Igaesha Reading Theory

Held on Koaratos 13, 5118 (7/13/18) by Lylia Rashere.

Lylia says, "We do have a few of us, so I shall talk about the theory of Igaeshian reading tonight a bit, and then sometime in the near future, I can go into greater depth. Perhaps even jar an Igaesha or two now for a public reading later."

Lylia says, "I understand if the literary sorts among us want to visit Charyia. But for the rest of us, I should begin. You have waited long enough for the future to become the past."

(Lylia raises the Igaeshian vial in her hand aloft and waits until the audience settles before beginning to speak.)

[She is holding an empty glass black steel-set vial with deeply indented notches in her right hand.]

Lylia says, "Imagine an hourglass."

Lylia says, "In the top of the glass are all the moments of your life, every decision you have made, every piece of your past that could influence your future."

Lylia turns over her black steel-set vial.

Lylia says, "Below are the events yet to come, gathering in an ever-widening cone, each piling atop the others and cascading in seemingly random ways."

Lylia says, "At its narrow waist is where we experience time, the eternal now where the past becomes the future."

Lylia muses, "But what lies outside the hourglass, and are these shifting sands random to those who are outside its walls?"

(Lylia raps a fingernail on the glass of the Igaeshian vial in her hand.)

Lylia asks, "Could an observer from a valence that did not experience the flow of time in one direction as we do see those grains of sand, those individual choices, from an entirely new perspective?"

Lylia says, "Some say yes."

Lylia looks thoughtful for a moment, then shrugs.

Lylia explains, "Lorae'tyr does not seem to experience time as we do. Many of its denizens, including the nebulous Igaesha, are not confined to that hourglass."

Lylia says, "They are, however, confined to Igaeshian vials. At least, in the hands of a skilled sorceress."

Lylia smiles quietly to herself.

(Lylia paces as she talks, warming to her subject.)

Lylia says, "You see, every culture has its divinatory methods, its ways of seeing beyond the glassy prison of time that confines us. Dice, cards, entrails, scrying mirrors, crystal spheres...and in the case of the Faendryl, demons."

Lylia says, "Although the flow of time permits only our experience of a single moment we call 'now,' each moment affects those before and after it. There are many potential paths the future could take, in other words."

Lylia says, "For the Faendryl, a belief that our destiny is beyond our control would be unthinkable. Most believe, then, that Igaeshian reading reveals the most likely future."

Lylia asks, "I would be willing to wager that many of you feel the same, yes?"

Lylia raises an eyebrow.

Lylia asks, "Who wishes to believe all is predestined?"

Lylia clarifies, "These futures, then, are written in shifting sands and not in stone."

Lylia says, "Yet even those can lend perspective, and the greates Igaeshian readers can derive a great deal of knowledge from these vaporous trails."

Lylia asks, "Any questions so far?"

Deep in thought, Lylia laces her fingers before her.

Taelarn raises his hand.

Lylia nods at Taelarn.

Speaking to Taelarn, Lylia asks, "Yes?"

Speaking to Lylia, Taelarn says, "First, thank you for expanding upon this topic. I find it fascinating."

Speaking quietly to Cruxophim, Pukk whispers aloud, "I got lost after the whole sands is our past part."

Lylia flashes a quick grin at Pukk.

Speaking to Lylia, Taelarn asks, "But I do wonder, what about those Faendryl who are smoke readers? It is known that some practice this among the Faendryl and it does not require a demon. Were these the precursors to the Igaeshian reader's we have today?"

Cruxophim wryly muses, "If Goblyn has taught me anything, it's that temporal matters are... complicated."

Lylia says, "Interesting question. If you will forgive the expression, those origins are lost in the mists of time."

Lylia says, "It is my own believe that smoke-seeing is indeed older than Igaeshian reading."

Pukk quietly says, "Temporal matters are usually settled in a matter of time."

Lylia adds, "And smoke seers typically see matters on a more intimate, smaller scale."

Speaking to Lylia, Taelarn says, "Interesting."

Lylia says, "Whereas Igaeshian readings tend to be for matters of state or larger concerns, although they can also be done for more personal matters, certainly."

Lylia briskly asks, "Now, do Igaesha comprehend what they do? Do they leave these signs on purpose?"

Lylia says, "Igaesha do not, in my estimation, understand the portents of the future they leave behind in these vials. They may afford us a glimpse from outside the hourglass, but it is up to us to interpret the images we see."

Speaking to Lylia, Taelarn asks, "Do you believe that smoke reading would not be capable of seeing the larger pictures involved with matters of state and political intrigue?"

Lylia notes, "This is a matter of some contention; others believe Igaesha are aware. Until we can understand how they might know or care of our futures, we cannot say."

Speaking to Taelarn, Lylia says, "Possible? Yes, I do not see any reason why not. It is just not typically done. Whether this is a matter of tradition or of the nature of the divination, I could not say."

Cruxophim affably remarks, "Good questions."

Lylia says, "Smoke seeing, by its nature, is more linear."

Taelarn whispers something to Balley.

Speaking to Lylia, Taelarn says, "Thank you."

Lylia inclines her head.

Volwulf takes a bite of his lime ice.

Lylia carefully places an empty glass black steel-set vial with deeply indented notches on the ground.

Lylia says, "Observe this example of Seer Drezda's handiwork."

Lylia nods to an empty glass black steel-set vial with deeply indented notches.

Lylia says, "You will see that it is rather like an hourglass in form, but without the pinched middle. Clear glass forms the walls of the igaeshian chamber until it flees this valence, leaving behind traces of smoke and mist that form patterns."

The black steel-set vial is crafted from thick, clear glass. Inset around the upper edge of the vial, a nonet of deeply indented notches bordered by light scratches are exactly equidistant to allow for positional arc readings.

Affixed to its upper edge is a curl of pale grey parchment set with a dark scarlet border. There appears to be something written on the parchment.

Elegant script runs across the top part of the black steel-set vial's parchment, detailing the following information:

Igaeshian Reading

~~~

An Igaesha has yet to be summoned.

Lylia removes an intricate clockwork staff tipped with a black-cored crimson despanal from in her wrap.

Lylia raises her clockwork staff slightly and then brings it level so it is pointing directly at an empty glass black steel-set vial with deeply indented notches.

Lylia says, "These patterns are the foundation of the reading. They are robust and do not disappear quickly, giving a reader plenty of time to contemplate their meaning and arrive at a complete reading."

Lylia continues, "You will also see notches or beads at the top of the vial. These are more than merely decorative."

Lylia explains, "Some readers, although not all, use a system of nine arcs to understand a reading more clearly. Each arc governs a different sphere of influence."

Lylia dryly remarks, "Believe me, you do not want me to go into the details of arcs."

Lylia flashes a quick grin.

Lylia says, "But I have notes for those who are interested. See me after the presentation."

Lylia nods once.

Lylia says, "The symbols that readers see and use in their divinations are too numerous to list in their entirety, although some of the most common do appear in documents recently translated into the Common tongue."

Lylia continues, "As with other divination methods, some symbols are practically universal: fire, swords, coins, all familiar to nearly every culture."

Lylia says, "These are the elements of a vocabulary common to all people, including the Faendryl. It is no surprise to see that we share them."

Lylia says, "When you attempt a reading, use your knowledge of traditional interpretations tempered with your own intuition and judgment. Much of a reading's power comes from the reader's unique insight."

Lylia says, "Or to put it another way, we are certain there is intelligence governing and guiding a reading -- but it is a matter of whose intelligence, the Igaesha's or the reader's."

Lylia smiles.

Lylia adds, "The images are open to some interpretation as well. How can a reader know whether a curl of smoke represents the top of a crook, the head of a snake, or the curve of a pillar's volute?"

Lylia says, "Typically, she notes other aspects of the sign and weaves them into a more complete reading. Rarely, a distinct image appears -- a face, a particular home, a familial crest -- and these direct signs are considered especially potent indicators of fate."

Lylia leans forward.

Lylia picks up an empty glass black steel-set vial with deeply indented notches.

Lylia put an intricate clockwork staff tipped with a black-cored crimson despanal in her wrap.

Pukk takes a bite of his lemon and mint ice.

Lylia says, "Any further questions? I shall summon an Igaesha next, and you shall see how they are contained."

Lylia says, "I know you all came for the demons anyway."

The aishan suddenly turns and focuses its eyes upon Lylia.

Speaking to Lylia, Ysharra says, "The are lovely. The colors speak to me, even if not in the literal sense they talk to you."

Speaking quietly to Balley, Pukk whispers aloud, "Just watch Cruxy, he will turn into a demon, I'm sure."

Speaking to Pukk, Ysharra asks, "Will turn?"

Lylia says, "Starting with a clean vial -- and a trained sorceress can clean and prepare vials for you, so if you have one, I shall happily do the work -- you acquire the appropriate runestone."

Lylia tilts her striated black runestone side to side, making the light play off it.

Lylia says, "And then you hope not to embarrass yourself in front of a crowd, and prepare to summon..."

Lylia closes her eyes for a moment.

Shadows dance between Lylia's outstretched fingers as she issues a command in archaic Faendryl.

Lylia gestures at a silver-lined striated black runestone.

Lylia traces an arcane sigil over her runestone while incanting, resulting in the opening of a small rift in space beside her. Her runestone glows momentarily as a cloud of silver brume comes hurtling out of the rift.

As Lylia chants a single, harsh command, the brume is immediately funneled straight into her black steel-set vial. She traces a finger around the top of her black steel-set vial in a very specific pattern, and as she completes the motion, you hear a loud *POP*, the vial now magically sealed shut.

Lylia gives a sigh of relief.

Lylia says, "And there you have it."

Lylia raises her black steel-set vial skyward!

Speaking to herself, Lylia murmurs, "So glad that worked..."

Lylia clears her throat.

Lylia says, "Now that the vial is prepared, you may point it at someone while the questioner ponders what knowledge they seek..."

Lylia surveys the area..

Lylia pointedly asks, "Volunteers?"

Seomanthe looks around for something.

Cruxophim quickly averts his eyes upwards to the left and then the right, clearly avoiding looking at Lylia as he strikes up a hum.

Eiliriel nods at Lylia.

Lylia beckons Eiliriel closer with a slow curl of her forefinger.

Speaking wryly to Lylia, Cruxophim assures, "You don't want my questions."

Lylia says, "Fabulous."

Speaking to Eiliriel, Lylia says, "Concentrate, and clear your mind of extraneous thoughts. Theoretically, the purer your focus, the clearer your answers."

Lylia raises her black steel-set vial and intones a quiet phrase before pointing it at Eiliriel.

Eiliriel gazes with interest at Lylia.

Lylia says, "Pointing the vial focuses the Igaesha within."

Lylia says, "Now, you can also take notes on the vial itself, on this curl of parchment affixed to it."

Lylia explains, "Trained readers may have hundreds of vials at once, and notes are essential."

(Ysharra gazes curiously at Eiliriel and Lylia, idly letting a few stray vines roam across her shoulder and arm as she listens.)

Lylia explains, "It can take days or even weeks for an Igaesha to flee its glassy cage. When it does, I --"

Lylia says, "I shall take a moment to write this down. Anyone who wishes to step away may do so. This could take a moment."

Cruxophim whispers something to Lylia.

Lylia murmurs, "Especially if you hope to find Kylistra."

Lylia says, "Now, we wait. For days."

Lylia says, "...or weeks. I hope you brought a good book."

Lylia leans against a central statue.

Lylia glances at a glass black steel-set vial encapsulating a silver brume Igaesha in her hand.

Lylia says, "Eiliriel was kind enough to volunteer, but her reading will not be ready for some time."

Ysharra chuckles to herself.

Speaking to Lylia, Ysharra asks, "Is there anything else we can volunteer, as your rapt audience?"

Lylia raises her voice in merry laughter.

Lylia says, "I may do some more readings, if you like."

Lylia says, "But I was going to reveal a prior reading and explain some of the symbols within it -- after, of course, taking a brief break for questions."

Speaking to Lylia, Ysharra asks, "Sounds fascinating. Who is it for?"

(OOC) Lylia's player whispers to the group, "If anyone has questions about the syntax of using the vials themselves, I'm happy to go over that."

Lylia says, "Silvean."

Ysharra nods at Lylia.

Speaking to Lylia, Ysharra says, "Excellent. We get to find out all his secrets."

Lylia says, "As he is not here to defend himself, he is the chosen sacrifice."

Lylia flashes a quick grin.

Melikor says, "Unlikely."

Speaking to Cruxophim, Ysharra says, "I'll store it away for some event in the future."

Speaking to Cruxophim, Melikor asks, "How'd you come by a lich's skirt?"

(OOC) Lylia's player whispers to the group, "And anyone who really wants to dig deeper into this can find the official documentation here: https://gswiki.play.net/Elanthian_Divination:_An_Overview_of_Faendryl_Divination_Practices."

Melikor looks thoughtfully at Cruxophim.

Ysharra whispers something to Cruxophim.

Ysharra wiggles her eyebrows at Cruxophim.

Speaking to Melikor, you say, "Do not ask questions the rest of us do not wish answered."

A small white-collared lemur scampers in.

Melikor laughs softly, trying to hide his amusement.

Cruxophim tosses a knowing glance toward Ysharra, taps his nose, and then points at her.

(OOC) Cruxophim's player whispers to the group, "<3 that doc."

Speaking to you, Ysharra says, "I have to admit to some curiosity myself..."

A small white-collared lemur says, "Woof."

Ysharra blinks at a small white-collared lemur.

Ravinder amusedly says, "Morbid curiosity."

Speaking coolly to Melikor, Cruxophim informs, "Some liches like to look pretty."

Speaking to a snow white raven, Ysharra says, "Literally."

The white-collared lemur scampers off.

Lylia says, "While I do not have the vial itself, I recorded the readings within it as Silvean's reading was unusual in more than a few regards."

Lylia says, "He allowed me to perform a typical reading with a common question -- "What does the future year hold?"."

Speaking bemusedly to Lylia, Cruxophim mutters, "Lots o' demons, apparently."

Cruxophim adopts an agreeable expression.

Lylia explains, "This is familiar territory for readers, but I saw something I had not seen in a reading before in some years of doing them. A Pentacle, positioned halfway up the vial and surrounded by knotwork."

Lylia says, "Not quite."

Lylia grins at Cruxophim.

Speaking ominously to Lylia, Cruxophim purrs, "Year's not over yet."

An aura of mischief slowly creeps into Cruxophim's mien as his lips form into a crooked smile. The smile continues to spread as it splits from ear-to-ear, rupturing his countenance into the shape of a tooth-filled lacerated grin.

Lylia says, "But Pentacles are a most unusual sign, and always bound closely to the Patriarchy itself."

Nazarr asks, "And the knotwork? What does that mean?"

Lylia continues, "Its position is also relevant, halfway between the base and the cap of the vial, or about mid-way through the year."

Lylia says, "And sure enough, he is not here because he is on diplomatic business in New Ta'Faendryl. While I do not know the exact nature of it..."

Lylia looks thoughtful for a moment, then shrugs.

Cruxophim tosses a knowing glance toward Lylia, taps his nose, and then points at her.

Lylia says, "Well. I am sure he has attention from the highest quarters."

Ysharra says, "I'll say."

Speaking to Nazarr, Lylia says, "The knotwork is ambiguous to me, having only been a reader for some few years. I see it in this instance as formal channels of communication, but others may read it as complications or needless divagation."

Lylia says, "There were other symbols as well, of course -- but this was such a markedly unusual one that it bore further discussion to me."

Lylia says, "I have truly never seen one before. A Pentacle, that is."

Seomanthe says, "Surely lord Rashere won't stand for needless wossname."

(OOC) Lylia's player whispers to the group, "The vials themselves are drawn from that document, but Kaikala added some amazing details to them, and they're truly fascinating to read!"

(OOC) Cruxophim's player whispers to the group, "They are! <3."

Lylia says, "And I think that is about all I have to say. Now it is time for you to have your say, if you have questions."

(OOC) Eiliriel whispers, "I demand instant gratification. Pls release my Igaesha in Crux's face." to your group.

Lylia surveys the area.

Lylia smiles.

(OOC) Ysharra's player whispers to the group, "It's so creative. She took a bit of lore and curiosity and turned it into prose."

(OOC) Cruxophim's player whispers to the group, "Hahahaha."

(OOC) Ravinder's player whispers to the group, "I'm not eeeeven going to comment."

(OOC) Lylia's player whispers, "Let me get this straight: You want me to open a jar of demon-farts at Cruxophim?"

(OOC) Yhtrin's player whispers to the group, "Right in his face, eh?"

Cruxophim passes a hand over his pallid black-veined ceraceous face.

(OOC) Ysharra's player whispers to the group, "Money shot."

Cruxophim glances expectantly at Lylia.

(OOC) Eiliriel whispers, "YES." to your group.

(OOC) Ysharra's player whispers to the group, "I said it. That's right."

(OOC) Lylia's player whispers to the group, "Y'all nasty! <3."

(OOC) Cruxophim's player whispers to the group, "This is where I wish I had that "wide O of surprise" sig verb."

(OOC) Mourne's player whispers to the group, "Of course you did."

(OOC) Ravinder's player whispers to the group, "You sure did!"

(OOC) Seomanthe's player whispers to the group, "*fans self*."

(OOC) Ysharra's player whispers to the group, "I heard Lylia call me nasty. I have lived fully now."

(OOC) Cruxophim's player whispers to the group, "Truth."

Lylia warmly says, "Thank you all for your time and attention. I hope you feel a bit more knowledgeable about this fascinating skill, and I welcome you to explore more about Igaeshian vials and their use."

Ysharra asks, "What's his ordinal number to the Basilica's Throne, Lylia?"

Lylia bows.