Iridescent Inscription

Iridescent Inscriptions are an exploration mechanic in Natlan. They are glowing golden symbols that can be found carved into solid surfaces, floating freely in the air, or as broken fragments. Interacting with one often activates a mechanism or causes it to lead the player somewhere.

The ancient dragons of Natlan used Iridescent Inscriptions to control Phlogiston. Modern-day humans attempted to imitate this technique by creating Phlogiston Engravings.

Overview

The Traveler can interact with Iridescent Inscriptions by touching them. In response, the Inscription may:

• Lead the player somewhere (similar to a Seelie)
• Activate a mechanism
• Teleport the player to a different location
• Display readable text

Lore

Iridescent Inscriptions

Iridescent Inscriptions are the language that the ancient dragons of Natlan once used to wield the primal fire, Phlogiston.^[1] Since Phlogiston is a form of "computronium," or programmable matter, Iridescent Inscriptions are essentially a programming language that allowed the dragons to manipulate matter at an atomic level.

The dragons used Iridescent Inscriptions to record information, control all types of Secret Source Mechanisms, perform arithmetic calculations,^[2] convert Phlogiston between its different forms, manipulate their own appearance,^[3] create Spiritways,^[4] and combat the Abyss,^[1] among other things. Devices that are powered by Iridescent Inscriptions are often surrounded by floating golden runes, or bear geometric golden patterns.

Today, Iridescent Inscriptions have been scattered across Natlan, and are thus not a common sight. Modern researchers have also made very little progress on deciphering them, to the point that the Saurian Relics Association has issued at least one sizeable research bounty regarding it.^[5]

Phlogiston Engravings

After humans received Phlogiston from the Dragon Sage Kukulkan, they attempted to control it by imitating the art of Iridescent Inscriptions. They ultimately succeeded in creating their own language, called Phlogiston Engravings,^[6] but there is a considerable gap in complexity between the two technologies.^[5] Beyond manipulating Phlogiston itself, Phlogiston Engravings can also be used to interface with the Sacred Flame.^[7]

Humans have used Phlogiston Engravings to emulated specific uses of Iridescent Inscriptions, such as Spiritdoors,^[4] Phlogiston Chiseliths,^[8] and storing textual information. Those who can use Phlogiston — that is, nearly everyone in Natlan — are capable of reading the words recorded in Phlogiston Engravings by directly sensing the Phlogiston within them. This innate ability, along with the growing popularity of graffiti, have led many to consider formal scholarship on the subject to be obsolete.^[8][7]

In the present day, there are two prominent uses of Phlogiston Engraving: Ancient Name forging and Nightspirit Graffiti. Ancient Names are carved into obsidian by the Name Engravers of the Children of Echoes, who use specialized techniques to record the experiences of the intended recipient and all past bearers. These engravings must be very precise, as errors or deviations can result in cognitive side effects.^[9][10] Nightspirit Graffiti and Nightspirit Sigils, on the other hand, were created by the Masters of the Night-Wind using a combination of Phlogiston Engraving and oil-painted graffiti.^[11][12] Only members of Masters of the Night-Wind can interact with these "engravings," since it requires the unique skill of Spiritspeaking; possible effects include creating tangible objects and enhancing one's own physical abilities.

According to Ororon, painted Phlogiston Engravings can by activated by using either Phlogiston or elemental energy, and the effects will vary based on the pattern and paint formula. For instance, he tells the Traveler that drawing Paimon on their hand may trigger a temporary feeling of hunger.^[13]

The body paint worn by Natlanese playable characters is another form of phlogiston engraving.^[14] These markings light up while the character is in Nightsoul's Blessing state, suggesting that they use Phlogiston or elemental energy to channel the power of the Night Kingdom. Some Sauroform Tribal Warriors from the Masters of the Night-Wind are also capable of enhancing their abilities using special body paint.^[15]

Unlike Iridescent Inscriptions, Phlogiston Engravings generally cannot function as independent objects — they must be carved or applied to a surface. Notable exceptions include Unveiling Scripts, which can be transported as balls of energy,^[6] and Nightspirit Sigils, which float in the air.

Gallery

Interactable Iridescent Inscription

Phlogiston Engraving on Solid Phlogiston Nail

Phlogiston Engraving in Land of Myriad Megaliths

Phlogiston Engraving on Spiritdoor

Phlogiston Engraving on Pulverite

Trivia

• Conflict between Iridescent Inscriptions and Abyssal power can transform nearby terrain:
  • Turning Solid Phlogiston into Unstable Phlogiston Crystals.^[1]
  • Causing Solid Phlogiston surfaces to constantly shift.^[1]
• Saurians may be able to sense an Inscription's power, as evidenced by Little One in Beneath the Crystal Rock. This may be due to their dragon lineage.
• Iridescent Beams are powered by disordered Iridescent Inscriptions.
• The Traveler notes that, strictly speaking, "Phlogiston engraving" refers to the engraving of special stone tablets.^[16] However, the colloquial definition of the term seems to be quite broad, as it has been used to refer to engravings on Solid Phlogiston or Pulverite, Ancient Name carvings, graffiti art, body painting, and more.

Other Languages

References

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