Cartesian Trappings

Truth may be found in the most inconspicuous of things if you just look hard enough. Though be warned, that just as you are searching it the truth might also be looking for you.

While secret signs, codes, and symbols made from mundane objects are far from uncommon in Cenorad, the so-called "Cartesian Trappings" utilized by the Cartesian Society, easily stand apart from these mundane symbols. For they are as much a sign by which the Society's members recognize each other as they are the primary method by which it spreads its influence and "recruits" new members. Unlike the symbols utilized by the various other secretive organizations and hidden cults within the world, which only hold power over those who are aware of their meaning, Cartesian Trappings are able to exert their insidious influence without such restrictions. While perceiving one or ten Trapping likely won't cause any harm, perceiving a couple hundred just might. And as the saying goes constant dripping wears away any stone...especially if the stone is unaware of its erosion.

Mechanics & Inner Workings

See my sign and serve. ~ Slimy-Lord-of-the-Crowned-Abyss

Trappings, just like any other supernatural object used by the Cartesian Society are based on the Arcane Art of Symbolism, which in turn is based upon the pathogenic symbols that form the core of the Painted Men. While these so-called Mär are frighteningly effective in subverting the minds of three-dimensional beings, they commonly induce rather violent and chaotic behavior within the holder of an unprepared mind. And while a bunch of people using their own entrails to paint a Mär onto the walls of their street, might certainly be a method to spread the Mär's corrupting influence, so does it run completely contrary to the slow and gradual infiltrating process preferred by the Cartesian Society. Therefore Cartesian Trappings are purposely watered-down variants of Märs, which contain little to no supernatural powers, meaning that the mental subversion caused by them usually takes quite a long time. Time, which the Cartesian Society can use to carefully guide and manipulate the affected individuals towards their final goal, all while avoiding the watchful gaze of the few groups that are aware of the Society and the danger posed by it.

Manufacturing process

Place the seeds of Truth into the world, and watch them blossom out of their own will. ~ Val Ghoor, Master of Symbols

Perhaps the most dangerous properties of a Cartesian Trapping -apart from their mind-affecting effects- is the fact of just how easy it is to make one. For as long as their symbolic core is recognizable, it doesn't matter whether they are just lines draw into the sand, fruits arranged on a vendors table or decorative stitching on a fine dress. Even worse yet some objects either purposely or inadvertently become the source of a Trapping under just the right set of circumstances. The decorative engravings on a ring might form a Trapping if viewed from a certain position, the shadow of a decorative window might turn into one during certain times of the day or a child trying to impress its parents might simply draw one out of sheer bad luck.

Item type

Miscellaneous

Manufacturer

Cartesian Society

Rarity

Those who have ways to perceive the true nature of the world, shall see the signs of truth wherever their gaze might wander.

Double Meaning

Due to their mind-affecting properties, Cartesian Trappings have a tendency to draw the attention of onlookers and can also be far more easily remembered than mundane signs. Therefore it is no wonder that many Trappings are inadvertently utilized by various other groups and organizations. Organizations which are usually fully unaware of the symbolic time bomb slumbering within their emblems...just like the Cartesian Society intended it to be.

You know I was skeptical when the boss decided to change the logo of our establishment, I kinda liked the old one. But to be fully honest the new symbol is just so much more..."catchy" than the old one if you know what I mean.