[Imperial Forum] Office of the Imperial Mathematician (Assistant Admin)

Xarxos Fineas · November 30, 2006, 01:01 AM

Fourth Cycle of Pontius
First Candlemark in the Brightening of Srennia
The Winter of Era I of the Celestine Mandate
Thirteenth Era Post Fractum, the Second Era of the Reign of Arabella
Paradigm: The Eclipse of the Sun

The Imperial High Sage had seen fit to sponsor a young man who had shown mathematical prowness beyond even the Sage himself. He had much potential and the High Sage decided to develop the young man's skills so that the Empire might benefit from it.

Xarxos was given an old storage room, converted into an office, next to the library in the Imperial High Sage's compounds.

Inside the library were walls and walls of books and rolled manuscripts on a diverse range of topics, a giant glistening world globe in its wooden cradle, busts of ancient Allerian gods and goddesses, great sprawling maps. And arranged in glass cases, curious objects. There were fossils, exotic shells, bouquets of dried flowers, fragment of old sculpture.

And everywhere around the centre of the room, scattered amongst the red oak tables and glass cases, were comfortable upholstered chairs with footstools, and candelabra or oil lamps. Two wooden ladders were set up at opposite ends of the room along brass railings to assist in obtaining books on the higher shelves.

The office was situated next to the library and consisted of a day bed with a bedside table, a bookcase and a couple of oil lamps hanging from the walls. The bookcase contained books that the mathematician had read the night before and were put back upside down, so that he could remember which books he had finished reading. On one side of the room, a simple pine table stood with a stack of plain papers in one drawer, a couple of pencils and erasers in another, and waste basket to the right of the table. The room was meticulously clean and neat, though sparse, courtesy of Xarxos' obsession for cleanliness. All the papers were squared to the edge of the drawer, and the pencils placed equidistant to each other.

Xarxos Fineas · November 30, 2006, 10:39 PM

Xarxos surveyed his office and nodded to himself. "Yes, this will do. Might need to bring in a tea set." Seeing that there was nothing here to do, Xarxos waddled off to the Library.

Walking around the library, Xarxos examined the various knick knacks displayed in the glass cases. Nothing seemed to spark any interest, and he went over to the bookshelves to take a gander at the huge range of books available. Picking up the first book he came to, Xarxos glanced at the cover.

Treatise on Gadgeteering

OOC: See http://www.alleria.com/?q=Gadgeteering

As he viewed the book, his mind got into gear and he started imagining the possibilities of using gadgeteering in mathematics. The Treatise mentioned a book known as "The Mechanica" which was the first book on Gadgeteering that humans came to know and use. It might be useful in the future, should the need arrise. It also mentioned a tool box that one should use as a beginner. "Hmmm.. I'll have to look for that book and I think I'll requisition that tool box."

Having finished reading and memorising the book, Xarxos places the book back upside-down into the shelf.

Browsing the other titles, he selected 5 other books on mathematics and gadgeteering, carrying them to his study.

Caerydd · December 1, 2006, 09:14 AM

40th Ponutis, Winter Era XIII pf, Regency of Milo L'Evienne

Along with the usual stack of mail for the High Sage, which the servants seemed to believe was Xarxos' place to sort, there finally came some mail for the young mathematician. He was not the only one of his kind in the Imperial City, nor even in the whole of Prime, as he was soon to find out. Never mind the large number of accountants and clerks working in the beehive of the Ministry of Finance; there were academics all over the place.

Some of them had apparently taken note of his appointment. His title, Imperial Mathematician, would be grumbled at. It was not the place of the High Sage to create such a title, and unfortunately Lictor Xarxos would bear the brunt of their ire. Not that he knew this yet.

There were three scrolls addressed to him, although somewhat snippy as 'Imperial Lictor Xarxos, Assistant to the High Sage'.

Secrets :

The last letter was different to the other two. The outside bore the mark of a missive sent from the hand of a clergyman.

Secrets :

Xarxos Fineas · December 2, 2006, 12:33 PM

Setting down his books perpendicularly to the table, Xarxos noticed three scrolls waiting to be read. Curious as to what they might contain, he sat down to read them thorougly.

It might be interesting to see what level of mathematics is out there at the Symposium and he might get to meet some experts in the field as well. Yes, it seemed like a good idea to attend, just in case something interesting was presented.

Xarxos thought that it was rather nice of the Lictors to invite him to a party so that he could meet the others. He wondered what they were like and what was going to take place at this party.

Taking out a fresh sheet of paper, Xarxos lists the events that he had been invited to as appointments, also making a note to visit the Church at some point to check out what they had meant by repenting. He thought nothing of the intentions behind the first two letters and just assumed that these went with the post of being an Imperial Mathematician.

Quote:

1.)

What: Assembly for the Imperial Lictors
When: 2nd Melora
Time: Dusk
Place: Emerald Club
Transport: Wait by the Fountain in the Senator's Circle and someone will come and collect you
Things to bring: None

2.)

What: Winter Symposium of Mathematics
When: 3rd Melora
Time: Noon
Place: Academy of Divine Geometry & Worshipful Logic of Orod
Transport: Not Specified
Things to bring: None.

3.)

What: See church on it's stance on mathematics
When: Whenever
Time: See above
Place: Church of Faith
Transport: Walk
Things to bring: Ideas on Mathematical Philosophy.

Since he was under the Imperial High Sage's employ, Xarxos felt that he should discuss the letters with him and see about getting some time off to attend the appointments. The last message was particularly confusing to Xarxos as he did not understand what to repent for or where all this fury was in aid of.

Leaving his books on the table, Xarxos shuffles over to Z'kron's office to discuss the new letters, and at the same time, check that Z'kron has received his message concerning the requisitioning of a book and tool box.

Xarxos Fineas · February 18, 2007, 11:08 AM

Timestamp: Morning of Orodisia, 5th Cycle of Cryxatum, Era XIII PF

Coming back from the Assembly for the Imperial Lictors, Xarxos sat down to peruse the books he had gotten from the library. It had been quite a month with meetings and administrative work to get him settled into the new position. He felt tired and yet, relieved of the monumentous amount of paper work he had completed and could now afford the time to spend on his studies and work.

He barely understood what the books talked about. Not to say he didn't understand the words, it was just not in the order that they were set in. The pictures were incredibly complex and technical, and this did not aid his understanding of the topic. In fact, it seemed to aid in putting him to sleep.

"Hmmm.. a lot of the newer books mentioned or were published in Taralon. I wonder why that is.."

Hoping to get an insight into this, Xarxos roused from his desk and proceeded back to the library with the books he had taken out. Finding the places he had taken out the books from, Xarxos placed the books back upside down. It was an old habit of his that helped him remember which books he had already read, and helped him to find new books. New books, such as ones on the city Taralon. "Let's see... T..T...T...Ta... Taragon...Tara....Taralon! There we are."

The dusty tome appeared not to have seen much use recently, and had a musty smell arising from it.

An excerpt from the book read:
' Taralon, - Tree-lined streets and golden stone are only the surface beauty of this capital city, famous for its signature gadgetry and craft. It is here that innovation is born and dreams become reality.'

"Ah.... S-s-so that's why.. Well, I am looking for a rather unique form of gadgetry.. and it might be nice to get away from all this paperwork for a while. "

Xarxos toyed with the idea all through the afternoon and finally sat down to write a letter to the Imperial Sage.

Secrets :

Xarxos Fineas · February 21, 2007, 05:52 AM

Timestamp: Lunaria, 5th Cycle of Cryxatum, Era XIII PF

Having obtained supplies, and packed his belongings into the two backpacks that he had bought just the day before, Xarxos was ready for the sea voyage to Taralon.

He had packed the copy of "The Mechanica", notes that he had made on his research on Mathematics as well as the usual stuff like clothes. He knew he would be staying at The Fireside Inn and Tavern which he had been advised would be a good place to stay at.

Xarxos left his office in an orderly manner, and hoped it would remain the same until he came back. Of which, he wasn't exactly sure when he would return to Alleria Prime."Probably until I come up with something worth showing," he thought, "The Imperial Sage wouldn't be too pleased about me coming back with nothing."

With his things in tow, Xarxos left for the docks and boarded the waiting ship bound for Taralon. The journey was estimated by the Captain to take about two weeks. Meanwhile, there was plenty of time to read up more on gadgeteering and have some tea while doing so.