Assistant Researcher's Notes, Vol. 3, The High Council of Erudin

[Stubbswick]

<p>After completing the book that is referenced here: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/list.m?topic_id=469548" target="_blank">http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/...topic_id=469548</a></p><p>I figured I would post the text I found, in case anyone wants to access it.  It'll probably be up on the eq2players website in the next few days, but hey, lore junkies can't wait that long!</p><p>The text on one of the pages (I believe page 12) is pulled from volume one, and definitely doesn't fit the text around it.  Otherwise, interesting continuation of the story.</p><p>Also... I appologize if there are any formatting/spelling issues (let me know if you see any and I can change).</p><hr /><p>Assistant Researcher's Notes, Vol. 3, The High Council of Erudin "Indeed," was El'Arad's response. I could see his face clearly now, and admittedly, it was hard not to look at him in awe. This was the man who had proposed the rebuilding of the Nexus, and it was through his guidance that the two cites were now cooperating, and working toward a common goal. To imagine that Zal'Urid now stood against the man who had brokered peace between our cities made me ill - but I knew that my master was no fool, and would not be here unless he was certain of his position."Let me assure you that I am not offended by your accusations," El'Arad said calmly. "However, I am puzzled. What is it you think you have discovered that compels you to argue so vehemently against our plan?"  "It's not what I think I've discovered, El'Arad," my master returned, "It's what I have ascertained through rigorous study and calculations. Your plan is flawed, because it is based off incorrect information." "And what information is that, scholar?" El'Arad asked."You are attempting to reconstruct a spire transportation network to replace the now nonfunctional Combine Spires. Yet, you based your design off the Combine Spires themselves," Zal'Urid explained patiently. "My calculations suggest that the new spires will still attempt to connect to the Luclin Nexus, as did the originals. Although I cannot be certain at this point, my research suggests a dangerous feedback of mystical energy resulting..."El'Arad interrupted my master's speech. "You cannot be certain of the outcome, yet you stand before this high court asking us to cease what could be the greatest achievement of the erudite people. And why? Based on admittedly uncertain information." "The only thing I am uncertain of is the outcome," Zal'Urid rid returned. "At best the spires simply will not function. I am still working on the calculations for any other outcome aside from that.""What then, do we have to lose if the spires do not work as we designed them to do? If your calculations cannot conclude any other outcome with any degree ofcertainty, why are we holding this court?" El'Arad asked with a hint of amusement in his voice. My master has always had impeccable control over his emotions. It is a rare case when I have seen him allow circumstances to get him visibly upset. In almost every situation, Zal'Urid is deconstructing and analyzing the situations around him, and formulating plans for any given situations. I could see though, that El'Arad was beginning to make my master's shell of logical detachment begin to crack. At the time, I could not be certain as to why, since Zal'Urid had been in many such open debates, but I knew that something was different this time."I believe, esteemed scholar, that the spires not functioning is the least likely outcome," Zal'Urid said sharply. "In fact, I believe the most likely outcome is more likely as I said before - something far more catastrophic. That's why I mentioned it at the beginning of this court." "You are questioning, then, all of the scholars who have worked on this project, all of the great erudite minds, both from Erudin and from Paineel, and all of the hours upon hours of research that has been poured into what we are attempting to accomplish?" El'Arad turned to face the councilors seated behind him now. "You are saying, to this court, to these scholars, to these people, that all of their research is flawed, while yours is accurate? And we're supposed to take this based on what - your uncertainty, which you cannot support with facts?""Indeed," Zal'Urid responded, to a chorus of jeers and disapproving murmurs. "I believe that more time and research must be dedicated before we begin this project in earnest. We can still get to Antonica by sea,  o there is ample time to conduct further study." "So you admit your contempt for your peers, then?" El'Arad said, a slight chuckle in his voice. Turning toward Zal'Urid, his gaze narrowed. "Tell me something. How many generations of your family have lived within Paineel?""I am the first, councilor," Zal'Urid answered."Interesting," El'Arad mused, as he began to circle my master. "Tell me then, who were your parents, if not scholars from Paineel?"Zal'Urid hesitated, briefly before he could answer. However, Coriante Verisue wasted no time in answering for him. "They were Deepwater Knights, were they not, scholar?" she called out, the disdain evident in her voice."Indeed," Zal'Urid said loudly, "My parents were both members of that Order."  "And why, then, did you leave Erudin as a traitor to live within Paineel?" El'Arad said, punctuating the offensive word 'traitor' for effect."Because the scholars of Erudin have proven to be shortsighted and narrow in their thinking," my master answered bluntly. The angry muttering from the crowd grew ever larger."And is it also true that the Deepwater Knights have opposed this project from the beginning?" El'Arad began, never taking his eyes off my master. "Is it not true that they have made their own shortsighted and narrow way of thinking very clear to this court, and to all of Erudin very well known?" Calls of agreement began echoing off the walls of the high court now. I began to shift uncomfortably, unable to hold back my unease. "Tell me, scholar," El'Arad said fiercely, "Did you not go to the high court of Paineel simply as a mouth piece for your parents' order? Are you not just repeating the rhetoric of the Deepwater Knights, looking to spread their fear and lies to any and all who will listen?""How dare you!" Zal'Urid retorted, seething now with anger. "My research is my own!" My master thrust his notes into the air, shaking them toward the seated council. "My calculations and findings are sound! I challenge any one ofyou to study my notes, and find a flaw within them, as I have found flaws within yours!"The council chamber erupted into jeers. "Throw him out!" came the calls from the benches above. "I've heard enough? My master attempted to argue back, but the crowd was no longer paying him any heed. El'Arad walked backwards out of the light, almost melting into the darkness beyond. lt was clear that he had done what he had set out to do. It was over. The large, heavy doors to the council chamber closed behind us as we left the chamber. As we walked slowly down the hall, I saw that Zal'Urid had calmed considerably, and was back to formulating a new plan. Before I could speak, he spoke to me. "There is something else amiss here, apprentice," he began. "I can't be certain what it is, but El'Arad has another motive - I could sense it, but I cannot put my finger on it."I nodded my agreement, because I was not sure where my master was going with his thoughts.<span style="font-size: x-small;">It was at that moment that I realized who this councilor was - this was none other than El'Arad himself, High Scholar of Erudin, and primary architect of Ulteran spire network plan.<strong>[EDIT:  This paragraph (page 12) is misplaced in this book.  It comes from an earlier text and doesn't fit into the story]</strong></span>"We must find out more. I want you to go to the library of Erudin. Begin seeking out whatever information you can there. Listen in on the scholars' conversations, observe what tomes they are researching, find out who is associating with whom. Whatever is happening here, it is intertwined with the Nexus experiment, and thus could decide the fate of all of Odus - we must learn all we can, as quickly as we can," he explained.I was surprised, to say the very least. "M-m-master," I stammered, "Please forgive me. Planning for the next round of debates is one thing, but looking for a web of conspiracy is something completely different! How can you...""Do not question me, apprentice," he said firmly. "I ask only that you follow my instructions faithfully, and speak none of this to no other. lt is imperative that this remain between you and me.""As you wish, master," I replied. Zal'Urid looked up to me. "There will not be another round of debates - I am sure that El'Arad will see to that. Meet me in three days back on the shore of the Vasty Deep with your notes. Be as discreet as you can." "I will," I answered. "Where will you be?"Zal'Urid looked away. "l am going to meet with the Deepwater Knights, and begin to compare notes. Where that meeting will take me, I cannot say."I nodded. "Very well. I will meet you in three days." I said, and turned to walk away."Indeed," Zal'Urid answered. "And apprentice," he said calmly, "Watch your back." I froze for a moment, hearing the deliberate cold tone of his voice. When I turned around, Zal'Urid was gone.I will not fail you, my master. I will not fail.</p>

[Cronyn]

<p>Sorry about the misplaced text - I missed it.  <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>I've already corrected it and another typo in the book, so on the next push those issues should be fixed.</p><p>My apologies again!</p>

[Stubbswick]

<p><cite>Cronyn wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Sorry about the misplaced text - I missed it.  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" /></p><p>I've already corrected it and another typo in the book, so on the next push those issues should be fixed.</p><p>My apologies again!</p></blockquote><p>There's a few I noticed - I should have written them down to help out!  From what I remember... there's a random question-mark near where it references "Vasty Deep".  Also, in one spot Zal'Urid was called Zal'Urad or Urid or something, I forget.  And there's one sentence where the author used the word "situation" one too many times for my liking, but maybe that's just me still being in beta-mode <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" /></p><p>But I didn't post this to make light of typos and such.  The story is good stuff. The plot thickens...</p><p>I'm definitely excited about the lore in Sentinel's Fate, and judging by what went on with the more involved lore-puzzle you sent out to the community, a lot of other people are too!</p>

[Rainmare]

<p>I'm just looking forward into beatng some sense, or trying ot beat some sense, into those rathed erudites for being too book smart and not enough common sense smart.</p>

[Cusashorn]

<p><cite>Rainmare@Oasis wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I'm just looking forward into beatng some sense, or trying ot beat some sense, into those rathed erudites for being too book smart and not enough common sense smart.</p></blockquote><p>Good luck with that. :p</p>

[Eriol]

<p><cite>Rainmare@Oasis wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I'm just looking forward into beatng some sense, or trying ot beat some sense, into those rathed erudites for being too book smart and not enough common sense smart.</p></blockquote><p>If anything I'd argue the opposite.  They were TOO idealistic, and TOO confident, and <em>needed</em> to hit the books harder to be <em>certain</em> their calculations were right, as Zal'Urid did.</p>

[Stubbswick]

<p>Well, if you put it together with the information we learn from here: <a href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/list.m?topic_id=469149" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/...topic_id=469149</a></p><p>We know El'Arad wasn't just being arrogant.  He was on a timetable to get some spires working again, presumably to greatly assist the void invasion.  Perhaps he was over-confident, but it's hard to say - I assume that the whole feedback/Ultera thing was unintentional, but there's no sort of "oh no! my plans are ruined" reaction from El'Arad.</p><p>Thinking more about this, I wonder more and more about the link to the Kingdom of Sky zones.  There are quite a few Quellithulians in the dungeons of Kingdom of Sky.  Halls of Fate, Den? (I can't remember), and of course, Vaults of El'Arad.  Were they simply post-feedback Erudites who joined the cult of awakened after the few Ulteran spires first started working?  Or is there something else going on here?</p><p>I really want to go back and do Vaults of El'Arad now.  The last time I was there I had no clue about any of the lore in eq2 - I was more like "what's up with all these erudites?  oh well, kill them all."</p>

[Zabjade]

<p><span style="color: #00cc00;">I just wonder if there will be a #4 Lore questlines are addictive. </span></p><p><span style="color: #00cc00;">Hehe! Reminds me, I bet people where wondering when Nek 3 came out, why no one got server disco on the Idol of Everling...because, I had nabbed it in a lore quest before [Nek 3] had opened and got server disco muwhahah--sorry had a manical moment there...Cusa of course got gamewide.</span></p><p><span style="color: #00cc00;">Oddly enough, I <strong>STILL </strong>keep The Idol of Everling in my Inventory, just incase. </span></p><p><span style="color: #00cc00;">That reminds me could someone update looks/sell-ables/the Room type of the Peacoc k Club in Maj'Dul? Maybe make the Vhalan NPC(Plushie?) bigger and with actual music maybe the one from the E-day music box?</span></p>

[Triasa]

<p><cite>Stubbswick wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Thinking more about this, I wonder more and more about the link to the Kingdom of Sky zones.  There are quite a few Quellithulians in the dungeons of Kingdom of Sky.  Halls of Fate, Den? (I can't remember), and of course, Vaults of El'Arad.  Were they simply post-feedback Erudites who joined the cult of awakened after the few Ulteran spires first started working?  Or is there something else going on here?</p><p>I really want to go back and do Vaults of El'Arad now.  The last time I was there I had no clue about any of the lore in eq2 - I was more like "what's up with all these erudites?  oh well, kill them all."</p></blockquote><p>This jogged something in my memory, so I looked back through my bookmarks and found this:</p><p><cite>Vhalen wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><div>The Quellithulians and the Awakened, what an odd alliance. To better understand the alliance you would have to <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">walk the palaces of an island continent or know the master of the spires</span></strong>. As for the excavated resources, they have many uses.  </div></blockquote><p>From what I've read in the beta forums, El'Arad is the boss of the Eurdin Palace zone, and one could make the case that he's the "master of the spires."  Yet that doesn't seem to further my understanding of the alliance at all, lol.  Anyone else find anything in SF that clears any of this up?</p>

[Aurel]

<p>Hey, what's wrong with being book smart?  *grump*</p><p>Out of curiosity -- are volumes 2 and 3 supposed to have the same title (The High Council of Erudin)?  I thought that perhaps with the page 12 error that the title was another mis-copy of some sort...  Though they are both taking place mostly in the council, so I suppose it does make sense in the long run... *ponder*</p>

[Rainmare]

<p>I think it's plainly obvious. El'Arad made the pact with the Cult for further research into the spires and how they function...hence how they were able to build the spires from norrath to the Overrealm that worked, adn not blow up in thier face. you know the kind of reasearch out assistant's master said they should take the time to do in the first place.</p><p>Not to mention El'Arad might have been hoping to gain the power from his new 'allies' to further empower the new Nexus, thus helping facilitate the arrival of the 'great seraph' whom we know is Theer.</p><p>and Aure....nothign wrong with being book smart. it's just they were TOO book smart. so enamoured with the 'this can work and these books say it will' to do like our good friend did and use common sense to go 'gee, this is based off the combine spires, that used the old nexus....lets look a little more into that.'</p><p>so enamoured with the researched details and structured planning and formulas that didn't see the blatantly obvious flaws that common sense should have picked up on. it was like the engineer of a ferrari, knowing every piece, every schematic, every detail of how the car functions...wondering why he got in an accident when he tried to go from 0-120 in 60 seconds on an icy road.</p>

[Meirril]

<p><cite>Rainmare@Oasis wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I think it's plainly obvious. El'Arad made the pact with the Cult for further research into the spires and how they function...hence how they were able to build the spires from norrath to the Overrealm that worked, adn not blow up in thier face. you know the kind of reasearch out assistant's master said they should take the time to do in the first place.</p><p>Not to mention El'Arad might have been hoping to gain the power from his new 'allies' to further empower the new Nexus, thus helping facilitate the arrival of the 'great seraph' whom we know is Theer.</p><p>and Aure....nothign wrong with being book smart. it's just they were TOO book smart. so enamoured with the 'this can work and these books say it will' to do like our good friend did and use common sense to go 'gee, this is based off the combine spires, that used the old nexus....lets look a little more into that.'</p><p>so enamoured with the researched details and structured planning and formulas that didn't see the blatantly obvious flaws that common sense should have picked up on. it was like the engineer of a ferrari, knowing every piece, every schematic, every detail of how the car functions...wondering why he got in an accident when he tried to go from 0-120 in 60 seconds on an icy road.</p></blockquote><p>Reading between the lines, between the 2 stories we've gotten from these books and the Deepwater Knights Chronicals I'd say that El'Arad and the High Councle of Euradin knew exactly what they were doing when they powered the Ulterian Spire Network. They were creating the feedback on purpose to create a pathway for their master Theer to enter Norrath.</p><p>They fooled the other powers of Euradin and Paineel into complaciency and had plans in place to eliminate their most direct competition for control of Euradin and the Odus Nexus. I'm sure once we have access into the Odus nexus we'll find the void has agents there and probably a gateway. We'll also probably find out that the High Council of Euradin is probably either having an internal power struggle or some reminent of the Knights of Deepwater still exists and prevents the Council from using its full strength to retake the exterior of the Odus Nexus and helping their forces within.</p><p>El'Arad used the Euradite's overconfidence and arrogance to cover for his plans. By the time Zal'Urid approached the High Council they were most likely completely corrupted and knew what El'Arad true intentions were as well as his allies in the void.</p>

[KniteShayd]

<p>Dbl Post</p>

[KniteShayd]

<p><cite>Triasa@Kithicor wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Vhalen wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><div>The Quellithulians and the Awakened, what an odd alliance. To better understand the alliance you would have to <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">walk the palaces of an island continent or know the master of the spires</span></strong>. As for the excavated resources, they have many uses.  </div></blockquote><p>From what I've read in the beta forums, El'Arad is the boss of the Eurdin Palace zone, and one could make the case that he's the "master of the spires."  Yet that doesn't seem to further my understanding of the alliance at all, lol.  Anyone else find anything in SF that clears any of this up?</p></blockquote><p>I would like to know myself. I would venture to guess the Erudites co-op'd as a sort of revenge for them being used (and maybe to correct their unintentional folly of letting in the void) The dragons are losing hold on Norrath, and it would seem to me that the Quells could help them eliminate this very big threat to their power.</p>

[Cusashorn]

<p>Have fun figuring out what is really going on. I haven't ordered the expansion yet and probably won't for the next couple months due to my budget. Too much stuff going on right now. Shame too, because I've been waiting for Odus for 5 years.</p>