'The Volume Of Tarsis is a chronicle of General Tarsis by Garred the Chronicler, but completed by unknown Legion of Dawn Members. It also tells the stories of other Legionnaires.
The literary work depicts all the achievements and feats performed by Helena Tarsis from the time she founded the Legion until her sacrifice.
Note the attributions of each excerpt from the volume. Some of them are written by "Garred". The entries also include contributions from other authors on The Volume of Tarsis as well.
Collection Details
A total of 26 cortex entries make reference to The Volume Of Tarsis.
Edgar Cye criticizes the consequences of the Freelancers faction's actions, which he claims to be the reason for the Scar incursion.
The Legion of Dawn (2)
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And so the Legion divided into three once the urgoth were defeated. Singing the Path of Resolve were the Sentinels, sworn to protect, their voices full with service to the people and high city walls. On the Path of Might, the Paladins were convinced that strength and force should lead the way. Lastly, the Freelancers followed the notes of valor sung by General Tarsis herself.
The three melodies sung together caused only discord, and none could bear the sound. So it was that one Legion became three. Spoke Vassa: “We must sing the Anthem as we hear it, and none should be forced otherwise.”
—From The Volume of Tarsis
Cataclysms (2)
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Before them opened a great Cataclysm, and from it perils did emerge. But Helena Tarsis did not falter. She pressed on into the valley, though wind and debris and chimera all bit at her heels. When she finally reached the Shaper's great rings, she did not attack as Stral had, but observed that they needed repair. Through this, the General determined that the wound could be healed and their path to the fortress was restored
— From The Volume of Tarsis
The Haven (4)
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The more I dig, the more I'm certain that the General's javelin is the key. At the Satomi in Fortuo, I found a moldy version of The Volume of Tarsis with scribbled notes in the margins—something about a "shield that kept her steady and repelled Fulminous' great breath." Exciting. If we find her javelin, I may figure out what that means.
—Faye Navine. Field notes.
The Haven (2)
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A found place under bright leaves and brighter skies. Trust this place of warmth. Let burdens fall away. Let the wall of rock close about you and protect your sleep. A company of birds is your warning against all threats seen far-distance from this haven. For a time, take your leave against the brutish world.
—From "The Volume of Tarsis"
Fortress of Dawn
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The most important historical area in Bastion. This subregion includes the imposing structure of the Fortress, the Colossi, as well as training areas which would have been used by lancers learning to pilot the first javelins.
"Gather all ye free people, to the Fortress lined in gold! Gather to sleep without worry, and eat and laugh without care. And gather, like a hand once splayed, to be the fist that will strike the urgoth from this land."
—From The Volume of Tarsis by "Garred"
Zhim’s Legionnaire Archive
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This appears to be the fragment of an archive written by the Legionnaire Liatrelle the Unbroken shortly after the death of General Tarsis. It has been heavily annotated by Regulator treasure-hunters as they searched for the tombs. The Legion of Dawn counted many different members among their ranks—Arcanists, Engineers, healers, cooks, and, most importantly, the lancers known as Legionnaires. "The Volume of Tarsis" celebrates famous Legionnaires such as Magna Stral, Liatrelle, Sanadeen and Midderon, but hundreds of other warriors fill their own pages. Mentions are given to lancers Artinia, Cariff, Gawnes, Alnwick Marigold, Verithan, Yvenia, and the twins, Durnwin and Felux, though they are mentioned mostly in passing without great detail.
Vassa's Way
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And once the throng had passed, Vassa gathered his verses and smote the bridge to the fortress so that no beast could easily cross. “Let nothing enter that is not worthy. That Tarsis’ secrets are not lost, nor easily won.” And he brought forth the waters to cover the meet, and swallow up the Legion's glory. The Legion of Dawn, once the beacon of freedom for mankind, was truly no more. And so Vassa led the people south to Antium, his own heart breaking with every step.
— From The Volume of Tarsis by “Garred”
Vassa and the Runes (10)
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As the moon chased itself across the night sky, that declaration was revealed to the free clouds, and they wept.
Tarsis removed her helm to address the throng. “Free people. Know this is only the first of our cities. When the urgoth are nothing but ash, we will build palaces and gardens and homes. We, the Legion, promise you and your children yet unborn… all will be safe within those walls.”
— From The Volume of Tarsis
Tomb of Tarsis
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The resting place of Legion of Dawn leader, General Helena Tarsis. Over the years, many have searched for the tomb. In particular, Arcanist researchers have been frustrated in their attempts to discover the location of the Tomb of Tarsis. Garred's The Volume of Tarsis states that the General was buried in the place most beloved to her, inspiring speculation that her tomb could actually be inside the Fortress of Dawn. Other historians believe Tarsis was buried somewhere in the valley that is her namesake.
The Watchtower of Arath (District)
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According to Garred's “The Volume of Tarsis,” Arden Vassa build the citadel of Arath along the High Road as a base of operations for lancers to keep watch over the strider path. While Arcanists place the time of the Citadel's destruction before the shadow fell on Anshar, there has been speculation over what could have demolished such a large structure, and while chimeric compound is present, there is not enough evidence to support the theory of Cataclysm. In recent years, there has been support for the idea of a titan having wreaked havoc, as stated in Dalathie's “The Freelancers Three.”
The Palisades of Idris (District)
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The waterways of Great Falls Canyon collect and spill out into the Palisades of Idris, a small lake surrounded by the jagged cliffs that once protected humans fleeing the urgoth. Here, the Statue of the Faithful looks out onto the water, watching for danger, and guards the Haven nestled in the rocks.
Vassa spoke, “In this place, the free people gathered and thrived. And like Old Idris, the mentors taught the secrets of ember while protected by these cliffs. In these Palisades did the dream of Idris come to pass. And so will we pass through these Palisades and dream of Old Idris.”
— From The Volume of Tarsis by “Garred”
The Last Stand of General Tarsis
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With their multitudes buried in the avalanche, the vengeful urgoth turned the remainder of their forces south, toward Antium—the hope of humanity, a town beyond the mountains, untouched by urgoth will. Once again, Tarsis gathered a trusted few and, with the speed of flight, arrived at the mountain pass to stop the urgoth.
The urgoth gathered a great host, yet Tarsis would not yield, and she held the pass for three days until more Legionnaires arrived on foot. With a chorus mighty and strong, Dawn swept in behind the urgoth, pinning them against the mountain walls until their ranks fell dead. Antium remained untouched.
Yet victory came with tragedy, for Tarsis herself was among the slain. The Legion carried her from that place to pay her proper honor.
— From The Volume of Tarsis
The Gateway (2)
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Upon this discovery, he knew what he must do. The urgoth, hungry to use the Anthem for their own purposes, must never know that humans had discovered the buffer, the gateway they sought. He feigned ignorance to his master, yet whispered his findings to his apprentice, and they to their own kin. From settlement to settlement, and through many years, it carried, until it was whispered to Vassa, who possessed the clarity to use this knowledge for the liberation of all humanity
— From The Volume of Tarsis by “Garred”
The Gateway (1)
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An "interface" that acts as a buffer between the human mind and the Anthem of Creation, making it possible for humans to channel their will into ember-based technology. Arcanists believe that it was repeated exposure to ember that possibly brought about the discovery of the Gateway and while The Volume of Tarsis begins with the Gateway's discovery, it does not specify when it happened in relation to the Legion of Dawn.
The Gateway has made direct exposure to the Anthem rare, but cyphers are often at risk of madness or even death because the Gateway seems to behave differently through an amplifier than other technology.
The Fortress of Dawn
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The Foremost structure of the Legion of Dawn, the fortress was the gathering place of free people during the battle against the urgoth. Its high walls and strategic position ensured that attack was difficult and never unexpected. The Volume of Tarsis describes how, at its zenith, the fortress housed thousands of people building javelins and striders and training warriors. Though the twin colossi statues that overlook the fortress were intended to intimidate the urgoth, it is thought that the urgoth never made an attack on the fortress, having met their defeat at the Dawn Gates. After Tarsis’ death, the decision was made to leave the fortress, and the free peoples headed south to Antium. The exact reason why has never been determined.
Tarsis and the Sword of Thunder
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The Voice of Heaven whispered to the General, and with its guidance she forged a new ambition. She gathered the Legion at their old sanctuary as the enemy, cunning and cruel, surrounded them. As warriors filled the valley below the mountain, they laughed and cheered, certain that no human could escape.
But Tarsis planned well, and once the urgoth committed their greatest forces to the battle, she unleashed the Voice of Heaven upon them. The mountain shattered as it sang and the urgoth were buried beneath waves of rock and earth
— From The Volume of Tarsis
Tarsis and the Mountain
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Fulminous lived atop a mountain too steep for humans to climb. From there, he sent giants and terrible storms like a dreadful, fiery wind.
A day came when Tarsis declared her people would suffer Fulminous no longer. She brought the most trusted of her flying Legion to the lair of the mighty creature. For three days, they battled amid fearsome lightning, until Tarsis brought Fulminous to heel. She pried his thunderous voice from his throat and forged it into a sword... the Voice of Heaven to sing a song of triumph.
— From The Volume of Tarsis
Sentinel Archives (4)
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Vassa remembered the General's words when she smote the urgoth at the pass. That Antium, and all other settlements, must be protected even at the cost of her own life. And Vassa did say, "Go forth and know that as you stand sentinel at our walls, your vigilance and bravery bring peace to those who cannot pass the gateway."
— From The Volume of Tarsis
Sanadeen's Pass (District)
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And so it was that Sanadeen and the Fen Watcher did battle for three days and three nights at the pass, until they could no more, and collapsed onto one another and the deepest sleep. It was at this time that the Watcher's blood did cover Sanadeen, and make its secret way into her being. And so it was that Sanadeen, Helena's Corvus, received her secret gifts, and the Sister Dark was truly born.
— From The Volume of Tarsis by “Garred”
Legion's Plateau (District)
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Sanadeen knew she could not let the Fen Watcher escape, and so leapt from the Legion's Plateau into the Shaper tunnel after it.
— From The Volume of Tarsis by “Garred”
Javelins
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An airtight, armored exo-suit linked to a pilot's thoughts and impulses. Javelins are capable of short flights and have been the major technology of defense and exploration. “Arden Vassa crafted a suit of armor, plated in ember and hope. This would make General Tarsis stronger than the urgoth, than the ursix, than the titan. This would be humanity's salvation. A spear, hurtling towards freedom. A Javelin of Dawn.”
When cyphers began to appear, Corvus integrated new technology into links, so that the cyphers could “accompany” lancers on missions, giving specific direction, information and guidance. While not necessary to piloting a javelin, working with a cypher is a proven life saver.
Since a javelin is merely an extension of its lancer, they work best when specifically crafted to an individual's preference and ability. It is common for lancers to upgrade their javelin to their liking with guns, cannons, shields, and seals.
General Helena Tarsis (2)
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Can we be certain that General Tarsis truly made Fulminous, whatever that may be, into a sword? Speculating on the accuracy of The Volume of Tarsis is a waste of our time. Instead, let us consider what the text tries to teach us—that humanity came together to overcome oppressors through ingenuity, communication, and organization... this should be our focus.
General Helena Tarsis (1)
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The first lancer and leader of the Legion of Dawn. Helena Tarsis is humanity's most revered and celebrated hero. The Volume of Tarsis claims that she was the lone survivor of an escaped group of slaves, though the General reportedly spoke little about her past.
Tarsis, her husband Garred the Chronicler, and inventor Arden Vassa recruited and trained an army to overthrow the urgoth. At the Dawn Gates, Tarsis fell in battle preventing the urgoth's final act of vengeance, the attack on the human settlement of Antium. Sometime after her death, she was reportedly spotted near Anshar, prompting the belief that she would rise again and inspiring construction of the Helena's Walk temple.
Garred the Chronicler
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One of the first Legion of Dawn members, Garred the Chronicler spread the word of General Tarsis and her accomplishments to inspire others to join her cause. Garred was master of the written word, a charismatic speaker, and is best known for writing a historical document about the Legion called The Volume of Tarsis. Little else is known about Garred, for he rarely wrote about himself. It is known he was married to General Tarsis, but he died before her own passing.
Interestingly, Garred's works appeared to be written past his death, and it is believed that others took up the mantle of recording The Volume of Tarsis for at least 30 years after his death. In his honor, Empress Vassala Dell gave the title of Chronicler to cyphers who transfer information to other cyphers.
Fortress of Dawn (District)
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Vassa worked his mind for five days and five nights and lay before them a jewel in the crown of humanity. A fortress made of light and crowned in gold, the splendor of the world at its feet. Tarsis walked upon the polished bridge and was awestruck and did kiss Vassa's cheek in thanks.
— From The Volume of Tarsis by "Garred"
Astronomy Tower
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