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R
ecently, I had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Albert(us) Magnus, a
noted philosopher in TriadCity. Dr. Magnus is writing
a book entitled The Origin Stone: Echoes of Our Past, which
he says is
based on new texts uncovered during an archeological venture.
Without going into much detail, the doctor hinted at the possibility of
multiple stones, with similar properties to the one located on Sanctuary
Island. Magnus' theory, based on what he calls "historical
records," is that each stone is actually a fragment of a larger stone,
the original Origin Stone. According to excerpts from the unfinished
book,
"the Origin Stone fell from the heavens, and struck the ground,
causing three rivers to spring forth from under the ground. In the
impact, however, the Stone fragmented, and only the largest piece was
left at the point of impact."
Dr. Magnus says the fragments were
publicly displayed at one time, but were lost during the worldwide wars.
"Dr. Magnus' claim that his theory is based on historical documentation is
unusual," said Poobah, Grand Marshal and President for Life of the TriadCity
Pancreatic League, and a noted expert on the City's lore and legends. "I'm
familiar with any number of stories about the Stone, but this is the first which
claims more than traditional status."
About the Stone itself, Poobah said, "It's about twice
the size of an average person. Irregularly shaped -- not perfectly
spherical. The same peculiar gray color as most of Sanc[tuary] Island:
when you look closely, you'll find it's made of many shades of gray,
white and black that all blend together."
I asked Poobah to relate some of the Stone's many legends.
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"Many folks do say the Stone fell from the heavens," he said.
"Some say it was sent by higher powers to be a marker:
Build the City Here. Yet I've also heard that the City already
existed before the Stone fell, and what was considered miraculous was that it
landed at the City's precise center. And I've also heard that the Stone actually
rose from the ground, at the origins of the three rivers.
"Here's one story which I personally happen to find intriguing,
because it ties into some of the earliest legends about the City's founding.
The outline is that the City was founded by exiles from the dominant
civilizations of this world. The old cultures were destroying themselves in
debilitating wars, which both sides explained as conflicts between 'good' and
'evil,' whatever those terms mean exactly . . . So these exiles chose to
leave their warring countries and found a sort of refuge, where
competing ideas of 'good' and 'evil' could live in truce, if not exactly
in harmony. According to the legend, The Lawgiver and other leaders of these
factions had prophetic dreams leading them to the Stone; while others heard
voices describing it; while still others saw it as a flaming star in the
heavens, which fell to earth where it is now. In any event, these legends
agree that the Stone is in some way bound up with the origin of the City --
hence it's name I presume.
"To my knowledge, none of these stories has substantiation, aside
from the obvious fact of the existence of the Stone at the center
of the city."
Whatever the source and history of the Stone, it is an
impressive and rather central (pun intended) monument to the unity of
TriadCity. Visitors come to the City from all over, but they enter, one
and all, at the same place. In that way, the Stone is the beginning of
the City, and no matter the past, it's where you go from there that
matters.
aLokii is a Reporter of TriadCity
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