Labyrinthine

Unveiling the Shadows of the Age of Wonders

By Master Aberran, Scholar of Tatharia.

An Inquiry into the Labyrinthine

Echoes from the Age of Wonders The passage of millennia has shrouded the Age of Wonders in a veil of enigma and obscurity. This epoch, preceding the catastrophic Extinguishment of the Stars of Power, is a realm of history where Magic was as ubiquitous as the air we breathe, and civilizations reached pinnacles of advancement that are now the stuff of legends. Amidst the fragmented memories and scant relics of that Time, there emerges a faint yet intriguing whisper of a group known as the Labyrinthine.
My own journey toward understanding the Labyrinthine is deeply intertwined with the teachings of my late mentor, Lugal Icaghor of Tatharia. As a youth, I was privileged to be taken under his wing—a man who, despite the chaos of his early years, possessed a wisdom that seemed to bridge the chasm between our turbulent present and the enigmatic past. Icaghor often regaled me with allegorical tales of an "Old God," a figure he believed had guided him through the tumultuous era following the Stars' extinction.
The challenge of reconstructing the nature and essence of the Labyrinthine lies in the paucity of surviving evidence. The cataclysms that reshaped Rolara not only obliterated cities and landscapes but also erased the imprints of cultures and beliefs that once flourished. However, my research has uncovered a few tantalizing fragments:

1. The Obsidian Inscription:

   Discovered in the ruins of what might have been a temple or a place of gathering, this slab of obsidian bears intricate carvings. The symbols, though eroded, suggest a labyrinth intertwined with Celestial motifs. The labyrinth's design is not merely a maze but a complex symbol possibly representing the journey of the soul or the pursuit of enlightenment through intricate paths.



2. The Weathered Tablet:

   Unearthed near an ancient crossroads, this stone tablet features glyphs that defy straightforward translation. Preliminary interpretations hint at themes of transformation and duality—concepts often associated with deities of trickery and change. The tablet's condition makes definitive conclusions elusive, yet it reinforces the labyrinth motif.



3. The Crystal of Echoed Whispers:

   Perhaps the most compelling artifact, this magical crystal emanates an uncanny resonance. Those who hold it experience a fleeting yet profound impression—the word "Labyrinthine" imprints itself upon the mind, accompanied by ephemeral visions of winding corridors and shifting shadows. The crystal's origin remains unknown, but its enchantment suggests a deliberate creation by practitioners of considerable skill.

Theoretical Connections

Drawing upon these fragments, along with Icaghor's allegories, I propose that the Labyrinthine were devotees of the elusive Deity—Akkad, the Trickster God. While Akkad's name has vanished from common knowledge, the characteristics attributed to him—a master of deception, guardian of Magic, and weaver of shadows—align closely with the themes embodied in the artifacts.
Icaghor himself, though born generations after the Extinguishment, recounted encounters with individuals who might have been the last remnants of the Labyrinthine. In an age when the world was beset by natural and supernatural calamities, and when ancient maps were rendered obsolete by upheavals, such figures would have been guardians of lost knowledge, preserving what they could in secrecy.

The Labyrinth as Symbol and Practice

The labyrinth, central to the group's identity, likely served multiple symbolic purposes:

• Spiritual Journey:

  Navigating a labyrinth can represent the soul's journey toward enlightenment, embracing complexity and overcoming confusion to reach a center of understanding.

• Embrace of Complexity:

  The Labyrinthine may have rejected simplistic views of the world, instead acknowledging the intricate interplay of forces that govern existence—a perspective befitting followers of a trickster deity.

• Secrecy and Protection:

  In times of chaos and persecution, the labyrinth could symbolize the hidden paths they walked, safeguarding their practices from those who might wish to extinguish the remnants of magic.

Icaghor's Allegories and Akkad

The tales Icaghor shared were rich with themes of cunning, transformation, and the blurred lines between reality and illusion. He spoke of an Old God who guided heroes through insurmountable odds, not by brute strength but through wit and adaptability. This deity's influence was subtle, often unrecognized until after the trials were overcome—a hallmark of Akkad's trickster nature.
Icaghor's belief that this Old God guided him suggests a lingering divine presence, even as formal worship waned. It is conceivable that Akkad, embodying the domains of deception and shadows, continued to Weave his influence indirectly, perhaps even delighting in the obscurity of his own identity.

Concluding Reflections

The Labyrinthine remain an enigma, their existence etched faintly into the tapestry of Rolara's history. While the evidence is scant and interpretations remain speculative, the convergence of artifacts, allegorical narratives, and thematic consistency provides a compelling case for their significance.
My forthcoming expedition to Three Falls aims to uncover further traces of this elusive group. It is my hope that delving deeper into the ruins and uncharted territories will yield additional artifacts or inscriptions. Such discoveries could illuminate not only the practices and beliefs of the Labyrinthine but also contribute to a broader understanding of the Age of Wonders and the lingering impact of deities like Akkad.
In the end, the pursuit of knowledge about the Labyrinthine is itself a journey through a labyrinth—filled with dead ends, unexpected turns, and moments of revelation. It is a path that demands perseverance and an openness to the unknown, much like the ethos that the Labyrinthine may have embraced. As scholars and seekers of truth, we must continue to piece together the fragments of our past, for it is through understanding where we have come from that we can better navigate the complexities of our present and future.

_{Master Scholar Aberran, before his untimely passing, dedicated his life to unearthing the mysteries of Rolara's forgotten past. His work on the Labyrinthine remains a testament to his unwavering commitment to knowledge and his deep respect for the wisdom of those who came before.}

Table of Contents

Dissolution Date

1 PE

Type

Religious, Cult

Deities

• Akkad

Divines

• Akkad