Arcanists (Library)

**Arcanists** lists all relevant cortex entries of Society sub section found in the Library main section of the Cortex.

## Collection Details

A total of **22** cortex entries make reference to the Arcanists.

The following Cortex Entries tell about the Arcanists and how they operate and what they do as a Faction.

## Arcanists (1)

*See Cortex Entry: Arcanists (1) for More Details*

Arcanists are scientists, researchers, and scholars who study the mysteries of the world, from wildlife to Shaper instruments. While some are found teaching in classrooms, others spend their lives solving Shaper mysteries in the wilderness. They have long preserved the collected knowledge of humanity and consider their studies a spiritual and moral duty.

After the destruction of the library of Dunar. Arcanists published a common book of accumulated learning, known as Concordance. It stands as their most prolific work and a new edition is published annually.

## Arcanists (2)

*See Cortex Entry: Arcanists (2) for More Details*

The very ground upon which we build our homes has betrayed us, but we cannot blame the world for our troubles. The world is what it is. We shape what we can, and adapt to the rest. We must be prepared, and we must have eyes that can see what's coming. My dear hope is that my devices, like seeds planted in the deep stone, will grow and bear fruit. My hope is that they will keep my home safe.

— Neth Stelus, speaking to the Council of Mentors in Antium on the establishment of underground beacons beneath Fort Tarsis. Transcript.

## Arcanists (3)

*See Cortex Entry: Arcanists (3) for More Details*

The Symposium of Anshar? Ah, yes. Supposedly a council of Arcanists who wish to restore the order to “the glory of the age of Anshar.” A ridiculous notion. The order is not failing. It does not need to be restored. We are not the Arcanists of Anshar, not should we aim to be. Times have changed, and we change with them. Those who cleave blindy to the ways of the past are misguided and doomed to stagnation. If this Symposium exists, if this is their goal, then they have willfully chosen to make themselves useless.

— From the writing of Arcanist Phylla Rea

## Arcanists (4)

*See Cortex Entry: Arcanists (4) for More Details*

Once a thing exists, there will always be people who want it changed. To create is an act of celestial will, but to remove something by word or deed is an act of violence. Others should seek to improve, not destroy. To build rather than bring down. The best way forward can never be agreed on, but some would rather step toward disaster than remain still.

— Arcanist Neth Stelus, taken from final remarks at the trial of Arcanist Haer Baul. Transcript.

## Arcanists (5)

*See Cortex Entry: Arcanists (5) for More Details*

We belong out there, where the world is. Not behind the white walls of the city. True discoveries—those that will further us and strengthen us—are waiting for the brave few willing to risk everything to enhance our understanding. Some of my esteemed colleagues do not agree. To them I say, either we find the dangers, or wait for them to find us.

## Arcanists (6)

*See Cortex Entry: Arcanists (6) for More Details*

Look beyond what you see, for the truth hides behind it. For those who hold power through lies count those who pursue truth as the enemy. At its center, the Arcanist movement is about truth. Often, truth does not serve those who hold sway over society, or those elements that sought that control. The truth then becomes an inconvenience at best, a threat at worst. Arcanists have often hid their truth and developed many ways to obscure their discoveries from prying and sometimes undeserving eyes.

— From Searching for Reality: An Overview of Arcanist History by Arcanist Bach Jamoon

## Augurs

*See Cortex Entry: Augurs for More Details*

The augurs hold a unique place among Arcanists, as theirs is the only discipline devoted entirely to repurposing Shaper relics. Many schools study relics to understand their effects in shaping the geology and ecology of our world. Others study relics to unlock the principles of the energy they use. Historians often study Shaper ruins and relics to document their place in our own history. Some scholars do so to seek a better understanding of the Anthem of Creation itself. However, all these schools will ultimately leave the mechanisms of the Shapers unaltered

For the augur, the theoretical holds no allure. They are the tinkerers of relics. Their work is the most closely guarded of all our research, and the threat it poses to those nearby is the sole reason we locate our Academies in such remote places. Only augur devices that have been certified as stable can be removed from the Academy for any reason, and this certification is rarely given.

— From the writings of Arcanist Phylla Rea

## Doctor Harken (1)

*See Cortex Entry: Doctor Harken (1) for More Details*

Little is known about Doctor Harken, a Dominion Arcanist, except for his spectacular and infamous failed experiment conducted during the invasion of Freemark. According to survivors, he was personally responsible for activating the Cenotaph, unleashing the Heart of Rage, and leveling the city.

## Doctor Harken (2)

*See Cortex Entry: Doctor Harken (2) for More Details*

"I got one last look at the Cenotaph as the Dominion filled the chamber... and what I saw filled me with a dread that still wakes me up at night. The most terrifying thing wasn't the ring of black-armored lancers closing in. It wasn't the machines they dragged in that looked like they'd been built to torture animals. It was the Arcanist. He stood in the center of all of it and just... smiled."

— *Survivor's account of the Battle of Freemark*

## Matthias Erryl Sumner (1)

*See Cortex Entry: Matthias Erryl Sumner (1) for More Details*

Brilliant and curious, Arcanist Matthias Erryl Sumner believes that humans can only survive their chaotic world by gaining a deeper understanding of Shaper instruments. Now a well-known researcher, Matthias was once an orphaned child on the streets of Heliost.

## Matthias Erryl Sumner (2)

*See Cortex Entry: Matthias Erryl Sumner (2) for More Details*

If the physical world is governed by immutable rules—no two things can exist at the same point in space and time, an object can only exert force proportional to its mass—then theoretically, one could predict the outcome of events, if one had perfect knowledge of surrounding conditions, the governing laws, and the computational resources required for such a complex calculation.

“What about human choice and free will? People introduce an element of chaos. You can’t predict thought.” —Matti

We can’t be certain of that. We are made of matter, and thus our thoughts, which are produced by something material, must have some material presence, even if we can’t perceive it ourselves.

“Okay, so the Auspex can do all this, up to a point. But what is it for?” —Sumner

The applications are limited only by our imagination,

— Handwritten notes. Arcanist Erryl Sumner.

## Matthias Erryl Sumner (3)

*See Cortex Entry: Matthias Erryl Sumner (3) for More Details*

Of course! Of course the Arcanists would need a way to pass messages to each other—a method known only to other Arcanists, that could keep dangerous knowledge from the eyes of enemies.

The runes could be encoded with information about the area they were placed in. They could contain anything: notes, warnings, a random observation. Like annotations, or footnotes in a book. Nothing would ever be lost. Those that followed could read and understand what has been learned before.

— From Matthis Sumner's journal

## Matthias Erryl Sumner (4)

*See Cortex Entry: Matthias Erryl Sumner (4) for More Details*

I've done a lot of field work. You must if you want to see the world up close. The truth won't fall into your lap. Sometimes you need sturdy boots and a sharp knife to find it. It's not easy or safe to tell the truth, but you can't have it both ways. If you're searching for something, you can't stay in one place. So when I say there are things out there that scare me, things we don't understand, that should scare you too. I mean it.

— Arcanist Matthias Sumner

## Matthias Erryl Sumner (5)

*See Cortex Entry: Matthias Erryl Sumner (5) for More Details*

Matti: "Wait, wait, wait—this can't be multiplication. You're surly, and I'm not, he's he..."
Sumner: "Cleaved in three is what's happened."
Erryl: "Division. Of course. An inverse function of—"
Witness: "The Manifold divided you?"

— Excerpt from recordings pertaining to the "Manifold Incident", Fort Tarsis.

## The Elysian Manuscript (1)

*See Cortex Entry: The Elysian Manuscript (1) for More Details*

The priceless, lost volume of ancient Arcanist knowledge. Finding the manuscript would bring wide acclaim and many have conducted obsessive, failed searches.

Arcanist Dac Semper one wrote: “I spent a year poring over old documents, hoping that I could be the one to bring the manuscript's wisdom back to the world. All my searching was fruitless, and I chose to surrender and accept that it would never be found. We must all grow up sometime, and shed our childish notions.”

## The Elysian Manuscript (2)

*See Cortex Entry: The Elysian Manuscript (2) for More Details*

In our explorations, we discovered a class of Shaper instrument, which we now refer to as the Complecting Inciter.

This instrument was often attached to a construct as a modifier, augmenting or multiplying the effect of the base construct. Removing the Inciter from the attached construct often resulted in unforeseen consequences. In one case, the Arcanist leading the expedition found himself able to perceive events occurring in four places simultaneously. In another, a nearby wolven was struck by a stray bolt of energy and grew a second head. Observing Arcanists were almost as confused by the development as the affected wolven.

Research on Complecting Inciters and their safe usage is ongoing. Currently, we have focused our efforts on a stable inciter located within a large Shaper structure in Bastion.

— From The Elysian Manuscript

## The Elysian Manuscript (3)

*See Cortex Entry: The Elysian Manuscript (3) for More Details*

The Arcanist's first obligation is to humanity. We seek knowledge, so that it may cast light into shadowed corners, and bring order to chaos. Thus, I have compiled my work and that of esteemed colleagues into this manuscript, hoping that it proves useful to all in solving the brilliant, vexing puzzle of our world. May your path always lead you to a greater understanding.

— From The Elysian Manuscript Foreword by Raban Maur

## The Search for the Lost Tomb (1)

*See Cortex Entry: The Search for the Lost Tomb (1) for More Details*

Dear Mother,

It is the second week of our expedition to find the Tomb of Tarsis, and my initial excitement has turned to frustration. Any clues the Fortress of Dawn may provide are locked inside. My mentor thinks there must be a piece we're missing—perhaps a key or lock or some technology that's been lost over time. If only we had Dunar's library. The loss of that city has left a hole in our history. Yet I'm glad to be here, not counting the wyvern and tesilars. The company is most fetching and our catering has been superb.

Love to Dad

Blais

## The Search for the Lost Tomb (2)

*See Cortex Entry: The Search for the Lost Tomb (2) for More Details*

Dear Mother,

I'm in Anshar! Well, Shadowmark. Vassa really knew how to build things, let me tell you. We've started our excavation in Helena's Walk. If the General's spirit was seen here, surely her tomb is nearby. Uncle Felton's Arcanist tools are really coming in handy. Everyone is quite jealous of my tiny brushes, which makes me feel shamefully smug.

Love to Dad

Blais

## The Search for the Lost Tomb (3)

*See Cortex Entry: The Search for the Lost Tomb (3) for More Details*

Dear Mother,

Today, I found some interesting markings carved into a tree that I thought could be Arcanist runes. However, my compatriots only seem to find amusement in my discovery. It seems to me that "Ea T poO" could indeed be an important message, but the others assured me that such missives are common, and that we are looking for hidden messages, not obvious ones. But, I think it's genius. Hiding in plain sight isn't a bad idea is it?

Love to Dad

Blais

## The Search for the Lost Tomb (4)

*See Cortex Entry: The Search for the Lost Tomb (4) for More Details*

Dear Mother,

I'm lucky to be alive to write you at all. We encountered a Swarm Tyrant this morning and I've never experienced anything more horrible. Of our five lancer protectors, only one survived. I barely made into our strider. I suppose I knew what I was getting into, leaving Antium, but such adventures are much scarier than they seem in stories. I can't wait to come home.

Love to Dad

Blais

## The Search for the Lost Tomb (5)

*See Cortex Entry: The Search for the Lost Tomb (5) for More Details*

Dear Mother,

It appears our current hunt has been misguided. What we thought was a map to the last resting place of General Tarsis has turned out to be a fake. Why would anyone create a fake map? If someone took the time to fashion a false trail, they must truly be hiding wonders indeed. Oh, well. We've decided to venture to Fortuo to follow another lead. I've heard such things about Fortuo! And who doesn't enjoy a trip to the seaside?

Love to Dad

Blais