LORE SNACK 👨‍🍳🍜 Claymen, soap, and bubbles 🧵 1/[](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FmT3y3EXEAEtO5n.jpg) Deep below, Claymen infest the ancient dynastic remains of a civilization long lost. Who are they? 2/[](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FmT5bHKXoAAPGSe.jpg) Born from the clay deposits of the Siofra and Ainsel river, Claymen emerged as "priests in the ancient dynasty". A dynasty inspired by ancient Mesopotamia. 3/ [](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FmT7F6KXgAMnH74.jpg) [](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FmT7OpxXkAApDoK.jpg) Claymen utilize two sorceries, "Great Oracular Bubble" and "Oracle Bubbles". They "search for lost oracles within their bubbles". 4/ [](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FmT7mDRXgAca7F5.jpg) [](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FmT7mDVWQAcJ9pf.jpg) In ancient times, priests and other peoples interpreted messages, anticipating future events - this was an important role in many societies. The Claymen served their dynasty in a similar way. 5/[](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FmT76E4XkAE-Ph-.jpg) Mesopotamian civilizations (Sumer, Babylon, etc) used priests to interpret future events called "Portends" or "Omens". They were created by Gods and manifested if "purifying" rituals were not conducted to prevent them. The rituals are called "Namburbi", recorded on clay. 6/ [](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FmUCbAWWIAA4M15.png) [](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FmUCzm2XwAcwTyu.jpg) Incantations and magic materials were used to purify individuals of Omens. "Impurity" was thought to anger the Gods, resulting in a future consequence. Namburbi are hence "purifying" incantations, materials, and methods to remove the impurity from a patient. 7/  Of the magic materials used in purification rituals, Priests considered a select few imperative: water, soap, oil, or silver. These materials possessed the purifying powers to not invoke the ire of the Gods and purify their patients. 8/  Stated in "Chapter 1 - The Ancient Near East" from Cambridge University, Dr. Daniel Schwemer writes "Water, soap, oil, or silver...possessing purifying powers... Man's aspiration to God-like perfection...suffering...affected by impurity" 9/[](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FmUJfvJXwAAuSXw.jpg) Claymen use bubbles to predict the future, and service their dynasty by foretelling future threats. Where do the bubbles they use come from? 10/[](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FmUPjntWAAI1rsB.jpg) The Claymen Priests deploy their Oracle bubbles from soap, an ancient material, used by priests, in the ritualistic practices of mitigating potential threats they foresaw. Soap is located in the same locations as the claymen, they are intertwined. 11/[](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FmUQYeGWYAAPoeW.jpg) Soap is made of two "Melted Mushroom". An item described as "viscous fluid that behaves much like oil". This fluid is silver, a prerequisite for Ancient Mesopotamian priests/purity rituals. Soap, oil, & silver are indicative of purification materials used by Claymen. 12/[](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FmUQ1F4X0AAo8EF.jpg) Here is a translation of a cuneiform tablet, Namburbi ritual. Oil is the purification medium used. The priest (exorcist) is attempting to forebode the consequences of a God who may bring ire and wraith upon a person deemed "impure". 13/[](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FmUbHIZWYAQ9JM2.png) Namburbi rituals documented the importance of filthy clothing needing to be replaced by "purified" bright, and shining clothing. The cleanness of a persons clothing was a reflection of who they were as a person, morally. A soiled spirit was said to provoke the Gods. 14/  Soaps item description evokes Mesopotamian Namburbi rituals and motifs: "Cleans off filth and other accumulations on the body. Filth covering the exterior eventually seeps inside, soiling one's very spirit". 15/[](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FmUWA9cWAAAvwsM.jpg) Korean translation describes the Claymen sorceries as "Soap Bubbles". My wife (who is Korean) confirmed this is the correct translation. Japanese text seems to confirm the same. 16/ [](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FmUXjv5X0AAmr4j.jpg) [](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FmUXlPzWAAE25Fd.jpg) The environment Claymen formed in is super interesting. Clay formation is a geological process whereby flowing river water erodes minerals, plants, and environmental debris into particles, which form a sediment. This process defines the clays character. 17/ [](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FmUb_y7WQAIECTi.jpg) [](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FmUcL5XXkAE7oKO.jpg) [](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FmUcZUnXkAYRhBF.jpg) [](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FmUccIeXoAAWZce.jpg) The magical Siofra/Ainsel water, the arcane dew kissed herba, the mercury infused melted mushroom, and the silver firefly all seem to be an aspect of the claymen's composition. 18/ [](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FmUcusiWQAYa9CT.jpg) [](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FmUdvCYX0AAPqBu.jpg) [](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FmUeE1jWQAE3Ahn.jpg) Not only are the Claymen the colours of it's environment (blues, greens, greys), they showcase it. They use arcane related sorceries (bubble sorceries require arcane), bleed silver, and drop silver fireflies when defeated. 19/ [](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FmUdxl6X0AAyjQc.jpg) [](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FmUeR-XXEAAktPH.jpg) [](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FmUhwE2XEAQOamX.jpg) An interesting aspect of their design is they do not cast a "sigil" when casting sorceries. I think their is an inherent arcaneness and energy of the Claymen that derives from their composition. Siofra/Ainsel water is magical, dew-kissed herba is "soaked in arcane... 20/[](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FmUf5jRWAAA_YjR.jpg) ...dew" and melted mushroom is silver liquid magic that Nox civilizations erected its identity on. A sigil, or memorized spell is not necessary when the elements/substances themselves are inherently magical and primeval. 21/  Recalling "Sorcery is the study of the stars", the Claymens bubble sorceries depict a blue, purple, and green swirling bubble with stars inside of it. A universe is depicted inside of the bubble. 22/[](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FmUhTGmWYAEo-Zc.jpg) Similar ideas present themselves within the astronomy field. Cosmic soap bubbles are observed through Humble telescope and is a prominent theory on the existence of multiverse. Perhaps another cool reference by Form Software. 23/ [](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FmUipRnXEAMNKPt.jpg) [](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FmUjL8cWQAEzQRH.jpg) Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed ✨ - FIN 24/