You pick up a small journal with a black leather cover. On this cover, etched in silver letters, is a title and byline:

Journey Through the Circles
A Philosophical Journal of My Experiences in the Chamber of the Veil

~By Fascinum~

You open the journal, and begin to read...

This is an account of my personal experiences in the Chamber of the Veil, and my knowledge of the Five Paths. Also included are notes an theories on the Five Paths, as well as other thoughts or notes on my journey.

The Chamber of the Veil is made up of 15 rooms. Eight of these rooms are Circle Rooms, where one makes decisions about their intent, experiences, and Path. The other five rooms are chambers of Demi-Gods. These Demi-Gods teach those who share their ideals, and allow one to be reborn as a follower of their respective path.

The Chamber of the Veil is shaped like a diamond. On the outer edges of the top left and right sides of the diamond are the aforementioned chambers of the Demi-Gods. The layout of the diamond reveals the strengths, weaknesses, and ideals of each Path. Below is my analysis of each path, based on my journeys through the Circles:

Warrior

Demi-God: Caennlaidir

Strengths: Might. The Warrior relies heavily on weapons and armor for his might.

Position: Caennlaidir's Chamber is positioned on the far left outer edge of the Diamond. Being positioned on the outer edge of the diamond reveals a Warrior's desire to conquer, and his quest for power. The positioning on a far outer edge of the diamond represents the Warrior's belief in overcoming nature. However, the Demi-God's alignment to the left side of the diamond reveals his respect for might and physical power.

Opposite: A Warrior's opposite is the Wizard. The Warrior relies on potions and scrolls for magic, whereas the Wizard has natural magic powers.

Circles: There is one direct path to Caennlaidir's chamber without having to backtrack. This represents the Warrior's extreme regard for might, and disregard for magic. This also shows that a Warrior does not rely on nature for his power.

Element: A Warrior's element is Fire. This represents his raw strength. Fire is also associated with the forge which is used to make a Warrior's weapons and armor.


Monk

Demi-God: Cail

Strengths: Might. The Monk focuses on might, but draws his power from the beauty of nature.

Position: Cail is one space in from an outer edge on the diamond, and towards the left side. Cail's position on the left represents a Monk's focus on physical strength. However, the positioning of Cail as one room from the outer edge of the diamond reflects a Monk's reliance on nature for his power.

Opposite: A Monk's direct opposite is the Priest. While both Monk and Priest focus on nature, the Monk is a disciple of strength. The Priest is a disciple of mysticism, and seeks to help others through the mystic power of nature.

Circles: There are two direct paths to Cail's chamber which can be taken without backtracking. This shows that the Monk is balanced between nature and either Might or Magic. As Cail is on the left side of the diamond, the balance of the Monk is between Might and Nature.

Element: A Monk's element is Earth. This represents his might, as well as his contact with nature. This element also represents the Monk's raw might and internal power.


Rogue

Demi-God: Fiosachd

Strengths: The Rogue is a path of balance. Rogues are swift and powerful, yet mystic aislings who helps others. They rely heavily on their own skills, and are very independent, well rounded people.

Position: Fiosachd is in the middle chamber on the top edge of the diamond. This represents his balance between force and nature.

Opposite: A Rogue has no opposite. Therefor, there is no path that is particularly similar to the Rogue's path, thus making him an independent aisling.

Circles: There are four possible paths leading to Riosachd's chamber, without reaching a set of circles that tells you to choose another room if you do not wish to follow the single path described (as with the circles just outside the Warrior's and Wizard's chambers). This represents a Rogue's well-rounded life-style, and balance between might and magic, as well as focus on nature.

Element: A Rogue's element is the Light. This represents his desire to help others. The Light also represents a Rogue's balance, as Light is primarily an element of balance, being as is a neutral element. Light is also balanced due to the fact that every Light casts a Shadow.


Priest

Demi-God: Glioca

Strengths: Nature. The Priest draws on nature to help others, and cure the ill. The Priest is a disciple of light and compassion, and is protected by all gods.

Position: Glioca is one space in from an outer edge on the diamond, and towards the right side. The chamber's position on the right side of the diamond represents a Priest's focus on mysticism. The positioning of Glioca as one room from the outer edge of the diamond reflects a Priest's reliance on nature for his power.

Opposite: A Priest's direct opposite is the Monk. While both Priest and Monk focus on nature, the Priest is a disciple of mysticism. The Monk is a disciple of strength, and uses the power of nature to increase his strength, which he uses to help others.

Circles: Like Cail's chamber, there are two direct paths to Glioca's chamber that can be taken without backtracking. This represents that the path of the Priest is balanced between nature and either Might or Magic. As Glioca is on the right side of the diamond, the balance of the Priest is between Magic and Nature.

Element: The Priest's element is Water. Water is recognized for its mystic healing properties, and is therefor associated with the Priest, who seeks to heal the wounded and cure the ill.


Wizard

Demi-God: Luathas

Strengths: Magic. The Wizard uses his mystic powers to grow in power and fight darkness.

Position: Luatha's Chamber is positioned on the far right outer edge of the Diamond. Being positioned on the far outer edge of the diamond reveals a Wizard's desire to conquer, and his quest for power. The positioning on the extreme outer edge of the diamond also represents the Wizard's belief in overcoming nature. However, Luathas's alignment on the right side of the diamond reveals his respect for magic and all elements.

Opposite: A Wizard's opposite is the Warrior. The Wizard is in touch with the mystic powers of the elements, and therefor uses spells to tap into magical power. In contrast, a Warrior relies on potions and scrolls for magic.

Circles: There is one direct path to Luathas's chamber without having to backtrack. This represents a Wizard's extreme regard for magic, and disregard for might. This also shows that a Wizard does not rely on nature for his power.

Element: The Wizard's element is Air. The nature of Air in itself is mystic. 'Tis not a seen element, and 'tis a very powerfl element. Air is therefor associated with the mysticism and power of the Wizard.

Thus concludes my analysis of the individual classes, but there is much more to say for the Chamber of the Veil.

I would make a note on opposite paths now. 'Tis not surprising that upon scribbling out a map of the Chamber of the Veil, I found that the chambers of the opposite paths were positioned oppositely on the diamond. For example, the Warrior's chamber is on the far left, whereas the Wizard's chamber is located on the far right side of the diamond. Hence, the two paths are opposites. Likewise, the Monk's chamber is one in from the left edge of the diamond, and the Priest's chamber is one in from the right edge of the diamond. The Rogue, having no direct opposite, is centered at the peak of the diamond. 'Tis also interesting to note that might takes precedence on the left side of the diamond, and magic takes precedence on the right side. This suggests that the conflict between might and magic is greater than that of the conflict between those who would worship nature and those who would conquer it.

As to the circles on the floors of eight of the rooms in the Chamber of the Veil, I have a few speculations as to their powers. 'Tis my belief that the circles are relics of the Gods of each Path. They tend to intersect each other, as each pattern of circles is made up of two choices. The damage inflicted by these circles on those who would walk upon them is most likely a pain brought by the half of the circle that the individual crossing the circles does not believe in. For example, the first set of circles an aisling finds poses a choice between might and mysticism. Those who seek might in their life feel pain from the circles which are relics of the Gods of the mystic paths. Those who seek mysticism in their life feel pain from the circles which are relics of the Gods of the paths of might. The center of each pattern is a focus point, where the power of the relics coincide in pure balance. This is where the aisling makes his choice as to which aspect of those circles he will choose to follow in his life.

'Tis also interesting to note that one cannot choose a path without first walking the pattern of the circles. A Demi-God will not teach an aisling who has not learned from the circles and decided which path he would follow based on their knowledge. This would back up my theory on the circles's ties to the gods of each path, as the Demi-Gods know who have touched and learned from their God's relics.

In conclusion, there is much to learn from the mystic circles in the Chamber of the Veil. Not everything is known about them, but through great thought and contemplation, 'tis my belief that the circles can teach us a great deal more about ourselves than if we were to hastily choose a path without considering their wisdom.

A fancy symbol marks the end of this particular journal, scribed by Fascinum during the Chaotic Age.