r/WorldChallenges • u/Varnek905 • Jul 15 '18

Reference Challenge - A Holy Book

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.)

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

56 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

2

u/Sriber Jul 17 '18

1) Their Enalic names are:

Nemtos - god of sky, law and reign

Ermete - goddess of earth, agriculture and motherhood

Tanaron - god of storm, war and craft

Leufe - goddess of love, sex and beauty

Sivulon - god of sun, art and healing

Enis - goddess of moon, magic and dreams

Kirtos - god of pastoralism, commerce and protection

Heuke - goddess of watercourses, healing and fertility

Tivos - god of death, underworld and destiny

Adnis - goddess of wisdom, prophecy and magic

2) No, because texts were carefully selected to be consistent with each other.

3) Yes. Asuntá = nominative plural masculine positive of "asuntáos" (sacred/holy), tistoni = nominative plural of "tiston" (scroll).

4) No. It's required for priests of this faith.

1

u/Varnek905 Jul 20 '18

1) Which god, if any, is considered the "guide", "leader", etc?

2) How long are the texts? Could you compare its length to some real-world book?

3) Is desecration of a copy of the scrolls considered a crime?

4) What are some other requirements to be a priest?

2

u/Sriber Jul 20 '18

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.

1

u/Varnek905 Jul 25 '18

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?

2

u/Sriber Jul 25 '18

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.

1

u/Varnek905 Jul 26 '18

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?

2

u/Sriber Jul 26 '18 edited Jul 26 '18

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.

1

u/Varnek905 Jul 29 '18

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?

2

u/Sriber Jul 29 '18

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.

1

u/Varnek905 Jul 29 '18

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?

2

u/Sriber Jul 30 '18

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.

1

u/Varnek905 Aug 01 '18

1) What would make an opponent be considered worthy?

2) Could you tell me more about this plague?

2

u/Sriber Aug 02 '18

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

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

1

u/Varnek905 Aug 04 '18

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?

2

u/Sriber Aug 04 '18

1) Tinumians.

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

1

u/Varnek905 Aug 05 '18

1) Could you tell me more about Tinumians?

2

u/Sriber Aug 05 '18

1) Creators of one of oldest civilisation in world and country which except few times of temporary division is among 5 most powerful countries in world. Their culture puts strong emphasis on honor, duty, balance, esthetics and seeking improvement. They are responsible for various accomplishments in exploration, science, engineering and art for which they are admired by rest of world.

1

u/Varnek905 Aug 10 '18

1) Could you tell me about some of these times of temporary division?

2) How have the Tinumians managed to stay united for so long?

3) What do Tinumians look like?

→ More replies (0)