OZMAR
Ozmar was a renowned historian who wrote a history of magic in 821
GUE. Ozmar's words would be used a century later, in 927 GUE, by Gustar
Woomax, in his "A Brief History of Magic." One of Ozmar's most famous
quotes is, “The ancients of our kind were nearer to knowing the truth
about science than those who we call scientists today," which is only
but one line form a lengthy quote:
"The greatest irony is this:
that the ancients of our kind were nearer to knowing the truth about
science than those who called themselves scientists. Science has taught
us much and given us new words for old mysteries. But beneath these
words are mysteries, and beneath them more mysteries. The pursuit of
magic has given these mysteries meaning and provided for our people
great benefits unrealized as yet by science. One day, perhaps, a great
union will be formed between magic and science, and the final mysteries
will be solved."
Ozmar is also known for his opinions regarding
Bizboz's "On the Presnce of Incredibly Weird Stuff Going On," in which
he said of this work: “Science has taught us much and given us new
words for old mysteries. But beneath these words are mysteries, and
beneath them more mysteries. The pursuit of Magic has given those
mysteries meaning and provided for our people great benefits unrealized
yet by science… We owe a great debt to Bizboz.”
That Ozmar lived
until at least into the reign of Barbawit Flathead (843-5) as he has
recorded that Barbawit almost missed his coronation date in Aragain
amongst other humiliating events of this king.
In the tenth
century, both modern thaumaturges and enchanters tried to claim Ozmar
as one of their own. They quoted one sentence of his until they were
blue in the face, yet they ignored the rest of his words. It is
evidence from some of his latter works that Ozmar himself was an
alchemist:
"What
most of us have failed to realize is that there are indeed two paths to
the truth, two differing roads with the same identical goal. The path
of magic is hazy and unclear. Even the most brilliant minds have failed
to penetrate it. Magic elicits amazing effects from trivial causes. It
makes something out of nothing, and no one can comprehend how! The path
of the Alchemical Sciences lies along different steps, and makes
different claims. This science offers a clear-cut path to purity,
through the transmutation of the six baser metals into their pure and
virgin state. Magic would attempt this task by reliance on the
invisible, on the supernatural. Science offers a different approach,
through the four visible elements of earth, air, water, and fire. It is
true of course that the Quintessence, the Fifth Element, remains
undiscovered. Not until this elusive element is found can the process
begin that will result in the creation of the Philosopher's Stone. It
is possible that the Alchemical Science alone is not sufficient to this
task, but it is also true that magic itself has already failed. Perhaps
the two together would provide the necessary wisdom. One day, perhaps,
a great union will be formed between magic and science, and the final
mysteries will be solved."
And thus after this historian passed away, future alchemists
pursued a mysterious and forbidden path, hoping, in the words of the
great Ozmar, that “a great union will be formed between magic and science, and the final mysterious will be solved.”
Upon his
death, Ozmar's was buried in the Steppinthrax Monastery graveyard
beside the tombs of other great alchemists, including Satchmoz and C.
Agrippa.
Ozmar also was the author of the book, "De
administribus frobica."