The Journal of Anther Strein

Observations from a Travelling Naturalist in a Fantasy World

Written by Lachlan Marnoch
with Illustrations by Nayoung Lee

FOREWORD

By Dorilon
Associate Professor of Astrophysics, University of Manifold

When I first heard of Anther Strein, and of the famous Theory for which she is chiefly responsible, I was sitting in a lecture hall at the University of Manifold. I was about to fall asleep. The class was an elective one, taken due equally to my amateur enthusiasm for biology¹ and my chronic distaste for any commitment to a single path of study². These concerns, however, were rapidly losing ground to the perpetual state of sleep deprivation in which university students seem always to have existed³.

I was wrenched rudely back to full consciousness by the sheer audacity of the assertions being made before me. Only once I had assured myself that the words emanating from the professor⁴ at the front of the room were not, in fact, my own semi-conscious hallucination, but were uttered in complete sincerity, did I begin to realise the full impact of what I was hearing. The elegance of Anther’s ideas and the fundamental truth behind them struck me deeply; they cast new insight on everything I knew of the living world. I wished immediately that I had learnt of them much earlier. Although my scientific expertise lies elsewhere, I have always had a deep fascination for the diverse species of Pendant, a fascination only deepened by my newfound understanding of how they came to be.

My story is not unique. The name 'Anther Strein' is now recognised across Proesus, whether as that of a legend of the scientific canon or as that of a famous heretic. This, however, has only recently become the case. Strein’s discoveries were recognised as immensely valuable even by the naturalists of her time⁵, but did not become general knowledge until these past few years. This can be understood as part of the great democratisation of scientific knowledge that has lately swept Proesus. I am proud to take part, in however minor a role, in the dissemination of such truths.

But first, a little history. A more polished, somewhat self-censored version of this Journal was submitted to the Order of Febregon by Strein, along with the original draft of what would become her most famous work: On the Generational Change of Living Things as Influenced by Environmental Pressures, and the Resulting Diversity of Species. It is now more commonly and simply known as The Generational Change. Both texts were famously destroyed after Anther's trial, an act of religious censorship which set the natural sciences back decades. The original copies of her Journals were also seized as evidence. Until now, they were considered equally lost.

However, these originals were recently found to have survived. The Journals appear to have been saved in secret by a brave, anonymous member of the Disciples of the Prophet Sunon - the scientific arm of the Order of Febregon. This heroic priest must have recognised the true value of Strein’s work, against the overpowering opinion of his⁶ organisation. Although this mystery Disciple never made them public - one can hardly blame him, considering the treatment afforded their author - he did much work to preserve them. The Journals hence gathered dust and bookworms⁷, in an unassuming nook of the Disciples’ library, for another two hundred years.

These two intervening centuries have vindicated Strein’s work, and she has found her place in the history books among the greatest scientific figures of the previous Age. Although the New Church of Febregon has been quick to endorse her theories, and the Church of the Awakening appears never to have said a word against them, the Order of Febregon remains lethargic in recognising Anther’s work - despite lately ratifying a number of formerly suppressed ideas, such as soriocentrism or the finite speed of light. Strein’s principles appear to be a particular sticking point – in no small part, I feel safe in assuming, due to the gender and sex of their author.

Fortunately, the recent turmoil in Essiloreth has left the library of the Disciples almost entirely intact. Once priests were allowed to return to Forum in limited numbers, a thorough stocktake of the library was undertaken. This at last revealed the dusty, battered volumes for what they were. The Journals’ rediscovery has renewed calls for Order recognition, and the Disciples of Sunon⁸ immediately pushed to have the Journals released. No longer as eager for book-burning as they have previously been, and perhaps a tad remorseful⁹ for the crimes of its past, the Tribunal-in-exile has acquiesced¹⁰. The University of Manifold was provided with a copy (apparently, surprisingly and admirably free of censorship) of the text and with full permission to distribute it as it sees fit, as were several other institutions across Proesus. The University Press has hence decided, in the interest of posterity and scientific education, to circulate it as widely as possible. Of course, some editing has been required - to clarify thought, to arrange the branching tangle of scribbles into logical order, and to translate into footnotes the afterthoughts in the margins (with which I am sure anyone burdened with rapid thought and in the habit of keeping a notebook is familiar). This volume is the result. I hope that it finds its way, alongside Strein’s better-known work¹¹, to every library shelf in Proesus and beyond. I wish also that biologists, both hopeful and realised, may glean deeper insight into the strides taken by this scientific giant - and that all may take inspiration from her courage.

Next: The Austia of Leafshrine

¹ One which persists to this very day, no matter what the title under my by-line might say.

² Likewise.

³ I have begun providing pillows, in my classes, for those students who find themselves unable to overcome these tendencies. I recall well how soporific the dim light and monotonous drone one experiences in a lecture can be, no matter how valiantly a poor student might strive to keep their eyelids from closing.

⁴ Dear old Professor Chanic. She was an accomplished biologist herself – you might recognise her as one of the names associated with the first identification of genetium as the molecule that carries genetic information.

⁵ Although not, it must be said, without some controversy.

⁶ Certainly he must have been male, for female priests of the Order were unknown at that time.

⁷ More properly called the bibliolid (Verborum amans), it is a fascinating creature, the habits of which I feel sure would have delighted Anther had she lived to witness its rediscovery.

⁸ Although outwardly toeing the Order line with respect to the Journals’ scientific validity, I am reliably informed that the Disciples are at the forefront of the prosecution for Anther's official recognition, and that they have recently presented extensive evidence in support of the Theory of Generational Change to the Tribunal-in-exile.

⁹ They would never say such a thing openly, of course. It may also be that the Tribunal simply has little say over what takes place in Forum these days, and merely permits that which they cannot prevent.

¹⁰ I sincerely hope that they do not come to regret this decision upon reading the uncensored commentary contained in the forewords of certain editions.

¹¹ Also available from the University of Manifold Press.