Memoria intra objectum

Memories are a curious phenomenon in Arbor, carrying with them power and weight that adheres like glue to the objects and individuals they are attached to. It is rare to reside in Arbor without encountering at least one Memoria Intra Objectum, or Memoria for brevity. In simple terms, it is a shard of a memory imprinted upon an object, person, or location, playing repeatedly like a broken record. Some are fleeting, mere moments like a gunshot echoing in the dark, the final words of a dying man, or the tender embrace of a first love. Others are more protracted, replaying whole hours of an intense standoff between rival companies until the inevitable release of tension through violence. Despite their diversity, all these memories share one trait - a special significance to the one who experienced them, for there are no insignificant memories within Arbor.

"Those lost will not return from the earth below or the tree above, but the memories we hold of them will stay with us forever." - Linea I, Head Gardener of the Order of the Fallen Leaves

Causes

The scholars of the Collegiate Arcanum have theorized extensively about the formation of Memoria, with several prevailing hypotheses:

1. The first theory posits that any strong memory triggers a reaction in the denser-than-usual aetheric soup that envelops Arbor, for this phenomenon appears exclusive to the city. Consequently, areas with higher aetheric densities could potentially experience similar phenomena.
2. A more distinctive aspect of most Memoria incidents is the presence of some component derived from The Great Tree - be it the wood, sap, bark, or leaves. It is possible that these elements act as catalysts for the phenomenon.
3. The final theory, largely dismissed by scholars, speculates that the Great Tree itself might be responsible, endeavoring to retain memories of those who dwell beneath its grand canopy to preserve the most impactful recollections in the world around it. However, this notion is widely regarded as old superstition, given that no obvious consciousness has ever been sensed from the Great Tree.

One certainty is that the memory must be exceptionally strong or emotionally potent to leave its echo behind. Without this criterion, the streets of Arbor would lack echoes of even the most mundane events - a fact that has yet to come to pass.

Manifestations

Memoria in Arbor can manifest in various ways, with some common occurrences categorized based on their severity and impact:

Ordo 1

The most minor manifestation, often termed an Echo, constitutes a small moment in time replayed when an object or location is interacted with. The memory itself exerts no physical influence on the surroundings, functioning more like an illusion, replicating events from centuries ago as if they occurred today. The clarity of the illusion varies, contingent on the strength of the memory, sometimes leading to confusion with ghosts or other apparitions.

Ordo 2

The next most prevalent occurrence involves the animation of the object. Over time, a neglected Memoria will begin to seek out living creatures to relive its contained memory. Desperate for someone to bear witness to the events it holds, it becomes relentless in its pursuit to have the memory resolved. However, a word of caution: these animated objects can be hazardous, and in some cases, even lethal. They seem to lack comprehension of any form of communication and possess a single-minded objective that remains obscure to those encountering them.

Ordo 3

A more rare and intriguing occurrence is the creation of a sentient object, fully aware of itself and the memory it contains. These unique creations can be conversed with, enabling one to understand their desires and intentions. However, despite a few of these extraordinary objects being uncovered, they have offered no further insight into the underlying patterns or the reasons behind their existence. Interestingly, the object's relationship to the memory within seems to have no bearing on its own desires. Some objects even deny the existence of the memory, despite having witnessed it firsthand. It's possible that resolving the memory could lead to the destruction of the sentient object, giving them a compelling reason to preserve their own existence by resisting any attempts to resolve the contained memory.

Ordo 4

The final and exceedingly rare occurrence, with only one known incident on record, is truly haunting. In the aftermath of a mass tragic event, a never-ending loop of that very event is observed to play out at the location for several days. The relentless repetition replays the events as they transpired, etching the sorrowful memory into the fabric of the area for everyone to witness. However, the true horror lies in its ability to draw in new victims, ensnaring them within the unending tragedy if they unknowingly wander into its grasp. This mysterious phenomenon seems to perpetuate itself by amplifying the scale of the tragedy, trapping more souls in its perpetual cycle. The Arbiter's investigation into this rare occurrence is ongoing, as understanding its origin and purpose remains an elusive enigma.

Famous Occurrences

Below are a series of occurrences that warrant a special entry either because they were the first of their kind or left a lasting impact upon the city or it's peoples.
The Loss of Number 4

Dense Aether

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Surrounding Arbor is an incredibly dense form of the Aether that covers the rest of the world, as everyone knows Aether is what allows magic to function in our world. The higher than normal density around Arbor though allows mages to cast more than a single spell without depleting either themselves or the surrounding Aether for decades.

Practical Applications

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Sometimes these objects have a practical use, in the cases of murders or criminal activity of the like an object at the scene has led to the arrest of individuals responsible as the memory of their heinous act is burned forever into an object left at the scene.