Excerpt: The Gloxia Cache

This can't be an excerpt from the novel, because I can't start writing the novel till 11/1. So, let's just call it a reply to the forum question about Mr. Ian Woon. Yeah. Right. that's the ticket. 8-)

Archaeological Discoveries Shed New Light
on the Mystical and Mythical figure of MR Ian Woon

UD 17.21.5077
By Trillia Shoalstar

MR Ian Woon has been a familiar figure across the universe and across time, appearing in the mythology, both ancient and recent, of countless civilizations, and in all known galaxies. Now there is evidence that knowledge of his legendary exploits reach back even further than imagined, to as long ago as the time when humankind inhabited Ancient Earth!

Reports, though still sketchy, arrive daily from the field in an Ancient Earth region known as ‘The Land of the Oaks’, revealing discoveries of an entire complex devoted to MR Ian Woon. The organization that existed on this site appears to have been called NaNoWriMo, which is an anagram of MR Ian Woon’s name. Because of the cryptic way in which is revered name is presented, it is believed that this was a secret society, perhaps not generally accepted by the majority of inhabitants of the day.

Buried beneath the debris of intervening centuries, evidence was found of some of the organization’s activities. Apparently, for 30 days each year, members were required to set aside their usual lives, and devote themselves to transcribing the tales of MR Ian Woon. Linguists and translators have only begun to scratch the surface of the surviving data files, but report that there are many tens of thousands of manuscripts, saved in archaic electronic form, in which MR Ian Woon is mentioned. No two tales are alike, leading researchers to believe that the adventures credited to MR Ian Woon are more vast in number than we can imagine. There are signs that this society also existed outside The Land of the Oaks as many adherents appear to have transmitted their manuscripts from far-flung areas of the world.

The Secret Society theory is further borne out by the discovery that for one night, during the 30 days of required writing each year, some members came together in a neighboring region, for what was called “The Night of Writing Dangerously”. Apparently, they dared not meet at the NaNoWriMo complex, and they dared not meet as a group in one place for more than one night, for fear of calling attention to themselves. The name of this gathering can only allude to the risk the believers took, gathering together to continue the task of annotating MR Ian Woon’s stories. Researchers believe it is obvious that they were under some threat if they were discovered at this activity, although the exact manner of the ‘danger’ has not yet been learned.

The fact that all of the stories thus far translated have not been heard before, leads researchers to believe that the Secret NaNoWriMo Society eventually fell, its members disbanded (or worse, were eliminated!) with its works well-enough hidden to not be discovered and destroyed, but still, lost to the universe. Obviously a few believers escaped and survived to pass some tales down as oral traditions, keeping the mystique of MR Ian Woon alive through the mass migration from Ancient Earth, and on to the stars.

There is no information available yet as to the source of the tales transcribed for NaNoWriMo. As has been the case throughout the ages, there is no indication that MR Ian Woon ever personally appeared at this complex, or to any of the people involved. Stories are almost exclusive third-person, and very few direct quotes from MR Ian Woon are in evidence. In spite of the new discoveries, it seems to still be true, that no one has ever actually seen MR Ian Woon, but everyone knows someone who knows someone who almost has.

Judging from the extent of the complex, and the activities related thereto, it is becoming a common belief that “Mr.” stands for ‘Majestic Regent’ and that MR Ian Woon was a deity to the NaNoWriMo clan. Note, however, that this title was only listed as a simple previx "Mr.", most likely to keep outsiders from discovering the real divinity. Recently, investigators reported that they’d unearthed a few names associated with the Society: Chris, Tavia, Lindsey, Dan, Tupelo, Cybele, Emily, Heather, Drew ... it is believed that these may have been the major disciples in the NaNoWriMo Society at the time of its fall.

While physical artifacts have been few, owing to decades of expected decay, there is a new discovery of a store of objects, such as chalices and uniforms, all emblazoned with the name of NaNoWriMo. None show the true name of the prophet, again indicating some danger in being known as a follower. It is not known if participants were allowed to leave the complex with these items, or if they were kept on site for use by only those who visited and took part in the 30-day story archiving exercise. One particular artifact shows that those who attended the Night of Writing Dangerously were awarded a special prize, being a dark-colored bag, which most certainly was used to hide manuscripts as they were carried to-and-from the gathering.

Marin Woon, direct descendant of our forebear, is at this moment traveling to Ancient Earth, to assist in interpreting the discoveries, based on other stories passed down through her family. NaNoWriMo was unknown to her until the discovery of the sacred site, which lends even more credence to the belief that it was a Secret Society, unknown to the population at large.

More information to follow as it is available.