Encyclopedia Ermariana - User contributions [en]

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2008-10-03T12:48:25Z

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Template:Spambot

2008-10-03T12:47:35Z

W-dueck: I made this. Will put on spambot pages later

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User:VilidAroua

2008-10-03T03:43:21Z

W-dueck: New page: VilidAroa is a spambot that spams the Ascent of Ironclad II page by inserting links at the very top of the page.

VilidAroa is a spambot that spams the [[Ascent of Ironclad II]] page by inserting links at the very top of the page.

User:BasalElchi

2008-10-03T03:42:27Z

W-dueck: New page: BasalElchi is a spambot that spams the Adventurers page by inserting links at the very top of the page.

BasalElchi is a spambot that spams the [[Adventurers]] page by inserting links at the very top of the page.

User:SitvaRzelb

2008-10-03T03:41:52Z

W-dueck: New page: SitvaRzelb is a spambot that spams the Lower Caves page by inserting links at the very top of the page.

SitvaRzelb is a spambot that spams the [[Lower Caves]] page by inserting links at the very top of the page.

User:CnabaSnotr

2008-10-03T03:41:06Z

W-dueck: New page: CnabaSnotr is a spambot that spams the Isle of Bigail page by inserting links at the very top of the page.

CnabaSnotr is a spambot that spams the [[Isle of Bigail]] page by inserting links at the very top of the page.

User:LilioRcnad

2008-10-03T03:37:51Z

W-dueck: created

LilioRcnad is a spambot that spams the [[user talk:jerry bush]] page by inserting links at the very top of the page.

Lower caves

2008-10-03T03:29:53Z

W-dueck: Undo revision 6209 by SitvaRzelb (Talk)

The [[lower caves]] is a terminology used by the humans of [[Ermarian]], with the upper caves being [[Upper Exile]] and the regular caves being [[Exile]]. Any cave or cave system below Exile is considered a ''lower cave''. These include the [[Za-Khazi Run]], [[Vahnatai lands]] - the lands of the [[Olgai tribe]] of [[Vahnatai]], along with any other Vahnatai clans and their cave systems - and the [[Bahssikava]], the [[Slithzerikai]] homeland.

[[Category:Geography]]
{{stub}}

Ascent of Ironclad II

2008-10-03T03:28:41Z

W-dueck: Undo revision 6207 by VilidAroua (Talk)

{{apocrypha|source=[[Ironclad canon]]}}
{{account|name=The Pralgadian War of Succession|start=204 IE|end=219 IE|before=[[The Founding of the Pralgadian Empire]]|after=The [[Extermination of Non-Humans]]|author=Taron Gregor Merallion, independent historian, 219 IE}}

In year 201 of the [[Imperial Era]], [[Viceroy I]] ascended to the [[Empire|Imperial]] Throne. He faced harsh internal struggle and resistance from the powerful houses of [[Pralgad]]. Neither a [[Sol]] nor an [[Ironclad]], Viceroy was doomed from the start. Weakened by open rebellion in [[Aizo]] and barely cloaked insubordination in Pralgad, he was virtually powerless. He lasted three years before he was assassinated by a disaffected guardsman in the pay of [[Bogdan Kesh]], an general in the Imperial Army and a cousin of Viceroy I. Kesh was detained and executed by a few remaining loyalists, while the rest of Pralgad plotted to take the throne.

==The Factions==

The Civil War that followed Viceroy's assassination was a struggle of mainly four, arguably five factions, to which a sixth was added near the end of the war.

===House Sol===

[[House Sol|Sol]] was the first house of the Pralgadian Empire, since [[Sol I]] had declared it in 1 IE. In the unclear succession, they held some degree of legitimacy and the most powerful economy. The mines around [[Solaria]] in Western Pralgad were the most abundant source of iron and precious metals, which gave them a superior weapons supply as well as a lot of bartering power.

The leader of House Sol, and their imperial candidate, was [[Jehan Sol]], a brilliant and ruthless Brigadier-General.

===House Ironclad===

[[House Ironclad|Ironclad]], another Aizoan noble house that was living in exile on Pralgad, had last held the throne before the controversial appointment of [[Cullen Dragos]] as heir. As such, they also had a great claim on the throne when he died. This they based mainly on the assertion that the appointment had been in violation of all custom and tradition, and that the legitimate heir was [[Ironclad I]]'s son, and then his grandson [[Gideon Ironclad|Gideon]]. They did not possess limitless weapon supplies, but they had control of the Imperial Army, and thus had the greatest territory and the most numbers. Their capital, [[Blackstone]], was the strongest fortress of the continent, easily surpassing the capital in invincibility.

Gideon Ironclad, the imperial candidate, was neither learned nor very intelligent, although he possessed a captivating personal charm.

===Dorian Kylen===

[[Dorian Kylen]], illegitimate grandson of [[Ironclad I]], won the support of a small, but influential faction of the Ironclads. A former councilor of Viceroy, and the one who brought to justice Bogdan Kesh, he also had the support of the Imperial Council and was able to seize the capital [[Imperius]]. Perched precariously between the powerful Solarans to the West, and the numerous Ironclads to the East, their only advantage was the control of strategic lines of travel as well as the growers in Southwest Pralgad, providing the bulk of food produce for the Empire.

While Dorian Kylen would likely have kept his surname upon ascending to the throne, this name had no noble house to it and his claim to the throne was arguably the least legitimate of the three.

===Sailor's Association of Free Trade===

The Sailor's Association (SAFT, as it was also known) was the most powerful economic guild on Ermarian in its day. They had a virtual monopoly on sea trade and transport, and all of Pralgad being a terrain eminently unsuitable for land transport (mountains, large inland sea deltas, etc.), their trade power was immense.

Its founder and then head was the infamous [[Vida]], a former pirate. Some rumored that her association, covered by its legitimate business front, still employed pirates and engaged in piracy, but that was hardly necessary to maintain its influence.

The SAFT was determined to remain neutral in the conflict as long as possible, thus to secure their greatest profit.

===The Aizoan Expedition Force===

Ironclad I had, after nearly three centuries of a total cut-off of communication between [[Pralgad]] and [[Aizo]], dispatched an expeditionary force of troops to Aizo with orders to bind the lost continent, birthplace of the Empire, back into the Empire where it belonged.

Led by General [[Corim Warderson]], the Aizoan Front was largely ignorant of the current happenings in Pralgad, with a fast ship requiring more than six months to travel between the two continents.

===The Pralgadian Populists===

Risen in response to the atrocities in several towns and the often indiscriminate massacres of civilian farmers by the armies, the Populists first made their appearance in 211 IE. Their goal was to abolish the Imperial monarchy and turn Pralgad into a republic. Their numbers were large but disorganized, their communications were slow and their equipment atrocious, but their morale was fanatical and their intelligence network all-pervasive.

==Timeline==

===204 - 206 IE: Aftershocks===

The assassination of Emperor [[Viceroy I]] by [[Bogdan Kesh]] was an unprecedented action. For the first time in its brief history of just over two centuries, the young [[Empire]] found itself without a clear successor.

Former successors - for childless rulers - were elected long before the reigning [[Emperor]]'s natural death, and took the crown mere days after the appointed time of mourning. This time, there was none. And while the traditional thirty days passed (from Viceroy's death on the 10th of [[Evermoon]]), the various factions of the council were in hot dispute as to the future of the Empire.

They hoped to appoint a successor from one of the noble houses, but there turned out to be a problem. The only one with the authority to appoint a successor outside of natural descendancy was the Emperor, and the Emperor was presently decomposing in his crypt. The searched the records for evidence of a possible descendant - one who could be bribed or coerced to appoint another noble - but Viceroy had no descendants, legitimate or illegitimate, before or after he was crowned. They tried to elect an emperor in a council vote, but there was no procedure for that. Drastic measures were called for; some were ready to write a constitution, but there was no consensus.

The Empire, whose only laws were Tradition and the Emperor, proved to be impossible to govern in the violation of the former and the absence of the latter.

As the Empire threatened to break apart at the seams, the council could not come to an agreement. The wizard [[Ayin Yuvak]], then on the Imperial Council, dared to suggest a government of the people, but was immediately overruled. Anarchy could lead to nothing, it was said. In bitterness, Ayin resigned from the council, left the capital and was last seen in his home city of [[Horus]]. It were vastly unpredicted circumstances under which he was later to resurface.

After over a year of ineffective Council leadership, the end was predictable. Tradition allowed that, in times when the Emperor was indisposed, the various provinces of Pralgad were ruled by their respective noble houses. Such a state of emergency was declared, and as its last official act, the council disbanded itself on the first day of the New Year, [[Remembrance 1]] 206.

===206 - 211 IE: Prelude to War===

Signs of the impending hostilities could be seen even then: The nobles of House Ironclad and Sol dwelling in [[Imperius]] left the capital to return to their respective lands. The Imperial Army, led by generals sympathetic to the Ironclad family, was filling its ranks and almost on constant duty. [[Jehan Sol]], too, was recruiting an army. By winning the sympathies of the towns close to Solaria, and especially the mining cities along the western coast, he gained the advantage in steel weaponry, which Ironclad had to trade for. In the absence of an emperor, restrictions on private Livery and Maintenance were a hollow law, and the private armies of Sol and Ironclad were building up. Both houses were already harboring imperial ambitions, though they did not state it openly.

In 209 IE, an unprecedented action shocked the Empire yet again. [[Dorian Kylen]], advisor of [[Viceroy I]] and illegitimate grandson of [[Ironclad I]], declared himself the rightful heir to the throne. He had been speaker of the Council at the time Viceroy died, and it was thanks to him that the Council had achieved anything at all in the following year. He was older than Gideon Ironclad, and his legitimacy was a matter of bribery.

An opportunist to the core, Kylen was able to take control of the capital of Imperius in the absence of the partisans who had deserted it. The lands around the Jsoulza basin and the Delta, belonging neither to Sol nor to Ironclad, fell to him by default, as large parts of the Imperial army defected to him - mostly disaffected officials who saw in Ironclad an inefficient figurehead and a potential weak emperor. Kylen was also the first to institute a military draft, in his new self-assumed office of [[Emperor]]. Although the Kylenian infantry was less well-equipped than the Solaran one, and Ironclad's army was better trained, Kylen had the strength of numbers.

Controlling several of the vital industries, especially agricultural, he had partisan supporters on both sides of the Jsoulza mountains. The control of the mountain passes was a crucial objective to his cause - and these passes were the first to taste blood.

[[Image:Pralgad_war_211_IE.gif|thumb|right|Pralgad at the outbreak of hostilities in 211 IE]]

===211 IE: First Strike===

It was Kylen's claim that shattered the fragile peace - or rather, hastened the inevitable war.

The ambitions of the other houses had been nothing less than obvious, but Dorian Kylen was the first of the pretenders to openly declare himself the rightful emperor. Jehan Sol and Gideon Ironclad were quick to assert their own claims and denounce each other as traitors. For almost two years, the factions ignored each other and continued to prepare, the tension throughout the continent almost palpable.

Finally, the storm broke. Again, it was Kylen who took the initiative: His was the central position on the continent, and although this put his forces into a double front, he had the best opportunity of controlling all land traffic between East and West. And take it he did: On the third of [[Suncome]], 211 IE, a moderate but well-ordered force of Kylenian soldiers attacked the passes through the central [[Jsoulza Mountains]], which were presently held by the Ironcladians under Colonel [[Karadas]].

This war was to last for a year, but after a number of battles, pyrrhic victories on both sides mixed in with ignoble routs, General [[Ilai Hugo]] launched a surprise attack on Karadas' main fortress, [[Fort Six]].

Through the strategical use of [[fire crystal|firebombs]], Hugo was able to demoralize the defenders to such a degree that a lot of the garrison surrendered on the spot. Karadas and his remaining men fled the fortress toward the south, gathering followers sufficient to attack and retake the crucial passes. However, his army was attacked yet again by Kylenian sympathizers from the south and the east, while being pursued by the Kylenian forces from the passes.

Karadas' army suffered an utter defeat, and it was through luck and skill alone that Karadas himself escaped. He remained in the southern hills of eastern Pralgad, rallying a vicious guerilla force that was to cause long-lasting difficulties to the Kylenian-controlled territories. For years, the immediate area of the rivers was the only territory that the Kylenians could hold easily.

==Notable Persons==

===Solarans===

*Emperor [[Jehan Sol]]
*Captain [[Kevin Daleris]]
*Commandant [[Krilon]]

===Ironcladians===

*Emperor [[Gideon Ironclad]]
*Colonel [[Karadas]]
*Lieutenant [[Sullust]]

===Kylenians===

*Emperor [[Dorian Kylen]]
*General [[Ilai Hugo]]

===SAFT===

*[[Vida]]
*Captain [[Allos Nogan]]
*[[Morgan]]

[[Category:In Progress]]

[[Category:Wars]]
[[Category:Empire]]

Adventurers

2008-10-03T03:28:04Z

W-dueck: Undo revision 6208 by BasalElchi (Talk)

[[Adventurers]] are people who leave their homes in search of battle, treasure, and general adventure. They are characterized by:

# Ambitious, risky behavior
# Substantial independence from nations, armies, schools, and other organizations
# Eclectic combat training (often including battle [[magic]])
# Experience with stealth and skulduggery

Some adventurers work as free agents in the service of some organization, but they generally do what they want, when they want, how they want, and are seen by others as "loose cannons." Accordingly, life expectancy for most adventurers is very short.

==Goals and Ideology==
Some adventurers are motivated in part to help others. All, however, are motivated to greater and lesser degrees by lust for power. Adventurers covet [[magical items]] and other treasures that increase their power in combat. This is understandable, since it increases both their capability as adventurers and their life expectancy.

==Methods==
"What doesn't kill me, makes me stronger." Despite being well-suited for sneaky, covert raids, adventurers tend to attack every hostile creature in sight, and search out every nook and cranny of a cave or fortress, to hone their skills and better their equipment. This is one of the reasons so many adventurers die, but it is also why the strongest are able to become so powerful.

==Place in Society==
Although some are thrown into the adventuring life (for example, the [[Heroes of Brattaskar]]), most adventurers have made a conscious decision to step out of their communities and lead a dangerous and deviant life. Most people consider them foolish for risking their lives so boldly. Some find fault in their lack of organization and refusal to work with others. As a result, adventuring tends to be restricted to those who are independent and nonconformist.

===In Avernum===
Adventurers are viewed rather differently in [[Avernum]]. There are several reasons for this. First, the sort of people who become adventurers are generally the sort of people who get into trouble in the [[Empire]]; many were [[exiled]]. In addition, the dangerous, largely unorganized life in the early days of the Kingdom was especially conducive to adventuring, since living in the cities wasn't particularly safe, and the [[Avernites]] had already been uprooted from their homes and families. So adventurers have been overrepresented in Avernum from the beginning.

Because Avernum was so reliant on its [[mages]], even in battle, many of its leaders came to favor small, powerful units: particularly King [[Micah]] and [[Erika]] the incantatrix. Both of them repeatedly trusted adventurers with the most pressing tasks facing Avernum. There was some contention over this from 817 - 823 [[IE]], after [[Hawthorne's Assassins]] defeated [[Sss-Thsss]] and [[Grah-Hoth]] on the one hand, and precipitated the [[Empire-Avernum War]] on the other.

However, after the epic efforts of the [[Empire War Heroes]] turned the tides of the war, adventurers gained widespread popular acclaim. Avernum even took the unprecedented step of ''officially'' incorporating adventurers into their army, creating the division of [[Unspecified Services]]. Since then, this popularity has been further reinforced by the successes of the [[Surface Explorers]] and the [[Shade-Killers]].

==Famous Adventurers==
# The leaders of the [[First Expedition]]
# [[Hawthorne's Assassins]]
# The [[Empire War Heroes]]
# The [[Surface Explorers]]
# The [[Heroes of Brattaskar]]
# The [[Shade-Killers]]

[[Category:Persons]]
[[Category:Adventurers]]

Isle of Bigail

2008-10-03T03:26:57Z

W-dueck: spam

{{apocrypha|source=[[Drakefyre canon]]}}
Bigail is a vast island just off the west coast of the [[continents|continent]] of [[Valorim]]. Containing nearly a twelfth of the area of the continent, the island is home to the [[Anama]] Church.

[[Image:Bigail.jpg|frame|right|The Isle of Bigail, drawn by the mapmaker [[Arkley]].]]
==Factbook==

===Geography===

====Size====

The main landmass of the island is the near elliptical northern part, which runs out into a sharp tip curling towards the southeast. All in all, the island has an area of about 125,000 square miles.

====Location====

Bigail lies to the west west of Valorim, almost snuggled within an extensive bay formed by the continent. It is surrounded on three sides by the mainland, leaving only the western coast (and its capital of [[Shayder]]) with clear access to the open sea.

===People===

====Population====

In its six towns, the Island of Bigail harbors close to 700,000 inhabitants, 400,000 alone in its capital of Shayder. Of these, 600,000 are [[human]], 95,000 are [[Nephilim]], and a few thousand [[Slithzerikai]] have recently formed a settlement on the Isle, which could well be the largest town of its kind on the surface of [[Valorim]].

====Ethnicity====

====Religions====

====Languages====

====Culture====

===Government===

====Cities====

The island has not been settled long, like the rest of Valorim, but its cities have been well established in the slightly over a hundred years since their founding. The [[Discovery and Conquest of Valorim|discovery of Valorim]] was followed by a great rush of migration from the by now crowded parts of [[Pralgad]], and a small, but not insignificant portion settled into the Isle of Bigail. They founded its five coast towns [[Bavner]], [[Kuper]], [[Port Townsend]], [[Fenris Port]] and [[Hectar]], and most importantly the capital of the province, [[Shayder]], at the west coast of the island (facing away from the continent).

To aid navigation through the somewhat treacherous passageways leading past the isle and into the bay itself, there are two lighthouses at opposite ends of the island: [[Northpoint Lighthouse]], and [[Southpoint Lighthouse]]

===Industry and Trade===

Originally, the main trade of Bigail, especially the former city of [[Kneece]] on a tiny island southeast of Bigail was developing into the center of [[magical]] learning on [[Valorim]], and the now closed Kneece [[Schools of Magery|School of Magery]] the largest institution of arcane research anywhere south of Blackcrag. This, however, changed with the re-establishment of the [[Anama]] Church on the main island. With Kneece abandoned, and the island still sorely affected by the [[cockroach]] [[plagues|plague]] that hit it around 830 IE, the industry of the island still has not fully recovered.

Its current main trade is in [[Alchemy|alchemical]] compounds and ingredients, which the Anama both require and produce in large amounts. [[Toadstools]] are known to grow in the northeastern Swamps of Bigail.

==The Anama Church==

Several centuries after the period known as the [[Anama War]] (405-437 IE), some of the descendants of those Anama followers who had continued to worship in secret (risking severe punishments by the Imperial Decree that was still in effect), emigrated to Valorim. In order to avoid Imperial interference, they settled on the Island of Bigail, as far from the mainland as possible.

It is true that the Anama have contributed greatly to the prosperity of the island, but it is equally true that they have crippled the former main industry, namely the teaching of magic and the production of [[magical items]].

==History==

===Anama Settlement===

In the days of the settlement of Valorim, the creatures that had been exterminated in Pralgrad long ago under Ironclad were still flourishing: Among them the troglodytes, the goblins, ogres and the Lesser unicorns. The settlers had to defend themselves against all of these, and especially the places far from civilization were dangerous parts to travel in. Being skilled priests and very wise in the arts of potion-making and alchemy, the Anama priests were accepted quite readily by the other settlers, since they provided a valuable support in these wild, uncivilized areas. In Shayder, Bigail's capital, the Anama built its first chapterhouse, led by the high priests Ahonar and Lockhart. They proceeded to win strong influence economical and political on the island, and soon had shrines in all of the cities, even sending travelling missionaries to the mainland of Valorim.
As their influence extended into the politics of Shayder (whose position of mayor was at that time held by a high-ranking member of the Anama), the mages of the isle soon found their lives made difficult: Shipments of supplies were late to arrive or totally intercepted, magic users were discriminated against in most affairs, and at some point the practice of non-clerical magic was even banned outright. At this point, the local Empire liaison announced a rather sharp command, demanding the church to cease the persecutionist policies, else he would file a report to the Emperor. After all, the Imperial decree had still not been officially revoked; although the Imperial senate was too busy with matters in Pralgrad, and the barely civilized continent of Valorim was of little concern to him, such a report might well have caused a reaction. The threat worked, and the magic ban was lifted. But a few years later, the liaison was relieved from his post on health grounds and a new, church loyal, liaison succeeded him the Emperor still had to confirm the decision, but since he was not informed of the exact circumstances surrounding it, he saw little reason to investigate further before approving.
With the magic research on Kneece deteriorating under further hampering, the city was soon abandoned by most wizards, and after the primary mercantile value of the city was lost, the other citizens left as well. To this day, Kneece is a ghost town, consisting of ruins, and inhabited only by monstrous lizards. Adventurers have reported of a hermit wizard who still makes his home there, but this has not been confirmed. Following an excerpt from the report of the field researchers sent to investigate the city:

:''No sign of inhabitation has been discovered. Beyond the infestation of lizards and drakes nothing seemed out of the ordinary, except for an unnatural stone wall, encasing a large square of ground. No entrance was visible, and we therefore assumed the building to have been a part of the former school of magery, protected by spells against collapse. We cannot explain its relative appearance of newness otherwise.
:''While it is of course a pity that Kneece failed to ever gain renown as an Imperial School of Magery, it would have been unreasonable to expect both it and the Anama to coexist on Bigail. The Anama happened to establish themselves with success, and the mages have largely moved to the city of Lorelei, where the University of Valorim was founded.
:''To secure ship travels through the narrow and occasionally risky passages past Bigail to the main coast (especially Lorelei), two lighthouses have been built on the northern- and southernmost points of the island. The northern lighthouse is rumored to be occupied by a slightly deranged necromancer, but he does his job proficiently and has not harmed any of the surrounding towns with his supposed experiments, so the authorities have largely turned a blind eye on the rumors.
Another noteworthy feature of Bigail, especially to zoologist researchers, is the lair of [[Giant Intelligent Friendly Talking Spiders]] the existence of which has been confirmed in a wood in the middle of the isle. Stories have been told of an Undead lair also on the island, but that is more than likely just a fairytale.

Perhaps the most significant point in the more recent history of the island was the brief but severe infestation of gigantic magical cockroaches during the time of the plagues caused by the Vahnatai. The origin of the roaches (a cave at the north coast of Bigail) has been destroyed by adventurers, but a very few remaining specimen continue to roam the woods, their population held in check by the giant spiders.

Finally, the Anama have recently started to lose some influence in the local politics of Shayder, having suffered a hit in their reputation with the population after failing to solve the roach problem without hundreds dying. Mayor Garith (in office for five years) has succeeded Bernathy, who resigned for old age reasons in spite of having regained her health well after almost falling victim to the disease spread by the roaches. Both Garith and Bernathy have while supporting Prazac's decree of religious freedom for all citizens successfully opposed during their terms of office the strongly rooted connection between the Anama and the worldly affairs (such as trade) on Bigail, aiming for a separation of church and government. Now, the Isle of Bigail is once more a relatively neutral place politically, and neither the mages nor any but the most radical of the Anama members are particularly unhappy with the current situation.

[[Category:Provinces]]
[[Category:Geography]]
[[Category:Islands]]

Project:About

2008-10-03T03:25:41Z

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==Purpose==

The Encyclopedia Ermariana is intended to be a knowledge base for the [[Wikipedia:Canon (fiction)|Canon]] of the world explored by the Exile/Avernum series by [[Wikipedia:Spiderweb Software|Spiderweb Software]]. Its name is derived from [[Ermarian]], the name that the fan community has coined for this world.

==Scope==

The primary purpose of the Encyclopedia is to build a complete, detailed picture of the world of Ermarian, its history, geography, creatures and cultures. As game canon lacks detail that must be filled in if the Encyclopedia is to be complete, it is necessary to include new content that is neither in the game nor can be derived from it.

===Canon===

''Main article: [[Canon]]''

Fan-invented content must not contradict the game canon, in letter or in spirit. Where the game canon exists, it has priority.

Information that is not dictated by the game canon, but which has become accepted tradition among most scenario designers (such as the name Ermarian) should be adhered to, but unlike game canon, it does not overrule other content automatically.

Whether fan-created content is included or not is determined by common sense and, in ambiguous cases, by an oligarchic decision among the older members.

===Scenarios===
Numerous user-created scenarios have been set inside Ermarian. The content that can be derived from them is treated as fan-created content.

===Conflicts and Contradictions===

Necessarily, the universe of Ermarian contains several unclear or ambiguous points; mainly where

#the games contradict themselves,
#the Avernum plotline differs from the Exile plotline
#no mention is made at all of a certain point.

In these instances (especially the last), the fan community and scenario designers make up their own theories, which are usually not in accord with each other. Examples for this are the unexplored early ages of [[Humans|humanity]] (see [[Origin Question]]), the declining days of the [[Empire]], and most of the history of the [[Vahnatai]] - topics far removed from the game setting. However, such unclarities may crop up in more issues central to the games such as the founding of the [[Kingdom of Avernum]], or the [[Hawthorne dynasty]]. The most central conflict of all is probably the question regarding the name of the underground Kingdom - namely, [[Exile vs Avernum]].

Resolution of these issues, must come through some semblance of democratic consensus, as Jeff himself devotes little time to explaining the background of the world of Ermarian. Many such matters have been the root of bitter conflicts between established [[scenario designers]].

See also [[Canon]].

==Authority==

As the Encyclopedia has no affiliation with Spiderweb Software (see [[Encyclopedia Ermariana:General Disclaimer|Disclaimer]]), the information it provides has authority only to those that acknowledge it. Although attempts are made to distinguish between between information derived directly from the games (and thus part of the [[Game canon]]) and fan-created content through the use of the "Source" box, this is done only on a rough basis with entire articles, and not with individual facts or ideas that may have different sources.

It should be noted that [[Wikipedia:Jeff Vogel|Jeff Vogel]] himself has no intention of developing the background world outside of a game setting any time in the new future:

::''It <nowiki>[writing a book about the history of this world]</nowiki> is one of those things I would love to do. The problem is time. Between the multiple games I'm working on, other projects, and raising a toddler, I just don't have time for a lot of things it would be really cool to do. Sorry!''

::''- Jeff Vogel''
::''Spiderweb Software, Inc.'' [http://www.ironycentral.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=15;t=000191;p=2#000031 Source])

==History==

===Conception===

The idea for the Encyclopedia Ermariana was first come up with in a topic on the Spiderweb forums ([http://www.ironycentral.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=15;t=000191 Wish List for BoA]). The topic under discussion changed from a request for new features in the game Blades of Avernum to a request for Jeff to explore more of the Avernum world in a book. The actual suggestion for a coordinated project by fans came on July 17, 2003, which is therefore cited as the birth date of the Encyclopedia Ermariana.

===Geocities===

The first incarnation of the Encyclopedia was a site on [[Wikipedia:Geocities|Geocities]] that was established on or shortly before July 27, 2003. This site is still [http://www.geocities.com/arancaytar/frameset.html available].

The exact evolution of this site is explained in more detail on [[User:Arancaytar|Arancaytar]]'s user page. It started out with a collection of somewhat formatted text that had originally been part of a word document.

One of the earliest pages was preserved ([http://www.geocities.com/arancaytar/oldpage.html Old Index]), showing the old yellow text on dark background (another page that was kept is the [http://www.geocities.com/arancaytar/eecontent/language.html Languages Overview]).

This design was later changed to a white text on sky blue background in February 2004, which is still in use at the site. Over the course of two years, various adjustments to the menu and the page design were made (a javascript menu was made in May 2004), but the frame structure stayed roughly the same.

Some insight about the development of the geocities site can be gained from the old [http://www.geocities.com/arancaytar/eecontent/news.html News & Updates] page.

===Blogspot===

If you thought you knew all there is to know about the site's history, here's something new: Around Februar 2005, I looked into the possibility of using a [[Wikipedia:Blogger|Blogger]] blog to publish the news section, and perhaps even handle content that way. It could have worked too; with some readjustments what is intended to be used as a diary could have been made into an encyclopedia - but I abandoned that idea, because it would have been an insane amount of work and not really the suitable tool. The old site is still available at [http://ermarian.blogspot.com/2005/02/on-quickfire.html ermarian.blogspot.com].

===Wiki===

The idea is actually older than it seems. I must have thought of it in December 2004 or perhaps slightly later, after I first saw the [[NSWiki:Main Page|NationStates Wikipedia]], which is another fictional encyclopedia. A wiki system is far more effective to handle a compendium than a site managed by a single person who people email their entries to. However, I never really got around to installing a Wiki site until August 22, 2005.

User talk:Jerry bush

2008-10-03T03:23:49Z

W-dueck: :(

== What the? ==
Your edit (five hundred adventurers) didn't make any sense, so I deleted it. I hope you're not trying to engage in vandalism. [[User:Arancaytar|Arancaytar]] | [[User talk:Arancaytar|Send Reply!]] --- That is not dead which can eternal lie... 11:57, 4 February 2006 (CST)

=== Re: Your email ===

All right, sorry. I didn't intend to be that harsh, I just didn't see any way that edit in the First Expedition could have made sense. [[User:Arancaytar|Arancaytar]] | [[User talk:Arancaytar|Send Reply!]] --- That is not dead which can eternal lie... 12:34, 5 February 2006 (CST)

== Re: Assassins ==
Yes, the new name is better. However, please stop moving pages around until you are more familiar with the structure of the Encyclopedia, and how page moving works... --- [[User:Slartucker|Slartucker]] 12:05, 5 February 2006 (CST)

== Saving often ==

I see that you save the article frequently whenever you make the slightest change. Please note that every time you save the entry, a copy of the ''entire'' text gets stored to the database. If you save ten times, there will be ten copies of the entry. It will be a long time before I run out of space, but I would rather not unnecessarily hasten the moment. [[User:Arancaytar|Arancaytar]] | [[User talk:Arancaytar|Send Reply!]] --- That is not dead which can eternal lie... 12:34, 5 February 2006 (CST)

== User page ==

What format? The text on my user page is almost entirely unformatted, and there isn't anything to copy... [[User:Arancaytar|Arancaytar]] | [[User talk:Arancaytar|Send Reply!]] --- That is not dead which can eternal lie... 13:14, 5 February 2006 (CST)

== Necklace of Persuasion? ==

Unless I'm forgetting something, the games always refer to it simply as a gold necklace. I know it has persuasive powers, but it's *called* the "gold necklace."

EE has room for a little bit of extrapolation, but we '''can't''' change the canon. If it is consistently called the same thing throughout two games, I think we gotta stick with that name. --- [[User:Slartucker|Slartucker]] 12:42, 6 February 2006 (CST)

=== Re: ===
No, it's not a "horrible" change, but it *is* a change. I'm being painstaking here -- but that's the whole point of an encyclopedia.

The dates used here, the length between wars and such, are all derived directly from the games (the "canon"). There are places where the canon does not state something precisely, and in that case, sometimes a reasonable answer has to be extrapolated. However, any time an extrapolation is made, it is made ''based on evidence in the games'' and ''without contradicting anything in the games.''

If there's anything that looks off to you, you *should* call it out. That's the purpose of having this be a wiki. I happened to call it out quickly because I did of lot of checking when I put that article together to make sure I had accurate information, so it jumped out at me as being wrong.

In this case, not only does everyone call it a "gold necklace" (no capitals are ever used), all of the non-weapon equipment brought by the Expedition is referred to with generic descriptions (onyx scepter, _ brooch, and so on). It would be really out of flavor to start calling one of them something else. To me, that clearly counts as contradicting the games.

(I should mention that there's one sort of exception, which is some stuff the Blades community put together at some point -- mostly old Empire history plus [[Novah]]. It has been in use in the community for some years, I gather, so it's sort of become canon despite not being in the games.) --- [[User:Slartucker|Slartucker]] 13:33, 6 February 2006 (CST)
::Generic descriptions like the "[[Orb of Thralni]]", for instance. :P You have a point though. [[User:Arancaytar|Arancaytar]] | [[User talk:Arancaytar|Send Reply!]] --- That is not dead which can eternal lie... 18:32, 6 February 2006 (CST)

== Signing ==

Please sign all messages you leave on talk pages with <nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>. This will insert your name and a timestamp, without which it is very inconvenient to find out who posted a certain message.

You can modify your signature on the Preferences page, by the way.

[[User:Arancaytar|Arancaytar]] | [[User talk:Arancaytar|Send Reply!]] --- That is not dead which can eternal lie... 23:32, 8 February 2006 (CST)

== Please DO sign things ==

Like I said earlier already, please add four tildes to the end of ''every single message'' you write in a talk page. Yes, I know it is possible to look at the page history and see which member added what message, and when. However, once the talk page gets longer and possibly has to be pruned, it gets impossible to see who wrote what unless the additions are signed. So:

<nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>

It's not that hard. It isn't terrible if you forget it once or twice, either, just edit the page again and add it.

[[User:Arancaytar|Arancaytar]] | [[User talk:Arancaytar|Send Reply!]] --- That is not dead which can eternal lie... 00:51, 13 December 2006 (PST)

Ascent of Ironclad II

2008-09-29T12:52:30Z

W-dueck: Undo revision 6201 by VilidAroua (Talk)

Project:About

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Adventurers

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Lower caves

2008-09-25T02:26:10Z

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Ascent of Ironclad II

2008-09-25T02:24:52Z

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Isle of Bigail

2008-09-25T02:24:07Z

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User talk:Jerry bush

2008-09-25T02:23:20Z

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Isle of Bigail

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Project:About

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Isle of Bigail

2008-08-29T12:34:04Z

W-dueck: Undo revision 6151 by CnabaSnotr (Talk) Holy God More Spam!

troccacb
{{apocrypha|source=[[Drakefyre canon]]}}
Bigail is a vast island just off the west coast of the [[continents|continent]] of [[Valorim]]. Containing nearly a twelfth of the area of the continent, the island is home to the [[Anama]] Church.

[[Image:Bigail.jpg|frame|right|The Isle of Bigail, drawn by the mapmaker [[Arkley]].]]
==Factbook==

===Geography===

====Size====

The main landmass of the island is the near elliptical northern part, which runs out into a sharp tip curling towards the southeast. All in all, the island has an area of about 125,000 square miles.

====Location====

Bigail lies to the west west of Valorim, almost snuggled within an extensive bay formed by the continent. It is surrounded on three sides by the mainland, leaving only the western coast (and its capital of [[Shayder]]) with clear access to the open sea.

===People===

====Population====

In its six towns, the Island of Bigail harbors close to 700,000 inhabitants, 400,000 alone in its capital of Shayder. Of these, 600,000 are [[human]], 95,000 are [[Nephilim]], and a few thousand [[Slithzerikai]] have recently formed a settlement on the Isle, which could well be the largest town of its kind on the surface of [[Valorim]].

====Ethnicity====

====Religions====

====Languages====

====Culture====

===Government===

====Cities====

The island has not been settled long, like the rest of Valorim, but its cities have been well established in the slightly over a hundred years since their founding. The [[Discovery and Conquest of Valorim|discovery of Valorim]] was followed by a great rush of migration from the by now crowded parts of [[Pralgad]], and a small, but not insignificant portion settled into the Isle of Bigail. They founded its five coast towns [[Bavner]], [[Kuper]], [[Port Townsend]], [[Fenris Port]] and [[Hectar]], and most importantly the capital of the province, [[Shayder]], at the west coast of the island (facing away from the continent).

To aid navigation through the somewhat treacherous passageways leading past the isle and into the bay itself, there are two lighthouses at opposite ends of the island: [[Northpoint Lighthouse]], and [[Southpoint Lighthouse]]

===Industry and Trade===

Originally, the main trade of Bigail, especially the former city of [[Kneece]] Ã¢Â€Â“ on a tiny island southeast of Bigail Ã¢Â€Â“ was developing into the center of [[magical]] learning on [[Valorim]], and the now closed Kneece [[Schools of Magery|School of Magery]] the largest institution of arcane research anywhere south of Blackcrag. This, however, changed with the re-establishment of the [[Anama]] Church on the main island. With Kneece abandoned, and the island still sorely affected by the [[cockroach]] [[plagues|plague]] that hit it around 830 IE, the industry of the island still has not fully recovered.

Its current main trade is in [[Alchemy|alchemical]] compounds and ingredients, which the Anama both require and produce in large amounts. [[Toadstools]] are known to grow in the northeastern Swamps of Bigail.

==The Anama Church==

Several centuries after the period known as the [[Anama War]] (405-437 IE), some of the descendants of those Anama followers who had continued to worship in secret (risking severe punishments by the Imperial Decree that was still in effect), emigrated to Valorim. In order to avoid Imperial interference, they settled on the Island of Bigail, as far from the mainland as possible.

It is true that the Anama have contributed greatly to the prosperity of the island, but it is equally true that they have crippled the former main industry, namely the teaching of magic and the production of [[magical items]].

==History==

===Anama Settlement===

In the days of the settlement of Valorim, the creatures that had been exterminated in Pralgrad long ago under Ironclad were still flourishing: Among them the troglodytes, the goblins, ogres and the Lesser unicorns. The settlers had to defend themselves against all of these, and especially the places far from civilization were dangerous parts to travel in. Being skilled priests and very wise in the arts of potion-making and alchemy, the Anama priests were accepted quite readily by the other settlers, since they provided a valuable support in these wild, uncivilized areas. In Shayder, BigailÃ¢Â€Â™s capital, the Anama built its first chapterhouse, led by the high priests Ahonar and Lockhart. They proceeded to win strong influence Ã¢Â€Â“ economical and political Ã¢Â€Â“ on the island, and soon had shrines in all of the cities, even sending travelling missionaries to the mainland of Valorim.
As their influence extended into the politics of Shayder (whose position of mayor was at that time held by a high-ranking member of the Anama), the mages of the isle soon found their lives made difficult: Shipments of supplies were late to arrive or totally intercepted, magic users were discriminated against in most affairs, and at some point the practice of non-clerical magic was even banned outright. At this point, the local Empire liaison announced a rather sharp command, demanding the church to cease the persecutionist policies, else he would file a report to the Emperor. After all, the Imperial decree had still not been officially revoked; although the Imperial senate was too busy with matters in Pralgrad, and the barely civilized continent of Valorim was of little concern to him, such a report might well have caused a reaction. The threat worked, and the magic ban was lifted. But a few years later, the liaison was relieved from his post on Ã¢Â€Â˜health groundsÃ¢Â€Â™ and a new, church loyal, liaison succeeded him Ã¢Â€Â“ the Emperor still had to confirm the decision, but since he was not informed of the exact circumstances surrounding it, he saw little reason to investigate further before approving.
With the magic research on Kneece deteriorating under further hampering, the city was soon abandoned by most wizards, and after the primary mercantile value of the city was lost, the other citizens left as well. To this day, Kneece is a ghost town, consisting of ruins, and inhabited only by monstrous lizards. Adventurers have reported of a hermit wizard who still makes his home there, but this has not been confirmed. Following an excerpt from the report of the field researchers sent to investigate the city:

:''No sign of inhabitation has been discovered. Beyond the infestation of lizards and drakes nothing seemed out of the ordinary, except for an unnatural stone wall, encasing a large square of ground. No entrance was visible, and we therefore assumed the building to have been a part of the former school of magery, protected by spells against collapse. We cannot explain its relative appearance of newness otherwise.
:''While it is of course a pity that Kneece failed to ever gain renown as an Imperial School of Magery, it would have been unreasonable to expect both it and the Anama to coexist on Bigail. The Anama happened to establish themselves with success, and the mages have largely moved to the city of Lorelei, where the University of Valorim was founded.
:''To secure ship travels through the narrow and occasionally risky passages past Bigail to the main coast (especially Lorelei), two lighthouses have been built on the northern- and southernmost points of the island. The northern lighthouse is rumored to be occupied by a slightly deranged necromancer, but he does his job proficiently and has not harmed any of the surrounding towns with his supposed experiments, so the authorities have largely turned a blind eye on the rumors.
Another noteworthy feature of Bigail, especially to zoologist researchers, is the lair of [[Giant Intelligent Friendly Talking Spiders]] the existence of which has been confirmed in a wood in the middle of the isle. Stories have been told of an Undead lair also on the island, but that is more than likely just a fairytale.

Perhaps the most significant point in the more recent history of the island was the brief but severe infestation of gigantic magical cockroaches during the time of the plagues caused by the Vahnatai. The origin of the roaches (a cave at the north coast of Bigail) has been destroyed by adventurers, but a very few remaining specimen continue to roam the woods, their population held in check by the giant spiders.

Finally, the Anama have recently started to lose some influence in the local politics of Shayder, having suffered a hit in their reputation with the population after failing to solve the roach problem without hundreds dying. Mayor Garith (in office for five years) has succeeded Bernathy, who resigned for old age reasons in spite of having regained her health well after almost falling victim to the disease spread by the roaches. Both Garith and Bernathy have Ã¢Â€Â“ while supporting PrazacÃ¢Â€Â™s decree of religious freedom for all citizens Ã¢Â€Â“ successfully opposed during their terms of office the strongly rooted connection between the Anama and the worldly affairs (such as trade) on Bigail, aiming for a separation of church and government. Now, the Isle of Bigail is once more a relatively neutral place politically, and neither the mages nor any but the most radical of the Anama members are particularly unhappy with the current situation.

[[Category:Provinces]]
[[Category:Geography]]
[[Category:Islands]]

Isle of Bigail

2008-08-29T12:33:22Z

W-dueck: Undo revision 6160 by CnabaSnotr (Talk) http://blades.ermarian.net/sites/blades.ermarian.net/files/graphics/spammer.bmp

[http://vegasinform.com/las/cache/comment-1030.htm online car auction] [http://mediamusicstudies.net/forms/forms/files/page/article210.html sexy sister] [http://mediamusicstudies.net/forms/forms/files/page/article1149.html pirate music mp3] [http://vegasinform.com/las/cache/comment-1638.htm colorado snowmobiling adventures] [http://worldfish.com.br/images/grande/icons/releltad2598.htm pro and cons of violent video game]
troccacb
{{apocrypha|source=[[Drakefyre canon]]}}
Bigail is a vast island just off the west coast of the [[continents|continent]] of [[Valorim]]. Containing nearly a twelfth of the area of the continent, the island is home to the [[Anama]] Church.

[[Image:Bigail.jpg|frame|right|The Isle of Bigail, drawn by the mapmaker [[Arkley]].]]
==Factbook==

===Geography===

====Size====

The main landmass of the island is the near elliptical northern part, which runs out into a sharp tip curling towards the southeast. All in all, the island has an area of about 125,000 square miles.

====Location====

Bigail lies to the west west of Valorim, almost snuggled within an extensive bay formed by the continent. It is surrounded on three sides by the mainland, leaving only the western coast (and its capital of [[Shayder]]) with clear access to the open sea.

===People===

====Population====

In its six towns, the Island of Bigail harbors close to 700,000 inhabitants, 400,000 alone in its capital of Shayder. Of these, 600,000 are [[human]], 95,000 are [[Nephilim]], and a few thousand [[Slithzerikai]] have recently formed a settlement on the Isle, which could well be the largest town of its kind on the surface of [[Valorim]].

====Ethnicity====

====Religions====

====Languages====

====Culture====

===Government===

====Cities====

The island has not been settled long, like the rest of Valorim, but its cities have been well established in the slightly over a hundred years since their founding. The [[Discovery and Conquest of Valorim|discovery of Valorim]] was followed by a great rush of migration from the by now crowded parts of [[Pralgad]], and a small, but not insignificant portion settled into the Isle of Bigail. They founded its five coast towns [[Bavner]], [[Kuper]], [[Port Townsend]], [[Fenris Port]] and [[Hectar]], and most importantly the capital of the province, [[Shayder]], at the west coast of the island (facing away from the continent).

To aid navigation through the somewhat treacherous passageways leading past the isle and into the bay itself, there are two lighthouses at opposite ends of the island: [[Northpoint Lighthouse]], and [[Southpoint Lighthouse]]

===Industry and Trade===

Originally, the main trade of Bigail, especially the former city of [[Kneece]] ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚Â€Ã‚Â“ on a tiny island southeast of Bigail ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚Â€Ã‚Â“ was developing into the center of [[magical]] learning on [[Valorim]], and the now closed Kneece [[Schools of Magery|School of Magery]] the largest institution of arcane research anywhere south of Blackcrag. This, however, changed with the re-establishment of the [[Anama]] Church on the main island. With Kneece abandoned, and the island still sorely affected by the [[cockroach]] [[plagues|plague]] that hit it around 830 IE, the industry of the island still has not fully recovered.

Its current main trade is in [[Alchemy|alchemical]] compounds and ingredients, which the Anama both require and produce in large amounts. [[Toadstools]] are known to grow in the northeastern Swamps of Bigail.

==The Anama Church==

Several centuries after the period known as the [[Anama War]] (405-437 IE), some of the descendants of those Anama followers who had continued to worship in secret (risking severe punishments by the Imperial Decree that was still in effect), emigrated to Valorim. In order to avoid Imperial interference, they settled on the Island of Bigail, as far from the mainland as possible.

It is true that the Anama have contributed greatly to the prosperity of the island, but it is equally true that they have crippled the former main industry, namely the teaching of magic and the production of [[magical items]].

==History==

===Anama Settlement===

In the days of the settlement of Valorim, the creatures that had been exterminated in Pralgrad long ago under Ironclad were still flourishing: Among them the troglodytes, the goblins, ogres and the Lesser unicorns. The settlers had to defend themselves against all of these, and especially the places far from civilization were dangerous parts to travel in. Being skilled priests and very wise in the arts of potion-making and alchemy, the Anama priests were accepted quite readily by the other settlers, since they provided a valuable support in these wild, uncivilized areas. In Shayder, BigailÃƒÂ¢Ã‚Â€Ã‚Â™s capital, the Anama built its first chapterhouse, led by the high priests Ahonar and Lockhart. They proceeded to win strong influence ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚Â€Ã‚Â“ economical and political ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚Â€Ã‚Â“ on the island, and soon had shrines in all of the cities, even sending travelling missionaries to the mainland of Valorim.
As their influence extended into the politics of Shayder (whose position of mayor was at that time held by a high-ranking member of the Anama), the mages of the isle soon found their lives made difficult: Shipments of supplies were late to arrive or totally intercepted, magic users were discriminated against in most affairs, and at some point the practice of non-clerical magic was even banned outright. At this point, the local Empire liaison announced a rather sharp command, demanding the church to cease the persecutionist policies, else he would file a report to the Emperor. After all, the Imperial decree had still not been officially revoked; although the Imperial senate was too busy with matters in Pralgrad, and the barely civilized continent of Valorim was of little concern to him, such a report might well have caused a reaction. The threat worked, and the magic ban was lifted. But a few years later, the liaison was relieved from his post on ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚Â€Ã‚Â˜health groundsÃƒÂ¢Ã‚Â€Ã‚Â™ and a new, church loyal, liaison succeeded him ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚Â€Ã‚Â“ the Emperor still had to confirm the decision, but since he was not informed of the exact circumstances surrounding it, he saw little reason to investigate further before approving.
With the magic research on Kneece deteriorating under further hampering, the city was soon abandoned by most wizards, and after the primary mercantile value of the city was lost, the other citizens left as well. To this day, Kneece is a ghost town, consisting of ruins, and inhabited only by monstrous lizards. Adventurers have reported of a hermit wizard who still makes his home there, but this has not been confirmed. Following an excerpt from the report of the field researchers sent to investigate the city:

:''No sign of inhabitation has been discovered. Beyond the infestation of lizards and drakes nothing seemed out of the ordinary, except for an unnatural stone wall, encasing a large square of ground. No entrance was visible, and we therefore assumed the building to have been a part of the former school of magery, protected by spells against collapse. We cannot explain its relative appearance of newness otherwise.
:''While it is of course a pity that Kneece failed to ever gain renown as an Imperial School of Magery, it would have been unreasonable to expect both it and the Anama to coexist on Bigail. The Anama happened to establish themselves with success, and the mages have largely moved to the city of Lorelei, where the University of Valorim was founded.
:''To secure ship travels through the narrow and occasionally risky passages past Bigail to the main coast (especially Lorelei), two lighthouses have been built on the northern- and southernmost points of the island. The northern lighthouse is rumored to be occupied by a slightly deranged necromancer, but he does his job proficiently and has not harmed any of the surrounding towns with his supposed experiments, so the authorities have largely turned a blind eye on the rumors.
Another noteworthy feature of Bigail, especially to zoologist researchers, is the lair of [[Giant Intelligent Friendly Talking Spiders]] the existence of which has been confirmed in a wood in the middle of the isle. Stories have been told of an Undead lair also on the island, but that is more than likely just a fairytale.

Perhaps the most significant point in the more recent history of the island was the brief but severe infestation of gigantic magical cockroaches during the time of the plagues caused by the Vahnatai. The origin of the roaches (a cave at the north coast of Bigail) has been destroyed by adventurers, but a very few remaining specimen continue to roam the woods, their population held in check by the giant spiders.

Finally, the Anama have recently started to lose some influence in the local politics of Shayder, having suffered a hit in their reputation with the population after failing to solve the roach problem without hundreds dying. Mayor Garith (in office for five years) has succeeded Bernathy, who resigned for old age reasons in spite of having regained her health well after almost falling victim to the disease spread by the roaches. Both Garith and Bernathy have ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚Â€Ã‚Â“ while supporting PrazacÃƒÂ¢Ã‚Â€Ã‚Â™s decree of religious freedom for all citizens ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚Â€Ã‚Â“ successfully opposed during their terms of office the strongly rooted connection between the Anama and the worldly affairs (such as trade) on Bigail, aiming for a separation of church and government. Now, the Isle of Bigail is once more a relatively neutral place politically, and neither the mages nor any but the most radical of the Anama members are particularly unhappy with the current situation.

[[Category:Provinces]]
[[Category:Geography]]
[[Category:Islands]]

Ascent of Ironclad II

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Adventurers

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Lower caves

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User talk:Jerry bush

2008-08-29T12:31:08Z

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Lower caves

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Adventurers

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Ascent of Ironclad II

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Project:About

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Project:About

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==Purpose==

The Encyclopedia Ermariana is intended to be a knowledge base for the [[Wikipedia:Canon (fiction)|Canon]] of the world explored by the Exile/Avernum series by [[Wikipedia:Spiderweb Software|Spiderweb Software]]. Its name is derived from [[Ermarian]], the name that the fan community has coined for this world.

==Scope==

The primary purpose of the Encyclopedia is to build a complete, detailed picture of the world of Ermarian, its history, geography, creatures and cultures. As game canon lacks detail that must be filled in if the Encyclopedia is to be complete, it is necessary to include new content that is neither in the game nor can be derived from it.

===Canon===

''Main article: [[Canon]]''

Fan-invented content must not contradict the game canon, in letter or in spirit. Where the game canon exists, it has priority.

Information that is not dictated by the game canon, but which has become accepted tradition among most scenario designers (such as the name Ermarian) should be adhered to, but unlike game canon, it does not overrule other content automatically.

Whether fan-created content is included or not is determined by common sense and, in ambiguous cases, by an oligarchic decision among the older members.

===Scenarios===
Numerous user-created scenarios have been set inside Ermarian. The content that can be derived from them is treated as fan-created content.

===Conflicts and Contradictions===

Necessarily, the universe of Ermarian contains several unclear or ambiguous points; mainly where

#the games contradict themselves,
#the Avernum plotline differs from the Exile plotline
#no mention is made at all of a certain point.

In these instances (especially the last), the fan community and scenario designers make up their own theories, which are usually not in accord with each other. Examples for this are the unexplored early ages of [[Humans|humanity]] (see [[Origin Question]]), the declining days of the [[Empire]], and most of the history of the [[Vahnatai]] - topics far removed from the game setting. However, such unclarities may crop up in more issues central to the games such as the founding of the [[Kingdom of Avernum]], or the [[Hawthorne dynasty]]. The most central conflict of all is probably the question regarding the name of the underground Kingdom - namely, [[Exile vs Avernum]].

Resolution of these issues, must come through some semblance of democratic consensus, as Jeff himself devotes little time to explaining the background of the world of Ermarian. Many such matters have been the root of bitter conflicts between established [[scenario designers]].

See also [[Canon]].

==Authority==

As the Encyclopedia has no affiliation with Spiderweb Software (see [[Encyclopedia Ermariana:General Disclaimer|Disclaimer]]), the information it provides has authority only to those that acknowledge it. Although attempts are made to distinguish between between information derived directly from the games (and thus part of the [[Game canon]]) and fan-created content through the use of the "Source" box, this is done only on a rough basis with entire articles, and not with individual facts or ideas that may have different sources.

It should be noted that [[Wikipedia:Jeff Vogel|Jeff Vogel]] himself has no intention of developing the background world outside of a game setting any time in the new future:

::''It <nowiki>[writing a book about the history of this world]</nowiki> is one of those things I would love to do. The problem is time. Between the multiple games I'm working on, other projects, and raising a toddler, I just don't have time for a lot of things it would be really cool to do. Sorry!''

::''- Jeff Vogel''
::''Spiderweb Software, Inc.'' [http://www.ironycentral.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=15;t=000191;p=2#000031 Source])

==History==

===Conception===

The idea for the Encyclopedia Ermariana was first come up with in a topic on the Spiderweb forums ([http://www.ironycentral.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=15;t=000191 Wish List for BoA]). The topic under discussion changed from a request for new features in the game Blades of Avernum to a request for Jeff to explore more of the Avernum world in a book. The actual suggestion for a coordinated project by fans came on July 17, 2003, which is therefore cited as the birth date of the Encyclopedia Ermariana.

===Geocities===

The first incarnation of the Encyclopedia was a site on [[Wikipedia:Geocities|Geocities]] that was established on or shortly before July 27, 2003. This site is still [http://www.geocities.com/arancaytar/frameset.html available].

The exact evolution of this site is explained in more detail on [[User:Arancaytar|Arancaytar]]'s user page. It started out with a collection of somewhat formatted text that had originally been part of a word document.

One of the earliest pages was preserved ([http://www.geocities.com/arancaytar/oldpage.html Old Index]), showing the old yellow text on dark background (another page that was kept is the [http://www.geocities.com/arancaytar/eecontent/language.html Languages Overview]).

This design was later changed to a white text on sky blue background in February 2004, which is still in use at the site. Over the course of two years, various adjustments to the menu and the page design were made (a javascript menu was made in May 2004), but the frame structure stayed roughly the same.

Some insight about the development of the geocities site can be gained from the old [http://www.geocities.com/arancaytar/eecontent/news.html News & Updates] page.

===Blogspot===

If you thought you knew all there is to know about the site's history, here's something new: Around Februar 2005, I looked into the possibility of using a [[Wikipedia:Blogger|Blogger]] blog to publish the news section, and perhaps even handle content that way. It could have worked too; with some readjustments what is intended to be used as a diary could have been made into an encyclopedia - but I abandoned that idea, because it would have been an insane amount of work and not really the suitable tool. The old site is still available at [http://ermarian.blogspot.com/2005/02/on-quickfire.html ermarian.blogspot.com].

===Wiki===

The idea is actually older than it seems. I must have thought of it in December 2004 or perhaps slightly later, after I first saw the [[NSWiki:Main Page|NationStates Wikipedia]], which is another fictional encyclopedia. A wiki system is far more effective to handle a compendium than a site managed by a single person who people email their entries to. However, I never really got around to installing a Wiki site until August 22, 2005.

Lower caves

2008-08-24T15:54:36Z

W-dueck: Undo revision 6142 by SitvaRzelb (Talk) http://blades.ermarian.net/sites/blades.ermarian.net/files/graphics/spammer.bmp

Adventurers

2008-08-24T15:53:23Z

W-dueck: Undo revision 6141 by BasalElchi (Talk)Spam

Ascent of Ironclad II

2008-08-24T15:52:55Z

W-dueck: Undo revision 6140 by VilidAroua (Talk) Fpam

Project:About

2008-08-24T01:12:41Z

W-dueck: Undo revision 6135 by RicelTdomd (Talk) Fpam

==Purpose==

The Encyclopedia Ermariana is intended to be a knowledge base for the [[Wikipedia:Canon (fiction)|Canon]] of the world explored by the Exile/Avernum series by [[Wikipedia:Spiderweb Software|Spiderweb Software]]. Its name is derived from [[Ermarian]], the name that the fan community has coined for this world.

==Scope==

The primary purpose of the Encyclopedia is to build a complete, detailed picture of the world of Ermarian, its history, geography, creatures and cultures. As game canon lacks detail that must be filled in if the Encyclopedia is to be complete, it is necessary to include new content that is neither in the game nor can be derived from it.

===Canon===

''Main article: [[Canon]]''

Fan-invented content must not contradict the game canon, in letter or in spirit. Where the game canon exists, it has priority.

Information that is not dictated by the game canon, but which has become accepted tradition among most scenario designers (such as the name Ermarian) should be adhered to, but unlike game canon, it does not overrule other content automatically.

Whether fan-created content is included or not is determined by common sense and, in ambiguous cases, by an oligarchic decision among the older members.

===Scenarios===
Numerous user-created scenarios have been set inside Ermarian. The content that can be derived from them is treated as fan-created content.

===Conflicts and Contradictions===

Necessarily, the universe of Ermarian contains several unclear or ambiguous points; mainly where

#the games contradict themselves,
#the Avernum plotline differs from the Exile plotline
#no mention is made at all of a certain point.

In these instances (especially the last), the fan community and scenario designers make up their own theories, which are usually not in accord with each other. Examples for this are the unexplored early ages of [[Humans|humanity]] (see [[Origin Question]]), the declining days of the [[Empire]], and most of the history of the [[Vahnatai]] - topics far removed from the game setting. However, such unclarities may crop up in more issues central to the games such as the founding of the [[Kingdom of Avernum]], or the [[Hawthorne dynasty]]. The most central conflict of all is probably the question regarding the name of the underground Kingdom - namely, [[Exile vs Avernum]].

Resolution of these issues, must come through some semblance of democratic consensus, as Jeff himself devotes little time to explaining the background of the world of Ermarian. Many such matters have been the root of bitter conflicts between established [[scenario designers]].

See also [[Canon]].

==Authority==

As the Encyclopedia has no affiliation with Spiderweb Software (see [[Encyclopedia Ermariana:General Disclaimer|Disclaimer]]), the information it provides has authority only to those that acknowledge it. Although attempts are made to distinguish between between information derived directly from the games (and thus part of the [[Game canon]]) and fan-created content through the use of the "Source" box, this is done only on a rough basis with entire articles, and not with individual facts or ideas that may have different sources.

It should be noted that [[Wikipedia:Jeff Vogel|Jeff Vogel]] himself has no intention of developing the background world outside of a game setting any time in the new future:

::''It <nowiki>[writing a book about the history of this world]</nowiki> is one of those things I would love to do. The problem is time. Between the multiple games I'm working on, other projects, and raising a toddler, I just don't have time for a lot of things it would be really cool to do. Sorry!''

::''- Jeff Vogel''
::''Spiderweb Software, Inc.'' [http://www.ironycentral.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=15;t=000191;p=2#000031 Source])

==History==

===Conception===

The idea for the Encyclopedia Ermariana was first come up with in a topic on the Spiderweb forums ([http://www.ironycentral.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=15;t=000191 Wish List for BoA]). The topic under discussion changed from a request for new features in the game Blades of Avernum to a request for Jeff to explore more of the Avernum world in a book. The actual suggestion for a coordinated project by fans came on July 17, 2003, which is therefore cited as the birth date of the Encyclopedia Ermariana.

===Geocities===

The first incarnation of the Encyclopedia was a site on [[Wikipedia:Geocities|Geocities]] that was established on or shortly before July 27, 2003. This site is still [http://www.geocities.com/arancaytar/frameset.html available].

The exact evolution of this site is explained in more detail on [[User:Arancaytar|Arancaytar]]'s user page. It started out with a collection of somewhat formatted text that had originally been part of a word document.

One of the earliest pages was preserved ([http://www.geocities.com/arancaytar/oldpage.html Old Index]), showing the old yellow text on dark background (another page that was kept is the [http://www.geocities.com/arancaytar/eecontent/language.html Languages Overview]).

This design was later changed to a white text on sky blue background in February 2004, which is still in use at the site. Over the course of two years, various adjustments to the menu and the page design were made (a javascript menu was made in May 2004), but the frame structure stayed roughly the same.

Some insight about the development of the geocities site can be gained from the old [http://www.geocities.com/arancaytar/eecontent/news.html News & Updates] page.

===Blogspot===

If you thought you knew all there is to know about the site's history, here's something new: Around Februar 2005, I looked into the possibility of using a [[Wikipedia:Blogger|Blogger]] blog to publish the news section, and perhaps even handle content that way. It could have worked too; with some readjustments what is intended to be used as a diary could have been made into an encyclopedia - but I abandoned that idea, because it would have been an insane amount of work and not really the suitable tool. The old site is still available at [http://ermarian.blogspot.com/2005/02/on-quickfire.html ermarian.blogspot.com].

===Wiki===

The idea is actually older than it seems. I must have thought of it in December 2004 or perhaps slightly later, after I first saw the [[NSWiki:Main Page|NationStates Wikipedia]], which is another fictional encyclopedia. A wiki system is far more effective to handle a compendium than a site managed by a single person who people email their entries to. However, I never really got around to installing a Wiki site until August 22, 2005.

Isle of Bigail

2008-08-24T01:12:03Z

W-dueck: Undo revision 6136 by CnabaSnotr (Talk) Fpam

User talk:Jerry bush

2008-08-24T01:11:38Z

W-dueck: Undo revision 6134 by LilioRcnad (Talk) Fpam

Talk:Alchemy

2008-08-22T00:36:59Z

W-dueck: Added Topic "Is this a mess-up?"

= Is this a mess-up? =

"blah blah blah ... allowed those masters to turn lead into gold ... blah blah blah.

No known books actually explain how to perform the act of transformation of gold into lead, although many have searched for the answer. "

I think it is, but I just want to make sure.

Adventurers

2008-08-21T23:30:33Z

W-dueck: Undo revision 6128 by BasalElchi (Talk) Fpam

Lower caves

2008-08-21T23:30:10Z

W-dueck: Undo revision 6129 by SitvaRzelb (Talk) Fpam

Ascent of Ironclad II

2008-08-21T23:28:56Z

W-dueck: Undo revision 6127 by VilidAroua (Talk) Fpam

Project:About

2008-08-21T15:43:42Z

W-dueck: Undo revision 6122 by RicelTdomd (Talk) Fpam! (abbreviated form of ****ing Spam)

==Purpose==

The Encyclopedia Ermariana is intended to be a knowledge base for the [[Wikipedia:Canon (fiction)|Canon]] of the world explored by the Exile/Avernum series by [[Wikipedia:Spiderweb Software|Spiderweb Software]]. Its name is derived from [[Ermarian]], the name that the fan community has coined for this world.

==Scope==

The primary purpose of the Encyclopedia is to build a complete, detailed picture of the world of Ermarian, its history, geography, creatures and cultures. As game canon lacks detail that must be filled in if the Encyclopedia is to be complete, it is necessary to include new content that is neither in the game nor can be derived from it.

===Canon===

''Main article: [[Canon]]''

Fan-invented content must not contradict the game canon, in letter or in spirit. Where the game canon exists, it has priority.

Information that is not dictated by the game canon, but which has become accepted tradition among most scenario designers (such as the name Ermarian) should be adhered to, but unlike game canon, it does not overrule other content automatically.

Whether fan-created content is included or not is determined by common sense and, in ambiguous cases, by an oligarchic decision among the older members.

===Scenarios===
Numerous user-created scenarios have been set inside Ermarian. The content that can be derived from them is treated as fan-created content.

===Conflicts and Contradictions===

Necessarily, the universe of Ermarian contains several unclear or ambiguous points; mainly where

#the games contradict themselves,
#the Avernum plotline differs from the Exile plotline
#no mention is made at all of a certain point.

In these instances (especially the last), the fan community and scenario designers make up their own theories, which are usually not in accord with each other. Examples for this are the unexplored early ages of [[Humans|humanity]] (see [[Origin Question]]), the declining days of the [[Empire]], and most of the history of the [[Vahnatai]] - topics far removed from the game setting. However, such unclarities may crop up in more issues central to the games such as the founding of the [[Kingdom of Avernum]], or the [[Hawthorne dynasty]]. The most central conflict of all is probably the question regarding the name of the underground Kingdom - namely, [[Exile vs Avernum]].

Resolution of these issues, must come through some semblance of democratic consensus, as Jeff himself devotes little time to explaining the background of the world of Ermarian. Many such matters have been the root of bitter conflicts between established [[scenario designers]].

See also [[Canon]].

==Authority==

As the Encyclopedia has no affiliation with Spiderweb Software (see [[Encyclopedia Ermariana:General Disclaimer|Disclaimer]]), the information it provides has authority only to those that acknowledge it. Although attempts are made to distinguish between between information derived directly from the games (and thus part of the [[Game canon]]) and fan-created content through the use of the "Source" box, this is done only on a rough basis with entire articles, and not with individual facts or ideas that may have different sources.

It should be noted that [[Wikipedia:Jeff Vogel|Jeff Vogel]] himself has no intention of developing the background world outside of a game setting any time in the new future:

::''It <nowiki>[writing a book about the history of this world]</nowiki> is one of those things I would love to do. The problem is time. Between the multiple games I'm working on, other projects, and raising a toddler, I just don't have time for a lot of things it would be really cool to do. Sorry!''

::''- Jeff Vogel''
::''Spiderweb Software, Inc.'' [http://www.ironycentral.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=15;t=000191;p=2#000031 Source])

==History==

===Conception===

The idea for the Encyclopedia Ermariana was first come up with in a topic on the Spiderweb forums ([http://www.ironycentral.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=15;t=000191 Wish List for BoA]). The topic under discussion changed from a request for new features in the game Blades of Avernum to a request for Jeff to explore more of the Avernum world in a book. The actual suggestion for a coordinated project by fans came on July 17, 2003, which is therefore cited as the birth date of the Encyclopedia Ermariana.

===Geocities===

The first incarnation of the Encyclopedia was a site on [[Wikipedia:Geocities|Geocities]] that was established on or shortly before July 27, 2003. This site is still [http://www.geocities.com/arancaytar/frameset.html available].

The exact evolution of this site is explained in more detail on [[User:Arancaytar|Arancaytar]]'s user page. It started out with a collection of somewhat formatted text that had originally been part of a word document.

One of the earliest pages was preserved ([http://www.geocities.com/arancaytar/oldpage.html Old Index]), showing the old yellow text on dark background (another page that was kept is the [http://www.geocities.com/arancaytar/eecontent/language.html Languages Overview]).

This design was later changed to a white text on sky blue background in February 2004, which is still in use at the site. Over the course of two years, various adjustments to the menu and the page design were made (a javascript menu was made in May 2004), but the frame structure stayed roughly the same.

Some insight about the development of the geocities site can be gained from the old [http://www.geocities.com/arancaytar/eecontent/news.html News & Updates] page.

===Blogspot===

If you thought you knew all there is to know about the site's history, here's something new: Around Februar 2005, I looked into the possibility of using a [[Wikipedia:Blogger|Blogger]] blog to publish the news section, and perhaps even handle content that way. It could have worked too; with some readjustments what is intended to be used as a diary could have been made into an encyclopedia - but I abandoned that idea, because it would have been an insane amount of work and not really the suitable tool. The old site is still available at [http://ermarian.blogspot.com/2005/02/on-quickfire.html ermarian.blogspot.com].

===Wiki===

The idea is actually older than it seems. I must have thought of it in December 2004 or perhaps slightly later, after I first saw the [[NSWiki:Main Page|NationStates Wikipedia]], which is another fictional encyclopedia. A wiki system is far more effective to handle a compendium than a site managed by a single person who people email their entries to. However, I never really got around to installing a Wiki site until August 22, 2005.

Isle of Bigail

2008-08-21T15:42:48Z

W-dueck: Undo revision 6123 by CnabaSnotr (Talk) That's a lot of Spam...

User talk:Jerry bush

2008-08-21T15:41:48Z

W-dueck: Undo revision 6121 by LilioRcnad (Talk) Spam

Magic

2008-08-19T22:34:14Z

W-dueck: /* Enchantment */ Spelling error in a link

Magic is the collective [[human]] term for nearly all phenomena that seem to violate or in any other way disregard the laws of nature. Magic itself, however, is split into as many different fields as any other science, and many of these are only barely related to each other.

== Spells ==

Virtually all magical fields rely on the use of magic [[spells]]. Spells are controlled, clearly defined processes that are activated at will by a certain sentient magician â€” the [[caster]] â€” and have a certain ''reproducible'' effect: Given the proper materials, knowledge and skill, any wizard could cause it.

While new spells are occasionally being invented in [[magical research]] laboratories â€” involving risky experiments â€” most spells are quite old and have long become part of the so-called [[spell canon]]. This canon is maintained and updated by a consortium at the imperial [[Schools of Magery|schools of magery]] in [[Pralgad]], and although the [[Tower of Magi]] in Avernum was never a formal member of this process, the peace treaty negotiated by [[Prazac]] and [[Micah I|Micah]] involved a limited exchange of knowledge and technologies between them, synchronizing the spell canon once again.

Spells, once invented (or rather discovered) by a wizard, are documented in a set of instructions and formulae. Sadly, these instructions have never followed a standardized notation, making the process of learning a spell anything from easy to an impossible feat depending on the instructions' clarity. [[Scrolls]] can be made that emulate most spell effects, but the process is quite a different one.

== Sources of Magic ==
There are three major components in a magical reaction. The '''caster''' channels and directs the power of a '''magical source''', causing a certain '''magical effect'''. The same source can typically be harnessed for a variety of effects; likewise, the same effect can be created using many different sources.

The most common source of magic is '''arcane'''. Wizards, and most other spellcasters, have learned to absorb the arcane energy that permeates everything. (This energy is densely present in energy [[potions]].) They can then release this energy in the form of a spell. '''Divine''' and '''demonic''' sources are tapped by [[priests]] and shamans. Finally, highly magical creatures such as [[dragons]] often have '''innate''' magic, a natural fount they are able to draw upon in order to use their abilities.

Sometimes magic-users employ an auxiliary source, which can greatly enhance their ability to shape a magical effect. [[Crystals]] are most commonly used for this purpose; of particular note and power are the [[Emerald]] of [[Avernum]] and the [[Crystal Souls]] of the [[Vahnatai]]. [[#Enchantment|Enchanted]] objects, such as jewelry, may be crafted just for this purpose. In some cases, objects with great size and complexity are used in this way, such as [[Teleportation#Augmenters|teleportation augmenters]].

== Fields of Magic ==
While the effects of individual spells can be quite diverse, most casters focus their magical learning on a single type of effect. This allows them to develop greater precision in manipulating the relevant magical forces. Some of the most prominent fields include:

=== Evocation of forces ===
Magical effects which are hard to categorize are often lumped into evocation, the broadest field of magic. Stricter definitions of evocation hold that it is limited to effects that deal solely with insubstantial forces. For this reason, its magic includes some of rawest, most powerful, and least delicate effects. Unlike other fields, its spells are rarely used in conjunction with nonmagical crafts.

There are two major branches of this field. The evocation of '''elemental forces''', the trademark of the mage, is concerned with the creation and control of fire, water, lightning, and so on. This also covers the creation of related substances, such as poison, acid, and [[quickfire]]. For all the power of a fireball, elemental forces are relatively easy to manipulate, perhaps explaining why nations like the [[Empire]] are so quick to control the teaching of magic. The magic innate to many beasts, such as [[dragons]] and [[Lizards#Drakes|drakes]], also belongs in this category.

The '''manipulation of energy''' covers effects that harness raw force, such as [[magic barriers]] and basic magical shields, as well as those that organize magical energy for a specific purpose, such as disrupting other magic.

Evocation is very widely used. It is honed by battlefront mages like [[Silverio]], [[Mairwen]], Konig, and Kyanan, and slobbered over by adventurers, though it is also a field in which the expertise of archmages like [[Rentar-Ihrno]] is readily apparent.

=== Divination ===
Specialists: [[Athron]], [[Aimee]], [[Patrick]], [[Aydin]], [[Thompson]]

Divination is the field of magic concerned with gathering information. For the most part, that means [[scrying]]. It also extends to spiritual projection, and the [[identification]] of [[:Category:items|items]] and [[:Category:bestiary|monsters]].

Mages practiced in this field are able to scry at vastly greater distances, and are often sought after by military operations for the great strategic advantage this can provide. Career mage-sages, however, tend to be recluses, often using their magic to hide from others.

=== Teleportation ===
Specialists: [[Mahdavi]], [[Vidrain]], [[Seles]], [[Ernest]]

See [[Teleportation]]. Teleportation is the art of moving things from one place to another, usually via portals. It is a complex and difficult field, but is intensely studied because of its many practical applications.

=== Warding ===
Specialists: [[Garzahd]], [[Enla]], [[Rone]], [[Elderan]]

Most spells, when cast, have an effect which takes place immediately. In a warding spell, the spell effect is instead woven together with an object or creature. The resulting ward functions similarly to an enchantment, and can be activated later under certain conditions. Unlike enchantments, wards simply attach themselves to their target; they do not actually alter it.

Wards are permanent. They require intricate construction; nonmagical aids such as [[runes]] and tattoos are usually employed to help guide their creation. Wards are very difficult to remove without damaging the object or creature they have been placed on.

Some applications of warding include magical locks and traps, [[guardian runes]], augmentations to [[magic barriers]], certain powerful seals, and [[curses]].

=== Necromancy ===
Specialists: [[Nekaros]], Hrickis, Nociduas

Necromantic magic is that which concerns the life force. Technically, this includes most healing magic and many spiritual rituals. However, because such magic is practiced mainly by [[priests]], the field has instead come to refer solely to two of its darker aspects: death spells which drain life force, and the creation and control of the [[undead]].

=== Demonology ===
Specialists: [[Garzahd]], [[Linda]]

See [[Demons]]. Demonological magic attempts to summon, bind, and otherwise manipulate demons, who make powerful servants. It is inherently dangerous, in that the user is pitting his own magical skills against the often considerable skills of a demon, and it is forbidden by the [[Empire]] and the [[Kingdom of Avernum]]. It does not include exorcism and disruptive spells, which are evocative magic.

=== Psionics ===
Specialists: [[Solberg]], [[Crystal Souls]]

A relatively demanding field neglected by most magic-users, of which [[Cheeseball]] once said: "It's like playing chess, but with hot irons shoved through your mind." Significant psionic magic includes dumbfounding, terror and charm spells, the delusions caused by [[rakshasi]], [[mindduel]]ing, telepathy, and mindreading (a secret of the [[Vahnatai]]). Crystal Souls are particularly reliant on the field as they can ''only'' communicate through telepathy.

=== Transformation ===
Specialists: [[Erika]], [[Rentar-Ihrno]], [[X]]

The most complex and difficult of all magical arts, transformation is only undertaken by the greatest archmagi, and then at a tremendous effort. Transformation can permanently alter the structure and form of just about anything, and it is capable of doing so throughout a great area.

When precision is not required, other arts, particularly evocation and stone shaping, can often duplicate its effects more easily. For that reason, transformation is usually used for delicate operations, in particular slight modifications of plants and animals. It has even been used to alter entire species at once.

It was transformative magic that created [[glowing fungus]], fast-growing [[mushrooms]], [[cavewood]], [[aranea]], mutant [[giants]], many of the [[plagues]] of Valorim, the [[sea monsters]] of [[Exile]], and greater [[Black Shades]]. Lesser transformation, such as the creation of automatonic [[living statues]] and [[golems]], is more widely practiced by magi.

=== Enchantment ===
Known practitioners: [[X]], [[Enla]], [[Ostoth]], [[Pathass]], [[Sulfras]]

The production and enchantment of [[artifacts]], or powerful magical items that usually carry a permanent enchantment, is another field which is hard to master. However, this field also has its simpler parts â€” the enchantment of blades or armor with extra protection or special abilities, and the crafting of less powerful jewelry items like Rings of Shielding. The more powerful and experienced enchanters have little time for such trifles, and instead spend their lives creating legendary objects like [[blessed athame]]s, the blade [[Demonslayer]] or the [[Orb of Thralni]].

Enchantment requires tremendous resources to be successful. For this reason, the [[Kingdom of Avernum]] was completely unable to support the craft until after the [[Empire-Avernum War]], when it was able to secure more magical resources from the [[Empire]] and the [[Vahnatai]].

=== Item Crafting ===

This field extends both to the production of [[wands]] and [[scrolls]]. Some would extend this field to magical crystals as well, but these have their own classification.

=== Crystallomancy ===

=== Stone Shaping ===

== Related Skills ==

'''[[Alchemy]]''', by laypersons sometimes believed to be limited to the synthesis of gold or other precious materials, in fact extends to any process by which components are mixed and undergo an alchemical change to form a so-called [[potion]]. These potions are usually made to be ingested, but can be quite versatile in their field of application.

'''Familiars'''

== See Also ==
* [[Magic in the Empire]]
* [[Schools of Magery]]

{{stub}}
[[Category:Magic]]
[[Category:In Progress]]

Timeline of Ermarian

2008-08-19T04:12:36Z

W-dueck: Undo revision 6072 by VidomC4tpa (Talk) Spam

{{apocrypha|source=[[Ermarian canon]]}}
This article provides a general timeline of historical events in [[Ermarian]]. This timeline refers mainly to events relevant to [[humans]] and human nations.

For information on the measurement of time in Ermarian, see [[Pralgadian Calendar]], [[Before Pralgad]], and [[Imperial Era]].

==Before Pralgad==
*250 BP — [[Zion I]] becomes [[Emperor]] of the [[Aizoan Empire]]
*~100 BP — [[Aizoan Empire]] collapses
*~25 BP — [[Motrax]] born

==House Sol==
*0 IE — [[Empire]] declared on [[Pralgad]] by [[Sol I]]
*48 IE — [[Sol II]] becomes [[Emperor]]
*102 IE — [[Sol III]] becomes [[Emperor]]

==House Ironclad==
*132 — [[Ironclad I]] becomes [[Emperor]]
*201 — [[Viceroy I]] becomes [[Emperor]]
*204 — [[Viceroy I]] assassinated
*206 — Imperial Council disbanded; [[Empire]] provinces ruled by royal houses
*209 — [[Dorian Kylen]] declares himself Emperor and seizes [[Imperius]]
*211 - 229 — [[The Ascent of Ironclad II|Pralgadian War of Succession]]
*229 — [[Ironclad II]] becomes [[Emperor]]
*~250 — [[Morog]] becomes a [[liches|lich]]
*259 — [[Ironclad III]] becomes [[Emperor]]
*261 - 277 — [[Empire]] leads [[Extermination of Non-Humans|extermination campaign]] against [[giants]]
*281 — [[Ironclad IV]] becomes [[Emperor]]
*309 — [[Ironclad V]] becomes [[Emperor]]
*322 - 342 — [[Empire]] leads [[Extermination of Non-Humans|extermination campaign]] against [[nephilim]]
*357 — [[Ironclad VI]] becomes [[Emperor]]
*~376 - 386 — [[Empire]] leads [[Extermination of Non-Humans|extermination campaign]] against [[troglodytes]]
*379 — [[Anama]] Church founded
*~390 — [[Imperial Navy]] created
*405 — [[Ironclad VII]] becomes [[Emperor]] and issues decree against the [[Anama]]
*406 — [[Ironclad VII]] rounds up and jails [[Anama]]
*406 - 437 — [[Anama War]]
*~422 — [[Vahnatai]] [[Resting]] begins
*437 — [[Vantanas]] discovered by [[Imperial Navy]]
*441 - 535 — [[Discovery and Conquest of Vantanas|Vantanas explored and conquered]]
*450 — [[Ironclad VIII]] becomes [[Emperor]]
*467 — [[Ironclad IX]] becomes [[Emperor]]
*499 — [[Ironclad X]] becomes [[Emperor]]
*530 — [[Ironclad XI]] becomes [[Emperor]]
*535 — [[Ironclad XII]] becomes [[Emperor]]
*587 — [[Ironclad XIII]] becomes [[Emperor]]
*~600 — [[Valorim]] discovered by [[Empire]]

==House Strongarm==
*608 - 647 — [[Discovery and Conquest of Valorim|Northern reaches of Valorim conquered and settled]] and [[Ratbane Clan]] destroyed.
*615 — [[Strongarm I]] becomes [[Emperor]]
*~617 — [[Darkling]] [[sliths]] banished from the [[slithzerikai homeland]]; [[Bahssikava]] settled
*640 — [[Morrow's Isle]] settled
*658 — [[Strongarm II]] becomes [[Emperor]]
*672 — [[Stewart I]] becomes [[Emperor]]
*681 — [[Empire]] capital moved from [[Imperius]] to [[Solaria]]
*722 — [[Stewart II]] becomes [[Emperor]]
*727 — First [[Sss-Thsss]] killed by Calindor
*740 — [[Empire]] establishes feudal state on [[Morrow's Isle]]
*~747 — The disastrous [[First Expedition]] to [[Exile]]
*~755 — [[Chimney]] settled by [[Harfloot]]
*762 — [[Skylark School of Magery]] closed, leaving poisons behind

==House Hawthorne==
*763 — [[Hawthorne II]] becomes [[Emperor]]
*767 — [[Exile]] used as prison by [[Empire]]
*776 — The first members of [[the Five]] are [[exiled]]; [[Tower of Magi]] built with first [[Triad]] of [[Erika]], [[Patrick]], and [[Solberg]]
*777 —
**[[Kingdom of Avernum]] founded by [[Micah]]
**[[Sss-Thoss]] makes pact with [[Grah-Hoth]]. [[Bahssikava]] destroyed by a [[cavequake]]; [[Nolagh-Kahv]] enslaves [[Demon#Types_of_Demons|imps]] and dead Bahssikavans there; [[Lost Bahssikava]] founded; [[Vasskolis]] refounded.
*777 - 817 — [[First Slith War]]
*779 — [[The Five]] lead [[Avernum]] in an attack on [[Akhronath]] and seal [[Grah-Hoth]] in [[Skarragath]]
*780 [[Avernum]] takes the [[Great Cave]] and founds the [[Castle]]
*783 — [[Anama]] Church refounded by [[Ahonar]] on newly settled [[Isle of Bigail]]
*791 — [[Hawthorne III]] becomes [[Emperor]]
*810 — [[Linda]] and [[X]] replace [[Erika]] and [[Patrick]] on the [[Triad]]
*~813 — [[Krizsan Province]] settled
*816 — [[Anastasia]]'s [[nephilim]] steal the [[gold necklace]] from [[Formello]]; [[Solberg]] flees [[Tower of Magi]]

==Interregnum==
*817 —
**[[Linda]] summons [[Adze]].
**Second [[Sss-Thsss]] slain and [[Grah-Hoth]] defeated by [[Hawthorne's Assassins]]. [[Lost Bahssikava]]'s failed expedition to the [[slithzerikai homeland]].
**[[Hawthorne III]] assassinated by [[Erika Redmark]] and [[Hawthorne's Assassins]]. [[Prazac I]] becomes [[Empress]]; [[Garzahd]] acts as regent.
*818 — [[Mahdavi]] replaces [[Linda]] on the [[Triad]]
*820 - 821 — Exploratory [[Empire]] forces steal [[Crystal Souls]], destroy [[Lost Bahssikava]], build [[Kothtar]], etc.
*822 - 824 — [[Empire-Avernum War]]
*822 — [[Vahnatai]] [[Resting]] ends; [[Empire]] conquers [[Abyss]]
*823 — Barriers afflict [[Exile]]; [[Cotra]] and [[mass teleporter]] destroyed; [[Crystal Souls]] rescued; [[Garzahd]] assassinated by [[Empire War Heroes]]
*824 — [[Vahnatai]] reinforce [[Avernum]]; [[Empire]] withdraws

==Prazac I==
*825 — [[Athron]]'s brood hatches
*826 - 827 — [[Chimney]] civil war
*827 — [[Galthrax]] begins attacks on [[Vasskolis]]
*831 — [[Upper Avernum]] settled by [[Avernites]]
*832 —
**[[Plagues]] of [[Valorim]] set loose by [[Rentar-Ihrno]]; [[Keep of Tinraya]] destroyed
**First party of [[Surface Explorers]] recruited by [[Unspecified Services]]
*833 —
**[[Tower of Magi disaster]].
**[[Surface Explorers]] destroy [[Plagues]] of [[Rentar-Ihrno]], who kills [[Erika Redmark]]; [[Reconciliation]] between the [[Empire]] and [[Avernum]]
*834 — [[Kelner]] and [[Seletine]] replace [[Mahdavi]] and [[Solberg]] on the [[Triad]]
*835 — Lord [[Volpe]] takes over [[Morrow's Isle]]
*836 —
**[[Yvoss-Tai]] uprising; [[Groul]]'s coup in [[Chimney]] fails.
**[[King Micah]] dies and the [[Council of Avernum]] assumes control.
*837 — [[Temple of the Goddess]] built; [[Gnass]] attacks [[Lost Bahssikava]]; [[Legare]] leads [[sliths]] to [[Bahssikava]] and [[Vasskolis]]; [[Nolagh-Kahv]] and [[Galthrax]] defeated
*838 - 848 — [[Second Slith War]]
*838 - present — [[Hill Runners]] revolt; civil war on [[Morrow's Isle]]
*839 — [[Redmark College]] founded
*842 — [[Skylark Vale]] poisons purged by [[adventurers]].
*843 — [[Encyclopedia Ermariana]] first published
*844 — Lord [[Volpe]] assassinated on [[Morrow's Isle]].
*846 — [[Starrus]] becomes [[King of Avernum]]
*855 — [[Rentar-Ihrno]] enacts [[retribution]] against [[Avernum]] and is defeated by the [[Shade-Killers]]
*870 — [[Darkside Loyalists]] assassinate [[Prazac I]].

==Interregnum==
*875 — [[Present Day]]

[[Category:History]]

Lower caves

2008-08-19T04:03:50Z

W-dueck: Undo revision 6115 by SitvaRzelb (Talk) Spam

Adventurers

2008-08-19T04:03:21Z

W-dueck: Undo revision 6114 by BasalElchi (Talk) Spam