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What does "speculum" mean in the game?

Discussion in 'Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor' started by SlickRCBD, Jun 22, 2014.

  1. SlickRCBD Gems: 29/31
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    I've always wondered why that one area of the city heights is referred to in-game as the "speculum grounds".
    The only use of the word I'm familiar with is a gynecological instrument.

    The dictionary says it can also be a colorful spot on the wings of a bird. Neither seems relevant to what you find on those grounds.
     
    SlickRCBD, Jun 22, 2014
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  2. Taluntain

    Taluntain Resident Alpha and Omega Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Resourceful Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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    http://www.sorcerers.net/Games/PoR2/adventure.php

    Speculum is the Hall of Wizards, though why exactly it's called that I'm not sure. Speculum means mirror in Latin, though today's dictionary definition is also "a mirror or reflector, especially one of polished metal, as on a reflecting telescope".
     
    Taluntain, Jun 22, 2014
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  3. Paracelsi

    Paracelsi Distinguished Member ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    It likely has something to do with Tal's definition above.

    The only other game I've played that uses the word "speculum" is the Heroes of Might and Magic series. "The Speculum" is a recurring telescopic item that grants a bonus to the hero's sight radius.
     
    Paracelsi, Jun 22, 2014
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  4. SlickRCBD Gems: 29/31
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    I did some more digging in-depth this morning.
    Answers.com and Wikipedia had a couple more definitions:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speculum
    Clicking on the "Prester John" link yields this
    So maybe the fact that you find diviners in the Hall of Wizards indicates that it is also called the speculum because of divination?
    Answers.com also gave some more definitions:

    could also be
    But I don't see any mirrors around there.


    My guess is the divination aspect, with an archaic use of the word given that you find the Hall of Wizards with diviners inside.
     
    SlickRCBD, Jun 22, 2014
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  5. ConjurerDragon

    ConjurerDragon Ich dien ★ SPS Account Holder Veteran

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    No mirrors? What about the huge mirror right in the Hall of Wizard below the stairs where the diviners are that grants you a vision of Pelandralaar?
     
    ConjurerDragon, Feb 24, 2015
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