Fraa Orolo

Overview

Orolo is a cosmographer of the Decenarian community at the Concent of Saunt Edhar. Within the Decenarian Math he is noted for a question-driven, Socratic style and for insisting on clear distinctions between observation and conjecture. He is encountered at Orithena, within a cloister of the Lineage (ancient scholarly tradition) that presents itself as a math to outsiders.

Appearance and Traits

Deliberate, exacting, and plain-spoken. He favors firsthand observation, concise aphorisms, and "brilliantly simple" lines of inquiry that pare problems to their essentials. He is known to sharply correct imprecision or speculative talk; Erasmas imagines he would "plane" him for sliding into loose, Sphenic-sounding phrasing. Physical notes across his travels: at Saunt Edhar he had grown a little doughy; at Bly's Butte he appeared shaggy-haired and bearded; at Orithena he is tanned, clean-shaven, and solidly built.

Roles and Actions

• Oversaw rooftop and ground-level observing focused on northern-sky motions and practical orbital-mechanics questions.
• According to an Ita messenger's account, the Saecular Power sought quiet assistance obtaining images of a high-flying object; the messenger informed Orolo outside normal hierarch channels. Soon after, a photomnemonic tablet associated with his observing was retrieved from the Telescope of Saunts Mithra and Mylax; a processed copy shown to avout depicts a large icosahedral craft whose exterior includes a geometric proof. Discussion of meanings and labels (e.g., calling the visitors "the Cousins") is presented within the community as interpretation, not established fact.
• In the wake of rooftop restrictions and subsequent closures, praxic work continued at ground level by distributing calculations among trusted helpers.
• Atop Bly's Butte, a small cloister-like work area attributed to Orolo contained a homemade reflecting telescope on the summit and a cell lined with notes and phototypes. Many images attempt to capture the visiting icosahedral craft; another set depicts a large open-pit excavation. After reviewing the materials, a Thousander removed the excavation images and ordered the rest burned. The notes included a diagrammed chain from Orithena through Adrakhones, Diax, and Metekoranes that companions identified as "Lineage" material; its intent is not explained in the surviving record.
• Reunites with Erasmas at the gates of Orithena, offers water, and leads a walk through the hillside orchards and meadows, pointing out ancient trees said to be the oldest living things on Arbre.
• Lives and works within a cloister identified as the Lineage (ancient scholarly tradition) at Orithena; gatekeepers present it as avout to outsiders, but the admission exchange establishes that it is not a math, explaining how a Thrown Back avout could be present there.
• Takes routine duties such as kitchen work; the wider community excavates the buried Temple precinct, digging at night when the heat abates.

Relationships

• Mentor to Fraa Erasmas, who models practical organization and observing discipline on Orolo's methods.
• Addressed by Erasmas as "Pa," indicating a close, paternal rapport; their reunion at Orithena is openly affectionate.
• Reported long-running correspondence with Estemard, who wrote from Bly's Butte (as related by Erasmas).
• As a Tenner, was raised by Paphlagon and Estemard; they later left the math by different routes (Paphlagon via labyrinth, Estemard via the Day Gate).
• Brief contact in Norslof with Yulassetar Crade (an extra wilderness guide), who provided lodging and outfitting for travel in extreme cold.

Current Status

Confirmed alive within Orithena on Ecba and residing with the Lineage (ancient scholarly tradition). He is seen performing ordinary duties such as kitchen work and is free to come and go without swearing a formal vow, as the place presents as a math outwardly but is not one. This resolves the restriction that one under Anathem (Thrown Back) may not enter a math.