Kingdom of Balian 498 Share Posted February 19, 2023 (edited) THE LOTHAR STONES THE FIRST TABLET On Faith The Lothar Stones are marble engravings revealing life in the Bathalite Empire, otherwise known as Old Balian, dated somewhere between the fifth to seventh century. They are attributed to St. Lothar the Bannerlord, who served as one of the final dynasts of that ancient civilization. At least twelve of these stones are believed to be in existence, with each depicting the perspectives of Lothar and his Bathalites on various topics. They are written in Old Bathalite, a script similar to non-Dragaari Flexio. The Bathalites were renowned for being one of the most innovative heartlander polities of their time, believed to have spread their influence all throughout Almaris with their rich trade networks, strong piety, and powerful chariot warriors. ___ On Faith was recovered around Henry's Wharf by Simon Basrid at the turn of the nineteenth century. However, when presented to Joseph II, the monarch decided the matter was not worth pursuing, and thus the Rhenyari statesmen instead delivered the relic east to Ba'as. It was translated there by the First Vizier at the time, Caspian of Rhen, before returning back to Almaris as part of an diplomatic exchange of gifts over a century later by the hands of the Pigeon Knight, Sir Sarson Halgrim. SYNOPSIS The first tablet describes faith among the Balthalites. They claim to champion the Virtue and Spirit, while other heartlander states had succumbed either to deity worship or the whims of a landed and divided priest class. Their temples are described as iconoclast, rejecting the images of saints or exalted in full focus to their Creator, who is said to be depicted as a swirling heavenly focus known as Empyrean. However, their traditions also reveal that they opened their temples for service to other populations who maintained the laws revealed in the Scroll of Virtue. The imagery of Balthalite worship is described to revolve heavily around icons of celestial bodies in homage to the mysteries of the seven skies, as the Lotharingian cross was not invented until what we believe is later in Lothar’s life. Their priests are reported to have lived among the community as administrators and civic leaders, and to have tattooed images of the heavens upon themselves to celebrate their faith. A concept known as the milk of the cosmos is also described to inspire the people to live virtuously. It is difficult to discern whether the milk of the cosmos is something innate to all creation, a sacred elixir used in worship or ablution, or both. ___ I. FAITH Translated by Caspian of Rhen The illustrations of the stone itself is a crude depiction of one of the temples that may have existed in the Balthalite civilization. Within it, a priest with various brandings looks to be giving instruction to a set of humans, elves, and halflings about the celestial ecstasy that can be found in the seven skies. The icon of the Empyrean seems to be depicted front and center as the focus of the priest’s lecture, and is depicted as a swirling vortex of heavenly light spun by a pair of what may be priestly acolytes. Along the walls are writings in Balthalite praising the works of the Creator and his two prophets, and pleas toward the awaited two prophets and their associated texts. In the land of Balthali, the people are faithful and devout. We are a monotheist people, believing in the one true creator of all things. The Virtue and the Spirit, our holy texts, guide our lives. As we wait for two Sons of Spirit to reveal themselves. Our great temples are places of reverence and contemplation. They are inspired by the miracles of our Creator One in Peroz is named the House of Worship. Within these temples, we forbid any graven images of our heroes. They distract us from seeking the truth. Instead, we paint and spin the Empyrean. The temple in Peroz is not only for the worship of the Virtue and the Spirit. There are many people of all faiths and races in our empire. We give them space in our temple to pray and lead their service So long as they honor the rules of our Virtue and our land. Together, we may deepen the mortal understanding. The custodians of these temples are known all over the world. They are our holy priests and priestesses. If they are truly pious, they brand themselves the stars and celestial bodies. So they move this earth as though they carry the Seven Skies with them. Most holy is to brand the star on the forehead. It is forbidden among the laity. But we may wear a sash with this icon instead in reverence. We are taught to carry the milk of the cosmos. The Holy Light of the Skies. This means we must act with wisdom, logic, and restraint. And should use our duty and gifts for all. Our priests teach us these values through service. They live among us, not apart from us As scribes, emissaries, elected officials, stewards, and civil leaders. It is said a priest who does not serve his people first Will be more cursed than the dog who spits water. The measure of their worth is not in their robes or temples But in the good of their service and action. That is how our faith will grow. Edited February 19, 2023 by Kingdom of Balian 15 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReveredOwl 5317 Share Posted February 19, 2023 "Not entirely sure why the Balianites would publish and push for apostasy, doesn't seem very faithful to me!" exclaimed Arold. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greener 659 Share Posted February 19, 2023 Thinks it isn't a push for apostasy but the revealing of ancient history. "Eh but what should I know? Maybe we don't educate the masses of the past at all." 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReveredOwl 5317 Share Posted February 19, 2023 1 minute ago, Greener said: Thinks it isn't a push for apostasy but the revealing of ancient history. "Eh but what should I know? Maybe we don't educate the masses of the past at all." "But this is not history, Balian was founded by people who left the Orenian Empire." replied Arold. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tadabug2000 3501 Share Posted February 19, 2023 The Countess of Aquilae, Johanne Vuiller glances over the missive of what the tablet of Saint Lothar spoke on, as there was such little knowledge known on the Canonist Saint. It was certainly fascinating, she took the time to read it from her desk. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crevel 4727 Share Posted February 19, 2023 Father Petyr is curious how this supposed ancient society knew that God would have two more prophets when neither the Scroll of Virtue nor the Scroll of Spirit mentions that there would be four. Furthermore, God had started a millennium of silence shortly before the Exalted Owyn established the priesthood... thus nobody outside of Horen would have been told of two more prophets, especially a society that supposedly lived in the fifth to seventh century during the Lord's silence. He begins to believe that the Kingdom of Balian is either taking a forgery seriously, using a biased translation, using blasphemous revisionism as an attempt to improve their own legitimacy, or some mixture of the three. The Scroll of Gospel tells that after the death of Owyn that 'pagan seers watched the stars and virtuous priests read the Spirit', if there was any truth to this stone, its translation, and this alleged ancient society, it only indicates that these supposed ancient Balianites were pagans that were obsessed with the stars given that they believed that the most pious of their faith covered their body in the depiction of stars. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burnsider 4542 Share Posted February 19, 2023 2 hours ago, ReveredOwl said: "But this is not history, Balian was founded by people who left the Orenian Empire." replied Arold. Kris Darkwood placed two fingers over Arold's lips, clamping them shut. Then, leaning in close, he whispered, "Shhhh, let people enjoy things." 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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