Illumineer

## Illumineers

Illumineers inside the Great Illuminary; Disney Lorcana TCG: The Power of an Illumineer, Ravensburger North America YouTube Channel.

# Illumineer

## History of Illumineers

### The Work of the "Original Illumineers"[2.1.1]

A man known as "the Curator" had an objective "to collect and reimagine stories by harnessing the power of story stars," as well as "to collect and preserve lore"[2.1.1] He either built or retrofitted the Great Illuminary to help him in this task; adding devices to collect the story stars and a "reservoir" to hold ink.[2.1.1] In the course of his work, the Curator assembled "a small group of imaginative apprentices," whom *he named* Illumineers, to assist him in combining story stars & ink "to create glimmers" of "characters and items"[2.1.1] While it is not known wherter the Curator himself is an illumineer, these first illumineers were the ones who "originally were there"; [11] suggesting that first ones able to visit the Illuminary itself. These particular glimmers, as well as "the lorebooks they're inkcast[ed] out of," became commonplace within the Illuminary and were considered to be "especially valuable lore in Lorcana."[2.1.1] These particular illumineers, "in the early days of the illuminary," would study individuals glimmers "to learn about their stories." [11] These illumineers would use this information to "better record" the stories. [11]

#### The Disappearance of the *Original Illumineers*

After multiple "ages"--of an unspecified length of time--both the Curator and these "original illumineers" have disappeared. [2.1.1] While it is not known by anyone why the Curator & the *original illumineers* disappeared, the *illumineers* themselves apparently choose to *abandon* the Great Illuminary. [11] By the "age of empty hallways"--immediately prior to the eventual age of "new illumineers"--most of the character glimmers have also apparently vanished from the Illuminary; apart from "the occasional magic broom." [2.1.1, 3.1.1]

### Summoning "New Illumineers" [2.1.1]

Despite the disappearance of the *original illumineers,* there would be "new illumineers" *summoned* by an *awakened* "power deep within the Great Illuminary" [2.1.1] as "the illuminary itself is trying to" understand some "strange" thing which has occured. [11] These *new illumineers* would also take up the Curator's goal "to collect and preserve lore." [2.1.1] The summoning of these *new illumineers* was apparently the start of a new "age" and their members would include Shanzay, Martin, [See Note 2] Venturo, an unnamed Mickey summoner, along with other "new arrivals." [2.1.1, 3.1.1, 4.1, 5.1] These *new illumineers* were primarily, if not entirely, from the same unidentified world [See Note 4] and immediately "begin to learn the magic of Lorcana," a process that would apparently be essential to later "figure out the mystery" of the *occurance* that caused the illuminary to summon them.[11] These *illumineers* are considered to be a "new generation of illumineers," [11] but the importance of a *generation* is not yet known.

#### The Story Begins [4.2] & The Power of an Illumineer [4.3]

Shanzay was one of the *new illumineers* to be summoned, appearing, as typical for an illumineer, into the Great Illuminary's Portal Room[4.2, 4.3, 6]. Soon she made her way to a different room where she encountered Martin & Venturo, both of which were already equipped with gear.[4.3] Venturo gestured to a machine in the center of the room, which started to draw & direct *story stars* from the outside nebula[6] through an exit on top of a nearby balcony.[4.3] A groove[7] underneath Shanzay was activated, which she then followed through that same room where the story stars were being directed. As Shanzay arrived at an inkcasting station,[8] the materials running through the groove & story stars were directed towards the machinery surrounding a nearby lorebook, upon which lay an inkcaster.[4.3] Once Shanzay picked up the inkcaster, its own grooves began to glow, and she then striked it on the ground--causing an pale ink to flow into the grooves on the lorebook.[4.3] Once the power of the story stars were added, the steel glimmer & dreamborn Hercules (True Hero) began to appear, prompting Shanzay to use her inkcaster to fully summon him in front of her.[4.3] After Martin & Venturo joined Shanzay & Hercules, all four of them were surprised by the sudden, large amount of story star power being added to the lorebook.[4.3] As the resulting brightness of the room peaked, Shanzay raised her inkcaster above her head.[4.3]

### The *Flood*

The disastrous ink flood was apparently predicted by a prophecy painted upon the walls of the Portal Room. [3.1.1, 4.2, 4.3, 6. See Note 1] The exact origins of the flood are a mystery, but it seems to have been the result of multiple factors. One factor is that of "a violent explosion" right before the flooding. [1.1.2]

#### A Mysterious Locked Lorebook [4.4] & An Ink Flood Unleashed [4.5]

One day, Martin walked into a darkly lit room in the Illuminary that was overgrown with mysterious plant-looking shapes with occasional dark droplets hanging around them--suspended in air.[4.4] The closed lorebook (& its bookstand) in the center of the room was covered with a coral-like substance, much of which had grown on a pool of amethyst ink on its cover.[4.4] The cover was locked with a device with six tubes placed evenly around a circular portion.[4.4] These tubes glowed dim colors in sync with some quiet music.[4.4] Martin's own amber & emerald inkcaster begin to glow, and he began playing his inkcaster's strings in tune as well.[4.4] His notes apparently resonated with & unlocked the lorebook, which opened to allow a large dark force to burst outwards & over him.[4.4] Around the same time, Venturo was in the Hall of Lorcana examining "a coin that was so lucky it could alter the very laws of probability," when Basil drew Venturo's attention towards a "Sumerian talisman."[1.1.2] Also around the same moment, Shanzay was about to use her inkcaster when "the floor beneath her rumbles," urging her to *sprint* "out from her inkcasting station"; allowing her to see & offer help to an unfamiliar illumineer. [3.1.1] She notices "the runins of a shattered ink column beyond and ink spilling across the floor. [3.1.1] Upon attempting to write "a quick note," Venturo noticed the Hall began shaking and was unsuccessful in protecting Basil from the sudden *flood* of "mixed ink"*;* causing Basil to *shift* into Basil (Great Mouse Detective).[1.1.2, 5.7. See Note 3] Back with Martin, the dark force disappear, leaving the lorebook glowing a purple hue as a *flood* of ink began poaring from above him as the room began collasping.[4.5] Shocked for a moment, Martin leaves the room.[4.5] Back with Venturo, he just watched Cinderella (Ballroom Sensation) [5.2] start to *shift* into Cinderella (Stouthearted) [5.10]--but was carried by "the river of ink" out of the Hall of Lorcana & towards "a jagged hole" in "the outer wall of the Illuminary."[1.1.2, 4.5] Martin, running down a hallway, halted upon seeing another rush of ink head towards him--carrying many items of lore with it.[4.5] Escaping to under a nearby archway, Martin noticed a glowing trident in the flood & tried to reach for it.[4.5] However, he heard Venturo yell[1.1.2] & pulled him to safety instead.[1.1.2, 4.5] Realizing that they were standing on a balcony, Martin & Venturo watched the *flood's* effects on the Inklands as they were joined by Shanzay, the storyborn Raya (Warrior of Kumandra) [5.6] and the floodborns The Queen (Commanding Presence) [5.3] & Cinderella (Stouthearted).[1.1.2, 4.5, 5.10]

## Abilities of Illumineers

Illumineers possess "the ability to use magic ink," which they at least use to "summon glimmers." [9, 10] The specific *summoning of* character *glimmers* "off of the page" is an ability called *lorcana*, which appears to refer to the "magic of" the realm of the same name. [11] It is not clear whether this ability is inherent or requires the use of an inkcaster. [4.3]

## Jobs of Illumineers

Illumineers have a number of responsibilities, many of which are apparent supplements to their other individual activities. In other words, something that a certain illumineer does is apparently meant to directly support that same illumineer. For instance, the glimmers that an illumineer summons may "go on a quest" with that same illumineer. [9, 10] It is likely on these quests where illumineers "collect and [afterwards] preserve lore." [2.1.1] Some illumineers, such as Venturo, also study lore in the Hall of Lorcana. [1.1.2]

## Magic of Lorcana [1.1.2]

“A swirl of colorful starlight appears, growing brighter and brighter until it is all you can see. When the burst of light subsides, you find yourself in a wondrous new place. Welcome to the Great Illuminary, the center of a magical realm called Lorcana.

The Illuminary summoned you here because of your powerful imagination. You follow a pulsing line of light through curving hallways and numerous rooms to emerge into a vast atrium. A mechanism there towers over an open book. Sparkling down from above is a stream of colorful story stars, each containing fragments of Disney stories.

Nearby, a unique tool catches your eye. It's an inkcaster, and When you pick it up, it feels both exciting and familiar. Instinctively, you hold it high above the open book. Magical ink pulsing with energy flows through the mechanism and combines with the light from a story star on a page of the lorebook in front of you, creating an image of a Disney character.

With the power of your inkcaster, the image rises off the page. This is a glimmer, a new version of the character that only exists in this world. As an Illumineer, you can create glimmers of characters and items to add to the lore of Lorcana-a treasure that must be preserved and protected at all costs.

Soon, other Illumineers across the globe will be called to the aid of Lorcana. You'll summon glimmers to quest with you as you search for missing lore in a race against time. Only together can you protect this wondrous realm from threats.

Will you answer the call?” - Disneylorcana.com, Story, Magic of Lorcana

## References

1. Official Website of Lorcana by Ravensburger (disneylorcana.com)
	1. Story
		1. Magic of Lorcana
		2. The Roar of Rushing Ink
2. Disney Lorcana: "The First Chapter," Illumineer's Trove
	1. Player's Guide
		1. "The World of Lorcana," pp. 1-3
3. Disney Lorcana: "Rise of the Floodborn," Illumineer's Trove
	1. Player's Guide
		1. "The Flood Unleased," pp. 1-5
4. Trailers
	1. Disney Lorcana Teaser Trailer - English - YouTube
	2. The Story Begins (Disney Lorcana TCG Teaser) - YouTube
	3. Disney Lorcana TCG: The Power of an Illumineer - YouTube
	4. A Mysterious Locked Lorebook - YouTube
	5. An Ink Flood Unleashed | Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game Trailer - YouTube
5. Disney Lorcana TCG Companion: Official Disney Lorcana App (Ravensburger Verlag GmbH)
	1. MICKEY MOUSE Wayward Sorcerer ("The First Chapter," Card 51/204)
	2. CINDERELLA Ballroom Sensation ("Rise of the Floodborn," Card 3/204)
	3. THE QUEEN Commanding Presence ("Rise of the Floodborn," Card 26/204)
	4. PETER PAN'S SHADOW Not Sewn On ("Rise of the Floodborn," Card 55/204)
	5. BELLE Hidden Archer ("Rise of the Floodborn," Card 72/204)
	6. RAYA Warrior of Kumandra ("Rise of the Floodborn," Card 124/204)
	7. BASIL Great Mouse Detective ("Rise of the Floodborn," Card 138/204)
	8. BASIL Of Baker Street ("Rise of the Floodborn," Card 139/204)
	9. BASIL Perceptive Investigator ("Rise of the Floodborn," Card 140/204)
	10. CINDERELLA Stouthearted ("Rise of the Floodborn," Card 177/204)
6. Disney Lorcana on X: "Let's tour our Disney Lorcana booth together!
7. We Go Behind the Scenes of DISNEY LORCANA's Art Design - Nerdist
8. Greetings from the team at Nuremberg International Toy Fair! (Facebook)
9. Learn To Play Disney LORCANA With Designer Ryan Miller! Full Gameplay Reveal! (youtube.com)
10. Learn To Play Disney Lorcana w/Co-Designer Ryan Miller (youtube.com)
11. The Story Of Disney Lorcana! Revealing Lorcana's Lore With Designer Ryan Miller!

## Notes

1. The apparent prophecy of the ink flood--in the form of a painted wall--can be found in the Portal Room[6] of the Great Illuminary. [4.2, 6] In the out-of-universe "Rise of the Floodborn" Player's Guide, this painting can be found on page two. [3.1.1] The same painting--reversed [3.1.1]--can also be seen in the out-of-universe trailers "The Story Begins" and "The Power of an Illumineer" which establishes its location in the background of the Portal Room & takes place prior to the flood itself (indicating its prophetic nature). [4.2, 6] The painting is also accompanied by a similar counterpart next to the Portal Room's exit.[4.3, 6]
	1. Another possibility is that, instead of being prophetic itself, the painting shows a previous instance of an ink flood; which would explain the disappearance of most of the glimmers which the *original illumineers* created. [2.1.1, 3.1.1]
	2. Curiously, the apparent 'sun' depicted in the painting has the same or similar design as that of a large disc located to the left of the painting itself.[4.2]
2. Martin's identity was confirmed in the attached video summary to the out-of-universe trailer "An Ink Flood Unleashed." [4.5]
3. It is not clear whether the floodborn Basil (Great Mouse Dectective) [5.7] *shifted* from the dreamborn Basil (Of Baker Street) [5.8] or from the storyborn Basil (Perceptive Investigator) [1.1.2, 5.9]. One hint may come from the following quote from the out-of-universe article "The Roar of Rushing Ink," which states Venturo "saw a glimmer of Basil, the Great Mouse Detective, examining an item through a large magnifying glass." [1.1.2] Of particular importance is the mention of a *large magnifying glass.* [1.1.2] While both the artwork of the out-of-universe *Of Baker Street* [5.8] & *Perceptive Investigator* [5.9] cards have a magnifying glass, the former Basil has--by comparison--the *larger* magnifying glass. [1.1.2, 5.8] The possible presence of Basil (Of Baker Street) here is further suggested as the *item* that pre-floodborn Basil was *examining* has "facets [which] intensify the natural—[i.e., Basil's sentence is cut off here]," while the out-of-universe filler text for Basil (Of Baker Street) says (apparently regarding what he is *examining* in the artwork) the *device's* "'*light is refracted*.'" [1.1.2, 5.8] However, this seems less likely as the pre-floodborn Basil was *examining* "A Sumerian talisman," which would likely be much smaller than the *device* that Basil (Of Baker Street) was *examining*. [1.1.2, 5.8]
4. The world from which these *new illumineers* were summoned from is referred (out-of-universe) to as "our world."[11]