Mnemosyne Merchant

In the shadows of memory, we dance with oblivion

Mnemosyne Merchants are clandestine operators in the shadowy underbelly of Namorian society, dealing in a highly controversial and illegal substance known as "Limenon's Kiss" or "Oblivion." This profession is considered one of the most ethically dubious occupations in the Namorian Republic, often associated with exploitation and manipulation.

Overview

Mnemosyne Merchants operate in secret, providing a service that allows individuals to selectively erase memories and enter a state of high suggestibility. Their clientele ranges from trauma survivors seeking relief to criminals wanting to forget their misdeeds or plant false memories in witnesses.

The Drug: Limenon's Kiss

Limenon's Kiss is a shimmering, opalescent liquid believed to be derived from the stone of a rare tree fruit found in the Dagmit, combined with alchemical processes. Its exact composition is a closely guarded secret. The drug can erase recent memories or even deeply buried traumas, while rendering users highly suggestible.

Effects

• Selective memory erasure
• Induced state of high suggestibility
• Potential for long-term memory loss and personality changes
• Risk of addiction and identity erosion

Professional Practices

"To forget is to be reborn; to remember is to die a thousand deaths."

- Excerpt from "Whispers of the Forgotten," a collection of poetry attributed to a reformed Mnemosyne Merchant

• Memory targeting - Merchants guide clients through a pseudo-hypnotic meditation before administering the drug to focus its effects on specific memories.
• Administration - The drug is typically administered orally or via inhalation in controlled environments.
• Client management - Merchants often maintain detailed (and highly illegal) records of their clients' sessions.
• Sourcing -They acquire their product through secretive networks, often with connections to alchemists or explorers of Sarnath ruins.
• Discretion - Operating in hidden locations, using code words, and employing elaborate security measures to avoid detection.

Focusing Ritual

The following is a rumored excerpt from the meditation used by Mnemosyne Merchants to focus their clients' minds before administering Limenon's Kiss:

"Close your eyes and breathe deeply. Visualize your memories as leaves on a tree. Focus on the leaf you wish to release. Watch it change color, wither, and fall. As it touches the ground, it dissolves into mist. Feel the weight lift from your mind as the memory fades into the ether."

Societal Impact

The existence of Mnemosyne Merchants has significant implications for Namorian society:

• Undermining of the justice system through memory alteration
• Exploitation of vulnerable individuals
• Potential for abuse in political and personal spheres
• Erosion of trust in personal memories and experiences

Legal Status

The practice of memory alteration and the distribution of Limenon's Kiss are highly illegal in the Namorian Republic. Penalties for engaging in these activities are severe, reflecting the perceived threat to social order and individual autonomy.

Connection to Limenon

Some scholars and theologians have drawn connections between the practices of Mnemosyne Merchants and the worship of Limenon, the minor god of forgotten and abandoned things in the Namorian pantheon. While there is no direct evidence linking the two, the thematic overlap is notable:

• Limenon's domain over forgotten memories aligns with the effects of Limenon's Kiss
• Some Mnemosyne Merchants may view their work as a form of reverence to Limenon, facilitating the process of forgetting
• Critics argue that the drug trade exploits Limenon's divine domain for profit

However, official religious authorities and most followers of Limenon denounce any association with the illegal and unethical practices of Mnemosyne Merchants.

Controversial Claims

There are persistent rumors within Namorian society of individuals being completely "blanked" by Mnemosyne Merchants, their entire identities erased and rewritten. These claims, while sensational, have never been conclusively proven. The very nature of such an act makes verification nearly impossible, as the affected individual would have no recollection of their previous life. Critics often dismiss these stories as misinterpretations of natural phenomena:

• Cases of severe memory loss due to aging or illness
• Individuals choosing to radically change their lives, such as leaving a marriage or career
• Instances of long-term fugue states or dissociative disorders

However, the persistence of these tales contributes to the mystique and fear surrounding Mnemosyne Merchants. Some speculate that if such a practice exists, it might be reserved for the wealthiest and most powerful clients, or used as a tool for deep-cover espionage.
The Namorian authorities officially deny the possibility of complete memory erasure, citing it as fear-mongering and urban legend. Nevertheless, the idea continues to captivate the public imagination and fuel debates about the nature of identity and the ethics of memory manipulation.

Alternative Names

Memory Broker

Type

Financial / Trade