#anerassi's journal

[lucid-dakou]

Excerpt from "Guide to Lowlanders Vol 01" translated from its original Skylean.

Perhaps the most wide spread and prevalent intelligent species on Layridin is the Ploverlor. Ploverlor, or "Plovers" as they are commonly called, are on the shorter end of average height, usually only getting as tall as 5'9" or 6'2" on average. Their skin is smooth and tends to be gray with a white underbelly, and dark grey or black and orange-ish markings. They have two large eyes and blunt snouts. Sprouting from their head is anywhere from one to four horns on average. Hanging from the back of their head is a bulbous "gas bladder" leading to the nickname "sac heads," but this is considered a derogatory term. They have short, stumpy tails, usually concealed by their clothing. The middle finger on their hands ends in what many Plovers refer to as a "grubbin' claw," possibly a hold over from an early ancestor that used it to dig for insect larvae in trees and logs. Ploverlor lack fur or feathers and only seem to grow hair on their heads and nether regions.  The gas bladder on the back of a Ploverlor's head is, perhaps one of their most defining features. This balloon-like structure inflates with a type of natural gas. The gas has no odor but it is thick and hangs low in the air when expelled. With a simple muscle contraction, a Ploverlor can expel a thick cloud from the gill-like vents along the sides of their head creating a natural smoke screen. Very handy when one doesn't want to be seen! Once expelled, it may take several hours to build up the smoke again.

Native to the northern regions of Sullan, two variants of Ploverlor seem to have developed as a result of regional differences. These two are commonly referred to as "Eastlanders" and "Westlanders" based on each group's geographic location of origin. Eastlander Ploverlor originated in the misty valleys and foot hills of the north eastern Sullan island, famous for their top quality garments made from Wooly Jumper fleece. The Westlanders, obviously originated along the western coast of mainland Sullan, where they formed bustling fishing villages and trade hubs. Westlanders have formed a strong relationship with the Kren Merchant's Guild as a result of this. There are also physical difference between the regional Ploverlor as well. Eastlanders tend to have a more bulbous, rounder gas bladder with a bumpy, sometimes even spiked ridge running down the middle of it, as well, their "grubbin' claw" starts at the first digit after the knuckle. Westlander Ploverlor have a more elongated, smoother, gas bladder lined on both sides with a wing-like fin ending in an almost tail-like protrusion and a more pronounced first gill. Additionally, Westlanders' "grubbin' claws" begin at the knuckle and lack any additional articulation.

Ploverlor has spread across the entire civilized world, some even managing to adapt to life on the Sky Dragon! Their innate magical aptitude and high birth rate of magically gifted children is likely a contributing factor to their success as a species...

[lucid-dakou]

Excerpt from "Wizardry: A Guide to Magical Realms" Prologue, by Professor Maureen Hanlen

At first, I did not believe it when the messenger said that Anerassi of Thorenald had requested my aid in writing one of her books, but I suppose the study of magic is not her forte, after all. As with many people in the world, most simply aren't born with the potential to learn magic. Manipulating reality is a gift one must be born with and cannot be taught, only nurtured and developed. Genetics do not seem to play a part, as two gifted individuals are not guaranteed to produce a gifted offspring. Similarly, two ungifted individuals may produce a gifted child. Species, however, does seem to play a part, though no one, currently, seems to know why this is. We Ploverlor have the highest birth rate of magically gifted children, meanwhile, Lohrkes have one of the lowest. Hat'kal appear to be unable to produce gifted offspring, but that may also be due to their inability to speak the verbal components of magic.

To begin, I suppose, it would be best to start with the basics. Primarily, the schools of magic, as they are known to us scholars. There are two commonly acknowledged schools of magic covering a broad spectrum of subtypes which we will go into more depth later in this book. The first school is known as Elementalism. Elementalism uses ancient techniques, pioneered by an ancient civilization, thought to have belonged to a race of gods. These enigmatic beings were able to use these techniques, a combination of verbal components and hand gestures, to bend the elements, the4 very fabric of reality, to their will. Many magic universities, such as the one in which I am employed, have been studying these techniques, recovered from ancient texts and reliefs, to better understand their nature, and even develop new ways to use them, such as a recent discover of, what is now known as "Spatial" magic, or the ability to manipulate the space between objects. I will expand more on the varying known types of Elementalism later in this book.

The second school of magic is known as Transmogrification, or "Body Alteration." This school has a staggeringly wide array of applications and will probably require multiple chapters to cover in detail. The basic principals involve a practitioner alters their own body to take on properties of another creature or object. One example of this could be a Transmog mimicing the abilities of a deadly Pearl Toad to crystalize their saliva into a highly venomous barbed coating. Some scholars in the greater magic universities are even, purportedly, trying to develop a means to combine Transmogrification and Elementalism. As of the writing of this book, their experiments have only met with disastrous results.

While not magic, per say, I feel it necessary to mention the Lohrkes and their "Technomancy." Technological devices that manage to emulate the effects of magic. It's o wonder, their their low rate of gifted births, that they would seek alternate means of simulating magic's effects. Anyone with a functional appendage could now wield the power to control lightning with the press of a switch, for instance. Absurd, if you ask me. As if any simple device could properly capture the subtle nuances and sophisticated arts of real magic. It's a little sad, really.

Finally, while I, personally, do not believe in its existence, or at least, that it is any different than ordinary Elementalism or Transmogrification, the concept of "Divine" magic is hotly contested. There are those out there who would believe that, through strong enough faith, that they can invoke the will of their "gods." These claims are based on legends of saints performing miracles in ancient times. If this were the case, then why would the gods have bothered to gift us with magic in the first place, if any heretical priest of monk could just call down the divine wrath of their false idols? Preposterous!

If you enjoyed this read, please consider supporting my patreon. The next Anerassi’s Journal topic will be up for vote soon. https://www.patreon.com/Queblock

[lucid-dakou]

Excerpt from “Denizens of the Underlands” Chapter 8,  Bor’Chaul The Lorhkes of clan Bor’Chaul, also commonly referred to as “Arctic Lohrkes” by the low landers, due to their brand of technomancy, and not actually for the environment they live in. Under Layridin’s surface, the temperature, generally stays at a fairly comfortable level. The bulky, warm clothing they commonly wear going into battle or into hostile environments is actually to protect them from their own weapons. The most common technomancy to see warriors of Bor’Chaul carrying are the Thermal Bunker or the Thermal Lance. The Thermal Bunker is a bulky melee weapon that straps to one’s forearm. One size does not fit all, however, as I found out, a Nedynvor’s arm is far to large to fit the harness straps for this weapon. The weapon works by firing a retractable spike into the target, and if having a large metal spike stabbed into you wasn’t enough, the weapon has the added effect of freezing a large area near the point of impact at alarming speed. The technomancers weren’t willing to go into how the device truly works, not that I would really understand, I’m sure, but they explained the rapid freezing was a result of the secondary function of the device. After the spike is inserted in a target, the weapon “drains the heat from the victim” somehow. But they wouldn’t tell me how that was supposed to work, simply telling me that it was “technomancy” and they learned how to implement it from studying the local fauna. When the weapon begins the draining process, it releases creates a backblast of frigid air behind it, which is why the Lohrkes wear the protective gear.

The Thermal Lance is a similar weapon and works under the same basic idea, however, the Thermal Lance can launch its spike at range. It is capable of projecting the spike up to, roughly 9' and a pair of motors in the body of the weapon retract the spike after it has completed its “drain”. The Thermal Lance is most commonly employed by the Bor’Chaul Snail Cavalry. Yes, “snail cavalry.” Clan Bor’Chaul has managed to tame the large frost wreathed snails that live near the surface of their lands. These snails seem to also be where they learned how to make their thermal weapons work, as these large snails have large harpoons that they launch out to quickly disable prey for consumption. While riding something like a snail may not seem like the smartest choice in mounts due to their lack of speed, they are, however, built like tanks. Their shells are incredibly hard and cover a large portion of their bodies. In addition, the snails are able to traverse the cavern walls much like their Lohrke masters.

[lucid-dakou]

Excerpts from “Native Lowlanders of Sullan” taken from the Lazurek chapter. By Anerassi of Thorenald.

The Lazurek, or “Lazuhrek” depending on region, are one of the more diverse species of lowlanders in Layridin. The three known races of Lazurek appear to be native to the northern continent of Sullan, spread across their varied habitats. While all three are quite different in appearance, with River Lazurek being small and thick, Jungle Lazurek being tall and lithe, and Mountain Lazurek being very large and broad, all possess several similar features across the species. Common attributes are a complete lack of eyes, 2 pairs of hands with one where you likely expect to find a pair of hands, and the other where one would normally find their feet. They also all possess an advanced form of echolocation which they utilize to “see” as it were and perceive their surroundings. All four hands on a Lazurek have a set of pads on their palms which assist in gripping objects or surfaces, this coupled with their long hooked claws make all three races adept climbers.

All three societies also appear to share a common religion which I’ll go into more detail about elsewhere in this book. However, I will mention that a common practice among all of the Lazurek villages I visited was a ritualistic cremation of their dead. When a member of their tribe nears the end of their life, they rested upon a bed of flowers. I am told this is symbolic of their perceived after-life; that being, an endless garden where they are reunited with their loved ones, and live along side their patron deity and Nalos, their goddess of fire and nature. The smell of flowers seems to soothe the mind of those at death’s door. Once the afflicted have passed, their are ceremoniously immolated, and their ashes given to their next of kin to be tended to. While attending one of these ceremonies, I observed that, while Lazurek cannot cry, lacking eyes and therefor tear ducts, they express sorrow through a mournful howl, which is morbidly beautiful in concert with one another. This cremation practice also makes it very hard to obtain a skeleton for study. I had to seek out a Hat’kal for the skull samples used for these sketches. He refused to divulge where he obtained them though.

In addition to the obvious physical differences between the races, each one appears to possess a unique physical quality unseen in the others of the species. For instance, the River Lazurek, in addition to being adept swimmers, secrete an oil from their skin that lets them glide swiftly through the water and prevents liquids form sticking to their fur. Additionally, it can allow one to quickly slide across the ground on their belly, or even back as I observed some children enjoying sliding down a hill. Jungle Lazureks possess the peculiar trait that any hole large enough for their skull to fit through, the rest of their body can follow. I would love to get a hold of one of their skeletons to see just how this feat is possible, but alas, I remain out of luck. Mountain Lazureks have what they call a “pit organ” located along their snouts which allows them to detect heat, in addition to their echolocation. In addition to that, the have a fully prehensile tail that is almost entirely muscle as far as I can tell, the tail of a Mountain Lazurek is capable of grasping objects, holding weapons and can constrict with enough force to crush a Per’che melon! For those not familiar with a Per’che melon, they are a gourd roughly one and a half to three feet long, on average, and anywhere between one and three feet around, that’s a big melon!