Maeror was a renowned alchemist, philosopher, and researcher whose work would eventually influence generations of scholars. Even from a young age, he displayed an unusual curiosity regarding the nature of the world. While other students were content to memorise facts and repeat established teachings, Maeror consistently questioned why things functioned as they did. This curiosity led him toward alchemy. Unlike many practitioners, however, Maeror viewed alchemy as more than the study of substances and reactions. He believed it offered a framework for understanding the underlying principles that governed reality itself. His research frequently crossed traditional academic boundaries, incorporating elements of magic, mathematics, philosophy, engineering, and medicine. As his reputation grew, his work attracted the attention of the Symposium of Integration. The Symposium was a secretive scholarly organisation dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge through interdisciplinary study. Its members believed that many of the greatest discoveries remained hidden because scholars divided knowledge into separate fields. By encouraging collaboration between wizards, alchemists, physicians, artificers, philosophers, and inventors, the Symposium sought to develop a more complete understanding of reality. Maeror accepted an invitation to join and quickly established himself as one of the organisation's most promising researchers. His ability to combine arcane and scientific principles made him particularly valuable. Over the years he contributed to numerous projects involving magical theory, alchemical processes, healing practices, and the study of living systems. Several techniques and theories developed through his work became widely adopted within the Symposium. It was during this period that he met Scintilla. The two developed a well-known academic rivalry that eventually became a partnership. Their combined expertise allowed them to pursue research neither could have achieved independently. Many of the Symposium's most successful projects during this era involved contributions from both scholars. Following their marriage, Maeror and Scintilla welcomed twins into their family: Fastus and Laetitia. Fastus suffered from a chronic and poorly understood condition from an early age. Despite the efforts of physicians, priests, alchemists, and mages, no permanent cure could be found. His illness became a major focus of Maeror's research. At first, Maeror's work centred on understanding Fastus's condition and developing treatments that might improve his quality of life. Over time, however, his studies expanded into broader questions concerning health, aging, and mortality. These investigations led him to explore increasingly unconventional theories. While many of his colleagues viewed such research as purely academic, Maeror believed that the limitations of the mortal body represented one of the greatest unsolved problems in existence. His work gradually shifted away from treating individual illnesses and toward the pursuit of permanent solutions. He became increasingly interested in methods of preserving life, preventing degeneration, and overcoming the biological limitations that affected all living creatures. While these efforts initially received support from many within the Symposium, disagreements eventually emerged regarding the ethical implications of some of his research. Nevertheless, Maeror continued his studies. Many historians consider this period to be the beginning of the path that would ultimately define the remainder of his life. ### The Soul Preservation Project Fastus's worsening condition became the primary focus of Maeror's research during his later years within the Symposium of Integration. After exhausting conventional treatments, magical healing, divine intervention, and alchemical remedies, he turned his attention toward understanding the relationship between the soul and the physical body. His research eventually led to the development of soul gemstones, specially prepared crystals capable of housing a soul outside of a living body without allowing it to fade or pass on. At the same time, Maeror began work on an artificial body that he believed could act as a permanent vessel for a preserved soul. Initially, these projects existed for a single purpose: saving Fastus. As the years passed, however, Maeror's goals expanded. He became increasingly convinced that aging, disease, and death were limitations that could eventually be overcome through research. Rather than viewing the soul gemstones and artificial body as emergency measures, he began viewing them as the next stage of mortal existence. This belief ultimately led him to conclude that the process should not be limited to Fastus alone, but should also include Laetitia and Scintilla. The final procedure was intended to preserve the souls of all three and transfer them into a new form of existence. The artificial body, later known as Tristitia, had already been under development for years before the procedure took place and was designed to act as the centrepiece of the project. Scintilla opposed the plan and disagreed with both Maeror's methods and conclusions, but despite her objections the procedure went ahead. The outcome differed considerably from what Maeror had planned. Fastus's soul became bound within a ruby, Laetitia's soul became bound within a topaz, and Scintilla's soul became permanently linked to the artificial body itself. Rather than creating separate vessels for the children, the procedure left their souls contained within the gemstones while Scintilla became the sole occupant of the construct body. The ruby and topaz were embedded into the construct's hands, connecting the children to the body that housed their mother. Following the procedure, Scintilla became known as Tristitia. The ruby containing Fastus and the topaz containing Laetitia remain embedded within her hands, while the exact circumstances surrounding the procedure and the reasons for its failure continue to be debated by those familiar with the surviving records of the Symposium of Integration.