kulthea]] rather than [[Elanthia]]. This is the archaic [[Shadow World]] historical timeline, in contrast to the modern [[History of Elanthia]]. The story for the Graveyard is "[[The Legend of the Necropolis of Etrevion]]" (1990), and it is set in the context of Shadow World. This means the details and areas associated with the story must be interpreted in terms of the contemporary Shadow World source books. More subtly, it must be interpreted using books of an early enough date (published before 1990), as details first existing in later books would be apocryphal.

			It is important to keep in mind that most of the Shadow World material that could have been used is not relevant. The story is using the world setting as touch stones, but it is not clear that it leans all that far into the world logic. Lorgalis almost has to be Kestrel's lord, for example, but there is little indicating the logic should be taken that far. The symbolic intent seems to be significantly non-canonical. It was probably using a typo in the modules that refers to Kadaena as a Lord of Orhan.

	<span class="mw-customtoggle-shadow-world-methodology mw-customtoggle-shadow-world-empress-Kadæna mw-customtoggle-shadow-world-black-hel mw-customtoggle-shadow-world-wars-dominion" style="color:#0000ff">Click to Collapse/Expand all Shadow World sub-categories...</span>		<span class="mw-customtoggle-shadow-world-methodology mw-customtoggle-shadow-world-empress-Kadæna mw-customtoggle-shadow-world-black-hel mw-customtoggle-shadow-world-wars-dominion" style="color:#0000ff">Click to Collapse/Expand all Shadow World sub-categories...</span>
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	It is unclear to what extent these books matter to the design concept, even though they were made prior to the release of later areas (e.g. possibly the Coastal Cliffs) associated with the story. The Graveyard may be as old as late 1989, and pre-dates the Council of Light. It is probably incorrect to interpret it with the 1990 books.		It is unclear to what extent these books matter to the design concept, even though they were made prior to the release of later areas (e.g. possibly the Coastal Cliffs) associated with the story. The Graveyard may be as old as late 1989, and pre-dates the Council of Light. It is probably incorrect to interpret it with the 1990 books.

	This research page will take the conservative approach of only using books with copyright dates of at most 1989, with the hope that the publication dates were as well, except for noting when later modifications to the source material would change the interpretation. The following are the most relevant books, though it is possible others might have minor significance. These instances will be mentioned in passing. Later books matter to ~~spin-off~~ stories such as the Broken Lands.		This research page will take the conservative approach of only using books with copyright dates of at most 1989, with the hope that the publication dates were as well, except for noting when later modifications to the source material would change the interpretation. The following are the most relevant books, though it is possible others might have minor significance. These instances will be mentioned in passing. Later books matter to possibly related stories such as the Broken Lands.

	<span class="mw-customtoggle-shadow-world-methodology" style="color:#0000ff">Click to Collapse/Expand Methodology sub-category...</span>		<span class="mw-customtoggle-shadow-world-methodology" style="color:#0000ff">Click to Collapse/Expand Methodology sub-category...</span>
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	</div>		</div>
	==Empress Kadæna==		==Empress Kadæna==
	[[The Legend of the Necropolis of Etrevion]] (1990) claims that Bandur pledged himself to Empress Kadæna early in his servitude to the Unlife, and later he established a theocracy in homage to her called the Dark Path. This is the '''central paradox''' of the story. Empress Kadæna was decapitated 100,000 years earlier. For this to be meaningful she must still exist in some form, or have some (telepathic?) contact with him across time, or be idolized in a warped theology as a proxy for some other dark power. Kadæna fashioned herself as an "Empress-goddess", but the Lords of Essaence were not actually gods.		[[The Legend of the Necropolis of Etrevion]] (1990) claims that Bandur pledged himself to Empress Kadæna early in his servitude to the Unlife, and later he established a theocracy in homage to her called the Dark Path. This is the '''central paradox''' of the story. Empress Kadæna was decapitated 100,000 years earlier. For this to be meaningful she must still exist in some form, or have some (telepathic?) contact with him across time, or be idolized as a dead god in a warped theology as a proxy for some other dark power. Kadæna fashioned herself as an "Empress-goddess" in the books, but the Lords of Essaence were not actually gods. In the Shadow World books from 1989, the forces of Unlife in the Wars of Dominion are sometimes spoken of as servants of Kadaena, in spite of the anachronism.

	In the modern setting it is taken for granted that there is an association with Gosaena, prophetic foresight of death, and the other side of the Ebon Gate. In the Shadow World setting Empress Kadæna has nothing to do with the Gates of Oblivion and there is no premise of her knowing future events. There is ~~solid~~ reason for suspecting that Kadæna might be something along these lines in GemStone III.		In the modern setting it is taken for granted that there is an association with Gosaena, prophetic foresight of death, and the other side of the Ebon Gate. In the Shadow World setting Empress Kadæna has nothing to do with the Gates of Oblivion and there is no premise of her knowing future events. There is some reason for suspecting that Kadæna might be something along these lines in GemStone III, but the idea is probably that she is worshipped as a dead goddess.

	<span class="mw-customtoggle-shadow-world-empress-kadaena" style="color:#0000ff">Click to Collapse/Expand Empress Kadæna sub-category...</span>		<span class="mw-customtoggle-shadow-world-empress-kadaena" style="color:#0000ff">Click to Collapse/Expand Empress Kadæna sub-category...</span>
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	- Tomes of Kulthea #1000		- Tomes of Kulthea #1000
	</pre>		</pre>
	The blacking out of the sun in this vision may be important to the Graveyard, as various details of its design appear to be symbolically defying the sun. The ability of Empress Kadæna to know the future and have some measure of contact with Bandur across the aeons is one way of resolving the central paradox of the story. However, this is not the only option, as she may be "dead" but now in some other form.		The blacking out of the sun in this vision may be important to the Graveyard, as various details of its design appear to be symbolically defying the sun. The ability of Empress Kadæna to know the future and have some measure of contact with Bandur across the aeons is one way of resolving the central paradox of the story. However, this is not the only option, as she may be "dead" but now in some other form. It is possible for the Space Master logic of psionic powers to hold for her being K'ta'viiri, but it is very unlikely that this was intentional. The Andraax premise is more likely, but may not be the point.

	===Lords of Orhan===		===Lords of Orhan===
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	</div>		</div>
	==H.P. Lovecraft==		==H.P. Lovecraft==
	The Graveyard is generally symbolic of the death mechanics and [[Shadow World]] lore on death. The messaging on spirit death appears to be taken from a few H.P. Lovecraft stories about dream walking or astral projection. The "purgatory" throne room is especially dense on Lovecraftian motifs. Bandur arguably corresponds to Nyarlathotep, who is a mixture of the pharaoh and fallen archangel premises.		The Graveyard is generally symbolic of the death mechanics and [[Shadow World]] lore on death. The messaging on spirit death appears to be taken from a few H.P. Lovecraft stories about dream walking or astral projection. The "purgatory" throne room is especially dense on Lovecraftian motifs. Bandur arguably corresponds to Nyarlathotep, who is a mixture of the pharaoh and fallen archangel premises. The story does not seem to lean that far into any given Lovecraft story, even if Bandur were a Lovecraft style protagonist in general. Potential models include Nathaniel Wingate Peaslee and Wilbur Whatley.

	<span class="mw-customtoggle-major-subtexts-lovecraft" style="color:#0000ff">Click to Collapse/Expand Lovecraft sub-category...</span>		<span class="mw-customtoggle-major-subtexts-lovecraft" style="color:#0000ff">Click to Collapse/Expand Lovecraft sub-category...</span>
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	Castle Anwyn may have subtle word plays on medieval terminology like the Graveyard as well, such as the wine casks being kept in the Keep instead of the Buttery, or the Dungeon being located in the Keep. This will all be elaborated in much more detail on [[Research:The Vvrael Quest]]. The hidden subtexts in the Vvrael quest are messier than the Graveyard. It is more difficult to filter intent from coincidences. The thrust of it is playing off the breaking of the seals in the Book of Revelation which is the Last Judgment. The sun was blacked out with the sky raining blood near the climax of the Vvrael quest.		Castle Anwyn may have subtle word plays on medieval terminology like the Graveyard as well, such as the wine casks being kept in the Keep instead of the Buttery, or the Dungeon being located in the Keep. This will all be elaborated in much more detail on [[Research:The Vvrael Quest]]. The hidden subtexts in the Vvrael quest are messier than the Graveyard. It is more difficult to filter intent from coincidences. The thrust of it is playing off the breaking of the seals in the Book of Revelation which is the Last Judgment. The sun was blacked out with the sky raining blood near the climax of the Vvrael quest.
	</div>		</div>
			=Conclusions=
	=Summary=
	The Graveyard is representing Empress Kadaena as a rival death goddess who led a faction of Lords of Orhan (Modern: Liabo) to follow the Unlife. This is set in a context where the Dark Gods of Charôn (Modern: Lornon) had not been defined yet in the Shadow World source books. It is inspired most likely from a brief history section of the 1989 adventure modules that conflates the Lords of Essaence and the Lords of Orhan. Symbolically, the grand design of the Graveyard is a mockery of the Gates of Oblivion and the Lovecraft inspired Purgatory messaging, and its features appear to be lies or backwards. The Graveyard story does not necessarily lean heavily into any single Lovecraft story. Empress Kadaena is likely supposed to represent a dead god, possibly on the "forbidden" side of the Gates of Oblivion.		The Graveyard is representing Empress Kadaena as a rival death goddess who led a faction of Lords of Orhan (Modern: Liabo) to follow the Unlife. This is set in a context where the Dark Gods of Charôn (Modern: Lornon) had not been defined yet in the Shadow World source books. It is inspired most likely from a brief history section of the 1989 adventure modules that conflates the Lords of Essaence and the Lords of Orhan. Symbolically, the grand design of the Graveyard is a mockery of the Gates of Oblivion and the Lovecraft inspired Purgatory messaging, and its features appear to be lies or backwards. The Graveyard story does not necessarily lean heavily into any single Lovecraft story. Empress Kadaena is likely supposed to represent a dead god, possibly on the "forbidden" side of the Gates of Oblivion.

INIQUITY: /* Common Language */

2020-05-17T03:32:42Z

Common Language

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:32, 16 May 2020
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	Obvious paths: south, west		Obvious paths: south, west
	</pre>		</pre>
	Contrast with the writing in Common, which was all done by Bandur himself:		Contrast with the writing in Common, which was all done by Bandur himself: (***)
	<pre{{log2\|margin-right=350px}}>		<pre{{log2\|margin-right=350px}}>
	In the Common language, it reads:		In the Common language, it reads:
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	The Shadow World books do not help with this situation as there is not actually a single "common man" language across all cultures, though in the Aranmor book the writing is all in Low or Black Nureti. The archaic Elven on the slab in Wormwood Slough is apocryphal, as that part of the bog was added in 2000. Though the legend refers to "Kadaena Throk Farok" as an Elven phrase for some reason.		The Shadow World books do not help with this situation as there is not actually a single "common man" language across all cultures, though in the Aranmor book the writing is all in Low or Black Nureti. The archaic Elven on the slab in Wormwood Slough is apocryphal, as that part of the bog was added in 2000. Though the legend refers to "Kadaena Throk Farok" as an Elven phrase for some reason.

			'''<nowiki>***</nowiki>''' ''(Note: The mechanic of writing in the game existing as the "In the XXX language, it reads" format may not have existed yet when these areas were built. This is not actually important. For our purposes what is relevant is that it is readable now, in the present, when it was made over six thousand years ago and there is other writing there in unrecognizable script. It might be a meaningless oversight.)''

	===Black Hel===		===Black Hel===
	The various references to the Black Hel are almost certainly from times and places Bandur himself never witnessed. The false sarcophagus of Kadæna was probably where the Helm of Kadæna was kept when Bandur was alive, while the references to it from the Temple of Burning Night were centuries after his death. He would also need to somehow know the indigenous language Black Nureti.		The various references to the Black Hel are almost certainly from times and places Bandur himself never witnessed. The false sarcophagus of Kadæna was probably where the Helm of Kadæna was kept when Bandur was alive, while the references to it from the Temple of Burning Night were centuries after his death. He would also need to somehow know the indigenous language Black Nureti.