The gauntlet is based on a series of regiones. The distancebetween them forms a large spiral. If the geometry established so far holds than there are a total of twelve gates. These regiones are somehow enchanted. Perhaps it is whatever is causing the regiones, that which lies in the center. Though there seems to be several layers of tinkering and additions on top of that. The nature of these proves too difficult for Tobias to ascertain. The entire spiral is slowly spinning. Very slowly spinning, equivalent to the precession of the heavens.
The automata were created by the Gauntlet of the Four Quarters.They are each separate enchantments, each somehow incorporated into the larger enchantment. However, the base enchantment itself goes back much further, the various magics Tobias used (standard InTe rituals) gave hints that it may be as old as the very mountain. Tobias had some very scary images that were related to the Prometheus figure that the magi encountered in the highest regio off of the vis source in the events leading to the conjunction of 1186.
There are similarities between Tobias's work on memory constructs and the way these regiones and the enchantments function. There is very good reason to assume this line of pursuit will prove to be useful in the future. Based on Tobias's research, which seems sound to other magi, there is direct evidence that regiones are the dreams of powerful entities, probably descendant from Old Ones. This theory is supported by the events of the Conjunction of 1186. Beneath the fourth gauntlet there seems to be a heavily guarded chamber with no obvious egress point.
Anyone who passes through the fourth gauntlet appears in themosaic in the Saturn's Chamber and in the end of the Hall of History between the fourth and fifth gauntlets.Where the first though fourth gauntlets seem to have little physical repercussions, the fifth gauntlet always has real worldrepercussions. It should be noted that when Corax, Constantine and Theristes (with Kukkuli) went through the 4th gauntlet for the first time it did havevery real aspects. It transported them places. This has not seemed to bethe case since. Tiphys suggests that the time might be crucial here. He seems to think, in his oblique way, that at certain times these may turn into variations on the Hermes Portal.
The ritual used to drive Mushussu is based on Orphic rites, insome ways similar to the rituals found in the Chamber of Saturn. There are references there to a daemon of the Mountain. The ritual is oblique, it may refer to its birth from another entity or its creation by magi, or both. The ritual calls upon protective aspects of various magical forces, displayed in theurgic concepts. Mostly designed to awaken the very mountainitself to take action in a protective way. This is the ultimate boundary spell. Unfortunately, it uses concepts that do not fit quite well with established Hermetic theory. The ritual can only be used once, the magics it awakens would prove to be greatly detrimental if used again. However,the key concepts could be used to tailor another ritual. Though that lies beyond Tobias' current ability.
The ritual makes use of various centers of the world. Tobias's research would indicate that it is a manifestation of something linked with Delos and Delphi, as well as Sardis and two other sites, one in Mesopotamia and the other in Egypt (Siwa). Tiphys agrees with this viewpoint. There is also references to the underworld that can be taken to indicate a belief in there being a gateway to the underworld within the Mountain. At the center.
Last modified: Sun Jan 24, 1999 / Jeremiah Genest