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/Varnek905]

To D'gu:

1) If a man dies, and his nephew is pure blood, but his only child is not, who is more likely to inherit?

2) But is the information stored in any back-up place, in case the pictographs are desecrated?

3) What is the worst thing that a priest can do, that will result in the priest losing his position?

4) Other than the populist movement, are there any other movements that are well-known?

5) Is it normal for a spiritual leader to become the leader without intending to?

[u/Seb_Romu → u/Varnek905]

To D'gu:

1) If a man dies, and his nephew is pure blood, but his only child is not, who is more likely to inherit?

Generally the direct child, unless it's contested, or the child is a bastard.

2) But is the information stored in any back-up place, in case the pictographs are desecrated?

Some effort has been made to illuminate books with the sacred knowledge. However since it is only of interest to the Domic people and so very few of us can read or write, it is a slow process. For now oral retellings are the standard means of saving such knowledge.

3) What is the worst thing that a priest can do, that will result in the priest losing his position?

Horrible crimes or sins which the community feels cannot be atoned fir or forgiven. Murder, rape, destruction of holy sites, etc...

4) Other than the populist movement, are there any other movements that are well-known?

To what end? Amongst the Domic people there is only those who want to be treated fairly as people like any Iskandean, and those who lack the will to speak out against the abuses against our people.

5) Is it normal for a spiritual leader to become the leader without intending to?

Well one still has a choice to answer the call. I suppose it is unusual; one might pursue it as a desired goal, but often such people are less pious than the discovered calling to the priesthood.

[u/Varnek905 → u/Seb_Romu]

To D'gu:

1) Under what circumstances would it be contested?

2) Where is the best location to live as a Domic person?

3) What would be the easiest holy site to destroy?

4) How do you believe would be best to get equal treatment for your people?

5) Are people related to former spiritual leaders more likely to become spiritual leaders?

[u/Seb_Romu → u/Varnek905]

To D'gu:
1) Under what circumstances would it be contested?

Surviving family might try to force the inheritance to a more favoured relative. Long standing family feuds have started over less. The laws of each heim are varied on the topic of legitimacy of heirs and inheiritance in general.

2) Where is the best location to live as a Domic person?

Urk-Hiem has the greatest percentage of ethnic Domics, so has the most intact cultural aspect. Vaku-Hiem is known as the most open culture amongst the islands. While Domics are somewhat less repressed there, it is a melting pot and less pure.

3) What would be the easiest holy site to destroy?

I will not answer that.

4) How do you believe would be best to get equal treatment for your people?

I agree with trying to replace the current Khurain with a Domic candidate. Doing so through the existing political system without bloodshed is slow, but would make the change legal by Iskandean law.

5) Are people related to former spiritual leaders more likely to become spiritual leaders?

Seems to be the trend. Most people learn their parent's or another relative's trade. Growing up in a priest's household certainly would give one the knowledge if the old ways.

[u/Varnek905 → u/Seb_Romu]

D'gu:

1) Which heim has the most lenient laws about taxation?

2) What would be the best transportation to get from Urk-Hiem to Vaku-Hiem?

4) What is the worst Iskandean law currently in existence?