Thesis: The Barrier Zone 993 SA

This satia thesis is on the unearthly phenomenon commonly referred to as "the Barrier Zone". There is no hard and fast data on the zone, even it's initial emergence seems to be in dispute among learned Savoryans. Some (not necessarily Savoryans) feel that it sprang into existence all at once as a result of some unique magick of the long gone mystical Mage-King I'ginn. History records that I'ginn specialized in high-powered magicks that took years or even decades after casting to reach fruition. Modern Savoryans have been quoted that this "is ludicrous and preposterous". Another outstanding theory is that the overall "isolationist" mentality of a collectively psionic group of races has triggered this phenomenon and possibly others (see psychoporter births). The "mass isolationist" theory is similar to a mass hysteria. The zone was discovered in 704 SA and as of 993 SA has received negligible public interest, which may lend credibility to some mass hysteria. A mass hysteria of a close knit group of psionically active races has never been studied. The potential long-term effects are unknown.

The little data on the barrier zone is that it encircles the entire plate at a mean distance of 100 yards. The zone has no apparent effects upon non-living creatures or objects. The drag coefficient, light, gravity, air content, and visibility have all tested normal. Arrows, sling bullets, etc. tested travel their normal distances within it's boundaries. The zone does not appear to be static, the depth can vary from a mere 10 feet to over several hundred. These changes seem to be entirely random, or at least no discernable pattern has yet been deciphered.

No conclusive tests have ever been conducted to determine how high the zone might extend. The general Savoyan consensus is that the zone is a "dome" or "all-encompassing umbrella" over the entire plate. There are no known records, accounts, or other official documents to suggest that the barrier zone may also exist underground. Although, dwarven miners have, on occasion, reluctantly admitted that there is a "basement" level for which it is taboo to dig or tunnel. No logical reason for this has ever been given (and no dwarf has ever been found that will admit to breaking this taboo).

No magical or psionic emanations have been gleaned, but for different reasons. The field simply appears to be non-magical, but since it only affects living creatures it has proven to resist most all mental powers. The barrier permeates any and all protections devised. To date, no spell, device, or individual power has ever given proof or lessened the zone's effects.

Effects of the zone are always the same, though the symptoms may vary slightly from person to person. Symptoms may include (but not limited to): headache, nausea, shortness of breath, dizziness, extra ordinary fatigue or drowsiness, feelings of anxiety, confinement, or disquieting silence. Living creatures all suffer unconsciusness after a minute or more of exposure. The only reported deaths are due to lone travellers that were not rescued before they died of natural causes. No living creature has proven to be immune to the zone's effects, though some may last slightly longer periods before succumbing to it.

An important note concerning Cherifar is the distinct lack of the zone, a "hole" in the field so to speak. One proposed theory on the "Cherifar Hole" is that the sheer number of people living in the only city in the zone's path have over-powered the zone for the time. Certain shek p'var have claimed to be responsible for the hole's existence. None of these charlatans have ever been able to duplicate the hole to date.

Should the Barrier Zone continue to expand unchecked, it will encompass the entire plateau making it uninhabitable by the year 3000 SA. The animation below depicts the probable course of zone expansion.

Recently, rumors have been circulating of the existence of "zone bubbles" appearing and taking small villages. These bubbles are purportedly "free standing barrier zone regions". These regions act in all ways as the barrier zone, then vanish. At least one Savoryan shenava has expressed concern that this may be the beginning of a potentially dangerous trend.