Comments on: To Bind a Steam Wraith http://www.clockpunk.com/2008/to-bind-a-steam-wraith/ Field Sounds: a podcast of field recordings regarding the research of Dr. Julius T. Roundbottom, steampunk naturalist. Wed, 7 Jan 2009 05:50:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Michale Van Allen http://www.clockpunk.com/2008/to-bind-a-steam-wraith/#comment-114 Michale Van Allen Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:46:38 +0000 http://www.clockpunk.com/?p=170#comment-114 Doctor Roundbottom -- As a recent admirer of your explorations, it disturbs me to find that you are blindy trusting these Hildesmen in an endeavor as potentially dangerous as the one you are now undertaking. As a man of science, consider your current situation: you have been given a rune that is not subject to capture or extended study with the naked eye. Does this, however, automatically indicate that it will be of use in the job set before you? Many is the Citydweller who has been unmanned in depending on Magiks from the hinterlands to solve problems -- they often find they have been duped into buying a small Magik not up to a large task. I have some small, unpleasant experience in this area. Without going into great detail, I emplore you to verify the efficacy of the Magiks provided by the Hildesmen before you attempt to capture the Wraith. Surely someone in the City's Museum of Antiquities has the requisite knowledge? I fear for your safety, sir. You may find, as I did, that what looks at first like success will be later revealed as the very threshold of a new set of even more intractable problems, not least a state of endebtedness the the Hildesmen .... Wishing you ultimate success, M. Van Allen Doctor Roundbottom –

As a recent admirer of your explorations, it disturbs me to find that you are blindy trusting these Hildesmen in an endeavor as potentially dangerous as the one you are now undertaking.

As a man of science, consider your current situation: you have been given a rune that is not subject to capture or extended study with the naked eye. Does this, however, automatically indicate that it will be of use in the job set before you? Many is the Citydweller who has been unmanned in depending on Magiks from the hinterlands to solve problems — they often find they have been duped into buying a small Magik not up to a large task.

I have some small, unpleasant experience in this area. Without going into great detail, I emplore you to verify the efficacy of the Magiks provided by the Hildesmen before you attempt to capture the Wraith. Surely someone in the City’s Museum of Antiquities has the requisite knowledge?

I fear for your safety, sir. You may find, as I did, that what looks at first like success will be later revealed as the very threshold of a new set of even more intractable problems, not least a state of endebtedness the the Hildesmen ….

Wishing you ultimate success,

M. Van Allen

]]> By: Tylor the lesser http://www.clockpunk.com/2008/to-bind-a-steam-wraith/#comment-24 Tylor the lesser Tue, 12 Aug 2008 11:04:43 +0000 http://www.clockpunk.com/?p=170#comment-24 Your newspaper search and Eliza's map-and-pin suggestion seem the most sensible approach at this point. I have another weak thought, though it may be moonshine: There is an occult practice known as dowsing, the practitioners of which claim to detect hidden presences such as buried objects or underground water or, indeed, spirits. Usually the dowser carries some object that supposedly aids their mystical "sense", traditionally a forked branch but in recent times often a small pendulum or bent metal rod. By temperament I am inclined to doubt such claims, but if there is truth in tales of spirits then other "superstitious" entities may likewise have solidity. Your newspaper search and Eliza’s map-and-pin suggestion seem the most sensible approach at this point. I have another weak thought, though it may be moonshine: There is an occult practice known as dowsing, the practitioners of which claim to detect hidden presences such as buried objects or underground water or, indeed, spirits. Usually the dowser carries some object that supposedly aids their mystical “sense”, traditionally a forked branch but in recent times often a small pendulum or bent metal rod. By temperament I am inclined to doubt such claims, but if there is truth in tales of spirits then other “superstitious” entities may likewise have solidity.

]]> By: Eliza http://www.clockpunk.com/2008/to-bind-a-steam-wraith/#comment-23 Eliza Mon, 11 Aug 2008 13:49:34 +0000 http://www.clockpunk.com/?p=170#comment-23 I am a long time admirer of yours, Doctor, but until now have been silent. I assume you must have a map of the City; you should try and discover the exact location of each disturbance and mark it with a pin, perhaps also with the date and time of day. Dr. John Snow did something similar in London to track a disease, and I think his method may give you insight into the movements of your unfortunate guest. Please let us know how your efforts proceed! I am a long time admirer of yours, Doctor, but until now have been silent. I assume you must have a map of the City; you should try and discover the exact location of each disturbance and mark it with a pin, perhaps also with the date and time of day. Dr. John Snow did something similar in London to track a disease, and I think his method may give you insight into the movements of your unfortunate guest. Please let us know how your efforts proceed!

]]> By: Mr. Daniel Mortlewood http://www.clockpunk.com/2008/to-bind-a-steam-wraith/#comment-21 Mr. Daniel Mortlewood Mon, 11 Aug 2008 13:20:45 +0000 http://www.clockpunk.com/?p=170#comment-21 I may not know much about creatures and apparitions, but I do know a little of trapping from the days of my youth. My uncle taught me this poem that held all the wisdom I needed. If you know what your quarry is, then find out what it eats. If you know what your quarry eats, find out where it sleeps. If you know where your quarry sleeps, find out what it is. If you know NOT what your quarry is, nor what your quarry eats, nor where your quarry sleeps, ,.. Run,.. for you are the quarry. I may not know much about creatures and apparitions, but I do know a little of trapping from the days of my youth. My uncle taught me this poem that held all the wisdom I needed.

If you know what your quarry is, then find out what it eats.
If you know what your quarry eats, find out where it sleeps.
If you know where your quarry sleeps, find out what it is.
If you know NOT what your quarry is, nor what your quarry eats, nor where your quarry sleeps, ,..
Run,.. for you are the quarry.

]]>