Origins of the Highborn - Revision history

Twiggy at 00:26, 19 July 2026

2026-07-19T00:26:13Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:26, 19 July 2026
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	The work was exacting, challenging and at times exasperating: to live for half a year in a place so devoid of the usual evidence of Virtue, all the while trying to tease the tiniest scraps of information from what I might as well characterise as a tidal wave of dross, would try the stoutest soul. Not to mention the arrival of the Mists during our writing-up period: have you any idea of the disruption to the archivist’s task posed by a supernatural mist literally wiping away our research between cup and lip?		The work was exacting, challenging and at times exasperating: to live for half a year in a place so devoid of the usual evidence of Virtue, all the while trying to tease the tiniest scraps of information from what I might as well characterise as a tidal wave of dross, would try the stoutest soul. Not to mention the arrival of the Mists during our writing-up period: have you any idea of the disruption to the archivist’s task posed by a supernatural mist literally wiping away our research between cup and lip?

	The Sarcophan were nothing if not accommodating, and presented many, many, many ~~artifacts~~ to us in the hope that we could verify specious claims of ownership and provenance: when we found out that they were essentially using us to put seals of authenticity upon unrelated objects in order to drive up their value, we had to step down our levels of cooperation concerning that which we had found. At this point of course our local friends turned to the comparatively cheaper and more available option of flooding us with mouldy tat of the kind hawked to tourists for generations. But we have persevered.		The Sarcophan were nothing if not accommodating, and presented many, many, many artefacts to us in the hope that we could verify specious claims of ownership and provenance: when we found out that they were essentially using us to put seals of authenticity upon unrelated objects in order to drive up their value, we had to step down our levels of cooperation concerning that which we had found. At this point of course our local friends turned to the comparatively cheaper and more available option of flooding us with mouldy tat of the kind hawked to tourists for generations. But we have persevered.

	The note of caution that I will also attach is that it should not be forgotten that we have attempted that most delicate of tasks here, to tease Virtue out of magic. While I do not pretend that we have not succeeded, I should also not pretend that we are infallible. While we do present narratives of Virtue from our efforts - it is in no wise impossible that we have been just simply deceived. But we have persevered!		The note of caution that I will also attach is that it should not be forgotten that we have attempted that most delicate of tasks here, to tease Virtue out of magic. While I do not pretend that we have not succeeded, I should also not pretend that we are infallible. While we do present narratives of Virtue from our efforts - it is in no wise impossible that we have been just simply deceived. But we have persevered!
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	==Concerning Locations==		==Concerning Locations==
	We believe the prize of our investigations lies here, not in the history of objects. This makes sense, to be honest: those ~~artifacts~~ that were valued by the Navigators came with them to the Bay of Catazar, and those that were not valuable to them hold little value to us either. But one cannot bring one’s home with one stone for stone, or load the dock onto a ship.		We believe the prize of our investigations lies here, not in the history of objects. This makes sense, to be honest: those artefacts that were valued by the Navigators came with them to the Bay of Catazar, and those that were not valuable to them hold little value to us either. But one cannot bring one’s home with one stone for stone, or load the dock onto a ship.

	There are a couple of individuals we have identified within these visions as leaders within the community, as Navigators. There is disagreement within our coven as to whether we have literally seen the faces of Atuman and Atun in our visions: it is my personal belief that we surely have, for I felt that I saw great Virtue in those footsteps I briefly marked, and in particular I believe that we have certainly seen a place where Atuman performed one of his miraculous speeches.		There are a couple of individuals we have identified within these visions as leaders within the community, as Navigators. There is disagreement within our coven as to whether we have literally seen the faces of Atuman and Atun in our visions: it is my personal belief that we surely have, for I felt that I saw great Virtue in those footsteps I briefly marked, and in particular I believe that we have certainly seen a place where Atuman performed one of his miraculous speeches.

Twiggy at 18:03, 10 April 2026

2026-04-10T18:03:25Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:03, 10 April 2026
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	In summary, the scholars came to the conclusion that the Highborn originated in the Sarcophan Delves, as part of an empire dubbed the Umshallan empire after the great river at whose mouth the city stands. Their founders followed a religion separate to the more widespread Umshallan belief in fatalism that scholars have named the philosophy of the spiral. They fled both religious persecution and the spread of a devastating sickness to found a new colony in what is now modern-day Highguard.		In summary, the scholars came to the conclusion that the Highborn originated in the Sarcophan Delves, as part of an empire dubbed the Umshallan empire after the great river at whose mouth the city stands. Their founders followed a religion separate to the more widespread Umshallan belief in fatalism that scholars have named the philosophy of the spiral. They fled both religious persecution and the spread of a devastating sickness to found a new colony in what is now modern-day Highguard.
	<div style="float:right; width: 400px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Umshalla Spiral.jpg\|title=Drawn by Stjepan Uniemyslic Zor\|align=right\|caption=The spiral symbolises a philosophy in which free will is an illusion; there is only one path eternally ~~spiraling~~ outward from the unknown beginning through endless reincarnations.\|width=400}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 400px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Umshalla Spiral.jpg\|title=Drawn by Stjepan Uniemyslic Zor\|align=right\|caption=The spiral symbolises a philosophy in which free will is an illusion; there is only one path eternally spiralling outward from the unknown beginning through endless reincarnations.\|width=400}}</div>

	Further research was delivered during the Winter Solstice 384YE on [[#The Findings of Magisters\|the findings of the magisters]] who accompanied the expedition. Given the [[384YE_Winter_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Retrain_Researchers\|ongoing disruption]] the Imperial Archivist has made the decision to publish it in its entirety.		Further research was delivered during the Winter Solstice 384YE on [[#The Findings of Magisters\|the findings of the magisters]] who accompanied the expedition. Given the [[384YE_Winter_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Retrain_Researchers\|ongoing disruption]] the Imperial Archivist has made the decision to publish it in its entirety.
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	==The Findings of Magisters==		==The Findings of Magisters==
	<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: right;"><box>'''Additional Documentation'''<br>This document was provided at the Winter Solstice 384YE, and arranged with the assistance of the Ambassador to the Sarcophan Delves. The Imperial Archivist notes that,in part thank to the [[384YE_Winter_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Retrain_Researchers\|ongoing disruption]] at the Department of Historical Research, the document has not received the usual degree of scrutiny that [[historical research]] usually receives.</box></div>		<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: right;"><box>'''Additional Documentation'''<br>This document was provided at the Winter Solstice 384YE, and arranged with the assistance of the Ambassador to the Sarcophan Delves. The Imperial Archivist notes that, in part thank to the [[384YE_Winter_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Retrain_Researchers\|ongoing disruption]] at the Department of Historical Research, the document has not received the usual degree of scrutiny that [[historical research]] usually receives.</box></div>
	Minister, Ambassador.		Minister, Ambassador.

Twiggy at 01:42, 18 July 2025

2025-07-18T01:42:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:42, 18 July 2025
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	After some consideration, the Imperial Archivist arranged for it to be published in its entirety, with minimal annotation. The publication comes with a warning that the document often contains speculation or theories proposed by the scholars responsible for compiling it, and that these should (as always) be subject to critical evaluation - as should the language used to describe the so-called Umshallan empire. Some of the line drawings made by one of the scholars. the [[Varushka\|Varushkan]] Stjepan Uniemyslic Zor, have been included.		After some consideration, the Imperial Archivist arranged for it to be published in its entirety, with minimal annotation. The publication comes with a warning that the document often contains speculation or theories proposed by the scholars responsible for compiling it, and that these should (as always) be subject to critical evaluation - as should the language used to describe the so-called Umshallan empire. Some of the line drawings made by one of the scholars. the [[Varushka\|Varushkan]] Stjepan Uniemyslic Zor, have been included.

	In summary, the scholars came to the conclusion that the Highborn originated in the Sarcophan Delves, as part of an empire dubbed the Umshallan empire after the great river at whose mouth the city stands. Their founders followed a religion ~~seperate~~ to the more widespread Umshallan belief in fatalism that scholars have named the philosophy of the spiral. They fled both religious persecution and the spread of a devastating sickness to found a new colony in what is now modern-day Highguard.		In summary, the scholars came to the conclusion that the Highborn originated in the Sarcophan Delves, as part of an empire dubbed the Umshallan empire after the great river at whose mouth the city stands. Their founders followed a religion separate to the more widespread Umshallan belief in fatalism that scholars have named the philosophy of the spiral. They fled both religious persecution and the spread of a devastating sickness to found a new colony in what is now modern-day Highguard.
	<div style="float:right; width: 400px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Umshalla Spiral.jpg\|title=Drawn by Stjepan Uniemyslic Zor\|align=right\|caption=The spiral symbolises a philosophy in which free will is an illusion; there is only one path eternally spiraling outward from the unknown beginning through endless reincarnations.\|width=400}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 400px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Umshalla Spiral.jpg\|title=Drawn by Stjepan Uniemyslic Zor\|align=right\|caption=The spiral symbolises a philosophy in which free will is an illusion; there is only one path eternally spiraling outward from the unknown beginning through endless reincarnations.\|width=400}}</div>

Twiggy at 01:02, 11 July 2025

2025-07-11T01:02:32Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:02, 11 July 2025
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	Dan		Dan
	Chief Archivist, Absalom’s Lookout		Chief Archivist, Absalom’s Lookout
	Casinea, ~~384 YE~~		Casinea, 384YE

	==Concerning Relics==		==Concerning Relics==

Rafferty at 10:27, 28 June 2025

2025-06-28T10:27:37Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:27, 28 June 2025
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	I should strike a note of caution: there is a reason that this building was not full of locals already. The path here is treacherous and only passable in the dry season, and even then it is plagued by insects, and a crocodile had to be evicted from our path before we could climb a rickety ladder half a storey to the partial remains of the balcony upon which we performed this divination. All present agreed that it would be distinctly unwise to attempt to develop the location: even if it became a major site of pilgrimage for Imperial and Sumaash alike, the expense of maintaining the place against the swamp would make it marginally profitable at best.		I should strike a note of caution: there is a reason that this building was not full of locals already. The path here is treacherous and only passable in the dry season, and even then it is plagued by insects, and a crocodile had to be evicted from our path before we could climb a rickety ladder half a storey to the partial remains of the balcony upon which we performed this divination. All present agreed that it would be distinctly unwise to attempt to develop the location: even if it became a major site of pilgrimage for Imperial and Sumaash alike, the expense of maintaining the place against the swamp would make it marginally profitable at best.
			{{Sarcophan Links}}

Rafferty: /* The Findings of Magisters */

2023-05-19T12:12:47Z

The Findings of Magisters

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:12, 19 May 2023
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	==The Findings of Magisters==		==The Findings of Magisters==
	<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: right;"><box>'''Additional Documentation'''<br>This document was provided at the Winter Solstice 384YE, and arranged with the assistance of the Ambassador to the Sarcophan Delves. The Imperial Archivist notes that,in part thank to the [[384YE_Winter_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Retrain_Researchers\|ongoing disruption]] at the Department of Historical Research, the document has not received the usual degree of ~~careful cross-referencing~~ that [[historical research]] usually receives.</box></div>		<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: right;"><box>'''Additional Documentation'''<br>This document was provided at the Winter Solstice 384YE, and arranged with the assistance of the Ambassador to the Sarcophan Delves. The Imperial Archivist notes that,in part thank to the [[384YE_Winter_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Retrain_Researchers\|ongoing disruption]] at the Department of Historical Research, the document has not received the usual degree of scrutiny that [[historical research]] usually receives.</box></div>
	Minister, Ambassador.		Minister, Ambassador.

Rafferty: /* The Findings of Magisters */

2023-05-19T12:12:02Z

The Findings of Magisters

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:12, 19 May 2023
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	==The Findings of Magisters==		==The Findings of Magisters==
			<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: right;"><box>'''Additional Documentation'''<br>This document was provided at the Winter Solstice 384YE, and arranged with the assistance of the Ambassador to the Sarcophan Delves. The Imperial Archivist notes that,in part thank to the [[384YE_Winter_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Retrain_Researchers\|ongoing disruption]] at the Department of Historical Research, the document has not received the usual degree of careful cross-referencing that [[historical research]] usually receives.</box></div>
	Minister, Ambassador.		Minister, Ambassador.

Hailmur at 11:32, 19 May 2023

2023-05-19T11:32:30Z

Show changes

Hastur at 13:39, 3 May 2021

2021-05-03T13:39:22Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:39, 3 May 2021
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	At its height (that is, while it was still an empire with an Empress), the Umshallan Empire co-existed with the Terunael Empire. The two regarded one another much as we regard the [[Asavean Archipelago\|Asaveans]]: strange and different, with very divergent attitudes on key social matters such as magic (which played a less pivotal role in Umshallan society), but trade between these societies was limited by modern standards.		At its height (that is, while it was still an empire with an Empress), the Umshallan Empire co-existed with the Terunael Empire. The two regarded one another much as we regard the [[Asavean Archipelago\|Asaveans]]: strange and different, with very divergent attitudes on key social matters such as magic (which played a less pivotal role in Umshallan society), but trade between these societies was limited by modern standards.

	Nevertheless, “the north” was not a desolate wasteland to the Umshallans. They traded after a fashion with the Asavean Empire and its colonies, and were certainly aware of the wide, fertile Bay of Catazar. While naval piracy was a problem, they make no mention of the [[Grendel]] as a threat, presumably because the Grendel themselves were not a unified political entity at this time. Nor do they mention the names of [[Jotun]], [[Druj]] or [[Thule]], nor any of the lesser ~~tribes~~ which occupied the lands of the present-day Casinean Empire; these peoples were just not worth dealing with.		Nevertheless, “the north” was not a desolate wasteland to the Umshallans. They traded after a fashion with the Asavean Empire and its colonies, and were certainly aware of the wide, fertile Bay of Catazar. While naval piracy was a problem, they make no mention of the [[Grendel]] as a threat, presumably because the Grendel themselves were not a unified political entity at this time. Nor do they mention the names of [[Jotun]], [[Druj]] or [[Thule]], nor any of the lesser nations which occupied the lands of the present-day Casinean Empire; these peoples were just not worth dealing with.

	It makes sense, then, that by Khaprinemhat’s account, the Parralenth set off north equipped for war. They seized several hundred horses from the estates of weakened Hatyat, and raided armouries and stores. Khaprinemhat believed their intentions were domination: even this mildly Ambitious Umshallan could not conceive of the scale of a [[Paragons_and_exemplars\|paragon]]’s [[Ambition]] to remake society anew in a new land. But Atun and Atuman were not alone in their departure. Accounts vary wildly of the number of ships which departed for foreign lands, and of whether the Parralenth were the first or simply the most organised.		It makes sense, then, that by Khaprinemhat’s account, the Parralenth set off north equipped for war. They seized several hundred horses from the estates of weakened Hatyat, and raided armouries and stores. Khaprinemhat believed their intentions were domination: even this mildly Ambitious Umshallan could not conceive of the scale of a [[Paragons_and_exemplars\|paragon]]’s [[Ambition]] to remake society anew in a new land. But Atun and Atuman were not alone in their departure. Accounts vary wildly of the number of ships which departed for foreign lands, and of whether the Parralenth were the first or simply the most organised.

	Knowing little of the land, Atun and Atuman must have expected to have to carve a kingdom for themselves out of a land occupied with unruly and barbarous [[orc]] ~~tribes~~. That they founded the greatest city in the world at the time is a testament to their Virtue and skill in war and peace alike.		Knowing little of the land, Atun and Atuman must have expected to have to carve a kingdom for themselves out of a land occupied with unruly and barbarous [[orc\|orcs]]. That they founded the greatest city in the world at the time is a testament to their Virtue and skill in war and peace alike.

	===The End ===		===The End ===

Rosemary: /* Foreword */

2019-10-12T16:13:15Z

Foreword

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:13, 12 October 2019
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	[[Category:History]][[Category:Highguard]]		[[Category:History]][[Category:Highguard]]
	==Foreword==		==Foreword==
	In Summer 383YE, then [[Minister of Historical Research]] Caleb of the Cenotaph, with the aid of Thanmir ~~Hraftan~~, [[Ambassador to the Sarcophan Delves]], arranged for a [[Historical research\|team of scholars]] to travel to the [[Sarcophan Delves]]. As guests of Bedelaar-Huisbaas Annike, they undertook a comprehensive investigation of the origins of the [[Highguard\|Highborn]] people and their connection, if any, to the city now occupied by the people of Sarcophan. The following extensive document represents the fruit of their investigations.		In Summer 383YE, then [[Minister of Historical Research]] Caleb of the Cenotaph, with the aid of Thanmir Hrafnar, [[Ambassador to the Sarcophan Delves]], arranged for a [[Historical research\|team of scholars]] to travel to the [[Sarcophan Delves]]. As guests of Bedelaar-Huisbaas Annike, they undertook a comprehensive investigation of the origins of the [[Highguard\|Highborn]] people and their connection, if any, to the city now occupied by the people of Sarcophan. The following extensive document represents the fruit of their investigations.

	After some consideration, the Imperial Archivist arranged for it to be published in its entirety, with minimal annotation. The publication comes with a warning that the document often contains speculation or theories proposed by the scholars responsible for compiling it, and that these should (as always) be subject to critical evaluation - as should the language used to describe the so-called Umshallan empire. Some of the line drawings made by one of the scholars. the [[Varushka\|Varushkan]] Stjepan Uniemyslic Zor, have been included.		After some consideration, the Imperial Archivist arranged for it to be published in its entirety, with minimal annotation. The publication comes with a warning that the document often contains speculation or theories proposed by the scholars responsible for compiling it, and that these should (as always) be subject to critical evaluation - as should the language used to describe the so-called Umshallan empire. Some of the line drawings made by one of the scholars. the [[Varushka\|Varushkan]] Stjepan Uniemyslic Zor, have been included.