Le Grand Voyage

Summary

The text follows the adventures of Zailm, a young man from Atlantis. After the funeral of Emon, Zailm is unexpectedly appointed Suzerain (governor) of Suern by Rai Gwauxln, a high-ranking official. Zailm hesitates to accept the role due to his incomplete studies but is convinced to take on the responsibility after a period of training. Despite this, Zailm resumes his long-planned journey with friends.

Their travels take them across various regions, including Africa, the Indian Ocean, and the Pacific, eventually leading to the land of Umaur, a colony of Atlantis and a future refuge for the Inca civilization. Zailm reflects on the natural beauty and geological changes in places like Arizona, where once vast seas existed. The journey also includes explorations of ancient mines, monasteries, and lands rich in natural resources.

During their travels, they experience advanced Atlantean technology, including airships (vailx) capable of both flight and underwater travel. After a submarine excursion, Zailm has a mystical encounter with his father, Menax, who warns him against reckless behavior.

The group decides to return home to Atlantis, modifying their course to take advantage of faster travel routes. They reach their destination, the grand city of Caiphul, in time for breakfast, reflecting on their adventures and the majesty of their homeland.

Technology

1. Vailx (Airships): These are multipurpose vehicles capable of both flight and underwater travel. They are powered by forces such as repulsion currents, which allow them to hover, fly at high speeds, and maneuver with precision. They can switch to submarine mode by sealing the hull and using attraction forces to sink into the water. The vailx is equipped with external lights to illuminate underwater surroundings.
2. Repulsion and Attraction Currents: These currents are the fundamental forces that control the movement of the vailx. Repulsion currents allow the airship to rise and fly, while attraction currents are used to submerge it into water. These forces are manipulated to manage speed and altitude during travel.
3. Telescopes and Viewing Instruments: The Atlanteans have highly advanced telescopes, far superior to modern equivalents. These devices can bring distant celestial bodies close into view and even detect minute details. They utilize principles that go beyond mere reflection or refraction of light, suggesting an understanding of light as an extension of substance itself.
4. Submarine Navigation: The vailx is also equipped with submarine capabilities, allowing it to travel under the ocean. Its rubber seals and movable parts make it watertight, and it uses specialized lights to navigate in deep waters. This technology allows the Atlanteans to explore the ocean and observe marine life.
5. Electric Trams: In the copper mines near Lake Superior, Atlanteans use electric trams to transport people through a complex system of galleries and tunnels, showing their mastery of electric-powered transport for industrial purposes.
6. Copper Tempering: The Atlanteans possess an advanced method of tempering copper to create tools and weapons with a superior, durable edge that requires little maintenance. This skill, now lost, is highly prized for its utility and craftsmanship.

Copper Tempering

Copper tempering in the context of the Atlanteans refers to a lost art of treating copper to enhance its hardness, durability, and ability to maintain a sharp edge, making it comparable to modern steel or other tempered metals. In the story, this skill is presented as one of the many advanced technological achievements of the Atlantean civilization.

1. Enhanced Durability: Atlanteans were able to temper copper so that it could maintain a sharp edge for extended periods of time, requiring very little sharpening or maintenance. This is a significant improvement over the naturally softer, more malleable properties of untempered copper.
2. Tempered Copper Tools: The text mentions tools and instruments made from tempered copper, such as a knife-like tool given to Zailm during his visit to the copper mines. This tool, according to Zailm, maintained a razor-sharp edge suitable for tasks like shaving.
3. Lost Knowledge: The Atlanteans’ method of copper tempering is described as a “lost art,” implying that modern civilizations no longer possess this advanced metallurgical knowledge. While modern copper is not typically used for edged tools because of its softness, the Atlanteans had discovered a way to significantly enhance its physical properties.
4. Comparison to Modern Metallurgy: In reality, copper is a soft metal that, when alloyed with other metals such as tin (to create bronze), gains hardness. However, the Atlanteans seemed to have discovered a method to directly temper pure copper itself, which is different from typical alloying processes and suggests an advanced understanding of metallurgy and material science beyond what is currently known.

Location

1. Caiphul: The grand city and capital of Atlantis, home to Zailm and the center of the Atlantean civilization.
2. Suern (Suernis): A colony of Atlantis over which Zailm is appointed as Suzerain.
3. Incalithlon: A ceremonial site or temple, likely associated with religious rites and connected to the worship of Incal.
4. Agacoe: A location where Zailm was directed to go before resuming his journey.
5. Necropan (Africa): The African continent, crossed by Zailm and his companions during their travels.
6. Uz: A colony of Suem (a part of Atlantis) located near the Indian Ocean and the present-day East Indies.
7. Pacific Ocean: The vast ocean crossed by Zailm and his companions during their travels.
8. Umaur: The land of future Incan civilizations, located in South America (likely referring to the Andes region).
9. Miti: A large inland sea in the region of present-day Arizona, which has since disappeared.
10. Isthmus of Panama: Described as much broader in the time of Atlantis, connecting Central and South America.
11. Mexico (South Incalia): A part of Atlantis’ colonies, corresponding to present-day Mexico.
12. Mississippi Plains: Large plains that provided much of Atlantis’ food, corresponding to the central United States.
13. Lake Ui (Great Salt Lake): A large freshwater lake in Utah, vastly larger than its present size in Atlantean times.
14. Pitachi Ui: Three snowy peaks near Lake Ui, known for their religious and astronomical significance.
15. Copper Mines (Lake Superior Region): Copper mines located near present-day Lake Superior, used by the Atlanteans.
16. Yellowstone Region: Mentioned as part of the same expedition that explored the Three Tetons (Pitachi Ui), discovered in modern times.
17. Arctic Icefields: Referring to regions of the Arctic that were visited by Zailm and his companions.

The chapter

The full text of these chapters is in the book: Chapter XVII: Rai Ni Incal: Ashes to Ashes, Chapter XVIII: Le Grand Voyage.