Morthagi lore - Revision history

Bunbit: /* Art of the Mortificers */ updated pronunciation to match FAQ

2023-07-04T20:09:59Z

Art of the Mortificers: updated pronunciation to match FAQ

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:09, 4 July 2023
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	=Art of the Mortificers=		=Art of the Mortificers=
	'''Morthagi''' (~~mor~~-~~THAW~~-~~ghee~~: singular and plural noun) is an old term, as old as the practice that first created them. Morthagi can be any of a wide variety of constructed entities that combine once-living tissue with mechanical components, mystical elements, and clockwork, in order to achieve a profane, though admittedly impressive, semblance of life. The most remarkable of them show true intuition, analytical capabilities, and situational cunning. Indeed, the limits of the Morthagi's potential for thought are beyond knowing.		'''Morthagi''' (More-thaug-ee: singular and plural noun) is an old term, as old as the practice that first created them. Morthagi can be any of a wide variety of constructed entities that combine once-living tissue with mechanical components, mystical elements, and clockwork, in order to achieve a profane, though admittedly impressive, semblance of life. The most remarkable of them show true intuition, analytical capabilities, and situational cunning. Indeed, the limits of the Morthagi's potential for thought are beyond knowing.

	'''Mortificer''' is the term for those who invented and built the Morthagi, in antiquity. You read their stories, and if you're lucky stumble upon some of their original texts, scrawled in archaic scripts. Most academics are helplessly taken with their achievements, and we certainly see the value of Mortificial components and mechanisms in such fields as medicine and masonry. The art of Mortificing is sadly lost to our world, and though many have sought to revive it, all have failed. The children of the Mortificers, their constructs, 'live' on, self-propagating, preserving the legacy of their creators.		'''Mortificer''' is the term for those who invented and built the Morthagi, in antiquity. You read their stories, and if you're lucky stumble upon some of their original texts, scrawled in archaic scripts. Most academics are helplessly taken with their achievements, and we certainly see the value of Mortificial components and mechanisms in such fields as medicine and masonry. The art of Mortificing is sadly lost to our world, and though many have sought to revive it, all have failed. The children of the Mortificers, their constructs, 'live' on, self-propagating, preserving the legacy of their creators.

Lizbot3000 at 07:18, 5 February 2021

2021-02-05T07:18:31Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:18, 5 February 2021
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	[[Category:Monster]]		[[Category:Monster]]
	[[Category:Morthagi]]		[[Category:Morthagi]]
			[[Category:Lore]]

Daustin: /* Ecology */

2019-11-16T16:36:09Z

Ecology

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:36, 16 November 2019
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	=Ecology=		=Ecology=
	They may be destroyed by willful violence or exceptional accident, of course, but otherwise Mortificial devices and the Morthagi in particular tend to remain operational indefinitely. They appear almost universally capable of interfacing with each other, performing mutual repair and maintenance to sustain each other over infinite generations of people. To most scholars, this suggests there's an elegance to the schematics of the Mortificers that we are simply not comprehending, a simple repetitive principle that allows them all to exist, iterate, and interlock. Myself, I ~~see~~ their ~~ability~~ to form ~~compatible~~ links and ~~make~~ complex and holistic ~~repairs~~ and ~~attribute~~ it ~~to their already proven ability to~~ study and solve problems, owed ~~itself~~ to the lost magics interwoven with their joints and gears ~~from the beginning~~. Indeed, I see not the consistent reliable markings of manufacture, but truly the inspired and creative asymmetry of art.		They may be destroyed by willful violence or exceptional accident, of course, but otherwise Mortificial devices and the Morthagi in particular tend to remain operational indefinitely. They appear almost universally capable of interfacing with each other, performing mutual repair and maintenance to sustain each other over infinite generations of people. To most scholars, this suggests there's an elegance to the schematics of the Mortificers that we are simply not comprehending, a simple repetitive principle that allows them all to exist, iterate, and interlock. Myself, I've analyzed their stunning capability to form links where none would've seemed conceivable, and I've attempted to observe the nature of their complex and holistic maintenance, and after doing so can only hypothesize that it's based on critical thinking more than original design: they study and solve problems with their 'minds', applying thought-skills that are perhaps owed to the lost magics interwoven with their joints and gears at their inception, back when such things may have been possible. Indeed, I see not the consistent reliable markings of manufacture, but truly the inspired and creative asymmetry of art.

	That ~~isn't~~ to say that the Morthagi are not essentially tools, or that there is no pattern to their form and function. Many an explorer has written of finding machines in deep tombs and forgotten caves. Often they're discovered employed in some mundanity, working at whatever it is they were directed to do, all those ages ago. Such constructs are often reported to have unique designs, and some are suspected to be exaggerated or wholly fabricated by those giving the account... but certain designs seem to be timeless, repeated by every practitioner of the artform. And few of them are defenseless.		That is not to say that the Morthagi are not essentially tools, or that there is no pattern to their form and function. Many an explorer has written of finding machines in deep tombs and forgotten caves. Often they're discovered employed in some mundanity, working at whatever it is they were directed to do, all those ages ago. Such constructs are often reported to have unique designs, and some are suspected to be exaggerated or wholly fabricated by those giving the account... but certain designs seem to be timeless, repeated by every practitioner of the artform. And few of them are defenseless.

	Some of the simpler Morthagi must be powered by an external mystical or mechanical means, and can fall dormant in the absence of such a power source. Others, though, must have been designed to harvest their own power supply from their surroundings, giving outstanding credence to the notion that these Morthagi were intended to outlast the civilizations and genius minds that birthed them. What they harvest and use appears opportunistically selected, ranging from naturally occurring resources and oil deposits, to living matter refined for whatever essential fuel such matter can produce. Regardless, it is never safe to assume that a given Morthagi is dormant. ~~Almost all of~~ the ~~common designs include a storage mechanism~~ for ~~energy,~~ and ~~can reactivate when certain conditions are met.~~		Some of the simpler Morthagi must be powered by an external mystical or mechanical means, and can fall dormant in the absence of such a power source. Others, though, must have been designed to harvest their own power supply from their surroundings, giving outstanding credence to the notion that these Morthagi, for purposes that remain delightfully and tantalizingly opaque, were intended to outlast the civilizations and genius minds that birthed them. What they harvest and use appears opportunistically selected, ranging from naturally occurring resources and oil deposits, to living matter refined for whatever essential fuel such matter can produce. Regardless, it is never safe to assume that a given Morthagi is dormant, or, indeed, that one exhibiting harmless behavior might not suddenly turn aggressive.

			There is so much about the Morthagi 'Ecosystem' we do not yet know. The hunt for knowledge rides by day and night! It never rests!

	[[Category:Monster]]		[[Category:Monster]]
	[[Category:Morthagi]]		[[Category:Morthagi]]

Daustin: /* Ecology */

2019-11-11T18:31:30Z

Ecology

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:31, 11 November 2019
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	Some of the simpler Morthagi must be powered by an external mystical or mechanical means, and can fall dormant in the absence of such a power source. Others, though, must have been designed to harvest their own power supply from their surroundings, giving outstanding credence to the notion that these Morthagi were intended to outlast the civilizations and genius minds that birthed them. What they harvest and use appears opportunistically selected, ranging from naturally occurring resources and oil deposits, to living matter refined for whatever essential fuel such matter can produce. Regardless, it is never safe to assume that a given Morthagi is dormant. Almost all of the common designs include a storage mechanism for energy, and can reactivate when certain conditions are met.		Some of the simpler Morthagi must be powered by an external mystical or mechanical means, and can fall dormant in the absence of such a power source. Others, though, must have been designed to harvest their own power supply from their surroundings, giving outstanding credence to the notion that these Morthagi were intended to outlast the civilizations and genius minds that birthed them. What they harvest and use appears opportunistically selected, ranging from naturally occurring resources and oil deposits, to living matter refined for whatever essential fuel such matter can produce. Regardless, it is never safe to assume that a given Morthagi is dormant. Almost all of the common designs include a storage mechanism for energy, and can reactivate when certain conditions are met.

	If a Morthagi is encountered in a dormant state, it is sometimes possible to remove its power source without destroying the body. This is an extremely dangerous operation obviously, but we have some accounts from the literature of skilled mortificers who have safely disabled dangerous constructs in the field.

	[[Category:Monster]]		[[Category:Monster]]
	[[Category:Morthagi]]		[[Category:Morthagi]]

Daustin: Updating Morthagi

2019-11-11T18:30:55Z

Updating Morthagi

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:30, 11 November 2019
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	The Clockwork ~~Dead~~		The Clockwork Undead

	=~~Terminology~~=		=Art of the Mortificers=
	~~The~~ '''Morthagi''' (a singular and plural noun) is ~~what we call~~ the ~~large~~ variety of ~~constructs, and even, dare we say, beings,~~ that combine once-living ~~flesh and magic~~ with mechanical components and clockwork,in order to achieve a semblance of life, and ~~in some cases an all-too-real agency and~~ cunning.		'''Morthagi''' (mor-THAW-ghee: singular and plural noun) is an old term, as old as the practice that first created them. Morthagi can be any of a wide variety of constructed entities that combine once-living tissue with mechanical components, mystical elements, and clockwork, in order to achieve a profane, though admittedly impressive, semblance of life. The most remarkable of them show true intuition, analytical capabilities, and situational cunning. Indeed, the limits of the Morthagi's potential for thought are beyond knowing.

	'''~~Mortificial~~''' is a term for ~~a mixture of dead tissue~~ and ~~clockwork~~, ~~bound together with magic~~, ~~to serve~~ some ~~purpose~~, such as ~~a prosthetic limb~~. ~~It would not be incorrect~~ to ~~say that~~ the ~~Morthagi are mortificial beings~~.		'''Mortificer''' is the term for those who invented and built the Morthagi, in antiquity. You read their stories, and if you're lucky stumble upon some of their original texts, scrawled in archaic scripts. Most academics are helplessly taken with their achievements, and we certainly see the value of Mortificial components and mechanisms in such fields as medicine and masonry. The art of Mortificing is sadly lost to our world, and though many have sought to revive it, all have failed. The children of the Mortificers, their constructs, 'live' on, self-propagating, preserving the legacy of their creators.

	~~'''Mortificer''' is~~ the ~~term for one who invents and builds~~ Morthagi. They ~~tend~~ to be a ~~blend of tinkerer~~ and ~~mystic; both crafts are necessary~~, and ~~mortificers come~~ to the ~~craft~~ with ~~a variety of skill~~ and ~~motivations~~. ~~Some are history's greatest villains~~, and ~~some (more rarely) are heroes~~.		=Ecology=
			They may be destroyed by willful violence or exceptional accident, of course, but otherwise Mortificial devices and the Morthagi in particular tend to remain operational indefinitely. They appear almost universally capable of interfacing with each other, performing mutual repair and maintenance to sustain each other over infinite generations of people. To most scholars, this suggests there's an elegance to the schematics of the Mortificers that we are simply not comprehending, a simple repetitive principle that allows them all to exist, iterate, and interlock. Myself, I see their ability to form compatible links and make complex and holistic repairs and attribute it to their already proven ability to study and solve problems, owed itself to the lost magics interwoven with their joints and gears from the beginning. Indeed, I see not the consistent reliable markings of manufacture, but truly the inspired and creative asymmetry of art.

	~~=Ecology=~~		That isn't to say that the Morthagi are not essentially tools, or that there is no pattern to their form and function. Many an explorer has written of finding machines in deep tombs and forgotten caves. Often they're discovered employed in some mundanity, working at whatever it is they were directed to do, all those ages ago. Such constructs are often reported to have unique designs, and some are suspected to be exaggerated or wholly fabricated by those giving the account... but certain designs seem to be timeless, repeated by every practitioner of the artform. And few of them are defenseless.
	~~Mortificial devices in general, and~~ the Morthagi ~~in particular~~, ~~tend~~ to ~~remain operational indefinitely or until destroyed by violence, whichever comes first~~. ~~Thus, it's not unheard-~~of ~~to find the loathsome constructs~~ in ~~ancient~~ tombs, ~~or sealed caves~~, ~~untouched by time for eons~~. Such constructs often have unique designs, but ~~again~~ certain designs seem to be timeless, repeated by every practitioner of the artform.

	Some of the simpler Morthagi must be powered by an external mystical or mechanical ~~source~~, and can fall dormant in the absence of a power source. Others though have been ~~crafted~~ to harvest their own power from their surroundings, ~~sometimes by consuming raw materials such as "~~the ~~flesh of~~ the living~~" or some other~~ such ~~magically rich substance. Still others seem to gather energy in a more complicated (and probably even worse) way that we don't completely understand~~. Regardless, it is never safe to assume that a given Morthagi is dormant. Almost all of the common designs include a storage mechanism for energy, and can reactivate when certain conditions are met.		Some of the simpler Morthagi must be powered by an external mystical or mechanical means, and can fall dormant in the absence of such a power source. Others, though, must have been designed to harvest their own power supply from their surroundings, giving outstanding credence to the notion that these Morthagi were intended to outlast the civilizations and genius minds that birthed them. What they harvest and use appears opportunistically selected, ranging from naturally occurring resources and oil deposits, to living matter refined for whatever essential fuel such matter can produce. Regardless, it is never safe to assume that a given Morthagi is dormant. Almost all of the common designs include a storage mechanism for energy, and can reactivate when certain conditions are met.

	If a Morthagi is encountered in a dormant state, it is sometimes possible to remove its power source without destroying the body. This is an extremely dangerous operation obviously, but we have some accounts from the literature of skilled mortificers who have safely disabled dangerous constructs in the field.		If a Morthagi is encountered in a dormant state, it is sometimes possible to remove its power source without destroying the body. This is an extremely dangerous operation obviously, but we have some accounts from the literature of skilled mortificers who have safely disabled dangerous constructs in the field.

Peffers: added category

2019-05-05T11:44:31Z

added category

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:44, 5 May 2019
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	~~[[Category:Monster]]~~

	The Clockwork Dead		The Clockwork Dead

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	If a Morthagi is encountered in a dormant state, it is sometimes possible to remove its power source without destroying the body. This is an extremely dangerous operation obviously, but we have some accounts from the literature of skilled mortificers who have safely disabled dangerous constructs in the field.		If a Morthagi is encountered in a dormant state, it is sometimes possible to remove its power source without destroying the body. This is an extremely dangerous operation obviously, but we have some accounts from the literature of skilled mortificers who have safely disabled dangerous constructs in the field.

			[[Category:Monster]]
			[[Category:Morthagi]]

Peffers at 09:08, 5 May 2019

2019-05-05T09:08:35Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:08, 5 May 2019
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			[[Category:Monster]]

	The Clockwork Dead		The Clockwork Dead

Nate: /* The Clockwork Dead */

2018-02-13T19:36:03Z

The Clockwork Dead

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:36, 13 February 2018
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	=The Clockwork Dead=		The Clockwork Dead

	The Morthagi (a singular and plural noun) is what we call the large variety of constructs, and even, dare we say, beings, that combine once-living flesh and magic with mechanical components and clockwork,in order to achieve a semblance of life, and in some cases an all-too-real agency and cunning.		=Terminology=
			The '''Morthagi''' (a singular and plural noun) is what we call the large variety of constructs, and even, dare we say, beings, that combine once-living flesh and magic with mechanical components and clockwork,in order to achieve a semblance of life, and in some cases an all-too-real agency and cunning.

	Mortificial is a term for a mixture of dead tissue and clockwork, bound together with magic, to serve some purpose, such as a prosthetic limb. It would not be incorrect to say that the Morthagi are mortificial beings.		'''Mortificial''' is a term for a mixture of dead tissue and clockwork, bound together with magic, to serve some purpose, such as a prosthetic limb. It would not be incorrect to say that the Morthagi are mortificial beings.

	Mortificer is the term for one who invents and builds Morthagi. They tend to be a blend of tinkerer and mystic; both crafts are necessary, and mortificers come to the craft with a variety of skill and motivations. Some are history's greatest villains, and some (more rarely) are heroes.		'''Mortificer''' is the term for one who invents and builds Morthagi. They tend to be a blend of tinkerer and mystic; both crafts are necessary, and mortificers come to the craft with a variety of skill and motivations. Some are history's greatest villains, and some (more rarely) are heroes.

			=Ecology=
	Mortificial devices in general, and the Morthagi in particular, tend to remain operational indefinitely or until destroyed by violence, whichever comes first. Thus, it's not unheard-of to find the loathsome constructs in ancient tombs, or sealed caves, untouched by time for eons. Such constructs often have unique designs, but again certain designs seem to be timeless, repeated by every practitioner of the artform.		Mortificial devices in general, and the Morthagi in particular, tend to remain operational indefinitely or until destroyed by violence, whichever comes first. Thus, it's not unheard-of to find the loathsome constructs in ancient tombs, or sealed caves, untouched by time for eons. Such constructs often have unique designs, but again certain designs seem to be timeless, repeated by every practitioner of the artform.

Nate: removed obsolete lore, replaced with more up-to-date lore.

2018-02-13T19:34:04Z

removed obsolete lore, replaced with more up-to-date lore.

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:34, 13 February 2018
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	~~NOTE: this is a bit out of date, and doesn't touch on the clockwork / construct stuff as much as it ought.~~		=The Clockwork Dead=

			The Morthagi (a singular and plural noun) is what we call the large variety of constructs, and even, dare we say, beings, that combine once-living flesh and magic with mechanical components and clockwork,in order to achieve a semblance of life, and in some cases an all-too-real agency and cunning.

	~~Cruel reminders~~ of ~~our own folly~~, the Morthagi ~~have been around since magic first blossomed~~. ~~Is it any surprise? What secret have we ever sought but that which gives us primacy over death?~~		Mortificial is a term for a mixture of dead tissue and clockwork, bound together with magic, to serve some purpose, such as a prosthetic limb. It would not be incorrect to say that the Morthagi are mortificial beings.

	~~Ironic, really, that~~ the ~~now-forbidden study of necromancy is perhaps our most storied accomplishment, our most often-plundered trove of understanding~~. ~~Banal necromantic mages have created hosts, armies,~~ of ~~mindless undead~~, ~~while~~ the ~~more imaginative~~ and ~~successful warlocks instilled spirit, conscience, thought~~, ~~even ambition into their finest~~ and ~~most dreadful works~~.		Mortificer is the term for one who invents and builds Morthagi. They tend to be a blend of tinkerer and mystic; both crafts are necessary, and mortificers come to the craft with a variety of skill and motivations. Some are history's greatest villains, and some (more rarely) are heroes.

	~~A quick look through our documented encounters will reveal animated skeletons—some beast~~, ~~some man—risen~~ and ~~rotting corpses possessed of atrocious and endless appetites, stitched-up golems, soul-infused liches, wraiths and specters of unknowable and frankly tantalizing life force… The~~ Morthagi ~~are without singular or traceable origin~~, ~~and are not altogether bonded~~ to ~~one~~ or ~~another goal~~. ~~It takes a powerful mystic~~ to ~~exert his~~ or ~~her will over even one manifest morthage~~, ~~let alone many~~. ~~Still, if there is one thing we~~ have ~~learned about magic through the ages~~, ~~it is that, wherever and whatever its limits may~~ be, ~~they are so far beyond our sight and knowledge that they may as well not exist at all~~.		Mortificial devices in general, and the Morthagi in particular, tend to remain operational indefinitely or until destroyed by violence, whichever comes first. Thus, it's not unheard-of to find the loathsome constructs in ancient tombs, or sealed caves, untouched by time for eons. Such constructs often have unique designs, but again certain designs seem to be timeless, repeated by every practitioner of the artform.

	~~Fighting~~ the Morthagi ~~is a prospect no one relishes. That’s not to say that a skeleton can’t~~ be ~~shattered,~~ or ~~a ghoul burned to dust. More~~, ~~the danger lies~~ in the ~~very interaction with, the presence~~ of ~~arcane engineering~~. ~~Where magic dwells in perceivable manifestation, it tends to~~ have been ~~nesting for a great long while~~, ~~accumulating power and prejudice. Some~~ of the ~~greatest wizards ever were necromancers, and this is understandable~~. ~~Necromancy, as we’ve been hinting, is perhaps the essential human goal; it merely goes by different names~~ in more ~~civilized society: medicine, literature, art. Physically~~ and ~~metaphysically,~~ we ~~are always toying with~~, ~~seeking~~ to ~~harness~~, and ~~struggling to overcome our real and metaphorical deaths~~.		Some of the simpler Morthagi must be powered by an external mystical or mechanical source, and can fall dormant in the absence of a power source. Others though have been crafted to harvest their own power from their surroundings, sometimes by consuming raw materials such as "the flesh of the living" or some other such magically rich substance. Still others seem to gather energy in a more complicated (and probably even worse) way that we don't completely understand. Regardless, it is never safe to assume that a given Morthagi is dormant. Almost all of the common designs include a storage mechanism for energy, and can reactivate when certain conditions are met.

	~~Still~~, ~~essentially, our task remains~~ to ~~combat our oppressive foes~~. ~~Sticks and stones can break brittle bones~~, but ~~swords and axes are better. Of course, there are other means as well: magics may be devised that specialize in turning and defusing necromantic bindings. Such studies would~~ of ~~course require looser restrictions and oversights, as well as extensive delving into dark and ambiguous places…~~		If a Morthagi is encountered in a dormant state, it is sometimes possible to remove its power source without destroying the body. This is an extremely dangerous operation obviously, but we have some accounts from the literature of skilled mortificers who have safely disabled dangerous constructs in the field.

	~~Speaking of dark and ambiguous places, we~~ have ~~taken a vote, and we all agree that this dungeon could use a few more latrines. Not to single anyone out, but certain high-minded scholars seem to take forever~~ in ~~there…~~

	~~--These Informed Opinions submitted by~~ the ~~Order of Kralar on <Date>~~

Nate at 20:52, 8 February 2018

2018-02-08T20:52:09Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:52, 8 February 2018
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			NOTE: this is a bit out of date, and doesn't touch on the clockwork / construct stuff as much as it ought.


	Cruel reminders of our own folly, the Morthagi have been around since magic first blossomed. Is it any surprise? What secret have we ever sought but that which gives us primacy over death?		Cruel reminders of our own folly, the Morthagi have been around since magic first blossomed. Is it any surprise? What secret have we ever sought but that which gives us primacy over death?