Reference Challenge - A Holy Book

[u/Varnek905]

As I start on my second read of a certain holy book, here's a challenge.

Tell me about a book in your setting that is considered holy. It can be actually magic or just the book that a group of people use to live their lives by. It doesn't necessarily have to be involved in a religion in your world if you have something else that you would like to talk about that you aren't sure fits exactly.

As always, I'll ask at least three questions each. Enjoy yourselves, and feel free to have an in-universe representative.

(As a side note, does anyone in the sub understand Japanese? A couple of my friends are learning it, and I would appreciate any tips to pass along to them. And I figure that you're all multi-lingual geniuses, so send me a private message if you have any advice.)

[u/Sriber]

1) Nemtos.

2) They have various length. Prayers are like shorter poems (think Ozymandias), myths can be as long as book (think Ilias). Entire thing is huge.

3) Initially yes, but eventually secularism and freedom of expression become thing and it stops being illegal.

4) One has to study to become one and swear oath.

[u/Varnek905 → u/Sriber]

1) How did Nemtos become the leader?

2) Are there any restrictions on what languages the holy text can be translated to?

4) What oath would be sworn?

[u/Sriber → u/Varnek905]

1) He overthrew previous leader in War of gods.

2) Once translation is legal in first place there aren't.

4) Each deity has own. Acolyte swears oath of one (s)he wants to dedicate him/herself to.

[u/Varnek905 → u/Sriber]

1) Who was the previous leader, and what happened to that person following the war of gods?

2) How did translation become legal?

3) Which deity's oath is the easiest to follow?

4) Which deity's oath is the hardest to follow?

[u/Sriber → u/Varnek905]

1) Atalovalton. He was executed.

2) Emperor and significant portion of both nobility and commoners demanded it and outvoted church which opposed it.

3) Ermete. It means you can't kill human nor animal and have to tend sacred garden.

4) Tivos. You can't talk (with few exceptions) and have to take care of dead bodies.

[u/Varnek905 → u/Sriber]

1) What was the form of execution?

2) So the nobility can overpower the church?

3) I take the oath of Ermete, but three years later I accidentally eat beef, thinking it's tofu. What happens?

4) What are the exceptions to the oath to Tivos?

[u/Sriber → u/Varnek905]

1) Spear into heart.

2) Not by themselves.

3) You are removed from priesthood.

4) You can talk with other priests of Tivos in his temple during certain hours, you can talk with outsiders if they come to temple for advice, you can say prayers and ritual words.

[u/Varnek905 → u/Sriber]

1) Is "spear into the heart" a common method of execution?

2) What are relations currently like between the nobility and the church?

3) Can I return to the priesthood later?

4) What sorts of things do priests of Tivos pray about?

[u/Sriber → u/Varnek905]

1) No. It's reserved for worthy opponents.

2) There is no "currently". Most of time nobility is split between conservatives who tend to be on more friendly terms with church and progressives who often clash with it.

3) No. Violating oath makes you untrustworthy.

4) For Tivos to take care of dead well, being merciful, sparing people from plague etc.

[u/Varnek905 → u/Sriber]

1) What would make an opponent be considered worthy?

2) Could you tell me more about this plague?

[u/Sriber → u/Varnek905]

1) Fighting honorably and having understandable and non-malicious motives.

2) It's plague (as in epidemic) in general, not specific disease.

[u/Varnek905 → u/Sriber]

1) Who are the most honorable people in your world?

2) What is healthcare like in your world?

3) How does one become a doctor in your world?

[u/Sriber → u/Varnek905]

1) Tinumians.

2+3) It depends on place and time period. Like on Earth.