Author: robinmcentire

Ethem’s Solar System, a Preface

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The Family of Oma

A Primer on Ethem’s Fexofamilial Community

By Galggado Gaffroto, Ishiri, First Scientist

Guild Energetic Research Collective’s

Division for the Study of Fexofamilial Communities and Geneology (DSFCG)

Oma Rages in the Skies above Ethem

Preface

I was approached by the head of the Guild Energetic Research Collective (GERC), my good friend Allo Bathrelmo, and his leader, the Head Administrator of Research Initiatives, Gorsal Rothless on the 38th day of the month of Harmon, in the year SP~5,022 about a project of great importance. Gorsal had initiated conversations with Allo several years ago to discuss the potential value of educating the folk of Naldrin City, and perhaps those outside of the city, about the Fekxtah that make up what astrofekxtonomists call the Local Fekxtah Group System of Order (LFGSO). In the common parlance this is referred to either as Oma’s Family (Oma being, of course, our central Fekxtah) or simply as our Solar System.

Gorsal is well-known within the Guilds as a visionary and a master communicator. She has spent much of her career investigating the history of the Tamarran Continent including its place on our own Fekxtah planet Ethem. These initiatives delved into the recent history of Tamarra during our current time period, the Third Era of the Fifth Age of the World. However, the more she explored recent events the more she was led back to earlier times. This led Gorsal to explore the history of the Tamarran Continent in the Eras of time that preceded our own. This included both the First Era known as The Time of the First Living Creatures and the Second Era, the Time of the First Races.

While investigating the Second Era, she came across writings from the great Elzheni Race, the most dominant race of this time period. They were a race of creatures not entirely unlike ourselves in stature and physical prowess. However, they did excel far beyond us in their deep knowledge of the world. No other race during that time or before, or after, was able to establish the kind of sovereignty they exerted over the world and the other living beings that populated it. Their untimely and unfortunate extinction at the break between their time, the Second Era, and our own, the Third, is still not well understood, and is a story to be told outside of these pages.

What is not as well-known about the Elzheni is that their exploration led them well beyond our own Tamarran Continent and even beyond the Fekxtah planet Ethem on which Tamarra lies. As remarkable as it may be, they recorded explorations of the Fekxtah planets that lie beyond Ethem. The reason this is not common knowledge is twofold. First, there are few writings or artifacts that remain of the time of the Elzheni. In fact, what few writings we now have only became known to us recently. These ancient writings were found in one of the oldest, and largest, of the heola mayamar*. Prior to the discovery of these artifacts, we had only rumors and unreliable tales that were more legend than history, and so we are deeply indebted to the heola who aided our studies.

The second reason why these ancient Elzheni artifacts are not well known is because there is great skepticism among many members of the Guild who believe that the writings are not genuine and, even if they are, that they are fiction and not true science. Many of our most prominent Guild scholars believe that what is presented in these writings is, simply put, not possible. To be clear, the skeptics do not doubt that there are worlds outside of our own Ethem. This is a fact which has been made clear in the Guild literature and in the Guilds’ many studies of Ethem’s sky. What is contested are the detailed observations of these other worlds that could only come about from direct observation. In other words, the Elzheni would had to have been standing on these other worlds to observe the facts they report. Most Guild scientists consider this to be sheer fiction since they believe it is a feat well beyond even the mighty Elzheni. Those members of the Guilds who do believe the accounts to be true have so far provided no credible evidence or theories about how it could be accomplished.

Thus, the debate has raged for a number of years now with no clear outcome in sight. Since Gorsal Rothless and Allo Bathrelmo chose me for this task, it is my responsibility to choose how best to execute it. I have made a decision to include key extracts from these ancient Elzheni texts. I believe that it is vital for a complete understanding of this subject that it be included, and I have, with these words, I have discharged my duty to inform the reader of the circumstances surrounding the documents so they may make up their own mind as to its veracity.

In conclusion, I consider this document to be a primer for any who might be interested. It will contain much of the basic information that we have, to this point, gleaned from the documents that the heola have provided us, and that are now held in the archives of the Division for the Study of Fexofamilial Communities and Genealogy (DSFCG), a division within the Guild Energetic Resource Coalition (GERC), the division of the Guild in which I work.

To fulfill my responsibility to make this document short and approachable, I have included only the core elements from our understanding of this topic. This should be sufficient to give a discerning reader an understanding of our Solar System and ready them for a deeper study of this topic should their curiosity lead them to it.

I submit my work on this the 9th day of the month of Kalkix of the year SP~5,022, and dedicate it to the dogged determination of Gorsal Rothless to see it become a reality.

— Galggado Gaffroto, Ishiri, First Scientist of the Division for the Study of Fexofamilial Communities and Geneology (DSFCG) of the Guild Energetic Research Collective

*  A mayamar is a heolas library, though, since it is of heolas origin, there is little if any organizational structure to it. There many heola mayamar, and only a small number of them are known to the general population of the Tamarran Continent. However, it is known that they contain rare books and writings of many kinds which include texts from the Second Era of the world.

Rhonda Floam’s Diaries: Shawmancer Island (entry 17)

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Dollano 10, SP~4,909

Rhonda Floam

Betrayal

I woke this morning to chaos. Donnessling was gone and so were Begkragk and his dwarves.

Mossessling and Donnessling’s chief lieutenant, Allalling, were in a heated debate. They were unnerved about Donnessling’s absence, but, more than that, they were distressed because he had said nothing to either of them. And, of course, the dwarves were gone. They are notoriously silent when walking over stone, especially stone they knew so well, and they are not always to be trusted, even when they are your ally.

Allalling had sent the other nossring out to search the hallways and tunnels for Donnessling, but none had yet returned.

I approached the two to ask when they had last seen Donnessling. They were surprised at the question, but Mossessling quickly responded that she had been up early and had noticed that his sleeping space was empty and his belongings were undisturbed.

I told them of my exploit the night before. As I finished the story we heard a shout from behind. It came from the direction where Donnessling and Begkragk, and I, had walked only hours before. One of the searchers was making their way back to us, holding up another nossring, helping them walk. It was Donnessling. He had a good deal of blood caked to one side of his head and a bloodied arm. When he saw us he pushed away his help and walked unsteadily toward us.

“Begkragk has betrayed us,” he said between clenched teeth. Allalling sounded a small horn he carried at his side. The sound filled the halls and echoed back to us, as the other nossring came running back to our location.

As everyone returned, Donnessling told his story. When Allalling told him what they had already heard from me, I could see that Donnessling was impressed. I was pleased with that, though, personally, it didn’t matter whether he approved or not. It’s my job, and he should know that by now. In fact, I think he does.

Mossessling tended Donnessling‘s wounds and provided him with a small cake from her supplies. The food and stitches revived him considerably.

By that time everyone had returned from the search and Donnessling gave the word to Allalling that we were leaving, immediately.

I have to say, these guys are amazingly quick, and they packed up in a minute. I was the only one who was still trying to get my things packed, but I quickly got some “help” to speed things up.

Then off we went. We didn’t go back the way we had come from, nor did we head down the corridor that Begkragk and Donnessling took the night before. Allalling led us to a passageway that was mostly hidden among sharp, rough rocks. It contained a rough floor of broken stone, and it was narrow, so progress was slow, but it soon led us in an upward direction.

We began the journey this morning, and at the end of a long march, we came out of the darkness and onto a shelf high in the mountains overlooking the sea. Daylight was well-gone when we arrived here, but it was a cloudless night. I am writing now under that welcoming sky and will tell more of the tale of Begkragk’s betrayal and the Eye of Zanyr tomorrow.

Is a Killer Moraktatha on the Loose?

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By Lusa Lockless, Travel Editor and Reporter-at-Large, the Tarnath Times

Moraktatha

Kogu 17, SP~5,022

Are the rumors true? Is there a killer moraktatha slithering through the streets and the dark stone steps of our beloved city devouring folk at will? And, what are our local officials doing to stop it? Unless I’m mistaken, it is their duty to protect us, is it not?

Friends, please don’t panic. Even if those who have sworn to protect our community are failing at their job, you can count on Lusa Lockless to keep you informed!

The first mysterious event was reported almost three weeks ago. Perdy Fellfether, father of five, failed to find his way home. His husband immediately told the constables of the Western District (one of Tarnath’s most peaceful and clean neighborhoods), pressing upon them the constancy of his husband’s punctuality. “He’s never late!” Perdy told me he told them. But, it would seem they had better things to do, and Fellfether is still missing with no explanation, or comment, from the Western District’s officials. I’m sure you agree with me that we all send our thoughts and prayers (each to our own gods of course) to Perdy’s family.

The next attack occurred just a few days later. Thalmo Podwall, owner of Podwall’s Perfumery on Hethgeg Street, was on his way home when he saw a human-like figure following him. Actually, he “felt” that he was being followed by a human-like figure. His emotions were telling him one thing, but his eyes, when he could get past his feelings, told him another. He stopped to challenge his stalker. His description resembled that of Mr. Fellfether; however, Mr. Podwall said that the human he talked to seemed to have trouble responding. It hesitated in answering and then seemed to use several words out of context. Of course, Thalmo was worried about their mental state. When he flourished a cudgel that he carries for security, the creature backed away. As Mr. Podwall walked away he swears that the creature seemed to fade from his heart. It then appeared as a long, thick snake slithering into a nearby alleyway. Strange indeed, Friends!

Since then there have been a number of other assaults. Some folk have been reported missing under strange circumstances and others have told of similarly strange encounters.

My contacts at the Charismatic Guild have assured me that this has all the signs of a moraktatha, and likely a large one, and old. These creatures, in their natural form, resemble snakes with many eyes. They can be quite large, as much as ten feet in length or more. What is truly unique about a moraktatha is expressed perfectly by Imblenhi in his famous Bestiary: “In addition to the physical nourishment, moraktatha get knowledge from their prey; they actually live out the entirety of their meal’s life as they digest it, experiencing every thought and emotion it did. After digesting something or someone, a moraktatha knows everything that creature knew, remembers that creature’s life with the same fondnesses and petty hatreds that the creature itself held”.

I will leave you with this warning, my Friends — beware of strangers after sunset and, when you can, travel in groups, until this thing is found and destroyed.

Until then, you can count on your Lusa Lockless to keep you informed about the latest events, so remember to read my column every day.

Until next time, stay safe!

Rhonda Floam’s Diaries: Shawmancer Island (entry 16)

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Later that night

Rhonda Floam

Midnight conversation

I’m writing again today, or maybe it’s early tomorrow.

I’d been asleep, but I sleep lightly. Good for me!

I heard a soft movement, like someone trying to sneak away, and, of course, I was right. Begkragk and Donnessling were stealing away from where we were all sleeping, and I decided to follow. The lessons I got from my good friend Elinor about walking silently really paid off (kamari can make no sound at all when walking in the woods through brambles!). I was able to follow, at a distance, but not be heard or seen. I think I was a bit lucky, too, that the two of them seemed to be deeply in conversation and not paying much attention to anything else.

Begkragk knew where he was going and took them down a narrow corridor that seemed like no one had walked in for a long time. He found a door hidden along the wall and took Donnessling in with him. I got myself close enough to hear them.

“It’s mine!” I could hear Begkragk say.

“It belongs to no one,” Donnessling replied. “It’s too powerful for any one …”

That’s when I heard a snapping sound like a hand slapped on stone.

The rest of the conversation, more like an argument actually, was more of the same. Donnessling argued that the stone, which he called “one of the Eyes from the Crown of Drawnwyn”, should be reunited with the “other Eyes”.

Begkragk wasn’t having any of it. His folk found it, and they found it in the mountains of their kingdom, so it belonged to them!

There was something Donnessling said about where the Eye had been in centuries before. I didn’t pick up on all of it, but it seemed to have traveled quite a bit.

The two of them must have gone on for an hour or more before Donnessling finally gave up. I remember the last thing he said. “We will do all in our power to protect Zanyr and to protect you and your folk, but beware, Begkragk, this Eye has powers you know not of.”

Begkragk responded with something about how he could control the stone and would use it to bring order to the northern regions of the continent.

After that there was silence, and then I could hear them in the hallway just outside of the room, and not far from the alcove where I was hiding. Somehow they passed me by without seeing me. I think they were each so focused on not hammering the other that they weren’t paying attention.

I waited a while for them to be well gone, and then I headed back to write this down and to find another hour or two of sleep before the next day began.

The Origin of the Ten Races: Introduction

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Editors Note:

Dorromee Ado, Grand Scholar, the Six Guilds, Tarnath

While there are many races and creatures on the Tamarran Continent, the Ten Races, as they like to call themselves, are unique among them. They hold a special place in the world as the only races that have an affinity with, and therefore control over, all of the Six Energies that make up the world. They also have the distinction of being the most politically consequential of all the races and, for that reason, have a special place in the history of Tamarra.

Because of their prominence among the creatures of the continent the Guilds have asked one of our highly esteemed colleagues, Suman Tammring of the Nossring Nation, to provide a brief summary of the origins of each of these Ten Races. Since the nossring folk are not one of the Ten Races, we are sure that Suman will give an objective view of the Ten.  Of course, the full scope of describing the Ten Races would require multiple volumes for each of them; however, it is the Guild’s belief that it is helpful to the folk of our continent to have a shared understanding of the Ten Races, so we understand their place in our lives and in the workings of the world.

I will leave my introduction there; short, but to the point, and will give the remaining pages over to my friend, and valued colleague, Suman Tamming, with my thanks and the thanks of the Guilds for her willingness to perform this important task.

Dorromee Ado, Grand Scholar, the Six Guilds, Tarnath

Kogu 17, SP~5,022

Introduction

I am Suman Tammring, son of Wedder, First Leader of Catalog of History for the Nossring Nation.  We live in the northern half of the Tamarran Continent, in a long valley between two ranges of the Rimmel Mountains and the Great Eastern Farm Lands.  We are a nation that takes pride in the dignity of living beings — fiercely loyal to those we call our friends, and relentless adversaries to those who have earned our wrath.  

I am from Merring City, in the western Rimmel Mountains, where we are friends to the great whooshenawa tribes. The whooshenawa are a nation of great feathered beings, with a wingspan of up to 25 feet.  Some call them “birds”, and at first look, that is what they would seem. However, they are an old race, and wise, and have seen much of the history of the Tamarran Continent. There is, of course, much more of their story told in the famous book, “Imbelnhi’s Bestiary: Being a Travelers Account of Our Continent and Her Creatures,” and I would refer you to that excellent tome for knowledge of the whooshenawa, and of many other creatures of Tamarra.

We Nossring have watched for years, measured in thousands, the events on our continent of Tamarra.  Long ago we formed a Bond of Souls with our whooshenawa neighbors. This bond was formed from Spirit Energy (one of the Six Energies) and it allows us to send our nossring spirits out with them as they fly throughout the world, and gives us the ability to see the world through their eyes.  As masters of the wind, the whooshenawa have carried our souls throughout the lands of Tamarra, and we have seen much of the world, its beings, and its history. Some sights were compelling enough that we journeyed to those places. From these many journeys we have come to know many of Tamarra’s folk; their nations, their languages, and their ways.

The history of our race and our travels gives us a unique perspective on our Tamarran Continent, and, as such, we can tell the deep history of this place. I shall tell this history, beginning with that of the Great Races, known today as The Ten Races.  

The Ten Races have a connection to each of the Six Energies: the Inner Energies (Emotion and Mental); the Outer Energies (Soman and Physic); and the Ethereal Energies (Spirit and Shadow).  The Guilds call this connection to an Energy an “affinity” with that Energy.  The ability to make that Energy do one’s bidding is called “channeling” that Energy, and those who are able to perform this ability are called Channels.  

It is unusual among the creatures of our continent to have a connection to each of the Six Energies.  Most creatures and folk have no particular connection with the Six Energies and no ability to channel any one of them.  Others have a connection with perhaps one or two of the Energies. So, because of their unique affinity with each of the Six Energies, the Ten Races have earned a prominent place in our world.

Channels have been among us for a long time, but those who call themselves Sorcerers have been here longer. Both names are known today. In the past, Sorcerers have been called witches and enchanters, and also mages and divinists. Their enemies have called them diabolicals and demonists. We know now that the power housed within a living being is neither good nor evil. It is simply a tool that may be used for good or evil as the mortal who holds the ability decides.

The members of the Ten Races have created the greatest cities and nations on the Continent.  Sometimes this was done by a single race, but most often several of the races worked in unison (or sometimes in competition). Such great cities include the city of Tarnath, Naldrin City, Eldrim City, and the Region of Jowea in the northern part of Tamarra. There is also Fekka and Dastl of the Undying Vale, as well as Zshorrihsh, Oshzen, and Zhonee of the great Zweyjen City-States in the south.

One more thing must be said before speaking to the long history of the Ten Races.  Long ago, there were three other races that were also made in the manner of The Ten; they also had access to and control of each of the Six Energies.  These were the Brammoth, the giant creatures fair of heart; the Farddell, the fastest creatures of all, who roamed freely across the plains of Tamarra; and the Shassellin, creatures of the deepest parts of the ocean.  Each of these races was born at the beginning of the Third Era of the Fifth Age of the World, our current period of time. Each was destroyed many thousands of years ago.

I will tell the stories of these mighty creatures.  But first I will tell the story, most briefly, of each of the Ten Races.

Rhonda Floam’s Diaries: Shawmancer Island (entry 15)

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Dollano 9, SP~4,909

Rhonda Floam

An Underground Journey

Today was a long day. I’m too tired to write much, but I want to get down a few things before sleep takes me.

We started the day with an early breakfast. Well, at least, it seemed early. It’s hard to tell when you can’t see the sun.

As soon as we’d finished eating, we set out on a trek. It was Begkragk himself and some of his folk — some of his counselors and about a dozen of his “royal” guards, and all of us (the nossring and me). The guards were a tough-looking lot. They didn’t say a word all day, and it was a long day.

We marched many miles, all of it underground of course. The first thing Begkragk did was to take us to a part of his halls that seemed out of the way and gave the appearance of being unimportant — craft dwarves! It was clear he didn’t want others to see where we were all going.

After a few hours we reached a deadend, or at least that’s what it looked like to me. One of Begkragk’s folk walked up to a part of the tunnel just before the dead end and did something with the wall. I think he (she?) mumbled a few words, too. The wall opened up and there was another tunnel. This one, though, was all natural; no paths were carved here.

I’ll admit I was totally lost at this point. I knew I was under a mountain, and we seemed to be heading further down, and that’s about it. They just pointed us in a direction and we all (especially me) scrambled to keep up.

Eventually, we reached some kind of open area. The ceiling was further above us than I could tell. Begkragk gave some instructions to some of his guards and they went off. A minute later, the place was lit up, and I could see just how big it was. Very big, and this was no natural cavern. The floor of the cavern held a pattern made from some marvelous stone. There were gigantic pillars running down its middle, and the walls on all sides had carvings that seemed to tell a story. I didn’t get a chance to look closely, but I’m guessing it was a story of the heroism of Begkragk’s folk.

Donnessling and his folk looked mightily impressed, too. They’d certainly never seen this place before.

Begkragk led us up to a large, circular stone platform at one end of the room. There were dozens of chairs and tables on the platform. We all sat on seats near the center and Begkragk gave a look to Donnessling, who returned a nod of confirmation.

Begkragk reached into one of the tables and pulled out a fist-sized piece of cloth. He quickly pulled away the cloth to reveal a stone, and a beautiful one! It actually must have been a gem and not just a stone because of its beauty. It was a magnificent purple color, and shades of that color as it moved, and, it seemed to my eyes, even when at rest.

One of the nossring came up to Begkragk. Donnessling introduced his kind, Mossessling, to Begkragk as “holder of the knowledge of Drawnwyn’s Eyes”. That meant nothing to me, but it was peculiar enough that I remembered it, and wanted to get that written down. Begkragk, though, knew exactly what Donnessling was talking about and handed the stone, or gem, to Mossessling.

Mossessling spent some time with this thing. She even went into a bit of a trance, or at least got very quiet. When her eyes opened they opened very wide. She turned to speak to Donnessling and Begkragk, but we could all hear her.

“This is the Eye of Zanyr, the stone of Physic Energy from Drawnwyn’s crown.” Begkragk went wide-eyed. Donnessling didn’t move a muscle.

Note to Self: Never play cards with Donnessling, at least not for money.

Mossessling handed the “Eye” back to the dwarf king, who wrapped it back in the cloth it came in and put it carefully back in a hidden place in the table. He then instructed two of his guards to sit at the table — dwarves are not naturally trusting folk!

“We’ll need to sleep on this.” That’s all Begkragk said and Donnessling, again, said nothing. Then we had dinner, a smattering of uninteresting conversation (something about how to tell where the sun is by “reading” the rocks around us), and now we’re about to sleep for the night.

Too tired to speculate, but lots to think about.

I almost forgot. It seems like it was a week ago. Before we headed out for today’s journey, I was able to locate a blink bat station. The dwarf who ran it was surprised to see a human, but got over it quickly enough and managed to overcharge me. But, I got a blink bat off to Bobby. Not sure how he’ll find me, but that’s the least of my worries.