Plasencial manuscripts

Researched by Sanadhil

The people spoke of the Gods, and reckless men said. “If we knew where these Gods were to be found, we would sacrifice to them”. But the Gods were not among them. They were not to be found within the swamplands or in the cities. Their manifestations were in the Heavens for all men to see, but they did not see with understanding. Nor would any God listen, for all were dumb because of the hypocrisy of men.

The pillars of Heaven were broken and fell down to Earth. The skyvault was rent and broken, the whole of creation was in chaos. The stars in the Heavens were loosened from their places, so they dashed about in confusion. There was a revolt on high, a new ruler appeared there and swept across the sky in majesty.

Men forget the days of The Destroyer. Only the wise few know where it went and that it will return in its appointed hour.

It raged across the Heavens in the days of wrath, and this was its likeness: It was as a serpent smoke enwrapped in a ruddy glow. Its mouth was an abyss from which came flame, smoke and hot cinders.

When ages pass, certain laws operate upon the stars in the Heavens. Their ways change, there is movement and restlessness, they are no longer constant and a great light appears redly in the skies.

They will come softly, as thieves to the tombs, and men will not know them for what they are, men will be deceived, for the hour of The Destroyer is at hand. In those days men will have the Great Book before them, wisdom will be revealed, the few will be gathered for the stand, at the hour of trial. The dauntless ones will survive, the stout-hearted will not go down to destruction. NASHASH, Great Serpent of All Ages, alike to all, who sets the trials of man, be merciful to our children in the Days of Doom. Man must suffer to be great, but hasten not his progress unduly. In the great winnowing, be not too harsh on the lesser ones among men. Even the son of a thief has become your scribe.

(Note: "Nashash" literally means "he who solves secrets" in Plascencial. )

But I will say this as I think. And I will speak against you, O land, which art prospering. The noonday does not always burn. Nor do the rays of the sun constantly give light. Do not expect and hope that you will always be prosperous and rejoicing. And be not greatly up lifted and boastful. For assuredly in its own season shall the serpent's wrath awake against you. Which now in long-suffering is held in as it were by reins. For every emancipator has enslaved the free.

More odds and ends from old religious texts (again, various manuscripts):

The writings from olden days tell of strange things and of great happenings in the times of our fathers who lived in the beginning. All men can know of such times is declared in the Book of Ages, but the Gods had their birth in events and things which were in the beginning. All who have seen the heavens know what is transacted there. They know that the heavenly luminaries change not their paths; that each rises and sets regularly, every one at its proper period, without transgressing the commands, which they have received. They behold the earth, and understand what is there transacted, from the beginning to the end of it.

The Seven, they who revolve, driving their Chariots around their Lord, the One Centre of our World. His Breath gave Life to the Seven.

They drew down much strength from the stars, but now they are as Wanderers of the Wastelands, and dwell in caves and in deserts, and in all lonely places where they have set up stones.

By their wounds shall ye know them, and by their smell, for they are not born as men, but in some other fashion; by some corruption of seed or spirit that has given them other properties than those we are familiar with. And they like the Dark Places best; for their God is a Worm.