Soulframe Preludes Lore - The Ode and Sinecure

[Cloudkracker]

This is gonna be a long read, so get some munchies and get comfy. :3

Contents (Use Ctrl + f to qucly find desired chapter)

• Ch1: General
• Ch2: Physiology
• Ch3: Religion
• Ch4: Hierarchy
• Ch5: The Spellsong
• Ch6: Sinecure
• Ch7: Utilty

 

Ch1: General

The Ode are technologically advanced alien invaders that hailing from beyond the stars. These space-farers often used stars as forges, artificially creating unique minerals and materials, with such resources being Synsylk (a rough, alien textile that is resistant to fire) Ode Graphite (an ash-like ore that can fortify earthen alloys) and Silistyt (nearly indestructible jagged, crystalline shards that are forged in the hearts of stars. Each fragment posses a single invisible crack that can spilt the entire fragment if precisely struck).

They have descended to conquer the world below, stripping Alca of her flesh and conscripting all of Midrath’s inhabitants. The Ode often reside within great floating Skytowers, whose low-pressure atmospheres are open to the harsh UV rays of the binary suns. Human inhabitants must wear heavy brass apparatuses to breathe tolerably.

 

Ch2: Physiology

Ichor is the basis of all Ode’n life. In liquid form, this silvery grease blights trees and pollutes rivers, allowing the Sinecure to adequately drink the water. Regurgitated by mechanical Ode’n Moaners, ichor can also harden and petrify in sharp, coral-like growths that coat everything nearby.

Due to living in the thin, low-pressure atmospheres of the Skytowers, the Ode are vulnerable to a unique condition called Smogswell; because of the heavy Alcan atmosphere, the legs and feet of the Ode (mostly their Sinecure scouts) will often swell up when on long patrols.

 

Ch3: Religion

They appear to worship celestial or astronomical sources, such as star constellations.

• Culveer - Ode’n constellation of destruction. The symbol of Culveer can be found marked on the centering sphere of the Rivt-II, an Ode’n Splitsword smelted from ore from distant orbits.

• Sidea - Ode’n constellation of natural order. The symbol of Sidea is often embroidered on the Tempest Visard helms.

 

Ch4: Hierarchy

• Lord Synod - The high sovereign of the Ode, very little is known about the Synod. Other than that he desires the history of Midrath to burn, taking anything of value as tribute, and that he craves Alca's children, the Omen Beasts.

• Inquisitors - Presumably high-ranking generals of the Ode. Oversee the duties of earth-bound Sinecure.

  • Torque Inquisitor - The one who banished the Envoy to earth.

  • Mada - A bored Inquisitor of Synod who oversees the collection of earthling resources. Takes pleasure in seeing the Envoy attempt to thwart her plans, but the mood is short lived.

• Regent - Not Sinecure nor Tempest, Gruul nor Thrall, the Regent treads a balance betwixt them all. High ranking spell-sung pawns that act as overseers of their assigned region.

  • Lady Deora - Once a newly-born Knighmaiden of Curlail, Deora now hunts the very beasts she once called friend. A former Ode'n Regent of Dendria, she was freed by the Envoy.

• Tempest - Presumably spell-sung Thrall that act as Ode’n soldiers.

  • The Envoy - A former Ode Tempest, before being banished by the Torque Inquisitor.

• Thrall - Brainwashed denizens of Alca that have been abducted and conscripted into Ode’n ranks.

Ch5: The Spellsong

The Ode's Spellsong is a magical auditory weapon used to charm the denizens of Midrath, causing them to lose their memories and forget their history and culture. First used during the night of the Ode's arrival to neutralize Midrath's awaiting armies.

A side effect of a person being spell-sung are glossy white eyes.

Ch6: Sinecure

Hunters of Omen Beasts, enforcers of Ode decree. Often referred to as 'Cleggs' or 'cans', the Sinecure act as Ode'n mercenaries. Descending from the skies above, the Children of Synod can be found depriving Alca of her earth-flesh, transfusing it with the silvern grease from their infernal, mawed engines.

Ranks

• Nimrod - The great stormrider of Synod. A clap of thunder, and the Nimrod descends. Pain is his power; death is his mercy.
• Banneret - Banner-bearers of Lord Synod, they lead small teams of Sinecure.
• Gruul-Seeker - Sinecure sent out to scour the isles of Midrath for any left-over Midrathians, or “Gruul” as they so rudely refer to them as. Use the Sollos-I broadsword.
• Extractor  - Those who are delegated to extract and gather material and resources from Alca's muck to store upon Synod’s Collectors as tribute. Highly unfavored work, this duty is often reserved for the lowest of Sinecure ranks. 

Sinecure Armamentarium

The Armamentarium is the collection of weapons and equipment used by the Sinecure.

 

Ch7: Utility

• Ode Bisulcam - Stationary, twin-barreled siege cannons that belong to the Nimrod.

• Mistrel - Ode’n-made barrels with metal faces that slowly let out poisonous gasses. Destroying them causes them to detonate.

• Ichor Tap - Mistrel-like barrels that exude ichor and are linked to the imprisonment of animals. Destroying a Tap will unlock any nearby cages.

• Moaner - Large, statue-like machines that appear like a human head and neck. They slowly drool out a steady stream of ichor into any nearby water source, polluting it. Destroying the two small faces within the Moaner’s eye sockets will destroy it, stopping any more ichor from flowing.

• Collectors - Sent by the Synod, Collectors are large, flying constructs in the shape of triangular slabs that descend groundwards to collect any and all resources as tribute. They are even used to collect any unfortunate beast of Alca and haul them skyward.

[Keysharpe]

I went through my snack before finishing the chapters, so I had to grab another. This is a fantastic short book of the current characters and their places amongst the Ode'n ranks and social structure, thank you for putting it together. As I was reading, I had a couple questions if I may trouble you for some answers:

1. Is Nimrod a singular entity or is it a title given to a specific type of enemy in their ranks? I've fought him so many times, I don't know if it's the same Ode or not.

2. Do you know why the Ode always say "Stolen Ichor" when you attack them?

3. Do you know why we, the Envoy, were banished?

4. What source(s) can I find the information in your topic for future reference, and is there more like it? I'd love to go and read more about the story rather than eagerly await your next lore post. Not that I don't enjoy reading your topics, they're always insightful and full of interesting history.

If you don't know the answers, or there are none yet available, I wholeheartedly welcome your speculation. I feel you'd have better instincts in regard to coming up with the answers than I would.

Thank you, sincerely!

[Chryson_Mal]

Honestly was not at all that long of a read. I suppose everything is extremely bare-bones right now, isn't it?

[Keysharpe]

There's not a whole lot to do right now from a gameplay perspective, but the core foundation has been laid. As far as the narrative experience goes, I will say the story does lack shape right now. I feel like we've been given a stack of pages from a book, but they're all out of sequence and very few of them have any proper context. There are so many elements in the game that create more questions than answers right now. Since the game is so new, it's hard to find those answers if they even exist at all yet. I'd blame that on being a biproduct of pre-alpha though. With the full release of the game and the testing having been complete, I think we'll see those pages fall into order. Time will also bring more content to enjoy, and I especially hope to see the map open up to its full size.

A lot of us are having some fun in the feedback channel hoping to help pitch some cool ideas for future gameplay content. If you've got any cool ideas, add 'em to the pile!

[Nikbis]

In my headcanon, the Envoy and the Drifter (from Warframe) are the same person. Midrath and Duviri are the same place.

I like extended universes :D

[Silnata]

On 2024-12-01 at 10:41 PM, Nikbis said:

In my headcanon, the Envoy and the Drifter (from Warframe) are the same person. Midrath and Duviri are the same place.

I like extended universes :D

I haven't gotten the chance to play yet but it could be, since the OP stated the Ode hail from "beyond the stars" reminds me of Orokin and the Zariman Ten Zero incident where they tried to void-jump and just disappeared but after the incident the surviving crew gained powers and became the Tenno, so maybe just maybe the Ode are the Orokin or the ones that got left there while the survivors settled in over the years and made it home, even reproduced with the locals (which could be why the mc's arm is blueish like an orokin) leading to demi-odes? idk that's the best crack I can take at it with what I know and on the fly researching 😅

[VladYvhv]

When freeing Avakot during the Tormented Stag, he mentions "since those spiders came down...". This could be literal, or figurative.
After taking enough damage, many Sinecure shout "Ficus!". This is usually when most of their health is gone, indicating that 1-2 good hits will kill them. Even heavies will do this.
 

On 2024-12-30 at 6:47 AM, Silnata said:

I haven't gotten the chance to play yet but it could be, since the OP stated the Ode hail from "beyond the stars" reminds me of Orokin and the Zariman Ten Zero incident where they tried to void-jump and just disappeared but after the incident the surviving crew gained powers and became the Tenno, so maybe just maybe the Ode are the Orokin or the ones that got left there while the survivors settled in over the years and made it home, even reproduced with the locals (which could be why the mc's arm is blueish like an orokin) leading to demi-odes? idk that's the best crack I can take at it with what I know and on the fly researching 😅

Orokin are humans, albeit ones who have undergone extensive cosmetic surgery to look all janky like they do.

[Y108]

On 2024-11-19 at 2:21 AM, Keysharpe said:

I went through my snack before finishing the chapters, so I had to grab another. This is a fantastic short book of the current characters and their places amongst the Ode'n ranks and social structure, thank you for putting it together. As I was reading, I had a couple questions if I may trouble you for some answers:

1. Is Nimrod a singular entity or is it a title given to a specific type of enemy in their ranks? I've fought him so many times, I don't know if it's the same Ode or not.

2. Do you know why the Ode always say "Stolen Ichor" when you attack them?

3. Do you know why we, the Envoy, were banished?

4. What source(s) can I find the information in your topic for future reference, and is there more like it? I'd love to go and read more about the story rather than eagerly await your next lore post. Not that I don't enjoy reading your topics, they're always insightful and full of interesting history.

If you don't know the answers, or there are none yet available, I wholeheartedly welcome your speculation. I feel you'd have better instincts in regard to coming up with the answers than I would.

Thank you, sincerely!

1. Mada calls it "the Nimrod", so I'm guessing it's a singular entity. But the fact that it appears over and over again, without disappearing like an eidolon, instead just dying, does make me question it too.

[Newt]

On 2025-02-05 at 11:31 PM, Y108 said:

1. Mada calls it "the Nimrod", so I'm guessing it's a singular entity. But the fact that it appears over and over again, without disappearing like an eidolon, instead just dying, does make me question it too.

Id like to belive there are multiple. like its a class of warriors.

the real nimrod from the biblical texts was a king who got punished by god for building the tower of babel.

so i belive being a nimrod is a punishment for some wrongdoing, a chance for redemption and to prove your faith ya know.

also since they look very human like i will assume they are humans, but roided up on ichor and thats why they are soo big.

[Dexell]

On 2025-02-05 at 11:31 PM, Y108 said:

1. Mada calls it "the Nimrod", so I'm guessing it's a singular entity. But the fact that it appears over and over again, without disappearing like an eidolon, instead just dying, does make me question it too.

On 2025-04-14 at 3:24 PM, Newt said:

Id like to belive there are multiple. like its a class of warriors.

the real nimrod from the biblical texts was a king who got punished by god for building the tower of babel.

so i belive being a nimrod is a punishment for some wrongdoing, a chance for redemption and to prove your faith ya know.

also since they look very human like i will assume they are humans, but roided up on ichor and thats why they are soo big.

One of the lines from the Silent Rose NPC (Aileas, a woman in the tavern) mention "Nimrods" in a plural context.
"Ugsome fiends those Nimrods. An' I don't mean you Filib."

Also I believe that Gruul-Seeker and Extractor are meant to be duties that can be assigned to the Sinecure rather than ranks, though that is just my speculation.

Edited April 16 by Dexell

[PlanAHasFailed]

A few etymological points that I found interesting, which may also mean nothing.

 

Sinecure - comes from the Latin root 'sine cura,' meaning 'without care' or 'without concern.'  Certain positions in the medieval Christian church did not involve the direct care of the souls of their parishioners, and such jobs were referred to as 'sinecures.'  In modern times, a sinecure is any job or position that you are paid for but involves no real work or responsibility.  It's tough to imagine "mercenary tasked with subjugating a foreign world" as a cushy, no-sweat kinda job... so maybe it reflects the Ode's view towards these soldiers?  To the Ode, perhaps their lives have no value so they should be used without any concern for their wellbeing.  

Synod - derived from the Greek 'sunodos' meaning 'meeting.'  A synod is an ecclesiastical governing or advisory council, but could also refer to the district governed by said council.  In the context of Soulframe lore I'm not sure if 'Synod' is referring to a single individual or a ruling body, but if it's the former that makes it a rather odd choice.  

Torque Inquisitor and Inquisitor Mada - put the names together and you get 'Torquemada.'   Tomas de Torquemada was a famous Spanish Dominican friar that became the most influential Grand Inquisitor of, you guessed it, the Spanish Inquisition.  Who would've expected that?  Seems like this is DE having a bit of fun here.

Sidea - likely a shortening of the word 'sidereal' which means 'something expressed in relation to fixed stars or constellations' and comes from the Latin 'Sidus' which just means 'star.'  A fitting if somewhat redundant name for a constellation.

Culveer - probably a variation on the word 'culver,' which derives from the Old English 'culfer' and refers to a pigeon or dove.  Not sure if there's much to dig into here, other than I find it somewhat amusing that the Ode constellation of destruction is named after a bird that is seen as a traditional symbol of peace.... unless this is a sly jab at pigeons.  Another, much more out-there interpretation is that Culveer is derived from the words 'cul' and 'veer' smashed together, which would roughly translate as 'a sudden change of direction into a dead end.'  

[Menedoran]

2 hours ago, PlanAHasFailed said:

A few etymological points that I found interesting, which may also mean nothing.

 

Sinecure - comes from the Latin root 'sine cura,' meaning 'without care' or 'without concern.'  Certain positions in the medieval Christian church did not involve the direct care of the souls of their parishioners, and such jobs were referred to as 'sinecures.'  In modern times, a sinecure is any job or position that you are paid for but involves no real work or responsibility.  It's tough to imagine "mercenary tasked with subjugating a foreign world" as a cushy, no-sweat kinda job... so maybe it reflects the Ode's view towards these soldiers?  To the Ode, perhaps their lives have no value so they should be used without any concern for their wellbeing.  

Synod - derived from the Greek 'sunodos' meaning 'meeting.'  A synod is an ecclesiastical governing or advisory council, but could also refer to the district governed by said council.  In the context of Soulframe lore I'm not sure if 'Synod' is referring to a single individual or a ruling body, but if it's the former that makes it a rather odd choice.  

Torque Inquisitor and Inquisitor Mada - put the names together and you get 'Torquemada.'   Tomas de Torquemada was a famous Spanish Dominican friar that became the most influential Grand Inquisitor of, you guessed it, the Spanish Inquisition.  Who would've expected that?  Seems like this is DE having a bit of fun here.

Sidea - likely a shortening of the word 'sidereal' which means 'something expressed in relation to fixed stars or constellations' and comes from the Latin 'Sidus' which just means 'star.'  A fitting if somewhat redundant name for a constellation.

Culveer - probably a variation on the word 'culver,' which derives from the Old English 'culfer' and refers to a pigeon or dove.  Not sure if there's much to dig into here, other than I find it somewhat amusing that the Ode constellation of destruction is named after a bird that is seen as a traditional symbol of peace.... unless this is a sly jab at pigeons.  Another, much more out-there interpretation is that Culveer is derived from the words 'cul' and 'veer' smashed together, which would roughly translate as 'a sudden change of direction into a dead end.'  

Uhh that's some great bits you found there
How about we start an Encyclopedia Midrathia?

Or anyway, it's some great notes for a future wiki editor

I have another one for you, though not related to the Ode or Sinecure and a little simpler.

Salzbrim: The Salz being the sea surrounding Midrath, as noted in the lore. Salz is german for salt.
Brim originates in old-english meaning 'bank' or 'edge' of a lake, river or sea shore... (nowadays is more likely to refer to the edge of a hat)
So Salzbrim, edge of the salty sea... (Or edge of the salty hat... if Midrath is a hat, I dunno, might be)

Edited April 24 by Menedoran

[Menedoran]

On 2024-11-18 at 5:38 AM, Cloudkracker said:

Ch3: Religion

• Sidea - Ode’n constellation of natural order. The symbol of Sidea is often embroidered on the Tempest Visard helms.

As well as the spelling "Sidea", it is also spelled "Sidae". The spelling itself is probably a typo,
but the description text attached is something a bit different:

• Locations - Sidae's Stake:"An Ode'n stake in the Kearnhold highlands. A swamp of corruption in what was once an idyllic pond.
  Named after the Ode'n star of Justice, Sidae's Stake is a manifestation of the Ode'n belief, that Alca is rightfully theirs."

Now "natural order" and "justice" might be somewhat related, but is it a star or a constellation?

Edited May 5 by Menedoran

[Menedoran]

On 2025-04-14 at 3:24 PM, Newt said:

the real nimrod from the biblical texts was a king who got punished by god for building the tower of babel.

so i belive being a nimrod is a punishment for some wrongdoing, a chance for redemption and to prove your faith ya know.

Interesting with the biblical referenfe.
When you defeat Nimrod there's a chance he'll say "Penance fulfilled", or something like that.
So I think you're spot on.

 

On 2025-04-14 at 3:24 PM, Newt said:

also since they look very human like i will assume they are humans, but roided up on ichor and thats why they are soo big.

Mada will call Nimrod her "sweet baby boy", so it's quite possible that Nimrod is her own personal mutated super soldier project.

[iooie]

On 2024-11-17 at 8:38 PM, Cloudkracker said:

This is gonna be a long read, so get some munchies and get comfy. :3

Contents (Use Ctrl + f to qucly find desired chapter)

• Ch1: General
• Ch2: Physiology
• Ch3: Religion
• Ch4: Hierarchy
• Ch5: The Spellsong
• Ch6: Sinecure
• Ch7: Utilty

 

Ch1: General

The Ode are technologically advanced alien invaders that hailing from beyond the stars. These space-farers often used stars as forges, artificially creating unique minerals and materials, with such resources being Synsylk (a rough, alien textile that is resistant to fire) Ode Graphite (an ash-like ore that can fortify earthen alloys) and Silistyt (nearly indestructible jagged, crystalline shards that are forged in the hearts of stars. Each fragment posses a single invisible crack that can spilt the entire fragment if precisely struck).

They have descended to conquer the world below, stripping Alca of her flesh and conscripting all of Midrath’s inhabitants. The Ode often reside within great floating Skytowers, whose low-pressure atmospheres are open to the harsh UV rays of the binary suns. Human inhabitants must wear heavy brass apparatuses to breathe tolerably.

 

Ch2: Physiology

Ichor is the basis of all Ode’n life. In liquid form, this silvery grease blights trees and pollutes rivers, allowing the Sinecure to adequately drink the water. Regurgitated by mechanical Ode’n Moaners, ichor can also harden and petrify in sharp, coral-like growths that coat everything nearby.

Due to living in the thin, low-pressure atmospheres of the Skytowers, the Ode are vulnerable to a unique condition called Smogswell; because of the heavy Alcan atmosphere, the legs and feet of the Ode (mostly their Sinecure scouts) will often swell up when on long patrols.

 

Ch3: Religion

They appear to worship celestial or astronomical sources, such as star constellations.

• Culveer - Ode’n constellation of destruction. The symbol of Culveer can be found marked on the centering sphere of the Rivt-II, an Ode’n Splitsword smelted from ore from distant orbits.

• Sidea - Ode’n constellation of natural order. The symbol of Sidea is often embroidered on the Tempest Visard helms.

 

Ch4: Hierarchy

• Lord Synod - The high sovereign of the Ode, very little is known about the Synod. Other than that he desires the history of Midrath to burn, taking anything of value as tribute, and that he craves Alca's children, the Omen Beasts.

• Inquisitors - Presumably high-ranking generals of the Ode. Oversee the duties of earth-bound Sinecure.

  • Torque Inquisitor - The one who banished the Envoy to earth.

  • Mada - A bored Inquisitor of Synod who oversees the collection of earthling resources. Takes pleasure in seeing the Envoy attempt to thwart her plans, but the mood is short lived.

• Regent - Not Sinecure nor Tempest, Gruul nor Thrall, the Regent treads a balance betwixt them all. High ranking spell-sung pawns that act as overseers of their assigned region.

  • Lady Deora - Once a newly-born Knighmaiden of Curlail, Deora now hunts the very beasts she once called friend. A former Ode'n Regent of Dendria, she was freed by the Envoy.

• Tempest - Presumably spell-sung Thrall that act as Ode’n soldiers.

  • The Envoy - A former Ode Tempest, before being banished by the Torque Inquisitor.

• Thrall - Brainwashed denizens of Alca that have been abducted and conscripted into Ode’n ranks.

Ch5: The Spellsong

The Ode's Spellsong is a magical auditory weapon used to charm the denizens of Midrath, causing them to lose their memories and forget their history and culture. First used during the night of the Ode's arrival to neutralize Midrath's awaiting armies.

A side effect of a person being spell-sung are glossy white eyes.

Ch6: Sinecure

Hunters of Omen Beasts, enforcers of Ode decree. Often referred to as 'Cleggs' or 'cans', the Sinecure act as Ode'n mercenaries. Descending from the skies above, the Children of Synod can be found depriving Alca of her earth-flesh, transfusing it with the silvern grease from their infernal, mawed engines.

Ranks

• Nimrod - The great stormrider of Synod. A clap of thunder, and the Nimrod descends. Pain is his power; death is his mercy.
• Banneret - Banner-bearers of Lord Synod, they lead small teams of Sinecure.
• Gruul-Seeker - Sinecure sent out to scour the isles of Midrath for any left-over Midrathians, or “Gruul” as they so rudely refer to them as. Use the Sollos-I broadsword.
• Extractor  - Those who are delegated to extract and gather material and resources from Alca's muck to store upon Synod’s Collectors as tribute. Highly unfavored work, this duty is often reserved for the lowest of Sinecure ranks. 

Sinecure Armamentarium

The Armamentarium is the collection of weapons and equipment used by the Sinecure.

 

Ch7: Utility

• Ode Bisulcam - Stationary, twin-barreled siege cannons that belong to the Nimrod.

• Mistrel - Ode’n-made barrels with metal faces that slowly let out poisonous gasses. Destroying them causes them to detonate.

• Ichor Tap - Mistrel-like barrels that exude ichor and are linked to the imprisonment of animals. Destroying a Tap will unlock any nearby cages.

• Moaner - Large, statue-like machines that appear like a human head and neck. They slowly drool out a steady stream of ichor into any nearby water source, polluting it. Destroying the two small faces within the Moaner’s eye sockets will destroy it, stopping any more ichor from flowing.

• Collectors - Sent by the Synod, Collectors are large, flying constructs in the shape of triangular slabs that descend groundwards to collect any and all resources as tribute. They are even used to collect any unfortunate beast of Alca and haul them skyward.

Where was all of this lore sourced from specifically?

[Telemnos]

On 2025-04-24 at 1:15 PM, PlanAHasFailed said:

Sinecure - comes from the Latin root 'sine cura,' meaning 'without care' or 'without concern.'  Certain positions in the medieval Christian church did not involve the direct care of the souls of their parishioners, and such jobs were referred to as 'sinecures.'  In modern times, a sinecure is any job or position that you are paid for but involves no real work or responsibility.  It's tough to imagine "mercenary tasked with subjugating a foreign world" as a cushy, no-sweat kinda job... so maybe it reflects the Ode's view towards these soldiers?  To the Ode, perhaps their lives have no value so they should be used without any concern for their wellbeing.  

One thing I'll throw in on this subject is how the Ode'n are particularly interested in the Pact Beasts, and maybe not for the obvious "it's magic!" reasons. Maybe the true Ode'n have pacts of their own, and the Sinecure are those who do or can not have their own.

Edited May 6 by Telemnos

[Cloudkracker]

On 2025-05-05 at 9:50 AM, iooie said:

Where was all of this lore sourced from specifically?

Mainly thw descriptions from Resources, Weapons, and Armor, along with some quest dialogue.