Tonal Architecture

Tonal Architecture is the science and process of finding the tones within objects and matter and altering them to change their physics and appearance. This process was almost exclusively used by the Dwemer as a way to change the world around them, especially to alter their metals to make them invulnerable to time itself. This is why Dwemer metal, found in their ruins, is never deteriorated in any way.

To fully understand Tonal Architecture, one must first understand Tones and the way they resonate with the universe. The easiest way to view this is with this analogy. The Aurbis is basically one big song, being played over time with a beat being kept in rhythm by a Doom-Drum. Each piece of matter in the entire Universe is governed by a Tone, the Tone keeps the matter in sync with the 'Song of the Universe' and with time itself. Mortals can split the song, shift it, transform it, and put it back together again and things happen. The Dwemer were masters of this craft, they could take any piece of matter, of any size, and find the Tone that that matter was governed by, and alter it. The process of doing this is a difficult one to understand, but the best way to explain it is that the Dwemer would take a piece of metal, for instance, and break down the forces within that metal's Tone. Then, they would introduce a new tone to add some chaos in order to modify the metal to produce a certain effect, a new effect. Finally, the architect would introduce a third Tone, one which was similar to the original tone, tricking the metal back into stability, but removing the work that time could do on the metal. Time could effect the metal when it had it's original tone, but since it was equipped with a whole new tone, Time could not touch the metal. The Dwemer would use this process for everything, from altering metal for their armor, to removing rocks from Nirn to create new tunnels.

It is commonly believed that the Towers keep the song going, and that whoever controls a tower, can alter the song. For instance, it is written that Cyrodiil was originally a jungle province, long ago. 3 Theories stand to say why it is no longer a jungle. The first is that it was never a jungle and something was just lost in translation, the second is that Tiber Septim used the power of Chim to alter the land for his armies, and the third is that the Ayleids, who ruled over the White-Gold Tower, used it's Tonal Power to alter the land and make it into a jungle, and the men of the land reverted it back to it's original state after their revolution. Red Mountain is also a Tower, this is why the Dwemer who occupied Morrowind were so successful with Tonal Architeture, they used the power of Red Mountain to aid in their Tonal Arcitecture.

It is commonly believed that the Thu'um is in fact a type of Tone. One that is so basic that it is in fact audible, and easy enough to master that men can use it. This would point to the conclusion that Dragons and Tongues are actually a form of Tonal Architects who just don't really know the exact science behind what they are doing. Dragons are smart and wise, but Tonal Magics may be beyond their understanding.

The Dwemer who have a certain proclivity for Tonal Magics are called Tonal Architects. This title is only awarded to those Dwemer who are exceptionally skilled at altering Tones. The leader of these Dwemer is called the Chief Tonal Architect. The most well-known CTA is Kagrenac, the last of these Tonal Architects. During the reign of Dumach Dwarf-King, Kagrenac believed that the Dwemer were ready to leave the mortal plane of Mundus and ascend to godhood. He would achieve this feat with the power of the Numidium, the brass god. During the Numidium's creation, the Dwemer found the heart of Lorkhan in red mountain and used it to make the race of Dwemer disappear forever.