23 First Seed, 4E 186
Miscarcand Cynosure

My dearest Sybil,

The following manuscript found me several months back in the hands of one of our more far-flung Eavesdroppers; he said he found it, sealed away in a glass cypher-box, in the solidified haemolymph of an enormous silver winged flutter-by which appeared to have been asphixiated by a particularly virulent divulgence of natural gas in one of the more badly scalded regions of the Mephalain Mountains. It has taken me some time to decipher the riddle – really, one would not expect a Dark Elf, of all wizards, to protect something with the name of a Cyrodiilic fruit – but once I did so, I found the text itself in unencoded Dunmeris, clear save for the author's horribly technical style. It seems our rivals in Morrowind were not entirely devastated by their Red Year, though it has caused them some problems – but you will see more on that below. It's just a pity the artifact mentioned toward the end was not retrieved with the text; I would give much to see whether the thing actually works as claimed.

No outright indication of the author's identity, or that of his project leader (his “Lord”) but at this point it's surprising enough to learn that any of the Telvanni are alive, much less hale enough to conduct research. Then again, research is probably the last thing those arthropophillic nimrods would give up, no matter the circumstances.

I think you'll enjoy this, dear, but if nothing else I hope you find it an interesting look into the current character of merish research; we've got them on the ropes! I've included a few notes on particularly interesting points to clarify a few issues; try not to let the unapproachability of the style deter you too much. This idiot clearly knows nothing about writing to be read. But what can you expect, of Telvanni?

In fondest humor,

paraGram Nigellus
Third Dean of Sibilance


PROGRESS REPORT: IN PURSUIT OF DIAPAUSE DELETION

GREETINGS AND SALUTATIONS

My Lord will be pleased to learn that his postulations on the nature of trans-Nirnian aetherial bleed were indeed correct; morpholithic and Principal absorption are both insufficient to negate the continuous influx from so many impossipoint punctures. By standard subcutaneous lattice displacement anolysis (using soul starved andesitic glass and a saturation of principalized Mazken essence, for maximal volatility) the average rate of aetherial bombardment over the past pentaperiod was determined at 2.3x10³² +/- 0.12 gigavarls (GV) per euhedron, adjusted – painstakingly – for lunar interference. This means that within a five year period Nirn is exposed to approximately 1.22x10⁵⁵ gigamnems (GM). This value is within the margin of error from the recorded standards, and should equate to nearly a tenfold increase in the Identity Digression coefficients of microform magicka streams, according to the equations reported by Reeck et al. nearly five hundred years ago.

This is not the case; mnemoli packets of all classes show variations of less than one half of a percentage point from curvature norms (although the anolysis was complicated by Red Tower’s upheaval; we were forced to resort to an atronach based arrogance node with a T factor of just 0.08. Our tests were conducted in vacua in the tortiLorkh field generated by a device of Dwemeri make; Dmnv. finally came in useful for something). Fluctuations in the growth of all relevant Daedric infinity series were determined indirectly by Arkayn tuning fork, and found to be insignificant when compared to the enormity of aetherial influx. While it was impossible to determine the rate of morpholithic capture, we made the reasonable assumption that it would, on average, be equal to the rate of morpholithic emancipation and thus irrelevant to our study.

Note the instrumentation – lattice displacement is, of course, standard procedure (although I have never heard of using anything besides bleached ebony as the matrix) but Dwemeri tortiLorkh fields? Arkayn tuning forks? Most atypical methodology. Also: such outdated sources!

ENTROPICOIL MEDIATED AETHERIAL BLEED; MECHANISMS OF MUNDANE RECOMBINANT REINCARNATION

These two avenues of investigation stymied, we turned our attention to My Lord's most insightful directive; entropicoil instigated seepage. While we could not measure the bleed in any quantitative way, the confirmation of spontaneous conceptual incarnation events in our initial experiments lends great credence to my Lord’s theory, as do our later results. Events were observed in a Dreamsleeve-sired entropicoil shell with a solvent principle rated at 12.3 HS (Hunger Salivants) and a chronoculic tick ratio of 1/0.8, and confirmed by quantitative manamissions spectroscopy. The spontaneity of these events proven, we turned our attention to the investigation and inception of particular species of the phenomena. As my Lord suggested, they are in fact immeasurable in their variety; we categorized twenty-seven (using mythopathic immateriamirr(or) artificery provided, again, by Dmnv.) in our anolysis.

These results support my Lord’s conclusion as to the causal agent of Mundane recombinant reincarnation; it is a simple result of exemplification-induced annex within the probability stew. It is evident, also, that herein lies the aetherial pressure valve for which my Lord wished us to search; conceptual incarnation events within the Dreamsleeve lead to the convective bleed of pattern-bound mnemoli packets into Oblivion (both to the Void and to aligned principalities) [Tayem]. Absolute and relative frequencies of events and event subclasses were determined through cryo-archive and hemi-crystalline projection of entropicoil chronocules [Lyr].

Fascinating. Be sure to comment on these passages in particular, love; I'm sure you will have plenty to say on this theory of the Dreamsleeve as a tube filled with some mythical, universal solvent. What implications does this and these 'exemplification events' have for the incarnation schemes of your necromonk companions in their silk-sleeved catacombs?

ARTIFICERY OF EXEMPLIFICATION EVENTS: PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

Proceeding to the crux of my Lord's circuitous purpose, we began investigation into the artificial induction of specific classes of these micro-mantle appropriation events and their transliminal functionality. Initially, our focus was the Kynematic spicule vector system presented recently in tympanum, facilitating the introduction of paedogenic soul-spores (aligned unto Apocrypha via mythosphere-directed sporophytic lignification) into our induced entropicoil environment. While this telescoping generation matrix did indeed provide some degree of long term essential fidelity against the solvent principle, and conceptual incarnation events were observed, the specificity of phenomena was insufficient for our purposes (Apocryphal annex occurring at approximately one sixteenth desirable frequencies) and this approach was deemed intractable [Vehk]. Apocrypha? My my, these Telvanni don't bandy about the bush. Remind me to tell Okurasha to look into the application of paedogenesis in those animunculic corbicules of hers.

Identifying inherent somatic deviation as the key factor of failure, we adopted a more conventional, plenum-centric approach. Foci were imbued with tempestronach souls (see [Vehk]) and enchanted to induce a skewed-probability sphere favoring the desired class of exemplification event and disfavoring all others. Plenum foci were subsequently anti-created back to principal identity through standard subgradient fusion, for alkahest immunity. Nothing surprising here; just repetitions of ancient and disastrous mistakes.

While initially promising, this method proved nonviable due to the staggering inputs required to overwhelm the disprobabilities associated with high fidelity entropicoil transport. While actual tests could not be performed, for obvious reasons, it was calculated that 3.2 x 10¹⁰ GM would be required to maintain acceptable fidelity with a confidence interval of 97%; this number decreases only slightly, to 2.7 x 10¹⁰ GM, if the interval is decreased to 94%, and anything lower is clearly unacceptable (calculations based on assumed transmission mana-mass of 62,691 KM – typical for a mortal soul - and an average entropicoil stint of 18,632 chronocules). Even sheathing transmissions in tertiary-grade Kehsperian psychotolipid (?) yielded just a 10% increase in efficiency, so my Lord will understand why our approach shifted yet again [Neht].

In order to bypass such debilitative mnemolic consumption, subsequent plenum foci opted for specialization, using ambient character emanations only to generate a weak graviMAR field for transmission mana corral, and fidelity instigation triggered to the inception of an acceptable exemplification event. Furthermore, reconstruction modules are keyed to high-fidelity reintegration only upon Mundane exemplification; Daedric (or other) exemplification induces reintegration in each subsection of identity at a 98% confidence interval; probability of recombinant functionality lies at 98.5%, but accuracy of recombination at just 62%. In this way we were able to eliminate over nine tenths of the magickal drain of such entropicoil-mediated exemplification-catalyzed transmissions. I find this highly unlikely. I'm sure you understand why.

PLENUM PLUNGER PRODUCTION AND BARRIERS TO CONSCIOUS KNOWLEDGE APPREHENSION

Theory proven, production of a practical plenum for my Lord’s purposes in transliminal esoteric pillage (!!!) was begun. Architecture and engineering of the final product enclosed with this manuscript were largely routine, but it should be noted that obtainment of high purity Apocryphal sublimity for exemplification screening necessitated the direct intervention of the sentient Herma-Mora facet. To maintain obfuscation of purpose, a second pact was bartered with Vaermina; the Prince withheld in Quagmiric suspension the motivation assets of our procurement division until negotiations for the Herma-Mora’s blessing of the proto-plenum were successfully concluded under the false-non-false pretenses of our amnesia’d emissaries [Iya].

The integrated, principalized product is quite effective in its function, but care should be taken with its use; entities manifested post-Dreamsleeveish transmission will not be recognizable versions of the input personalities, per the effect of subsection restricted identity reintegration. Correspondingly, although reentry into the Mundus induces high fidelity identity reformation, any mnemolic acquisitions made while subsection-scrambled - including knowledge - will be disintegrated upon personality resumption.

Our experiments show that transliminal acquisitions made in this manner are accessible post-reintegration, but only by sub-particulate absorption and spontaneous mnemon aggregation; i.e., through unpredictable epiphanic eruption. If the key to the deletion of merish diapause is indeed to be found in Apocrypha, and without hermetic entanglement, as my Lord insists, it will only be employed by the pervasive, subconscious action-influence of the transliminal traveler who acquires it. Unless, of course, my Lord has in mind a method for the extraction of extremely detailed, dissociated mentalities from the reintegrated minds of investigators; I leave that to your illustrious and enigmatic purview. Now, this is purely ridiculous, I must say. What, they send an investigator to the stacks of Apocrypha through this exceedingly complex manipulation of Dreamsleeve mechanics, and when they get the poor fool back they can't even remember what they learned? Where do these idiots see a BENEFIT to this technique?

FINAL REMARKS

I will close with a request that my Lord deign to issue reinforcements to our terpitarium; the sinter shield. Is. CRACKING.

- A. TMFCNS




ADDENDUM:

[Tayem] – Initial experiments support the assertion that the frequency of exemplification events does indeed correlate positively with mnemolic density of entropicoil absorptions, accounting further for any fluctuations in aetherial bombardment and in (d)aedric and morpholithic entrapment.

[Lyr] – http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/dinmenel/ProgressReportTableOne.jpg

[Vehk] – Useful results were obtained, however, from this avenue of investigation. Paedogenic soul-spores tend towards the exemplification of subjacent Daedric conceptualizations of a largely climatic character. Effectually, this phenomenon induces natality of specific classes of atronachesque metaforms, which has proved useful indeed for our terpitarium, as their largely un-etched mnemonae slates ease favorable identity induction once they have been retrieved from Oblivion (by plenumoculic focus on generation matrix remnants and, afterward, standard conjuration protocols). Well, this will certainly be useful. I'll set a few of my apprentices on this at once; we could use a few Atronachs that don't need the mental-mute treatment.

[Neht] – My Lord will say that a thicker shroud of psychotolipid could have provided sufficient protection against alkahestic action, but I counter with the simple fact that the neuroxylem spires would not have remained ignorant of our harvesting for long. We didn’t need that. Read: the Dunmer are still afraid of the Hist, after all this time.

[Iya] – No doubt my Lord will wish to know the terms of the pact; they turned out quite favorably, if I do say so myself. Luckily, the last apprentice my Lord issued us recently entered her first instar of quaternary phase pubimorphosis; we offered Vaermina ten years of wet dreams and night sweats, and the Prince accepted. The callousness of elves sickens me, as ever.


Good work, A. T. I’ll clean this up and see it presented at the next tympanum. Don’t worry; you’ll be listed as contributing author for this one. – A.

So what do you think, Sybil? Downright desperate, aren't they? I don't know whether or not they're correct in the assumption of elvish diapause in the mythic that underlies this paper, but for the Dunmer, at least – well, Mara knows they've got reason enough to believe it. I sent the Eavesdropper who found this straight back into the field; he wasn't happy about it, but if those damn elves are mucking about with the Gardener of Men we ought to be informed and prepared for when the shears come a-pruning.

ololol tldr.

For funzies and practice. Also because my Ode to Fat is complete, except for the epilogue’s smidgen of smut. And yes yes yes, consider this my official recant. What’s the point of stance-making-taking-staking if not reneguery? We all want a slice of that sweet action, after all.
So. Let’s talk about why dear Nirny doesn’t bloat with the sap of the Aether, the nature of Dreemsleeveish disintegration and reincarnation, the character and potentialities of micro-mantling walk-like-me’s unto et’Ada endocytosis, and the niche for academic literature in TES.

Those Deadlands, that's crazy out there.

I believe I read and understood most of this, but it was a slog. May I suggest some creative reformatting might make it easier going? These guys need to invent the bullet point!

That's academia for ya.

I've gone through and broken things up into somewhat smaller chunks and added headers to sections. Dunno how much that helps.

Interesting

One question:
Dmnv. = Demnevanni?

Ding ding ding!

Yay, I love it when I get stuff.

Bumpety bumpety, 'cause now this comes with (somewhat) helpful (hopefully) commentary.

Well, someone needs to add this as a book in a skyrim mod, that's for sure.

31 First Seed, 4E 186
Cathedral of Arkay
Office of Transverbal Extension

Sorry sorry sorry sorry! I received your package, my Gram, but I have had only the briefest of opportunities to review its contents; it was seized from my possession shortly after its arrival. I know, I know: the priests aren't even supposed to know that we correspond, but the courier's timing was impeccably atrocious. He actually announced the delivery while the Junior Cardinal was in my office for his weekly lesson, and there wasn't much I could do; it's not like I could have simply refused to let him have his due examination. At least not legally. And after he'd gotten a look inside - well, he went straight to the Senior, and Mara knows there's no hope once that man has his gum-blackened teeth in something. They're all of them horrible, those damned Creepers in their Catacomb Cathedral, them with their unnerving faceless robe-sheaths and unnatural flowing heights, but no one surpasses their Senior in sheer unearthly inhumanity. (Surely you jest when they call them my friends! The Effulgents, perhaps, but never the Creepers!)

The paper you included looked fascinating, but unfortunately I cannot comment much here: I write in haste, you see, and primarily in warning. The Senior has had your package in his hands for some time, now, and I can only assume that he means to bring to bear some action against you for its contents. And by what I've seen - I got a glimpse at his cold commentary when I sneaked in for a look at your letter - you're in for a hard time of it. So be careful, when you get the man's letter: I wouldn't put it past him to have summoned up some particularly virulent old Julianite to wreak his words in acid-rune.

With worried love,

Sybil

By the Eight I hope you can salvage this.

--------------------------------------------------

Ahem. Gradations of approachability. The (mostly) plain speak explanation is coming.

OK, people. Explanation's in Article II.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


For delivery unto:
Nigellus, Third Dean of Sibilance of the College of Whispers
Miscarcand Cynosure
Cyrodiil

Eve the 16^th of Morihatha’s Easing

ARTICLE I : DECLARATION OF EXCOMMUNICATION

In fulfillment of my Solemn Duty to uphold all the Bylaws, Dictates, and Regulations of the most High Temple of Our Dream-Sheathed Lord, most particularly with regards to the Will of the Oc’tic Overcouncil as evinced in the Whispered Accord of Arcane Catechesis (4E 154);

Noting that on Eve the 10^th of Morihatha’s Easing one Sybil Sedundae, Arcane Extension Agent of Cyrodiil-Central and Associate of the College of Whispers, was found in the possession of Certain Documents which have been found not only to violate Clauses VII, XI, and XIV of the aforementioned Accord, but also to contain evidence of Blasphemous Acts, Statements, and Opinions Heretical in the fourth degree to the teachings of our Dream-Sheathed Lord (see Article II for Explication);

Noting further that these Documents contain evidence tying the College of Whispers to certain Enemies of the Empire in the East;

I, Celsus Voseant, Senior Cardinal of Creeping Egress, Thirteenth Ease of the Cathedral of Arkay, in unanimous accord with my Understudy and my colleagues, the Cardinals of Effulgent Egress, do hereby Declare, until Further Notice or Proper Restitution, the seizure of all currently Deployed Extension Assets for extensive Sifting and Review, not excluding Assets of an organic Nature;

Further, I do hereby Declare, until Further Notice or Proper Restitution, all members and all Cynosures of the College of Whispers ANATHEMA and EXCOMMUNICATED by the most High Temple of Our Dream-Sheathed Lord Arkay, to be Summarily Shunned by all pious followers of Our Dream-Sheathed Lord and his Holy Brethren.

ARTICLE II : EXPLICATION OF HERESY

For the Edification of the Citizens of Cyrodiil-Central and its associated Counties, both Colovian and Nibenese;

With sympathy for the inherent Fallacy of Man and the Unsurpassed Temptations of theoretical Wizardry;

It has been deemed Just that the five Heresies and numerous Heretical Acts found within Certain Documents in the possession of Sybil Sedundae, Arcane Extension Agent of Cyrodiil-Central and Associate of the College of Whispers, should be made Light to the populace, and their Holy Rebuttals justly Imputed;

Thusly, herein lies the Posting of those five Heresies and numerous Heretical Acts, and the corresponding Orthodoxies of Our Dream-Sheathed Lord.

HERESY I : False Assertions on the Nature of our Lord Arkay’s Dreaming Sleeve.

RESPONSE : The Documents in question were found to contain numerous References to certain Heretical terms, namely: ‘Entropicoil’ and ‘Alkahest’. These terms imply that our Lord Arkay’s Dreaming Sleeve is nothing but some Sordid extra-dimensional Construct, seemingly filled with a substance capable of actively Dissociating and Disintegrating any material into some form of indivisible constituent. This is patently ridiculous, as is clear to any pious Follower of Arkay, and I do hereby declare it Anathema and False.

HERESY II : False Assertions on the Nature of the Soul.

RESPONSE: Following from Heresy the First, the Documents in question imply that the Souls of Mortals are not, in fact, of a single Piece, but can be Dissolved entirely within the Heretical ‘Alkahest’ substance of the ‘Entropicoil’ Dreamsleeve as mentioned above. This is purely a Lie; the Souls of Mortals are known to be both Eternal and Indivisible, and I do hereby declare this Heresy Anathema and False.

HERESY III : False Assertions on the Fate of Magick

RESPONSE : A repeated Theme of ‘Entropicoil instigated Seepage’ runs through the Documents in question; that is to say, Release of the Sap of the Aether via our Lord Arkay’s Dreaming Sleeve. I do hereby declare this Anathema and False; all know that the Light of Aetherius which Pierces the Veil of Oblivion we do offer Back to the Gods with our Prayers.

HERESY IV : False Assertions on the Path of Glory

RESPONSE : The Documents in question repeatedly Assert that in the randomized, Dissociated environment Falsely attributed to our Lord Arkay’s Dreaming Sleeve, it happens that certain Configurations of these False indivisible particles, or ‘Mnemoli’, do occur which Incarnate the Essence of both Gods and Demons. The Documents label these False occurrences as ‘Exemplification events’ or ‘Conceptual Incarnations’, and imply that the ‘Mnemoli’ involved in such an event are immediately ‘Annexed’, or absorbed, by the Deity or Demon whose Essence they Exemplify, and further that this is the Mechanism of Heresy III. A pure Convolution of Wrong Logic and Untrue Givens, I do hereby declare this Heresy Anathema and False.

HERESY V : False Assertions on the Nature of Mortal Reincarnation

RESPONSE : A final Consequence of the Documents’ blatant Falsity and Bad Thinking, this the final Heresy implies not only that Reincarnation occurs via ‘Exemplification Events’ which embody the Variegation of the Mundus, but also that each Soul thusly Reincarnated is a purely New Construct, a random Assortment of indivisible ‘Mnemoli’ ‘Annexed’ into a Mother’s Womb by Chance. As all pious citizens know, however, it is by the Grace of our Dream-Sheathed Lord, Arkay, that old, forgetful Souls long slumbered in his Arms are allowed to Breathe Anew the Joys of Our Mother. I do hereby declare this Heresy Anathema and False.

BLASPHEMOUS ACTS

ACT I : Use of Profane Implements

INSTANCE A : Most Disgusting and Repellent Degradation of Our Lord Arkay for Profane Purposes.

RESPONSE : Mentioned in the Documents in Question is an item described only as ‘Arkayn tuning fork’. This is undoubtedly a Variation of the Notorious and Unholy Artifacts, used by Necromancers to Divine the power and tenor of both mortal and immortal Entities, which Plagued Cyrodiil-Central so long after the years of Mannimarco’s Demise. Use or possession of such an Artifact is punishable by Egression Denial and eternal Imprisonment. Investigation of the College of Whispers for such an Artifact is currently Pending. The Temple of our Dream-Sheathed Lord, Arkay, condemns these Actions.

INSTANCE B : Most Disgusting and Repellent Degradation of Our Lord Arkay’s Demesne for Profane Purposes.

RESPONSE : Mentioned in the Documents in Question is a most Pernicious creation: a miniature, Synthetic Dreaming-Sleeve, vegetatively split from our Dream-Sheathed Lord’s Own and devoted to Unholy Sorceries. Such an Unholy creation has been hitherto Unknown to Men; proper punishments for its Use are in Development, but will surely include eternal imprisonment. Investigation of the College of Whispers for such a Creation is currently Pending. Furthermore, our Temple has reason to Believe that the publishers of the Documents in Question did put our Lord’s Demesne to Profane Purpose directly, using his Dreaming Sleeve as a Conduit to reach certain Planes of Oblivion (Apocrypha). The Temple of our Dream-Sheathed Lord, Arkay, condemns these Actions.

INSTANCE C : Most Disgusting and Repellent Degradation of Our Lady of the Winds, Kynareth, for Profane Purposes.

RESPONSE : Mentioned in the Documents in Question is an invention of sure Blasphemy, but whose Nature is yet unknown: the ‘Kynematic spicule’. None in the Temple of our Dream-Sheathed Lord, Arkay, have yet Discovered the Use and Purpose of such an Object, but Investigation of the College of Whispers for its Presence is currently Pending. The Temple of our Dream-Sheathed Lord, Arkay, condemns these Actions.

INSTANCE D : Most Disgusting and Repellent Degradation of Our Lady of Love, Mara, for Profane Purposes.

RESPONSE : The Documents in Question make brief mention of a ‘graviMAR’ field. The Nature of such a Creation is again Unknown to the Temple of our Dream-Sheathed Lord, Arkay, but such Dwemeric Manipulation of the Divines can only be Evil. Investigation of the College of Whispers is currently Pending. The Temple of our Dream-Sheathed Lord, Arkay, condemns these Actions.

ACT II : Daedric Consortium

RESPONSE : Explicit Mention is made within the Documents in Question to multiple alliances with Daedric Princes; both the Demon of Knowledge, Hermaeus Mora, and the Demon of Dreams, Vaermina, were named. Extensive Daedric association of the Nature described – including, but not limited to, Pacts involving the Sacrifice of mortal Fantasies - is Disgusting in the Eyes of the Eight and Shameful to Men. Investigation of the College of Whispers for Daedric Entanglement is currently Pending. The Temple of our Dream-Sheathed Lord, Arkay, condemns these Actions.

ACT III : Profane Manipulation of the Soul

RESPONSE : Multiple mentions within the Documents in Question are made of Forbidden Sorceries, of Soul Gems and worse: the Temple has reason to Believe that the Publishers of the Documents in Question did use Black Magicks to mutate mortal Souls into the Semblance of elemental Daedra, and further did then Subjugate those Transmogrified Souls to their Evil Will. The Temple of our Dream-Sheathed Lord, Arkay, condemns these Actions.


These Words were Penned with the Authority of Arkay, Lord of the Dreamsleeve, by his Senior Cardinal of Creeping Egress in Cyrodiil-Central, Celsus Voseant, in Accordance with my Solemn Duty to uphold all the Bylaws, Dictates, and Regulations of the most High Temple of Our Dream-Sheathed Lord, most particularly with regards to the Will of the Oc’tic Overcouncil as evinced in the Whispered Accord of Arcane Catechesis (4E 154). All words herein are hereby immediately Binding to all Faithful members of the Temple of our Dream-Sheathed Lord.

Sealed Eve the 16^th of Morihatha’s Easing
Within the Cathedral of Arkay
Of Cyrodiil-Central.


(The official document ends here, but a scribbled, handwritten note is attached below.)


Dean,

Just cooperate. Sedundae is safe and unharmed – for the moment.
Do what we say.

- Celsus (of the Creeping Egress)

Awesomesauce

I didn't understand a word of any of this. And I love it!