Thee Mottl'd Tyxte (book) - Revision history

SIDMON at 22:00, 26 May 2016

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	[[Category:Book]][[page type is::book\| ]][[guild association is::~~moon~~ ~~mage~~\| ]]		[[Category:Book]][[page type is::book\| ]][[guild association is::Moon Mage\| ]]

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	[[Category:Book]]		[[Category:Book]][[page type is::book\| ]]

Maintenance script: Book:HpTMT moved to Thee Mottl'd Tyxte (book)

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Book:HpTMT moved to Thee Mottl'd Tyxte (book)

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	''A Controversial Discussion of the Infamous Grimoire''		''A Controversial Discussion of the Infamous Grimoire''

	As Written by Heritage Keeper [[Phildonius]]]		As Written by Heritage Keeper [[Phildonius]]

	===Foreword:===		===Foreword:===

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	''A Controversial Discussion of the Infamous Grimoire''		''A Controversial Discussion of the Infamous Grimoire''

	As Written by Heritage Keeper Phildonius		As Written by Heritage Keeper [[Phildonius]]]

	===Foreword:===		===Foreword:===
Line 24:		Line 24:
	In the three hundred and ninth year after the Victory		In the three hundred and ninth year after the Victory
	of the Redeemer, a young Moon Mage by the name of		of the Redeemer, a young Moon Mage by the name of
	Mortom Saist happened upon a derelict library and		[[Mortom]] Saist happened upon a derelict library and
	discovered a tome of legendary reputation. Eagerly,		discovered a tome of legendary reputation. Eagerly,
	and certainly rashly, he began to read the sanity-		and certainly rashly, he began to read the sanity-
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	including sealing himself inside a magical		including sealing himself inside a magical
	sarcophagus, presumably dead to the rest of the		sarcophagus, presumably dead to the rest of the
	world, and then reawakening as the Mirror Wraith		world, and then reawakening as the [[Mirror Wraith Prophecy]] reached its conclusion. Yet, he rarely
	Prophecy reached its conclusion. Yet, he rarely
	speaks of the incident at the forgotten library or of		speaks of the incident at the forgotten library or of
	the manual known as Thee Mottl'd Tyxte.		the manual known as Thee Mottl'd Tyxte.
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	chosen to share, we know that the structure was one		chosen to share, we know that the structure was one
	of unusual design, bearing a remarkable similarity to		of unusual design, bearing a remarkable similarity to
	some of the discoveries within the Su Helmas		some of the discoveries within the [[Su Helmas]]
	excavation. Since the location of this place has		excavation. Since the location of this place has
	long been lost, and Saist has shown no desire to		long been lost, and Saist has shown no desire to
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	one of the tomes this early Tezirite carried is a		one of the tomes this early Tezirite carried is a
	frighteningly accurate match to the features of Thee		frighteningly accurate match to the features of Thee
	Mottl'd Tyxte. A few hints in The Arte of the Black		Mottl'd Tyxte. A few hints in [[The Arte of the Black Cockatrice]] also seem to indicate that the [[Saesordian Cabal]] had it in their possession at some point, and
		⚫	many believe it to be the source of [[Heronyus Kalestraum]]'s horrific Bonegrinder spell. Strangely,
	Cockatrice also seem to indicate that the Saesordian
	~~Cabal~~ ~~had~~ it in ~~their~~ ~~possession~~ at ~~some~~ ~~point,~~ ~~and~~		[[Alicia\|Alycia]] [[Crowther]], who some argue would surely have
	many believe it to be the source of Heronyus
⚫	Kalestraum's horrific Bonegrinder spell. Strangely,
	Alycia Crowther, who some argue would surely have
	known something about Kalestraum's possession of the		known something about Kalestraum's possession of the
	book, never mentioned it. The Tezirites are quick to		book, never mentioned it. The Tezirites are quick to
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	Saesordian Cabal as led by Kalestraum, but in the		Saesordian Cabal as led by Kalestraum, but in the
	original group as begun by the infamous sorceress		original group as begun by the infamous sorceress
	Tezirah Eilsina. Most members of the Progeny call		[[Tezirah]] Eilsina. Most members of the Progeny call
	this a ludicrous claim, and they may be correct.		this a ludicrous claim, and they may be correct.

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	of Thee Mottl'd Tyxte is the unusual language used		of Thee Mottl'd Tyxte is the unusual language used
	across the majority of its contents. Numerous words		across the majority of its contents. Numerous words
	are apparently Old Gamgweth, but linguists will		are apparently Old [[Gamgweth]], but linguists will
	quickly notice that a wide variety of dialects are		quickly notice that a wide variety of dialects are
	cobbled together in seemingly random placement.		cobbled together in seemingly random placement.
	Elements of bastardized Gerenshuge, Elven and even		Elements of bastardized [[Gerenshuge]], Elven and even
	Ancient Imperial are evident in many of the passages,		Ancient Imperial are evident in many of the passages,
	oft times within the same sentence.		oft times within the same sentence.
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	freely understood by any with magical training.		freely understood by any with magical training.

	The Sage Scyndoryn has made the unusual claim that		The Sage [[Scyndoryn]] has made the unusual claim that
	the Pre-Empire mages used a deciphering spell, and		the Pre-Empire mages used a deciphering spell, and
	that the vile rituals and blasphemous rites are		that the vile rituals and blasphemous rites are
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	Perhaps the most peculiar references within the vast		Perhaps the most peculiar references within the vast
	tome are the ones that speak of Grazhir, the fourth		tome are the ones that speak of [[Grazhir]], the fourth
	moon eons since shattered. What makes Thee Mottl'd		moon eons since shattered. What makes Thee Mottl'd
	Tyxte's comments on the moon notable is the recurring		Tyxte's comments on the moon notable is the recurring
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	This has led a number of mages, especially those who		This has led a number of mages, especially those who
	are rather anti-Tezirite in their political views, to		are rather anti-Tezirite in their political views, to
	cry foul over the Lady Erzebet Crowther's reputed		cry foul over the Lady [[Erzebet]] [[Crowther]]'s reputed
	perfection of the modern Shadows spell. It is		perfection of the modern Shadows spell. It is
	claimed by these men that the renowned spell-crafter		claimed by these men that the renowned spell-crafter
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	single platinum works as well as an equal value of		single platinum works as well as an equal value of
	copper, though alchemists believe it has to do with		copper, though alchemists believe it has to do with
	the "natural and invisible properties of the ores."		the "natural and invisible properties of the ores."

	[[Category:Book]]		[[Category:Book]]

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	==Thee Mottl'd Tyxte:==		==Thee Mottl'd Tyxte:==
	''A Controversial Discussion of the Infamous Grimoire''		''A Controversial Discussion of the Infamous Grimoire''

	As Written by Heritage Keeper Phildonius		As Written by Heritage Keeper Phildonius

	===Foreword:===		===Foreword:===

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New page: ==Thee Mottl'd Tyxte:== ''A Controversial Discussion of the Infamous Grimoire'' As Written by Heritage Keeper Phildoniu...

New page

==Thee Mottl'd Tyxte:==
''A Controversial Discussion of the Infamous Grimoire''

As Written by Heritage Keeper Phildonius

===Foreword:===

Many people have had books written about their lives
and experiences, but it is rare for a book to be of
such notoriety that volumes are written about it.
Thee Mottl'd Tyxte is one such book, its ancient
secrets a mystery to mages for millennia. While
others have been the subjects of research journals,
none have been the center of such a heated
controversy as to its origins, its intents, and its
very nature. Never has there been a book that has
simultaneously offered vast historical and enchanting
insights while also the target of destruction
requests and attempts. Hence, my labeling of this
discussion as undeniably controversial.

===Chapter One: Origins.===

In the three hundred and ninth year after the Victory
of the Redeemer, a young Moon Mage by the name of
Mortom Saist happened upon a derelict library and
discovered a tome of legendary reputation. Eagerly,
and certainly rashly, he began to read the sanity-
blasting horrors held between its covers.

Of his caravan and expedition, he was the only
survivor.

In the many years since, Saist has moved on, becoming
officially recognized as a great speaker and
Guildleader. He has done some remarkable things,
including sealing himself inside a magical
sarcophagus, presumably dead to the rest of the
world, and then reawakening as the Mirror Wraith
Prophecy reached its conclusion. Yet, he rarely
speaks of the incident at the forgotten library or of
the manual known as Thee Mottl'd Tyxte.

From the small things that Guildleader Saist has
chosen to share, we know that the structure was one
of unusual design, bearing a remarkable similarity to
some of the discoveries within the Su Helmas
excavation. Since the location of this place has
long been lost, and Saist has shown no desire to
assist in locating it again, we can only guess from
the second-hand descriptions and comparisons that
this library was originally constructed by G'nar
Pethians. Few scholars believe that the book was
originally written by Sect members, and even the
Pethians themselves have refused to take
responsibility for the act -- of course, as ancient
as Thee Mottl'd Tyxte is, pre-Empire Pethians could
indeed be the authors without the modern members even
knowing it. The grimoire itself references the G'nar
Pethian Book of Prophecies, which makes for an
interesting coincidence on this speculation.

Scattered texts reference the work on occasion, with
the most shocking being a seemingly innocent antique
inventory of a Saesordian's gear. The description of
one of the tomes this early Tezirite carried is a
frighteningly accurate match to the features of Thee
Mottl'd Tyxte. A few hints in The Arte of the Black
Cockatrice also seem to indicate that the Saesordian
Cabal had it in their possession at some point, and
many believe it to be the source of Heronyus
Kalestraum's horrific Bonegrinder spell. Strangely,
Alycia Crowther, who some argue would surely have
known something about Kalestraum's possession of the
book, never mentioned it. The Tezirites are quick to
point out that the Saesordian Cabal split into
Kalestraum's Children and the Progeny due to the
crazed leader's blasphemous practices, and thus the
tome is likely to have escaped notice by the young
Lady Crowther -- especially so if she ignored its
existence on purpose to gain respect for her
fledgling group.

A handful of scholars have surmised that Thee Mottl'd
Tyxte was not only in the possession of the revived
Saesordian Cabal as led by Kalestraum, but in the
original group as begun by the infamous sorceress
Tezirah Eilsina. Most members of the Progeny call
this a ludicrous claim, and they may be correct.

===Chapter Two: The Grimoire's Format===

The first thing one notices when perusing the pages
of Thee Mottl'd Tyxte is the unusual language used
across the majority of its contents. Numerous words
are apparently Old Gamgweth, but linguists will
quickly notice that a wide variety of dialects are
cobbled together in seemingly random placement.
Elements of bastardized Gerenshuge, Elven and even
Ancient Imperial are evident in many of the passages,
oft times within the same sentence.

How the mages in Pre-Empire times understood such a
cryptic warping of the written word is not exactly
known. Some scholars claim it is likely that the
sharing of forbidden knowledge was done in this
format to dodge persecution. The obviously somber,
morbid, macabre and dare we say, illegal practices
within the tome tend to contradict this belief,
unless one subscribes to the idea that Pre-Empire
mages were woefully lacking in the skill needed to
hide their intents. Most scholars believe this was
actually a commonly used tongue, perhaps created by
the mages themselves as a working language, but
freely understood by any with magical training.

The Sage Scyndoryn has made the unusual claim that
the Pre-Empire mages used a deciphering spell, and
that the vile rituals and blasphemous rites are
little more than a trap for the unwary to disguise
what the grimoire truly holds. He further states
that if such a spell were found, the contents of Thee
Mottl'd Tyxte would be shockingly different in design
and intent. Few agree with this train of thought,
and with good reason, as the Sage has put forth no
real proof to back up his wild speculations.

Unfortunately, any proof at all to back up
speculation on Thee Mottl'd Tyxte is hard to come by.
Very few artifacts have survived from the days of the
Empire, and virtually none exist from the time when
the grimoire was thought to have been written. A
single basalt tablet was uncovered in an excavation
in northern Therengia, and appears to be a non-
magical block detailing an aristocrat's family tree.
It is written in a similar language as the infamous
tome, though no one can really guess as to why this
is.

It is the author's belief that Thee Mottl'd Tyxte was
not written at once, or by the same group of people,
but instead used as a working manual and magical
sketchbook by many groups of varying cultures over
the course of centuries. This does account for the
incongruities within the work. However, this
hypothesis is lacking in proof. Surely some of the
cultures that had contact with this tome would have
made reference to such a unique work, but alas, there
are none to be found but in the rarest of
circumstances. This tends to go against the "popular
usage" theory, as I have called it.

The answers may be found in the paradoxical words of
the tome itself. On page seventy-three, the
following, submitted for grammatical discussion.
Note the combination of Old Gamgweth and Ancient
Imperial within the same sentence structures.

'''Page 73, Passage II:'''
<pre>
An anhtler, jaw of man, leg of unman,
Seven Elven hond unbroken.
Roond flames breathe;
Thee bohne yet braek, en thay whych be not nomenclated,
Be rede with magick en sweete
En upon thee morn, fynish thee grym faest,
Yet fore Xibar's eyes ryze.
</pre>
We cannot be sure of the translation of this passage,
nor does this portion hint at its purpose. The first
two lines could be a list of material components, and
if so, this would clearly be a Necromantic ritual.
Alternately, this could be the instructions for the
procedure of the incantation. "Jaw of man" could
refer to the main speaker, and requires that he
either be male or Human, or perhaps both. The next
item in the listing, "leg of unman" is possibly a
reference to either a female, or non-Human race,
while the "seven Elven [hands]" could be implying a
joined circle of seven people. Or, as noted earlier,
it could grotesquely require the use of seven Elven
hands, severed.

Disturbingly, the line "[And] upon thee morn,
[finish] thee grym [feast]" lends credence to those
who suspect this is indeed a Necromancy. As this is
an abomination of magic, it is the author's
suggestion that this passage be destroyed rather than
further research carried on to its purpose.

===Chapter Three: The Controversy Thickens.===

Perhaps the most peculiar references within the vast
tome are the ones that speak of Grazhir, the fourth
moon eons since shattered. What makes Thee Mottl'd
Tyxte's comments on the moon notable is the recurring
usage of its existence in the present tense -- as if
Grazhir was still intact during the grimoire's
writing! This is seen by many as preposterous, and
is generally accounted for by chalking it up to
errors in the admittedly difficult translation
process. Others have an unshakeable belief in this,
and so the lines have been drawn on one of the more
contested issues within the book.

Of the most controversial sections in the Thee
Mottl'd Tyxte are the so-called "New Katamba" pages.
These passages consistently refer to Katamba as
recently tarnished, or recently blackened. A handful
of very vocal sages insist this is proof that the
book was begun before the destruction of Grazhir.
For your perusal, here is such a reference, taken
from the Devourer enchantment creation:

'''Page 83, Passage XI:'''
<pre>
Childe of daerk, theos pearly eoge is borne of flat liquyd snayls,
Wyth Katamba's newe tarnish, taech in straemes.
En wyth Nightshayde magick, fyll en be of hungered lyfe.
</pre>
Notice the usage of the term "eoge" for "eye." In
other passages upon this same page, the far less
archaic term "eye" is used. The "flat liquyd snayls"
on the first line is a twisted reference to oysters,
as modern usage of the Devourer enchantment easily
proves. Also of interest is the reference to the
Nightshade spell, which by the following description,
sounds surprisingly like our modern Shadows spell.

'''Page 82, Passages III - VI:'''
<pre>
Nightshadye magick en shadeow eart fro daerk mona,
Chantse, pushe awayt all lighte, en all lighte is pushed awayt,
Shadeow surroond, lurke en eart unbeknown.
</pre>
Even novices can see that the second line, which
refers to the "pushing away of all light," is
identical to what could be said about the Shadows
spell. However, this is actually a minor point
considering the accompanying pictogram on the same
page, in the place of passages IV, V and VI, which
clearly shows a very Shadows-like spell formula.

This has led a number of mages, especially those who
are rather anti-Tezirite in their political views, to
cry foul over the Lady Erzebet Crowther's reputed
perfection of the modern Shadows spell. It is
claimed by these men that the renowned spell-crafter
and Progeny member did not in fact create the spell,
but stole it from Thee Mottl'd Tyxte. Such
allegations have been hotly debated by Tezirites and
Celestians alike. My own opinion is irrelevant in
this matter.

Sadly, when Saist recovered the manual and triggered
a use of its contents, portions of the book were
utterly destroyed. Presumably this was a result of
whatever magic Saist attempted to comprehend, but in
the process the entirety of the spell research
chapters was lost. The damage showed signs of
unusual and possibly premature aging, and the only
page not too fragile was apparently removed with a
sharp knife long years before Saist found the
grimoire. Those against Lady Crowther point to this
as their sole evidence of her treachery; the Progeny
holds fast to the fact that so much of the spells
section was destroyed. In any event, we may never
know the truth about the similarities between the
Shadows and Nightshade spells.

Less controversial than the New Katamba and Shadows-
Nightshade debates is the information about ancient
sigils and enchanting. Most agree that the phrase
"taech in straemes," or the shortened "taech," means
to bind a sigil to an object. This is unusual in the
fact that the word "taech," or at least its
variations in both Old Gamgweth and Ancient Imperial,
means simply "to touch." Could this mean that those
who wrote Thee Mottl'd Tyxte used magic so heavily
and thoroughly that it was thought of as mundane as
any other action? Take for example, the following,
from the creation of Unbending devices:

'''Page 127, Passage V:'''
<pre>
Footswell to Redestone en fro Eycemool in crones thay lay,
Awayt Durgaulda's taech in straemes, taech, en wyth thee two,
Aet for all mona magick, en all mona magick fell awayt.
</pre>
Here, we have a classic literary device used in Thee
Mottl'd Tyxte. The first line outlines material
components or amounts required for the processes.
Next, we have a line or group of lines detailing the
creation steps. In this case, the Durgaulda
reference is misleading since it implies that such a
sigil would be scribed twice, or that it does more
than just lay the foundation for a working
Conjunctive sigil. The final line or lines indicate
what the expected result would be. In this
particular example, the material component line is
cryptic until one assumes that "crones" refers to
precious metal, or some form of currency.

Again, the usage of commonly found items further
enhances the idea that the authors of the text
considered magic and non-magic to be interchangeable
entities. Curiously, mages can't explain why a
single platinum works as well as an equal value of
copper, though alchemists believe it has to do with
the "natural and invisible properties of the ores."
[[Category:Book]]