Congregation: Literary Sources
The Church draws heavily upon the following literary sources, either as directly liturgical documents (such as the Teller Scrolls) or as fundamental lore contextualizing the evolution of the Ascended religion and propping up its vaunted place within the world.
Drawing from its roots in nomadic traditions, the Congregation and those who serve it continue to emphasize the value of non-literary modes for acquiring spiritual knowledge - the Ghbyz deck is primary among these, as the subconscious mind is thought to be an instrumental conduit for celestial truth. But given 1500 years compiling written records, as well as a shift to a more rational framework in the wake of the Reconstruction era (362-Present) , in practical fact, the verbal medium comes to be more highly prized all the time.
1. Oral Traditions and Epics: The most ancient and perhaps the most revered sources are the oral traditions and epics. Passed down through generations, these tales were the lifeblood of Drakoyan history in the pre-literate era. They are a blend of myth, legend, and historical fact, often centered around heroic figures like Occlose the Victor. The grand epic "Zharun Dza Ghalok" (The Saga of the Tribes) is a prime example, chronicling the unification of the Drakoyan tribes and the early years of the Empire. These narratives were eventually transcribed by the Tellers into the Nagul script , preserving them for posterity, and indeed, in the grand storytelling tradition of the wandering Drakoyans these continue to be read during Onized services today, seamlessly woven in with articles of faith. Morality plays and other forms of ‘edutainment’ developed by the Church frequently feature the well-known characters from these early epics. 2. The Teller Scrolls: The Tellers, as the primary record-keepers and scribes of the early empire, produced a wealth of written material. The most significant of these are the "Zhidzaos Scrolls", a collection of texts that include religious doctrines, laws, philosophical treatises, and historical accounts. These scrolls, in addition to offering invaluable insights into the social, religious, and political fabric of early Draksineon, form the core commentaries consulted by modern Tellers in interpretation of celestial matters, including readings of the Ghbyz. 3. The Ruins and Artifacts: While texts only in a poetic sense, archaeological discoveries provide a greatly tangible connection to the past as well, and are also of course written of, with many items and sites holding cherished places in spiritual thought. The ruins of early Drakoyan settlements, temples, and fortresses, along with artifacts such as pottery, tools, and ceremonial objects, offer a glimpse into the daily life, art, and culture of the era. Notable among these are the ruins of Skälon Dza Vur (The Fortress of Stars) , within the Duchy of Bourally, believed to be one of the first strongholds established by Occlose, but it is centrally important in Ascended mythology and due to its strong connection with the Aspect, The Sacred Crown, became a pilgrimage site sometime during the Middle Empires' (1112-707) Uicendor Dynasty. Thus it contrasts with other notable but ultimately secular ruins in and around Depolla, such as the breathtaking Aptaxis, rebuilt during the Drako-Azil Renaissance (circa 609 UT). 4. Records of the Moot: With the establishment of a more formal administrative structure under Occlose, records of council meetings (in Ascended circles called “Moots”), decrees, and diplomatic correspondences were maintained. These records, though fragmentary, provide insights into the governance, legal systems, and external relations of early Draksineon. Over the centuries these were expanded upon to form the Records the Moot, now a staggeringly huge archive located deep within the bowels of the Tabernacle of the Wheel, in Enribellis. 5. Foreign Chronicles: Accounts from neighboring kingdoms and empires, though occasionally biased or filled with exoticism, offer an external perspective on the Drakoyan Empire. These include trade documents, diplomatic correspondences, and travelogues of foreign dignitaries and explorers who interacted with the Drakoyan people during this period. While strictly speaking these are not religious texts the Church often uses them in honest historical efforts (or slightly-less honest rhetorical strategies arguing for the primacy of the Ascended religion over other, less civilized societies that may once have stood in its way). A few of these tales have stumbled into legitimately spiritual canon. Each of these sources, with their own unique perspectives and biases, contribute to a mosaic of understanding about the early Drakoyan Empire. They are studied with a critical eye, with Tellers trained to cross-reference and piece together the fragments to form a coherent picture of the tradition writ large.
1. Oral Traditions and Epics: The most ancient and perhaps the most revered sources are the oral traditions and epics. Passed down through generations, these tales were the lifeblood of Drakoyan history in the pre-literate era. They are a blend of myth, legend, and historical fact, often centered around heroic figures like Occlose the Victor. The grand epic "Zharun Dza Ghalok" (The Saga of the Tribes) is a prime example, chronicling the unification of the Drakoyan tribes and the early years of the Empire. These narratives were eventually transcribed by the Tellers into the Nagul script , preserving them for posterity, and indeed, in the grand storytelling tradition of the wandering Drakoyans these continue to be read during Onized services today, seamlessly woven in with articles of faith. Morality plays and other forms of ‘edutainment’ developed by the Church frequently feature the well-known characters from these early epics. 2. The Teller Scrolls: The Tellers, as the primary record-keepers and scribes of the early empire, produced a wealth of written material. The most significant of these are the "Zhidzaos Scrolls", a collection of texts that include religious doctrines, laws, philosophical treatises, and historical accounts. These scrolls, in addition to offering invaluable insights into the social, religious, and political fabric of early Draksineon, form the core commentaries consulted by modern Tellers in interpretation of celestial matters, including readings of the Ghbyz. 3. The Ruins and Artifacts: While texts only in a poetic sense, archaeological discoveries provide a greatly tangible connection to the past as well, and are also of course written of, with many items and sites holding cherished places in spiritual thought. The ruins of early Drakoyan settlements, temples, and fortresses, along with artifacts such as pottery, tools, and ceremonial objects, offer a glimpse into the daily life, art, and culture of the era. Notable among these are the ruins of Skälon Dza Vur (The Fortress of Stars) , within the Duchy of Bourally, believed to be one of the first strongholds established by Occlose, but it is centrally important in Ascended mythology and due to its strong connection with the Aspect, The Sacred Crown, became a pilgrimage site sometime during the Middle Empires' (1112-707) Uicendor Dynasty. Thus it contrasts with other notable but ultimately secular ruins in and around Depolla, such as the breathtaking Aptaxis, rebuilt during the Drako-Azil Renaissance (circa 609 UT). 4. Records of the Moot: With the establishment of a more formal administrative structure under Occlose, records of council meetings (in Ascended circles called “Moots”), decrees, and diplomatic correspondences were maintained. These records, though fragmentary, provide insights into the governance, legal systems, and external relations of early Draksineon. Over the centuries these were expanded upon to form the Records the Moot, now a staggeringly huge archive located deep within the bowels of the Tabernacle of the Wheel, in Enribellis. 5. Foreign Chronicles: Accounts from neighboring kingdoms and empires, though occasionally biased or filled with exoticism, offer an external perspective on the Drakoyan Empire. These include trade documents, diplomatic correspondences, and travelogues of foreign dignitaries and explorers who interacted with the Drakoyan people during this period. While strictly speaking these are not religious texts the Church often uses them in honest historical efforts (or slightly-less honest rhetorical strategies arguing for the primacy of the Ascended religion over other, less civilized societies that may once have stood in its way). A few of these tales have stumbled into legitimately spiritual canon. Each of these sources, with their own unique perspectives and biases, contribute to a mosaic of understanding about the early Drakoyan Empire. They are studied with a critical eye, with Tellers trained to cross-reference and piece together the fragments to form a coherent picture of the tradition writ large.
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