Codex of Oblivion 1
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Title: Codex of Oblivion 1
Author: Izrem Verin'Vlos
Preface:
Long has my study of Oblivion, Entropy and the Convergence consumed my time and my focus. I have completed and pursued many projects either directly, tangentally or univolved with Oblivion, yet my drive has always been to document that power that was, is and will be until even it is no more. It is my hope that those who read these words will come to understand Oblivion as I have and see the necessity in taking its precepts to the ends of the universe and time, until all are swallowed in the peaceful void that is Oblivion. -Izrem Verin'Vlos
Codex of Oblivion
as studied and written by Izrem Verin'Vlos
A primer on the nature
of Oblivion, Entropy and
the Convergence.
Table of Contents: pg:
I) Introduction 7
II) Oblivion 22
III) Entropy 56
IV) Convergence 118
V) Epilogue 168
Introduction-------
"All that has a beginning has an end. All that is will one day be not. That is the natural order of reality." -Lich Lord Azalin
The precepts of the
"worship" of Oblivion are
teleological ones. That is
to say, concepts and
ideas that lead to a final
end as the result of the
causes that come before
it. Cause and effect,
where the effect is
already known, so the
causes merely align
properly to see that
effect occurs. At its
most basic level, this is
the scholars understanding
of Oblivion. All things
that have a beginning, will
have an end. Even those
things which we consider
immortal or ageless, on a
long enough time scale,
decay and die. Because we
understand this
end/effect, we can see
the "causes" for what
they are. Little acts of
construction and decay
that lead, ultimately, to
an end. This is Entropy.
Entropy prepares the way
for Oblivion. Cause and
effect.
Yet if that were all that was to be said on the matter, than an organization such as the Order of the Ebon Skull would not need to exist, nor would its scholars within the Scholomance or its dark artificers in the Necromancer Sect. The truth of the matter is that while few may contest this natural truth (though some still try) many do not see the need to revere and accept it in their everyday understandings of life. They see Oblivion and Entropy as unfortunate things that should be overcome and finally surrendered too when inevitability has its way. This need not be the case. By coming to an understanding of the precepts of Oblivion, we can learn to embrace it for both its truth and its liberation. In this collection of notes, research and discussion we shall delve into the concepts known as Oblivion, Entropy and the Convergence.
Each section shall be divided into three parts. First shall come a section on the arcane aspect. This is, simply put, the "scientific" element of the concept being looked at. What it looks like in reality and what few principles of alchemy we can attach to its nature.
Second shall be a look at the theology of the concept. Arcane theory without relavance to reality serves no purpose to those who are not magi or scholars, nor does it enrich the lives of those who observe it but do not see its value.
Third shall be a view of the spiritual relevance of the concept to a persons own life. To understand arcane theory and theology is wonderful, yes. But it is only in how you see how that concept flows in your own life that you come to understand your grand purpose in the scheme of existence. Specifically, it shall take the lessons of theology and apply them the lives of the faithful.
Oblivion----------
"As we stare long into the void, the void stares long into us." -Lich Lord Admoreth Nazduin
Oblivion. A word filled with so much misconception in both modern and ancient politics that it has come to mean something so erroneous that few can know where to start when picking fact from fiction in discerning the truth.
Oblivion, in its most basic understanding, is nothingness. The absence of reality, whether that be in the form of matter or mana. Yet it is from this basic premise that the scholars and necromancers of the Ebon Skull have pulled so much meaning. Let us observe.
1) Arcane Element--------
Oblivion itself defies most attempts to quantify it as it is essentially impossible to measure. Attempting to parse out its elements cannot be done by any mortal means as it sits on the other side of existence and therefore cannot be reached by any normal method of study.
However, there are certain things that can be understood from observation. It lacks substance or mana in any form that we would understand. There is a barrier that exists between reality and Oblivion known to the scholars of the Ebon Skull as "the Convergence". Passing beyond this barrier is impossible, as reality, by definition, cannot exist in a place where matter and mana do not exist. The process of passing through this barrier shall be looked at further in the section on The Convergence. Further information of Oblivion itself cannot be granted as its very existence seems paradoxical.
2) Theology---------------
While information on the arcane nature of Oblivion may go only so far, the theological understandings of the concept can go far deeper.
As it came to be understood as early as the rule of Nizar, Oblivion was the natural state of things that passed beyond the bounds of reality. Lives ended, never to be reformed, beyond even the call of spells as powerful as Ressurection.
Destruction of lands and places that would never rise again. Even the eradication of ideas and concepts, now forgetten entirely to mortal minds, as they passed beyond the boundries of our ability to remember and perceive them.
The end of all things that exist is to pass beyond the veil and enter a place of absolute serenity. And this is the first understanding of Oblivion.
Oblivion is peace. But peace itself is an overused word. Oblivion does not offer that ephemeral (short lived) "peace" that is thrown around in the polical world. A thing to be shattered by the whimsy of tomorrow. It is eternal and ever lasting. That which passes beyond the veil of reality need never again be endangered by the quibbles and unrighteous nature of those that cling to existence. All that passes into the blissful waters of Oblivion rest easily besides all those that have come before them. Which brings us to the second understanding.
Obliivon is equal. The faithful and the irreligious alike pass into non-existence all the same. Just as reality came into existence and shall one day end, so too shall all the souls of those who have come before and shall come eventually finish at the shoals of Oblivion. It is this understanding which has lead the Order of the Ebon Skull, in many of its iterations, to seek to bring its knowledge of Oblivion to others, that they need not sit under the yoke of oppression and inquity that so many suffer in this debased era.
-Continued in Volume 2-