New leads

 I was in the library, working through the records of Reinhart Novan’s search, when Aria Jenneth quietly approached me. She is Aspenstar’s assistant and retainer, and kindly inquired whether I needed anything. I am touched that SFRIM is treating me with such kindness and creates the perfect conditions for research. Ora et labora. 

I took the opportunity to ask ms. Jenneth some questions she might know the answer to, by virtue of her position in the corporation.

Unfortunately, she joined the corporation at about the same time as Novan left, so she did not know him well. As for a possible contact in PIE, she suggested Lord-Consort Aldrith Shutaq Newelle. I must first find out how to properly address him without causing offence.

The most interesting part of our discussion was about organizations devoted to the search of relics or to archeology. The Arek’Jaalan is one such organization, that rose to some fame a while ago. They are also mentioned by Novan. However, it went defunct. I will report more on them in the summary I am preparing on Novan’s search. 

The director of Arek’Jaalan, dr. Hilen Tukoss, was killed. It appears that an impersonator used Tukoss’ position to collect Jove DNA, and soon after Drifter battleships appeared and his corpse was found. Dr. Valate seems to have escaped this shocking incident. Although ms. Jenneth was apprehensive of dr. Valate, she still described her as “the least horrid Sabik” she knows now. 

The research work of the Arek’Jaalan was continued by the Arataka Research Consortium alliance. The name sounds familiar, I may have heard of them before, but I do not remember when. It is a multinational coalition – indeed, science is usually the first part of society that transcends borders between nations. The contact person there is Lasairona Raske and the research director is Haria Haritimado. The current research focuses on present threats – ah, now I remember: I did read several publications of the Arataka Research Consortium on the Triglavians. That war seems to be in some sort of strange stalemate, and I did not pay much attention to the matter. I should revisit these works.

I am grateful to have such an abundance of leads and a long list of persons of interest to investigate.

Kernher's reply

Joy! Kernher has replied to my message. She writes:

"Mr. Savnar,

I have been busy planetside and only seen this mail now. It is a pleasure to make your acquiantance. I appreciate that you have read my writings, and not dismissed them out of hand.

I cannot agree with you on the Ametat and Avetat, however. It is a common mistake in our culture, so obsessed with relics and trophies, to feel that some physical trinkets are out there still waiting to be found. And, so having found them, that we will be elevated among our peers, perceived as bastions of piety and enlightenment. Maybe the originals still exist out there, but whatever we find will be hollow, empty things, divorced of the divinity God bestowed on them and left as just what they are: a crown, and a scepter, fit only to sit on display in an Imperial palace. No amount of scouring worlds will find Ametat and Avetat until Amarr has been made right with God again. It is God that chooses when and how we will find them, and for Him to do so requires that we prove ourselves worthy of them. Do you believe we are worthy of them, today? 

I can share Toth's writings, such as I have been able to find, but little exists. Most of it has been removed from history by his detractors in court. But it is not his expedition that should be your focus, rather it should be his teachings. His quest was not successful, or if it were, only such that he and his followers were taken from this world to be reunited with God. It is a spiritual path that we must follow, not a physical one.

Regards,
Samira Kernher"

I have thanked her and expressed my gratitude for agreeing to share her archives. As for her question, I agree that the Amarr I see today is undeserving of God's gifts. The goal of being truly deserving, just as the goal of finding the artifacts, may be unreachable. But then maybe God meant us strive for these goals anyway: often the journey matters more than the destination.

More on the Aspenstar interview

I spent the day in the library, reviewing expedition logs. But I must also write down some notes on the interview with Lunarisse Aspenstar, now that it is still fresh in my head.

We met two days ago, in evening, when she was ready with her tasks. I was invited to the offices of SFRIM – as I learned, the corporation ticker refers to the Sefrim. It should have been obvious…

As tense as I was, I think at first Aspenstar was even more tense. I had to pass security screenings and these guards took their jobs very seriously. There is security personnel everywhere, and I think that was not a display just for me. 

We held our discussion in the corporation’s chapel, a most beautiful place that invites meditation. It turns out that, unfortunately, Bathana’s archives were lost during the attack that took his life. This is a setback. But, as I reported yesterday, I was offered a new lead, namely the research of Reinhart Novan. 

I asked about the attack on Nauplius’ expedition. She says she attacked him because he is a heretic who is wasting people’s lives on his expedition. She also mentioned that he has a case pending for the Theology Council, which Nauplius failed to mention to me. I did not press the matter, as it seemed to irritate her. Also, their personal conflict is not of interest to me in my quest. My gift to her, a holoreel copy of a lecture her father gave a long time ago, took away her irration and she graciously offered me the use of the corporation’s library.

Although I miss the expertise of the librarian at the Imperial History Museum, I can access most of its collections from the SFRIM library. And on top of that is has information that is not in the IHM, such as telemetry and flight records of Novan’s expeditions. But what I like most is the tranquility of the place, in sharp contrast to the hectic bustle in Amarr.

It is a good place to work.

Aspenstar meeting

I had it upside down.

Lunarisse Aspenstar is not against archeological investigations, on the contrary, she has been most helpful and even allowed me access to the research done by her corporation. They have not only done purely academic research: one of their capsuleers, Reinhart Novan, ventured out on a quest for the Ametat and Avetat and kept meticulous records. This treasure trove of information was shared freely, spontaneously and in the spirit of advancing science. On top of that, I can use their library, a hidden gem.

Grateful for all this openness I decided to reciprocate and share my own research with Aspenstar. This may be naive but I choose to trust my instinct after our meeting.

And let it be a lesson to me – distrust galnet forums and impressions gleaned from the press, even from IGS discussions. Meeting people in person is the only way to judge their character. I had thought Nauplius was the scientist and Aspenstar was only out to possess the artifacts, after my meeting I have come to believe it is the other way around.

I will write more about the meeting, but I am eager to spend the day in that library and study their records.

Nauplius interview

Last evening, I waited till nocturns, reviewing my archives and reading. There is always a stack of “to read” papers ensuring that I do not lose time by idling. Aspenstar contacted me briefly to say that there was an emergency with one of her pilots requiring her attention. She did not return that evening before I went to sleep. 

Today, again Aspenstar seems busy. But, once again I saw Nauplius docked at the station. Today, I took the opportunity to talk to him. He kindly answered all my questions. Firstly, why Gamdis III? His only reason was that Aspenstar was digging there. He did not do research; he just picked the spot that others were investigating. And thus, he could give me no additional information that can explain why Gamdis III is of interest. I think he is an opportunist rather than a real archaeologist.

Then I asked him why his expedition was attacked. He tells of the official claim: Khimi Harar attacked him because the slaves doing the digging were illegally acquired. I don’t get it, why did they not use the official institutions for that? Why attack an expedition? His explanation is that they are after the relics themselves. Under the cover of a “family business” in sand sailing on Gamdis, Aspenstar continues the excavations.

I also wondered at him being in the same station that Lunarissa Aspenstar proposed to meet. He says it is coincidence, he lived here a long time. Finally, he accused not only Aspenstar but her entire corporation of heresy: wanting to free all the slaves, regardless of whether they are ready. He says she wants to use the Ametat and Avetat for that wicked purpose. But he also said: “She is pretty secret and equivocal about her abolitionism”. Yet another heretic on my path to Ametat and Avetat? But why then does she accuse Kernher of heresy? Maybe heretics accuse each other of heresy, just like madmen can call out the madness in each other but not recognise it in themselves?

Mehatoor

I spend the last few days in libraries and archives expanding my research files. I did see on several occasions Valate mentioned (or mentioning herself) as a Takmahl expert.

It appears that Takmahl were not the only group of Sani Sabik fleeing Athra during the Reclamation, they are only the most famous ones and the most successful. It stands to reason that the other  groups will have made it out about as far as the Takmahl using the primitive technology of the time (cryo-ships). So, within the cluster they probably settled within about the same amount of light years from Athra. This somewhat narrows down the search to about 200 systems. That is still many.

I have left Amarr system for Mehatoor, to interview Aspenstar. I am nervous for the encounter.

I arrived shortly after vespers at the "24th Imperial Crusade Logistic Support" station in orbit around Mehatoor VI. It is quite provincial in comparison to the stations in Domain. To my surpise, I saw that Nauplius is one of the people in local, moreover he is also docked in the 24th Imperial Crusade station. Apart from him, there are quite a few Khimi Harar members in the system

Lunarisse Aspenstar reaches out!

Lord, I was trembling and quaking, and now much later the trembling has not subsided yet!

As I was lurking in the comms channel "The Good Word", Lunarisse Aspenstar reached out to me and wanted to make contact! I had not planned to contact her for quite a while, but I had not understood that everyone is visible in these channels. She looked up my biography and obviously was triggered by my interest in archeology... 

I am not sure whether she wants to kill me or help me.

I will not copy the entire conversation here, but just summarize how it went. There was first a bit of chat about my vow of non-agression, a foul-mouthed girl called Ishta Maleto wondered at that. But soon after I confessed my interest in archeology, Aspenstar appeared to help. She sent me some basic stuff on Ametat and Avetat even though I had not mentioned these artifarts yet! I found that suspicious. It was information everyone can readily find, and I am sure she knows much more. She did confess having an interest in archeology. She also mentioned one of the first directors of her corporation was also involved in this search. I must find our who he is (male, since she uses directrix for a female). And, I must also find out whether he died a natural death.

Lunarisse Apsenstar then pointed me to Aridia and Genesis. She did not mention Kador, where the Araz and Kakol constellations are, as she must know very well. Is she trying to divert my attention?

She also revealed that Kernher was stricken from the Book by her Holder, became a heretic and is in exile somewhere in the Federation. That would explain why she does not answer my letter. However, she is still alive and remains a person of interest because of her Toth collection.

Finally, we agreed to meet in person. She proposed the chapel at the 24th Imperial Crusade station in Mehatoor. Apparently, that is the headquarters of her corporation. I will meet her there in two days time. If there are no log entries after that, then the finder of these logs will know who murdered me.

This first meeting was a momentous event for me. I would almost forget to add that I found another person of interest in the IGS comm channels: Valerie Valate. She is an archeologist and proclaimed on the channel: “Valerie Valate > what with me being the greatest sani sabik capsuleer philosopher of the modern era, and all that jazz.” 

Since the recent explorations focused all on the Takmahl lead, interviewing a Sani Sabik archeologist with vanity issues, could be useful, however revolting it may seem. Ah, why are so many of the persons of interest heretics?

Takmahl

Spending another day studying and digging in the Imperial History Museum's library has proven very successful!

I found a lot on information on the Takmahl, through scholarly writings of the "Signal Cartel" and the published works of Tertius Bathana. Here I summarize the most striking parts:

The Takmahl were a race of humans once part of the Amarr Empire. For reasons that remain unknown, but were very likely related to their Sani Sabik practices, they were exiled from the Empire, and lived for centuries in solitude. They were undoubtedly masters of Cybernetics and Bio-Engineering Technology.Takmahl relics can be found inside The Labyrinth, an anomaly near the central star of the Aphi system, and near the Museum Arcana in the Zimse system, both in the Araz constellation of the Amarr Empire. To enter the museum the Key of the Arcane is needed, that can be found in a relic container near the acceleration gate. Inside the museum the Key to the Labyrinth can be obtained from The Curator, which is required to enter The Labyrinth. 

I must visit Aphi and Zimse. And especially this Museum!

Comms channels

The Praetoria Imperialis Excubitoris (PIE) are one of the oldest capsuleer orders in the Empire. They have a most impressive library near the Emperor Family Academy. I spent the entire day in the Praetorian library. There are many old volumes but disappointingly few on the Avatat and Ametat.

I also learned about some interesting communication channels. “PIE Public” is the channel of the Praetores, but it seems not very busy. I did spot Aspenstar logged in on the PIE comm channel, as well as another IGS member, Aldrith Shaqur. He appears to be an important member of the Praetores. Another useful channel is “The Good Word”, it is much busier. Again, Aspenstar is present, and here also from time to time Nauplius.

Kernher is nowhere to be seen – maybe she retired from public life?

Historical records on Ametat and Avetat

 No reply yet from Kernher.

I hired a personal assistant to help me get around in Dam-Torsad.

I spent my time wisely in the Imperial History Museum’s library. The Caretaker of Archives is a most kind and helpful woman. She has pointed me to the works of ancient historians who mention the disappearance of the Ametat and Avetat, and to the works of modern historians on the matter. I learned a great deal, which I must try to summarize here.

Below is a reproduction of the oldest depiction of the Ametat. It is also the only depiction that predates its disappearance. It is a gold-on-wood icon with inlaid gems showing a golden-masked Sefrim holding the Ametat. Not very visible on the reproduction is the red crystal close to the top of the Ametat. The icon is part of a diptych, and there was an accompanying icon showing a Sefrim holding the Avetat. This second panel is now missing.

The oldest depictions of the Avetat show it as a halo with something like crossbars surrounding the Emperor’s head almost like a helmet. It is only much later that depictions show a crown in the usual sense. The oldest written descriptions are fragmentary. They describe the items as made of a light, strong material that did not show sign of wear or rust.

The most complete early historian on the matter is Ashot of Iphria. He is also the first historian in the modern sense of the word, in that he not only relates one side of the story but tries to include different opinions and compiles different sources. However, he lived around 18500 AD, nearly two thousand years after the disappearance of Avetat and Ametat, situated around 16900 AD.

In “De Aurora Imperii”, Ashot lists the most common theories in his days, relating to the disappearance of these artifacts. The main theory – still today I believe – is that God took these items back because he was displeased by the behavior of us Amarrians. If that is true, then most certainly in this era we will not earn them back.

The second theory is that the Avetat is held in secret by the Speakers of Truth – and it is what gives them their wisdom. In this theory the Ametat was kept by the Council of Apostles, to keep it safe from the then warring heirs and to keep the power of the Emperors in check. If that is so, the Avetat may still be in the possession of the Speakers, but the Ametat has probably been moved during the Moral Reforms.

The remaining theories only agree on the fact that there was a theft. But they do not agree on the thief: some claim the Court Chamberlain, others claim this or that heir or warlord.

Several works from after the Reclaiming (so after 20078 AD) mention that the artifacts fell in the hands of the Sani Sabik. This theory of course does not explain what happened to the artifacts in the millenia between their disappearance and the origin of the cult in the early days of the Reclaiming.

The Sani Sabik think they are the only ones destined for greatness and worthy of immortality. If they’re worthy of immortality, the idea goes, they are also worthy of the other gifts of the Sefrim.

The group that absconded the artifacts ran away with them to create a New Amarrian Empire. They used primitive cryo-ships to escape and settle in the Araz constellation. They founded the Takmahl empire, which rose to some importance before collapsing. The flight of the Takmahl and the founding of their empire is well documented history, but the fact they would have taken the Ametat and Avetat with them remains speculation.

I believe now that Tertius Ausonius Bathana (Aspenstar’s father) adhered to this latter theory, which would explain his extensive research on the Takmahl.

I also take note that Lord Aslan focuses his search on the Araz constellation and neighboring Kakol, where Gamdis III is located. Probably he also researched the Takmahl lead.

The pieces of the puzzle start to fit.

Dam-Torsad

I ache, I burn, I want to scream.

As I am in the Amarr system, I wanted to visit the holy sites and major cathedrals in Amarr Island. But I had no idea how to do this, the island has become one vast metropolis. Dam-Torsad has swallowed all the land, all the way up to the shore on every side. I don’t know how to move around in this city, I can’t figure out how to find the Mausoleum of Greinok or how to get to the Cathedral of Saint Tal-Romon. Mass transit remains a mystery to me, and the free maps they hand out at stations are woefully inadequate.

So, I registered with a tour operator, specializing in the holy sites. They pick you up in the morning, show you places of pilgrimage with a guide, and drop you off in the evening. This modus operandi should have been a first warning signal.

With a cluster of tourists from all over the Empire and beyond, you are squeezed together in a transport and brought from one site to another. The guide walks you over, says some commonplace nonsense rehearsed and rehashed a thousand times before, including the monotonously repeated jokes. Then you get just a little bit of time to walk around on your own before you are pushed towards the souvenir shop where you get ample time. Then you are shipped to the next site.

It hurts. I want to pray, to meditate, to contemplate history and the immensity of these places. I want to let it pierce my heart while I recite scripture and let the history of these places fill my soul to the brim. I want to lay down flat on the floor and touch the stones on which holy men and women stepped. But I can’t. It is too loud, too crowded with stupid obese Gallente taking disrespectful holopictures. There is no rest and no quiet. You get a tiny glimpse of what these places could be, before you are pushed further along the tourist track. And soon you are again dumped in a souvenir store, that offer books with nice pictures of what you could only vaguely perceive.

I came back from this trip exhausted and disappointed. The most revered and holiest places have become an industry, an assembly line for tourist mementos. From opening time till closing time, they are desecrated by the loud, picture taking, fast-food munching tourist stream of atheists and heretics.