The Palimpsest Code is used by the
Department of Integrated Services to encode high-security memos to all members, and Department-specific business for those who are embedded in other U.S. governmental departments, such as the State Department, Defense, Justice, etc.
Description
The Palimpsest Code hides the text of the DIS-specific business behind the text of an interdepartmental document from another U.S. department. At first glance, these memos appear to be innocuous, filled with buzzwords and unimportant information. However, beneath the reference initials (the initials of the supposed writer and typist), the initials DIS appear, followed by a number between 1 and 12. After the mage casts the appropriate decoding spells, the true document appears.
Operation
The Palimpsest Code works by triple-encrypting information. The code DIS indicates that this a DIS document, not simply another worthless interdepartmental memo or e-mail or report.
First, the mage must consult the DIS code web page, which is also disguised as a rather hazily-worded astrology website. The number following the DIS indicator corresponds to a sign of the zodiac. The mage must read the horoscope for that sign, looking for the daily key words. The key words indicate which spells will decode the palimpsest and in what order they must be performed.
Next, the mage must cast those decoding spells. These spells may be cast on a printed document or can be cast on a specially modified computer.
Finally, the mage must cast an identifying spell using his or her personal
Focus to prove his / her identity. At this point, the true text of the document will be revealed for a number of minutes equal to the number of pages of the document. If the mage has not finished reading the document, he or she must decode the document again. The mage can also release the decoding spells to disguise the document manually.
History
The Palimpsest Code was developed in the 1970s by the
Department of Integrated Services. Originally, the horoscopes were posted on Usenet, then an e-mail discussion board. They were finally posted on the World Wide Web.
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