Scroll of Saul

[Saulite 52]

Spoiler

*Books entitled ‘Epistle of Repentance’ are scattered about the Empire*

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Epistle of Repentance

 

Lo, beguiled ones of the actions of He, the Author of Life and Sustainer of all Creation. Who, through His Mercy, brought us out from non-existence into being, has placed into our hearts the blessings of contriteness: the sincere wealth of the sorrowful. And has imparted onto us this blessing which is to be revered among you faithful. Attend you, for my words are a penance of sincere contrition, wherein I will find mercy. For in those times, when the Creator did spare man from the vile corruption that has been suffered us, I was claimed to be the greatest of the corrupted. So that one man could suffer full possessions of the lust of the flesh, I was used by them, the house of the kings of the earth as a smokescreen for their transgressions. If my complaints could minds move, or make minds see wherein I suffer wrong they shan’t be in vain.  

 

For Horen did venture out of the tabernacle in those days long passed, alone he did not embark. A curious soul I am still and then the fervor of mystery raged within me unquenched. Indeed I did trail him through the eastern lands onto the font of the Aenguls, the Grotto of Gamesh.  Aghast I bore witness to that which I am cursed to never unsee. One who is lauded to be of pure devotion and a voice of the virtue of our Creator has been consecrated to the created. For our map through the wilderness, our king who had fallen out of faith in the Creator did find power anew at the hands of the Aenguls. Twas at this site that they did empower him with all manner of deception, anointing him with perfumed oils and glistening water through horns of gold. Behold I heard a voice cloaked in light saying “Horen, a sagacious leader you have been: guiding your kin and establishing dominion over them.” Another lowered a horn of gold atop his head, blessing him, “We have been ever so watchful of your leadership and have observed your people’s devotion to you as your wife Julia is so devout.”

 

Horen did not remark back to them, he relaxed in the pool, accepting the benediction of the horn.  The voices then continued “We see it right that among your flock, your line is to be established with generational dominion over these souls unlike that of Krug, Malin, and Urguan.” Horen shook his head, his ego still sobered, “This task you speak of can not be done by my own hand.” The lights ascended higher among the wilderness, dazzling among the sky as celestial spheres, fascinating myself and from the view I possessed, that of Horen. Lowering his head to them, Horen did incline his ears further to their temptations, allowing them to continue their deceit “O Horen, how wise you are, for no mortal soul can itself ensure this, one whose surrounding flesh like moss brittles and flakes away in due time. Verily, it can not be by your own hands that this comes to pass. Yet, it can be so accomplished through our intercession. We shall grant you many sons of spirit akin to ours who we shall visit and guide in all of our ways, we shall consol you and your kin through the generations ensuring their dominion over Man.” 

 

Captivated by these words for a moment, Horen did rejoice before his gaze fell to the water once more, his reflection apparent, for he saw that he was but man, a man who was not known to accept gifts so freely, he inquired of them saying “Be this your own desire, or be it that you desire some service from me? Never has it been known to me that such a gift would be so freely given, with a few years of service to kin, to merit it. What then do you desire that such a gift is to be bestowed upon me and among my generations?” There the lights descended, and I crept back, rustling at the wilderness as I concealed myself among it.  “O Horen” a voice spoke with all manner of grace, “You are to be as our Son, a Son of Aeriel. Blessed are you that receive such a gift never bestowed among any people. For you shall learn our tongue and shall instruct your kin to venerate in it, you shall impart this water you find respite in and bathe all to come after you in it. We shall give to you the ability to enact it in all lands and to call upon the great power always. Replacing the Wine of Sacrament it shall be a mark upon your people, that they be baptized to us, through us, and for us following their expiry.  Verily, it is you and your line that shall be given a place with us in our celestial realms. For if you are to keep this commandment and mark the souls to be claimed by us we will give onto your line a place nearest to us in our domain.  In secret we will bless you now, and hide this special blessing we have prepared before you from those who shall be changed by us in a time to come. For them, we will change creation and the Will of that Creator who did fault Krug, Malin, and Urguan with great defects. Receive our blessing, worship us, learn our tongue, and mark your people to us.” This great temptation did then overtake Horen, and with a single nod of his head did he then betray all mankind, he raised his hands saying, “Cleanse me and my line that I might join you in immortality.”

 

They did so as I scoffed “Immorality,” yet mistakenly, I did so with mouth agape and my voice did echo throughout the wilderness and in the waters as if some spell was upon it.“Immorality” sounded like a clarion upon the land. The figures, having completed their perverse rite, beheld my form and seized upon it. “Woe is me who has been caught by servants of the Denier!” I exclaimed in horror as they laughed in union with oneness in voice. “Your Iblees is below us and we will rid this earth of Him when we are finished with you, for we had knowledge of your presence and a will to use you for our own pleasures.” Rebuking them, I commanded them “Remove your unclean forms from my personage, let me depart from you and from my kin who you did tempt.”  The figures kept me restrained as I struggled, voicing “You shall be an example of our rule to come for mankind. You have knowledge which was not meant you. For this sake we will ensnare you in our chains and have you given the mantle of wickedness before we suffer to have you tell the tale of what act by us this day has been committed.  Twas at this time that darkness took me and I felt out of control and mind and I was so ensnared by them and given up to their power.  

 

When I awoke I did so in blood and flesh, pockets overflowing with coins and fine cloth. I felt weathered, thinned, and ached. All had fled from me and as such I was alone in what wickedness I was made to enact. In that same spirit of mystery I ventured out from the encampment and beheld the figure that had seized me and corrupted Horen. I beheld Krug, Malin, and Urguan kneeling as benediction came onto them as did Horen in the Grotto. 

 

Bless the Creator in all ages and shun them that do not partake in the Wine of Sacrament. Believe not the lie of the Aenguls or what is to come from the sons of the house of the rulers of the earth. I repent what became of me robbed of my will, I repent the lie that was given my people. I was unable to halt that which was promised to Horen.

[argonian 14254]

Ailred Barclay furrows his brows in concern.

[thesmellypocket 1859]

Pius forbids his parishioners to read the text, declaring it apocryphal.

[Froschli 838]

Alfred shakes his head in disgust before remarking to the Bishop of Kovacs “This must be investigated.”