Ghyll:Rod of Quiends - Revision history

Jcowan: /* Unusual Properties */ Misspelling removed.

2005-05-17T21:17:14Z

Unusual Properties: Misspelling removed.

Morbus Iff: More patient edits. Was hectic this morning.

2005-02-15T00:12:53Z

More patient edits. Was hectic this morning.

Morbus Iff: Copyediting and Ooooh, this is the last one, right? Woot.

2005-02-14T16:12:09Z

Copyediting and Ooooh, this is the last one, right? Woot.

Morbus Iff: Bolding first mention, as per jcowan.

2005-02-14T15:27:43Z

Bolding first mention, as per jcowan.

Clsn: Worth mentioning the Nitenmangrey; I hadn't realized how well it fit.

2005-02-10T13:37:48Z

Worth mentioning the Nitenmangrey; I hadn't realized how well it fit.

Clsn: 'nother typo. Probably more to come...

2005-02-10T02:49:21Z

'nother typo. Probably more to come...

Clsn: Fixing Typo

2005-02-10T02:40:13Z

Fixing Typo

Clsn: Added citations

2005-02-10T02:37:20Z

Added citations

Clsn: First edition.

2005-02-10T02:35:05Z

First edition.

Clsn at 16:11, 9 February 2005

2005-02-09T16:11:00Z

New page

I'll try it... --[[User:Clsn|clsn]] 11:11, 9 Feb 2005 (EST)

@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 === Unusual Properties ===
-Perhaps the most reknowned property of the Rod of Quiends is the fact that ''nothing'' else seems to be quite the same length as it.  Even when measured and cut with the greatest precision, any object measured against it always seems to wind up just a bit too long or too short.  The difference is rarely great, but always enough to be visible to a careful observer without any special equipment.  So when we say that the Rod of Quiends is the standard of length, it's really the clear Quartzoid rods produced (with the greatest possible precision) by the scientists at the [[Aminfarances Institute of Science and Technomancy|Institute]] that wind up being the ''practical'' standard.    Fortunately, these rods, at least, appear to be fairly consistent at turning out to be about 0.8% too long (i.e., about 1.75 [[kinanit]] too long, or around 23 [[linanit]]&mdash;bear in mind that these measurements are made, perforce, by eye and estimation), and that's actually closer than just about anything else that has tried to be the same length as the Rod.  It is not known why the Rod should exhibit such behavior; a few theorists have proposed that there is some mechanism akin to [[Awal shrinkage]] at work, but if so it is quite different from any Awal shrinkage phenomenon so far observed.  Contrary to common assertions of the ignorant, the Rod does not "emit mysterious obith waves" or any other known radiation or energy field.
+Perhaps the most renowned property of the Rod of Quiends is the fact that ''nothing'' else seems to be quite the same length as it.  Even when measured and cut with the greatest precision, any object measured against it always seems to wind up just a bit too long or too short.  The difference is rarely great, but always enough to be visible to a careful observer without any special equipment.  So when we say that the Rod of Quiends is the standard of length, it's really the clear Quartzoid rods produced (with the greatest possible precision) by the scientists at the [[Aminfarances Institute of Science and Technomancy|Institute]] that wind up being the ''practical'' standard.    Fortunately, these rods, at least, appear to be fairly consistent at turning out to be about 0.8% too long (i.e., about 1.75 [[kinanit]] too long, or around 23 [[linanit]]&mdash;bear in mind that these measurements are made, perforce, by eye and estimation), and that's actually closer than just about anything else that has tried to be the same length as the Rod.  It is not known why the Rod should exhibit such behavior; a few theorists have proposed that there is some mechanism akin to [[Awal shrinkage]] at work, but if so it is quite different from any Awal shrinkage phenomenon so far observed.  Contrary to common assertions of the ignorant, the Rod does not "emit mysterious obith waves" or any other known radiation or energy field.
 A lesser-known fact about the Rod of Quiends is that objects struck by its ends do not resonate anywhere near as much as one would expect.  Banging the Rod of Quiends full-force on the loudest, best-tuned [[Obovox]] in the world would produce only a very faint sound.  No fully satisfactory explanation has ever been offered for the Rod's "quiet ends," but they appear to be responsible for its name, as mentioned above.

@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 The history of the Rod of Quiends is somewhat obscure.  It was discovered near the village of [[Shepenor]] sometime around -800 [[EC]], where it was briefly used as the scepter of a local [[Hive-Lord]].  Because of its obvious intended function as a measuring tool, the Rod eventually became used a the standard of length in the [[Chesix System Of Measures]] (despite its strange unsuitability to the task).  After being bounced around from research-institution to research-institution, it eventually was moved to the [[Aminfarances Institute of Science and Technomancy]] in -120 [[EC]].  It should be noted that despite the Rod's importance in Chesix measurement, it is quite possible that the measurement system predates the discovery of the Rod, and the length-standard was adjusted to accord with the Rod (slightly) because of its great importance.
-The name of the Rod is something of a mystery, since nobody named "Quiends" was ever involved in its discovery or research, so far as we know.  Nor can it be because of the village of Quiends near Shepenor (where the Rod was discovered), as that village did not even get the name "Quiends" until at least 60 years after the Rod had been found and named (in fact, the name of the village appears to derive from the name of the Rod, not the other way around).  Prior to around -700 [[EC]], the village was just a small cluster of huts and was called by the locals, "that small cluster of huts over yonder."  There are many other explanations, each more ludicrous than the last.  But really, the most plausible explanation for the name is almost too simple: the Rod was named for its "quiet ends," as described below.
+The name of the Rod is something of a mystery, since nobody named "Quiends" was ever involved in its discovery or research, so far as we know.  Nor can it be because of the village of Quiends near [[Shepenor]] (where the Rod was discovered), as that village did not even get the name "Quiends" until at least 60 years after the Rod had been found and named (in fact, the name of the village appears to derive from the name of the Rod, not the other way around).  Prior to around -700 [[EC]], the village was just a small cluster of huts and was called by the locals, "that small cluster of huts over yonder."  There are many other explanations, each more ludicrous than the last.  But really, the most plausible explanation for the name is almost too simple: the Rod was named for its "quiet ends," as described below.
 Although a [[M'Kev D'wal|certain raving madman]] has had the temerity to claim that the Rod of Quiends originated on the backward island of [[Kebro-shepenor]] in the hands of the primitive [[Kev]], such ridiculous assertions must be rejected out of hand.  The barbaric inhabitants of that impoverished land could never even understand the technology to forge an ordinary metal rod, let alone one of such distinction as the Rod of Quiends.  Moreover, the claimant is a known charlatan and fraud&mdash;or else completely delusional, and possibly both.
@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 == Description ==
-The Rod of Quiends is approximately 2.2 [[nanit]]s long and cylindrical, with a diameter approximately 1/8 its length (i.e. approximately 3 [[inanit]]s long).  It is made of a hard metallic substance of unknown provenance, and is prominently marked along its length with circular markings of varying prominence, and flat polished ends.  Its design makes it obvious that it is intended as a measuring tool (indeed, some markings on the Rod have been conclusively shown to be numerals&mdash;though not always the ones expected, based on their position), which is what earned it its honored status as the standard of length.
+The Rod of Quiends is approximately 2.2 [[nanit]]s long and cylindrical, with a diameter approximately 1/8 its length (approximately 3 [[inanit]]s long).  It is made of a hard metallic substance of unknown provenance, and is prominently marked along its length with circular markings of varying prominence, and flat polished ends.  Its design makes it obvious that it is intended as a measuring tool (indeed, some markings on the Rod have been conclusively shown to be numerals&mdash;though not always the ones expected, based on their position), which is what earned it its honored status as the standard of length.
 === Unusual Properties ===

@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 The history of the Rod of Quiends is somewhat obscure.  It was discovered near the village of [[Shepenor]] sometime around -800 [[EC]], where it was briefly used as the scepter of a local [[Hive-Lord]].  Because of its obvious intended function as a measuring tool, the Rod eventually became used a the standard of length in the [[Chesix System Of Measures]] (despite its strange unsuitability to the task).  After being bounced around from research-institution to research-institution, it eventually was moved to the [[Aminfarances Institute of Science and Technomancy]] in -120 [[EC]].  It should be noted that despite the Rod's importance in Chesix measurement, it is quite possible that the measurement system predates the discovery of the Rod, and the length-standard was adjusted to accord with the Rod (slightly) because of its great importance.
-The name of the Rod is something of a mystery, since nobody named "Quiends" was ever involved in its discovery or research, so far as we know.  Nor can it be because of the village of Quiends near Shepenor (where the Rod was discovered), as that village did not even get the name "Quiends" until at least 60 years after the Rod had been found and named (in fact, the name of the village appears to derive from the name of the Rod, not the other way around).  Prior to around -700 EC, the village was just a small cluster of huts and was called by the locals, "that small cluster of huts over yonder."  There are many other explanations, each more ludicrous than the last.  But really, most plausible explanation for the name is almost too simple: the Rod was named for its "quiet ends," as described below.
+The name of the Rod is something of a mystery, since nobody named "Quiends" was ever involved in its discovery or research, so far as we know.  Nor can it be because of the village of Quiends near Shepenor (where the Rod was discovered), as that village did not even get the name "Quiends" until at least 60 years after the Rod had been found and named (in fact, the name of the village appears to derive from the name of the Rod, not the other way around).  Prior to around -700 [[EC]], the village was just a small cluster of huts and was called by the locals, "that small cluster of huts over yonder."  There are many other explanations, each more ludicrous than the last.  But really, the most plausible explanation for the name is almost too simple: the Rod was named for its "quiet ends," as described below.
 Although a [[M'Kev D'wal|certain raving madman]] has had the temerity to claim that the Rod of Quiends originated on the backward island of [[Kebro-shepenor]] in the hands of the primitive [[Kev]], such ridiculous assertions must be rejected out of hand.  The barbaric inhabitants of that impoverished land could never even understand the technology to forge an ordinary metal rod, let alone one of such distinction as the Rod of Quiends.  Moreover, the claimant is a known charlatan and fraud&mdash;or else completely delusional, and possibly both.
@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 == Description ==
-The Rod of Quiends is approximately 2.2 [[nanit]]s long and cylindrical, with a diameter approximately 1/8 its length (i.e. approximately 3 inanits long).  It is made of a hard metallic substance of unknown provenance, and is prominently marked along its length with circular markings of varying prominence, and flat polished ends.  Its design makes it obvious that it is intended as a measuring tool (indeed, some markings on the Rod have been conclusively shown to be numerals&mdash;though not always the ones expected, based on their position), which is what earned it its honored status as the standard of length.
+The Rod of Quiends is approximately 2.2 [[nanit]]s long and cylindrical, with a diameter approximately 1/8 its length (i.e. approximately 3 [[inanit]]s long).  It is made of a hard metallic substance of unknown provenance, and is prominently marked along its length with circular markings of varying prominence, and flat polished ends.  Its design makes it obvious that it is intended as a measuring tool (indeed, some markings on the Rod have been conclusively shown to be numerals&mdash;though not always the ones expected, based on their position), which is what earned it its honored status as the standard of length.
 === Unusual Properties ===
-Perhaps the most reknowned property of the Rod of Quiends is the fact that ''nothing'' else seems to be quite the same length as it.  Even when measured and cut with the greatest precision, any object measured against it always seems to wind up just a bit too long or too short.  The difference is rarely great, but always enough to be visible to a careful observer without any special equipment.  So when we say that the Rod of Quiends is the standard of length, it's really the clear Quartzoid rods produced (with the greatest possible precision) by the scientists at the [[Aminfarances Institute of Science and Technomancy|Institute]] that wind up being the ''practical'' standard.    Fortunately, these rods, at least, appear to be fairly consistent at turning out to be about 0.8% too long (i.e., about 1.75 kinanit too long, or around 23 linanit&mdash;bear in mind that these measurements are made, perforce, by eye and estimation), and that's actually closer than just about anything else that has tried to be the same length as the Rod.  It is not known why the Rod should exhibit such behavior; a few theorists have proposed that there is some mechanism akin to [[Awal Shrinkage]] at work, but if so it is quite different from any Awal Shrinkage phenomenon so far observed.  Contrary to common assertions of the ignorant, the Rod does not "emit mysterious obith waves" or any other known radiation or energy field.
+Perhaps the most reknowned property of the Rod of Quiends is the fact that ''nothing'' else seems to be quite the same length as it.  Even when measured and cut with the greatest precision, any object measured against it always seems to wind up just a bit too long or too short.  The difference is rarely great, but always enough to be visible to a careful observer without any special equipment.  So when we say that the Rod of Quiends is the standard of length, it's really the clear Quartzoid rods produced (with the greatest possible precision) by the scientists at the [[Aminfarances Institute of Science and Technomancy|Institute]] that wind up being the ''practical'' standard.    Fortunately, these rods, at least, appear to be fairly consistent at turning out to be about 0.8% too long (i.e., about 1.75 [[kinanit]] too long, or around 23 [[linanit]]&mdash;bear in mind that these measurements are made, perforce, by eye and estimation), and that's actually closer than just about anything else that has tried to be the same length as the Rod.  It is not known why the Rod should exhibit such behavior; a few theorists have proposed that there is some mechanism akin to [[Awal shrinkage]] at work, but if so it is quite different from any Awal shrinkage phenomenon so far observed.  Contrary to common assertions of the ignorant, the Rod does not "emit mysterious obith waves" or any other known radiation or energy field.
 A lesser-known fact about the Rod of Quiends is that objects struck by its ends do not resonate anywhere near as much as one would expect.  Banging the Rod of Quiends full-force on the loudest, best-tuned [[Obovox]] in the world would produce only a very faint sound.  No fully satisfactory explanation has ever been offered for the Rod's "quiet ends," but they appear to be responsible for its name, as mentioned above.
@@ Line 21: / Line 21: @@
 Recently it was discovered (quite by accident, while the Rod was being shown on a traveling exhibition) that brandishing the Rod causes drowsiness in some animals (this explains some of the difficulty in researching it: we now know why so many researchers kept nodding off in mid-experiment).  The effect is particularly pronounced in domesticated animals such as sheep.
-'''Citations:''' [[Aminfarances Institute of Science and Technomancy]], [[Obovox]], [[Shepenor]]
+'''Citations:''' [[Aminfarances Institute of Science and Technomancy]], [[Obovox]], [[Shepenor]].
 --[[User:Clsn|clsn]] 21:35, 9 Feb 2005 (EST)
 [[Category:Inventions]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:27, 14 February 2005
Line 1:		Line 1:
−	The Rod of Quiends is an ancient artifact, apparently the product of a fairly advanced civilization, though it has been conclusively demonstrated that it is ''not'' a product of the Avazian culture, being apparently too recent to have been constructed by the Avazians. Because of its age, mystery, and location, it has been attributed to the [[Nitenmangrey]] culture—but then, so has just about everything else.	+	The '''Rod of Quiends''' is an ancient artifact, apparently the product of a fairly advanced civilization, though it has been conclusively demonstrated that it is ''not'' a product of the Avazian culture, being apparently too recent to have been constructed by the Avazians. Because of its age, mystery, and location, it has been attributed to the [[Nitenmangrey]] culture—but then, so has just about everything else.

	== History ==		== History ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:37, 10 February 2005
Line 1:		Line 1:
−	The Rod of Quiends is an ancient artifact, apparently the product of a fairly advanced civilization, though it has been conclusively demonstrated that it is ''not'' a product of the Avazian culture, being apparently too recent to have been constructed by the Avazians.	+	The Rod of Quiends is an ancient artifact, apparently the product of a fairly advanced civilization, though it has been conclusively demonstrated that it is ''not'' a product of the Avazian culture, being apparently too recent to have been constructed by the Avazians. Because of its age, mystery, and location, it has been attributed to the [[Nitenmangrey]] culture—but then, so has just about everything else.

	== History ==		== History ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:35, 10 February 2005
Line 1:		Line 1:
−	I'~~ll try~~ it... --[[User:Clsn\|clsn]] 11:11, 9 Feb 2005 (EST)	+	The Rod of Quiends is an ancient artifact, apparently the product of a fairly advanced civilization, though it has been conclusively demonstrated that it is ''not'' a product of the Avazian culture, being apparently too recent to have been constructed by the Avazians.
		+
		+	== History ==
		+
		+	The history of the Rod of Quiends is somewhat obscure. It was discovered near the village of [[Shepenor]] sometime around -800 [[EC]], where it was briefly used as the scepter of a local [[Hive-Lord]]. Because of its obvious intended function as a measuring tool, the Rod eventually became used a the standard of length in the [[Chesix System of Measures]] (despite its strange unsuitability to the task). After being bounced around from research-institution to research-institution, it eventually was moved to the [[Aminfarances Institute of Science and Technomancy]] in -120 [[EC]]. It should be noted that despite the Rod's importance in Chesix measurement, it is quite possible that the measurement system predates the discovery of the Rod, and the length-standard was adjusted to accord with the Rod (slightly) because of its great importance.
		+
		+	The name of the Rod is something of a mystery, since nobody named "Quiends" was ever involved in its discovery or research, so far as we know. Nor can it be because of the village of [[Quiends]] near Shepenor (where the Rod was discovered), as that village did not even get the name "Quiends" until at least 60 years after the Rod had been found and named (in fact, the name of the village appears to derive from the name of the Rod, not the other way around). Prior to around -7000 EC, the village was just a small cluster of huts and was called by the locals, "that small cluster of huts over yonder." There are many other explanations, each more ludicrous than the last. But really, most plausible explanation for the name is almost too simple: the Rod was named for its "quiet ends," as described below.
		+
		+	Although a [[M'kev D'wal\|certain raving madman]] has had the temerity to claim that the Rod of Quiends originated on the backward island of [[Kebro-shepenor]] in the hands of the primitive [[Kev]], such ridiculous assertions must be rejected out of hand. The barbaric inhabitants of that impoverished land could never even understand the technology to forge an ordinary metal rod, let alone one of such distinction as the Rod of Quiends. Moreover, the claimant is a known charlatan and fraud—or else completely delusional, and possibly both.
		+
		+	== Description ==
		+
		+	The Rod of Quiends is approximately 2.2 [[nanit]]s long and cylindrical, with a diameter approximately 1/8 its length (i.e. approximately 3 inanits long). It is made of a hard metallic substance of unknown provenance, and is prominently marked along its length with circular markings of varying prominence, and flat polished ends. Its design makes it obvious that it is intended as a measuring tool (indeed, some markings on the Rod have been conclusively shown to be numerals—though not always the ones expected, based on their position), which is what earned it its honored status as the standard of length.
		+
		+	=== Unusual Properties ===
		+
		+	Perhaps the most reknowned property of the Rod of Quiends is the fact that ''nothing'' else seems to be quite the same length as it. Even when measured and cut with the greatest precision, any object measured against it always seems to wind up just a bit too long or too short. The difference is rarely great, but always enough to be visible to a careful observer without any special equipment. So when we say that the Rod of Quiends is the standard of length, it's really the clear Quartzoid rods produced (with the greatest possible precision) by the scientists at the [[Aminifarances Institute of Science and Technology\|Institute]] that wind up being the ''practical'' standard. Fortunately, these rods, at least, appear to be fairly consistent at turning out to be about 0.8% too long (i.e., about 1.75 kinanit too long, or around 23 linanit&emdash;bear in mind that these measurements are made, perforce, by eye and estimation), and that's actually closer than just about anything else that has tried to be the same length as the Rod. It is not known why the Rod should exhibit such behavior; a few theorists have proposed that there is some mechanism akin to [[Awal Shrinkage]] at work, but if so it is quite different from any Awal Shrinkage phenomenon so far observed. Contrary to common assertions, the Rod does not "emit mysterious obith waves" or any other known radiation or energy field.
		+
		+	A lesser-known fact about the Rod of Quiends is that objects struck by its ends do not resonate anywhere near as much as one would expect. Banging the Rod of Quiends full-force on the loudest, best-tuned [[Obovox]] in the world would produce only a very faint sound. No fully satisfactory explanation has ever been offered for the Rod's "quiet ends," but they appear to be responsible for its name, as mentioned above.
		+
		+	Recently it was discovered (quite by accident, while the Rod was being shown on a traveling exhibition) that brandishing the Rod causes drowsiness in some animals (this explains some of the difficulty in researching it: we now know why so many researchers kept nodding off in mid-experiment). The effect is particularly pronounced in domesticated animals such as sheep.
		+
		+	--[[User:Clsn\|clsn]] 21:35, 9 Feb 2005 (EST)
		+
		+	[[Category:Inventions]]