The Lodestar Operational Guide
A guide to the Lodestar Cynosure Array used by Katernin Bersk during her tenure as Chancellor of Cordor.
Foreword
The Lodestar Cynosure Array is the pinnacle mundane Gondar construction interacting with the divination mastery from the All-Seeing Eye. This tome will start with a white paper by the creator of the device, Dimitrios Hal-Nyxos, followed by the operational guide to allow its use on a large scale (such as a mid-sized city like Cordor).
{Note: Construction of the devices are beyond the scope of this guide}
Day 6, Month 5 (Mirtul), 154 AR
Katernin Bersk
Day 26, Month 7 (Flamerule (Summertide)), 173 AR
Anonymous
whitepaper: problems of security, and solutions [1/2]
[AUTHORISED FOR PUBLIC CONSUMPTION]
by dimitrios hal-nyxos
_introduction
state security is a never-ending and all-encompassing problem that impacts not just state agencies but every other sentient being. from petty theft to unimaginable time crime, it is an important facet of statecraft. failing states address them indirectly (adventurers / mercenaries / permissive & labyrinthine legislation). successful states address them directly (effective state agencies / surveillance / firm & enforced legislation). a "firm but fair" state with a sound legal structure and empowered agents can best make use of surveillance as a tool to protect itself, its citizens, and its interests. a decadent, permissive state that fails to enact its own laws and allows for enemies of civilisation (pyrates / underdwellers / &c) to parade about would not benefit from internal surveillance and as such the following would be useless to them.
_the lodestar network
a highly practical solution to surveillance to supplement existing effective security structures, the lodestar network is informed by a number of well-understood and grounded magical principles. detailed technical data of its working is restricted, but the principle is sound enough. rather than immediate-range sensors (as an eye or an ear), the lodestar slave nodes act as amplification beacons for a remote master control unit, enabling the extending and empowering of divination and place magic through an interface. this ensures its usefulness when placed even in discrete or hidden locations - walls or hoods are not a defence. it could be assumed that for every one (1) visible lodestar slave, there are two to three (2-3) others like it nearby, below one's feet, or in the walls.
[cont'd]
Day 23, Month 4 (Tarsakh), 154 AR
Dimitrios Hal-Nyxos
Day 26, Month 7 (Flamerule (Summertide)), 173 AR
Anonymous
whitepaper: problems of security, and solutions [2/2]
data and knowledge gathered through use of the lodestar network can greatly expedite the efficiency of state tools and agents, with a number of redacted cases already benefiting from their deployment. further work and experimental additions to the master also allow for signal-boosting in the event of disruption of the slave nodes. internal security of the system is heightened by obscurity and complexity of the master control unit, preventing reverse-engineering of the lodestar network.
_conclusion
as guards are posted at gates, so too are lodestar slave nodes around areas of state scrutiny. in statecraft, this is the entire state. law-abiding citizens, merchants, and visitors have nothing to fear of the network, if they have nothing to hide. opposition to surveillance can only truly come from those with a rebellious heart or, if we're feeling charitable, a naive wrong-headedness about the realities of running an effective state. we do not oppose a guard for guarding, and this is hardly any different. it is the right, nay, duty of an effective state to ensure its own security and any who question this need justify enhanced surveillance techniques by their existence. the lodestar network is a practical and wide-ranging tool to this end.
_bye,
D H-N, Seek. 12th Or. G*nd; Sch. Az Scr.; Min. Arc Aff. (Cordor) /
Day 23, Month 4 (Tarsakh), 154 AR
Dimitrios Hal-Nyxos
Day 26, Month 7 (Flamerule (Summertide)), 173 AR
Anonymous
Lodestar Control Room
Assuming the network has already been deployed around the area one wishes to observe, the user needs to operate the array from a central location, usually known as the Lodestar Control Room (LCR). In Cordor, this is located in the main Barracks.
The LCR mainly consists of three stands evenly spaced around a set of xeno-kleptomania and mago-archaeological runes which appear to be both Sibayadi and Kholigenian in origin. The three stands each contain eight mirrored that are sized and set at the correct distance to for each focal point to intersect in the middle of the runes. Correct placement of these mirrors is imperative, as any mismatch in measurement can result in extreme head pain as the mind has difficulty resolving the mismatch.
Day 6, Month 5 (Mirtul), 154 AR
Katernin Bersk
Day 26, Month 7 (Flamerule (Summertide)), 173 AR
Anonymous
Lodestar Attunement
To operate, one needs to stand in the direct focal point of the twenty-four mirrors. The operator must possess the following in order to operate the Lodestar network: a mastery of divination, extremely high intelligence to interpret the data received, and sufficient discipline to maintain personal focus on multiple locations. Two other skills can aid in the operation: a mastery of abjuration or enchantment, each of which is to ensure that the mind remains cognizant during the process.
Each of the twenty-four mirrors corresponds to a lodestar cynosure slave placed external to the LCR. To attune one's self to the array, the operator needs to individually scry each of the locations of the slaves. This process allows the operator to become familiar with each of the locations individually before attempting to view multiple areas at once. A human's mind is not able to see multiple areas at the same time, so it is imperative that this process starts slowly, otherwise permanent madness is a likely result.
Once each slave has been as been attuned, the operator needs to slowly go through the entire network, adding one additional slave during each scrying attempt. This is a long process; however, it is designed to teach the mind to interpret seeing more than one location at once.
In total, this process takes forty-eight (48) scrying attempts (at a minimum) before attunement to the network can be achieved. It is strongly recommended not to skip any of these steps to maintain personal sanity.
Day 6, Month 5 (Mirtul), 154 AR
Katernin Bersk
Day 26, Month 7 (Flamerule (Summertide)), 173 AR
Anonymous
Lodestar Operation
Although it is possible to use every slave in the network to collect data at the same time, it is still taxing on the mind to do so more often than is necessary. It is recommended that the operators only use a third, or a sixth of the slaves during regular observation. However, in a crisis situation, the entire network will need to be utilized and the operator should take care to get sufficient rest afterwards.
It is strongly recommended to use a random pattern of slave viewings (including viewing times) as criminals can eventually learn observational schedules. While these devices cannot insure one hundred percent coverage over a medium sized city, proper procedures for observation can achieve a reasonable approximation.
Day 6, Month 5 (Mirtul), 154 AR
Katernin Bersk
Day 26, Month 7 (Flamerule (Summertide)), 173 AR
Anonymous
Appendix: Lodestar Improvements
The Lodestar Cynosure Array is not the first of its kind, however, it is an efficient design in leu of access to other methods. Other locations that have built something similar include: Illithid colonies containing an elder brain; and, the Iron City of Dis (which has historically been involved in massive observation).
Current efforts are ongoing with attempt to integrate an old observational orb from Dis into the network. With this orb, the LCR can become mobile and operate from inside a mirrored helm. Thus far, this has been even more taxing on the operator and side effects are been noted such as: hair loss, emotional outburst, and bleeding from the nose. Further study is required to assess if this is a long-term solution.
Day 6, Month 5 (Mirtul), 154 AR
Katernin Bersk
Day 26, Month 7 (Flamerule (Summertide)), 173 AR
Anonymous