Grim Anatomy *HERE BE SPOILERS* Updated-send help
Jan 11, 2018 21:09:44 GMT
lilyenachaos, thats1evildude, and 4 more like this
Post by OhDaniGirl on Jan 11, 2018 21:09:44 GMT
I didn't see this discussed anywhere else, but if it has, my apologies.
So, for those of you who have a copy of WoT 2, you are likely aware of the strange little tale of a book called the Grim Anatomy. If not, you may find it scattered throughout the Inquisition section.
Or, there is a handy little video.
Now, this whole thing is very interestng, especially the coded language. It does appear to be an actual language of sorts, as there are numerous repeating symbols and patterns. I was thinking it could be braille, or morse code, but neither of those seem to fit. I could very well be wrong, as I am terrible at these sorts of things. There seems to be a few hints scattered throughout the illustrations, but I can't make heads or tails of them. Perhaps someone with more brainpower than I may have more luck.
In the video, the narrator mentions a piece of machinery that she believes to be a sigil press (p 251, or 2:15 in video ), but I think it is actually a Gutenberg Press.
There is also the number 12 scratched into the book's illustration in tallies. I was curious, so I googled "Gutenberg 12", and it took me here. Clever, considering the subject matter.
I don't know if this has anything to do with this secret code, however.
Another interesting tidbit, eyes. Eyes are a focal point in the Grim Anatomy. It got me thinking...where else have I seen an obsession with eyes? Oh, yes...the fade. In Solas's first fresco, the fade portion is covered in eyeballs. Eyes, and seeing things in general, are also mentioned throughout the game.
Sera: Look, could you at least not stare past my eyes? Friggin' creepy, that.
Cole: You're not your eyes, you live behind them.
Sera: That too. Don't do that. Creepy.
Interesting. This Grim book appears to be on to something. The eyes are, after all, the window to the soul. Or spirit. Or demon.
There is plenty more to unpack from this strange book, but my head is already spinning.
Thoughts?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
**UPDATE**
I had some time, so I decided to do a bit more digging into the different illustrations. Oops.
So I noticed a sketch (p.268) of what could be the Fibonacci sequence or the Golden Ratio (otherwise known as the Divine ratio). Cool. Kind of fits with the whole spirit thing.
There are also references to what might be alchemy and transmutation circles, which I don't think are an actual thing outside of the game Fullmetal Alchemist. The Magnum opus (which begins with prima materia (first matter) and ends with the Philosopher's stone (immortality)) is a thing, however (and may explain the gold leafing). The author mentions that when a demon/spirit possesses something, it becomes the creature. It transmutes. (Cole, what did you do?)
Interestingly, the last section of the book mentions "rot and emptiness", which suggests the first of the four stages of the magnum opus. Or Blight.
All of this led me to the Emerald Tablet, which is an interesting read, to say the least. "As above, so below." (Fade, anyone?)
Other possible references also include Macrocosm and Microcosm and the Systema Munditotius.
Or, the whole thing is a reference to the game Opus Magnum (mess of overlapping and interconnected geometric shapes, indeed).
I honestly don't even know what I'm doing anymore....someone may need to send help.
So, for those of you who have a copy of WoT 2, you are likely aware of the strange little tale of a book called the Grim Anatomy. If not, you may find it scattered throughout the Inquisition section.
Or, there is a handy little video.
Now, this whole thing is very interestng, especially the coded language. It does appear to be an actual language of sorts, as there are numerous repeating symbols and patterns. I was thinking it could be braille, or morse code, but neither of those seem to fit. I could very well be wrong, as I am terrible at these sorts of things. There seems to be a few hints scattered throughout the illustrations, but I can't make heads or tails of them. Perhaps someone with more brainpower than I may have more luck.
In the video, the narrator mentions a piece of machinery that she believes to be a sigil press (p 251, or 2:15 in video ), but I think it is actually a Gutenberg Press.
There is also the number 12 scratched into the book's illustration in tallies. I was curious, so I googled "Gutenberg 12", and it took me here. Clever, considering the subject matter.
I don't know if this has anything to do with this secret code, however.Another interesting tidbit, eyes. Eyes are a focal point in the Grim Anatomy. It got me thinking...where else have I seen an obsession with eyes? Oh, yes...the fade. In Solas's first fresco, the fade portion is covered in eyeballs. Eyes, and seeing things in general, are also mentioned throughout the game.
Sera: Look, could you at least not stare past my eyes? Friggin' creepy, that.
Cole: You're not your eyes, you live behind them.
Sera: That too. Don't do that. Creepy.
Interesting. This Grim book appears to be on to something. The eyes are, after all, the window to the soul. Or spirit. Or demon.
There is plenty more to unpack from this strange book, but my head is already spinning.
Thoughts?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
**UPDATE**
I had some time, so I decided to do a bit more digging into the different illustrations. Oops.
So I noticed a sketch (p.268) of what could be the Fibonacci sequence or the Golden Ratio (otherwise known as the Divine ratio). Cool. Kind of fits with the whole spirit thing.
There are also references to what might be alchemy and transmutation circles, which I don't think are an actual thing outside of the game Fullmetal Alchemist. The Magnum opus (which begins with prima materia (first matter) and ends with the Philosopher's stone (immortality)) is a thing, however (and may explain the gold leafing). The author mentions that when a demon/spirit possesses something, it becomes the creature. It transmutes. (Cole, what did you do?)
Interestingly, the last section of the book mentions "rot and emptiness", which suggests the first of the four stages of the magnum opus. Or Blight.
All of this led me to the Emerald Tablet, which is an interesting read, to say the least. "As above, so below." (Fade, anyone?)
This is true and remote from all cover of falsehood
Whatever is below is similar to that which is above. Through this the marvels of the work of one thing are procured and perfected.
Also, as all things are made from one, by the [consideration] of one, so all things were made from this one, by conjunction.
The father of it is the sun, the mother the moon. The wind bore it in the womb. Its nurse is the earth, the mother of all perfection.
Its power is perfected. If it is turned into earth.
Separate the earth from the fire, the subtle and thin from the crude and [coarse], prudently, with modesty and wisdom.
This ascends from the earth into the sky and again descends from the sky to the earth, and receives the power and efficacy of things above and of things below.
By this means you will acquire the glory of the whole world,
And so you will drive away all shadows and blindness.
For this by its fortitude snatches the palm from all other fortitude and power. For it is able to penetrate and subdue everything subtle and everything crude and hard.
By this means the world was founded
And hence the marvelous conjunctions of it and admirable effects, since this is the way by which these marvels may be brought about.
And because of this they have called me Hermes Tristmegistus since I have the three parts of the wisdom and philosophy of the whole universe.
My speech is finished which I have spoken concerning the solar work
Whatever is below is similar to that which is above. Through this the marvels of the work of one thing are procured and perfected.
Also, as all things are made from one, by the [consideration] of one, so all things were made from this one, by conjunction.
The father of it is the sun, the mother the moon. The wind bore it in the womb. Its nurse is the earth, the mother of all perfection.
Its power is perfected. If it is turned into earth.
Separate the earth from the fire, the subtle and thin from the crude and [coarse], prudently, with modesty and wisdom.
This ascends from the earth into the sky and again descends from the sky to the earth, and receives the power and efficacy of things above and of things below.
By this means you will acquire the glory of the whole world,
And so you will drive away all shadows and blindness.
For this by its fortitude snatches the palm from all other fortitude and power. For it is able to penetrate and subdue everything subtle and everything crude and hard.
By this means the world was founded
And hence the marvelous conjunctions of it and admirable effects, since this is the way by which these marvels may be brought about.
And because of this they have called me Hermes Tristmegistus since I have the three parts of the wisdom and philosophy of the whole universe.
My speech is finished which I have spoken concerning the solar work
Other possible references also include Macrocosm and Microcosm and the Systema Munditotius.
Or, the whole thing is a reference to the game Opus Magnum (mess of overlapping and interconnected geometric shapes, indeed).
I honestly don't even know what I'm doing anymore....someone may need to send help.
