The Holy Codex

Background information

The Holy Codex was first told by word of mouth, before being transcribed by scholars in the old tongue. In recent years, the Codex has been translated into common tongue, allowing all people to revel in the glory of the Gods. The Codex is routinely added to by the Holy Council (a group of the Arch-priest/priestess of each God) according to visions from the Gods. Therefore it is currently incomplete.

Verse 1

1.1 In the beginning there was only darkness and thus it was the age of darkness.

1.2 Panjea had no form and no mark. The waters were still and silent. And black was the face of the world. The Gods had been sleeping for eternity, and so had their universe.

1.2 Untouched was the world and untouched were the gods, this state had always simply been. The Gods were not created but just were, as was the world.

1.3 Around the dormant Gods, the aether began to form; the blue heavens beyond our skies. It was the only light, and it was good and whole. And then one God woke. And Ignarus stood, seeing the universe and his dormant siblings. “Be you cast down.” He said. “For this world is mine and mine alone.”

1.4 With this, he threw the Gods down to Panjea. And then he reigned high, but he reigned false, and thus the age of the False Reign commenced.

1.5 And the 5 Gods rose, and as they opened their eyes but all was dark. So Marventa grew stars from the Tree of Light, and she plucked them from the branches and placed them in the sky, and so the Gods could see the universe, and the False Reign.

1.6 The Gods came together and flew to the aether, enraged by the falsehoods their brother committed. The Gods knocked Ignarus off the High Throne and shattered his crown of lies. “You are wholly evil.” Legaros did say to his brother, “and for your falsehoods you shall be cast down to the depths of the world. And may you never rise again.”

1.7 With this, the Good Gods forged the nether, a fiery pit for all evils and falsehoods to reside. And they sent Ignarus down to suffer for his sins.

1.8 “May you never see the beauty of the world.” Legaros shouted from the heavens. But Ignarus could not reply as his mouth was full of burning coals.

Verse 2

2.1 And now is the glorious days of the True Reign, the High Reign of the 5 Gods. And the Gods divided up the universe between them equally, so that no God would be without.

2.2 Legaros was given the aether, for him to rule and protect. He donned the armour of the heavens and drew a white greatsword to defend the realm with.

2.3 Aestheria was given the subtle moon, so that she may share her learning and arts. She is the embodiment of beauty, made from glowing molten silver that takes the form of an enchanting woman.

2.4 Marventa was given the seas, and the wind, and the stars which she grew. Although not as beautiful as her silver sister, she is far stronger and tougher, carved from sea-stone.

2.5 Metus was given the sun and the land, and from this land he blessed soil to be bountiful and rich, and he was given all the gold of the world. He was not forged from gold though, instead he was made from earth, and thus he was humble.

2.6 Phaedron was the final God - given the clouds, shadows, and darkness. He had no given physical body, like the others, and so forged himself one from the shadow.

2.7 And so there was peace for some time, where the Gods were harmonious and all was good and pure, and thus Era of Peace began.

Verse 3

3.1 The skies were still vacant and the lands were untrodden and all was silent. Aestheria felt sad that a beautiful world was so empty, and so she created the first human - a woman made in her own image, and she named her Phoebe. Legaros followed her example, and made a man to keep Phoebe company, naming him Alexander.

3.2 The humans grew hungry and so they prayed to Metus. They said “Oh lord! Let the soil have bounty and harvest, so that we may feast and be full.” Metus heard their prayers, and planted crop all over the world, making the land fertile and lush. And then, Metus made animals that they may hunt and roast.

3.2 They grew thirsty and so they prayed again. “Oh lady! Let there be pools of water that we may drink and our thirst may be quenched.” And so Marventa made rivers and lakes, with fresh water that they may drink, and she filled the seas and the skies with beautiful creatures so that they may never be bored.

3.3 They grew tired, and they prayed once more. “Oh lord! I beg that for the stillness darkness so that I may rest my eyes.” And so Phaedron created the night, and they slept.

3.4 Ignarus heard of this beautiful creation and he was enraged that he had no part of it. He tried to call to them, but they could not hear him, so he appeared in their dreams, so that they may see him.

3.5 “Phoebe, sweet Phoebe, you woman of beauty, do you see me?” He said in her dreams. “I see naught but fire, and so I am cautious.” She replied. “You need not be cautious, oh lovely Phoebe, the fire is warm and bright.” But Phoebe was wise, and she turned away from the fire and left.

3.6 ”Alexander, noble Alexander, you man of beauty, do you see me?” He said in his dreams. “I see naught but gold, and that looks suspicious.” He replied. “You need not be suspicious, oh brave Alexander, the gold is beautiful and valuable.” But Alexander was humble, and he turned away from the gold and left.

3.7 Ignarus screamed, his mouth full of burning coals, and he stormed through the nether, deciding what to do. And then he knew. He called to the animals, filling their weak minds with images of greed and pain, and so the balance of the world tipped.

3.8 One night, the humans slept by the fire under the starry sky, and a pack of starving wolves surrounded them. “Begone creatures of ice, you will find no comfort here,” said Phoebe. But the wolves had eyes of fire, and they launched at them, tearing at their arms and legs.

3.6 The humans fought the wolves, each killing two with their bare hands. But Phoebe was injured, and so for days after the battle Alexander cared for her, nursing her back to health.

3.8 And through suffering they found hope in each other. And she did love Alexander, and Alexander did love her.

3.9 Within the year they were wed, and they had 5 children to represent the 5 Good Gods. From them, all men and women of the world were birthed, and therefore mankind is forged from the Gods.

3.10 Let this be known; to man and woman. Children are a gift of the Gods, and so they must be respected and loved. A man who strikes his son will be stricken by the Gods, and a woman who beats her daughter will be beaten by the Gods. Act as Phoebe and Alexander and you act in the image of the Gods. Be good and pure and kind.

Verse 4

4.1 Over time, their bloodline became diluted and impure, and so humans lost faith in their Creators. So Legaros and Aestheria sent their first born child - Sekarus, the godling of messages and leader of Angels, down to Panjea.

4.2 Sekarus raised temples all over the world, and recited the Holy Codex so that humans may never forget their creation. The Holy Codex was written out, and given to all temples so that they may share the stories of the Gods.

4.3 Some men still ignored the light, falling to the darkness of sin and ignorance, but the Gods decided to let them choose their path. “I do not want blind faith.” Legaros said unto Sekarus, “The path is clear and obvious and they should choose right, but I will not force their hand”.

4.4 At the end of their days, man or woman will be judged by Legaros, the Lord Protector, and will be sent to punish in the nether or be rewarded in the aether. All children who pass are passed directly to the light of aether, so that they may live again in peace.

4.5 But Legaros is merciful and just, and those who repent in the nether may be raised to the heavens, once all they had once concealed is now open and they are honest and true.

4.6 So with this make it be known that you may be judged on earth, but the greater judgement is in death. All who judge act in Legaros’ image, and therefore must be merciful and just, may you be cast down to the nether elsewise.

Verse 5

5.1 Some time passed, and Phaedron became jealous of Marventa’s wind. “I should have the whole sky.” Said he, who is forged from shadow and darkness. “For is it not I who struck Ignarus first? Without my stealth you would have nothing, and so I deserve more.”

5.2 “Is it not I?” Said Marventa, who is forged from sea-stone and water. “Who granted you the light of the stars so that you may see the universe?” “Aye it was you, and so you have the stars, but you have no claim to the sky.” Phaedron returned.

5.3 The God and Goddess bickered between them until Legaros stopped them. “Are we children of men? Why do you bicker so? We are Gods, and there is no place for bickering here.”

5.4 Marventa respected his words, and sunk back into the sea. But Phaedron was insulted, and angry.

5.5 That night, Phaedron crept up on the Gods, concealed in the clouds, and assaulted their aerial territories. The embattled Gods used their great power on him, but he disappeared before the light could touch him.

5.6 From this commences the War of the Skies, which are known as storms, and they continue to this very day.

Verse 6

6.1 One day, when no battle was present and all was as good as can be, Metus approached Marventa. “Sister.” He said. “Your seas are bountiful and your animals are beautiful, your strength is incredible and your stars are so bright. I confess my love for you, sister, and I know I am but a humble God, not as mighty as Legaros or as sneaky as Phaedron but…”

6.2 Marventa smiled, and embraced him, “Your lands are bountiful and your animals are beautiful, your humility is admirable and your crops are so rich. I confess my love for you, brother.” And so they were in love, and birthed many godlings between them.

6.3 Let all humans bear witness to this humble partnership, love and you will be loved in return. Pray you do not fall to falsehood and superficiality and remember that, in the eyes of the Gods, you are all made to be loved and to love.

6.4 Have humility in your riches and strength in your beauty, and you shall rise to the aether.

6.5 There was love between Legaros and Aestheria also, pure and selfless love, the love of husband and wife wed, like Phoebe and Alexander.

6.6 And so, if you are to be wed, and your chosen god is the Mother or Father, say these words in the name of Legaros and Aestheria so that you may be blessed in life and in the lives to come: Oh Lord and Lady in aether above, Heed my words and read my heart, Bless this marriage with your almighty power, As my love is honest and true, May we have children as you have had, May our children have children as yours have had, Let Umira bless our holy marriage, Let Phelo bless our holy home, And blessed be the 5.

6.7 And so, if you are to be wed, and your chosen God is Marventa or Metus, say these words in the name of the two Gods, so that you may be blessed in life and in the lives to come: Oh Lord and Lady in aether above, Heed my words and read my heart, Bring this marriage into your holy light, As my love is humble and strong,, May we have children as you have had, May our children have children as yours have had, Let Isa bless our holy womb, Let Ylone bless our holy soil, And blessed be the 5.

Verse 7

7.1 And Ignarus will never love, as his heart is burnt and dead, but Phaedron has loved a few, and let those few be known.

7.2 He loved Amira, an insane and murderous ancient Queen of Old, with skin as white as snow and lips as red as blood. With him she birthed Persephone, Thea, Theresa, Omela, and Grace.

7.3 He loved Raven, a legendary assassin who sacrificed hundreds of men to him. With him she birthed Larissa, Cleo, Ariadne, Lucius and Isidore.

7.4 He loved Penelope, a cynical and calculated young woman, who murdered her family in his name. With him she birthed Orpheus, Odious and Theodosia.

7.5 These children are born of the darkness, but are not godlings like their holy cousins. They are named Demigods, half God and half human, and they share some traits with their godly parent.

7.6 Phaedron’s demigod children are the Shtrigae, and they feast on human flesh and drink human blood. Their eyes are a pale purple, their lips a crimson red. They generally move in the darkness of Phaedron, and so their skin is pale and smooth.

7.7 Their hair is darker than coal, the blackness of death, and their teeth are long fangs. They are known to be incredibly beautiful, and incredibly dangerous.

7.8 The shtrigae live for thousands of years, unstopped by disease or pain. Their wounds heal quickly, and leave no mark, and they may only be killed by beheading, and then burning of their body.

7.9 But head my warning, they are extremely strong and fast, and will take hundreds of men to kill.

7.10 Aestheria also birthed Demigods, for she came unto the earth and wanted to spread her beauty among humanity. She fell in love with an ancient Prince, who was incredibly handsome and strong.

7.11 With him she birthed many children, and these children were the Lunarae - but the children were so beautiful they had to turn to Phaedron to conceal their beauty by living in isolation, otherwise men and women alike would become totally transfixed, and forget to breathe.

7.12 However, one woman, Lana, was so beautiful that even Phaedron couldn’t resist her, and so he bore children with her.

7.13 The children had Aestheria’s beauty, but Phaedron’s ruthlessness and ability to shapeshift and melt into shadows.

7.14 The original Lunarae, including Lana, ended their own lives, due to how miserable they were at having to live in isolation.

7.15 Aestheria wept for her children, as those who end their life do not receive the gift of afterlife, and their souls are instead shattered irretrievably.

7.16 The children of the Lunarae, Hura, however, became deadly assassins, killing humans with their beauty. They act similarly to the Shtrigae and are often seen as their siblings.

7.17 They have silver hair and smooth pale skin, and where the Shtrigae are uncomfortably dark to look at, the Hura are uncomfortably bright.

7.18 Let this act as a warning to you! You must be careful of the children you bear, for having a child is a serious act, and you will be committed to that child in the eyes of God.

7.19 May you raise good children, or you will come to regret having them at all. And regret is worst of all, as fertility is a gift of the gods.

7.20 And may no mother or father kill their own children, as this is forbidden by the Gods, and may your children’s blood drown you in the nether, while they rejoice in heaven.

7.21 But if you worship Phaedron, you are not without the gift of love and fertility, as Phaedron had himself. To bless your marriage under Phaedron, you must say these words when you are to be wed: Oh Dark Lord who rules the shadows, Heed my whispers and read my silence, Shroud this marriage under your cloak, As his/her blood is my blood too, May we have children as you have had, May our children have children as yours have had, And blessed be your name.

Verse 8

8.1 Common prayers can be said anywhere, but best said at shrines or temples. If the Gods are good you will be blessed. A sacrifice to the Gods is best at getting their attention, but the different Gods require different sacrifices.

8.2 And may your voyage be safe if you say Metus’ prayer, and if you are illiterate then sing the words and they will be written in your heart, and rejoice with your friends. Marventa, Marventa, blessed be your name, Marventa, Marventa, please bless me the same, Marventa, Marventa, keep your wind with my boat, Marventa, Marventa, please keep me afloat!

8.3 And may your soil be fertile if you say Metus’ prayer, and if you are illiterate then sing the words and they will be written in your heart, and rejoice with your friends. Oh Metus humbled am I to, Sing your blessed song, You planted crops that then grew, To feed us all day long,

Oh Metus prosperous and kind, Bless me from above, And riches never make me blind, To the true richness of love!

8.4 And may your judgement be fair if you say Legaros’ prayer, and judgement may not mean in a court of law, but judgement of your sword before battle, or judgement of your mind before a meeting. Oh Lord who is my Father, Let my head be clear and my eyes bright, Let me judge fair, Let me judge true, Let me judge right, And so then I beg of you, Let me be judged fair, Let me be judged true, Let me be judged right, Blessed be the 5, And blessed be your name.

And may you be enlightened if you say Aestherias’ prayer, a poem spoken by the sweet-spoken. Oh Lady who did birth me, A mother who loves me, And keep wisdom in me, And keep beauty on me, And keep ignorance off me, And let me be blessed in your name, And the name of the 5, And let me bathe in your silver light, So that I may act in your image, As Phoebe did before me,

8.6 And may your footsteps be silent and your dagger sharp if you say the Prayer of Darkness, but say your prayer in silence, unless you are a High Priestess or Priest. Dark Lord, Send your shadows unto me, For the sins of the unworthy, Shall be baptised in blood and fear, May I stay shrouded under your cloak, And may my dagger stay dark, Silence is my music, And blood my dance.

Verse 9

9.1 Many years did pass from whence the High Reign began, the animals came and fell and grew, and so did the humans.

9.2 But there is a distinction, a human has a soul that changes with the actions that they commit, a sinner’s soul will drag along the floor with the weight of their falsehoods and a holy one will fly, weightless.

9.3 Some animals are without souls, let it be known that a rat, shrew, and mouse have no soul. Let it be known that the duck and the fish have no soul.

9.4 The dog and the cat have a soul, and the horse and boar, and the fox and the deer have a soul. And the lion and the tigers have a soul, and the wolf and the leopard have a soul, and the elephant and the monkey have a soul. The bird and the shark have a soul, and the whale and the dolphin. The bear and the bird have a soul, and the sheep and the pig and the cow, and the snake.

9.5 The crow and the raven have a soul, although shrouded. Let it be known that the crow and the raven are messengers of Phaedron, who blackened their wings with charcoal.

9.6 And if any new animal may come, let its soul be judged on the closest resembling animal of its kind.

9.7 Animals with souls have intelligence, they can love and bond and trust and hate. However not to the extent of man or woman. If an animal is good then it will too, ascend, but those who sin will be sent to the nether no doubt.

9.8 For let it be known, that an animal can too judge right from wrong, and the wolves pray to Aestheria, and the deer pray to Metus, and the sharks pray to Marventa, and the snakes pray to Phaedron, and the dogs pray to Legaros, and the lions pray to Ignarus.

9.9 But the rats and the mice know nothing but food and water and disease, and so they have no soul. And so when they die, they do not ascend, they simply will rot and be eaten.

9.10 Fear the man who eats the rat and fear the man who eats the mouse for they are vile creatures, created by Phaedron to do his bidding.

9.11 The cat has a soul, and they pray to Phaedron. And that is why the cats and dogs fight. And those who don’t fight are not holy animals, and should be thenceforth sacrificed to the Gods.

9.12 But beware! For the cat is a creature of shadow and hard to kill. They are cousins of the lion and leopard, and their savagery is in their claws and their teeth, and they will feast on human flesh when the moon is full, for that is when blood is freshest.

Verse 10

10.1 Blessed be the monks who work in the temples, blessed be you and your name!

10.2 For the monk devoted fully to the Gods. The monks keep no age, no family name, and no sin. All monks must leave their family name and take the name of their God instead, and so henceforth they are part of the family of the Monastery.

10.3 Monks of Marventa and Metus will have no leaders, and will be simply equal in title and responsibility. They are simple and jolly, and represent the farmers and the sailors who pray to them, may they be blessed!

10.4 The simplicity of their duties may not be confused with marriage or children, and so no monks of Marventa or Metus will have children or wed.

10.4 Monks of Legaros have order, to represent the order of the God himself. There will be monks, and then the bishops, and then the Archbishop. The monks must be trained in the ways of fighting, so that their skills may be used for protection when needed.

10.5 They are all men, to represent Alexander, and they may only wed and bear children with the nuns of Aestheria.

10.6 Nuns of Aestheria are beautiful, to mirror Aestheria’s own beauty. They wear the silver of her moon, and don her symbol across their clothing. They must be trained in literature, dancing, singing, and the harp.

10.7 They are all women, to represent Phoebe, and they may only wed and bear children with the monks of Legaros.

10.8 The followers of Phaedron remain largely in secret, but the children of Phaedron, the followers of shadow, they resemble monks and so they wear the name of Phaedron with pride.

10.9 And Ignarus has no monks or temples, may his followers be wrought with falsehood and sin.

Verse 11

11.1 Read the words of Legaros, the High Lord and Protector of Gods and the Realm. He says unto the world there are 3 types of sin, which are transgressions against divine law. Unforgivable sin, grievous sin, and venial sin.

11.2 Unforgivable sin secures your place in the nether immediately. There is no redemption, no repentance. The Gods will never forgive you for these atrocities, and so the nether will be eternal for you.

11.3 Grievous sin is severe sins that you can repent for. The Gods can forgive you of this sin, and cleanse your soul. If you die with grievous sin you will be sent to the nether, but once you are open to the Gods and repent for your sins, you will be lifted to the aether.

11.4 If you commit grievous sin in your life, but repent before death, you will be lifted to the aether as any other holy person would be.

11.5 Venial sin are mishaps, small mistakes or accidents that do not deprive the soul of divine grace. They are slight, and pardonable, and situational.

11.6 Your judgement is decided by Legaros, based on your intentions and necessity of the sin. For example, if you are starving and steal bread because you are dying of hunger, Legaros will still lift you to the aether, and the deed won’t be seen as sinful.

11.7 And from here let it be known that Legaros hereby does state that venial sins include: thievery, pick-pocketing, wishing harm upon a neighbour, ignorance, inadvertence, duress, unneeded fear, jealousy, greed, gluttony and divorce.

11.8 And from here let it be known that Legaros hereby decrees that grievous sins include: murder, bodily harm, blasphemy towards the Gods, wishing death upon a neighbour, harm upon a child, grand theft, arson of another’s property, harm of a holy man, false testimony, destruction of the Holy Codex, worshipping of false Gods, murder of family, and harm of a man or woman in prayer.

11.9 And from here let it be known that Legaros hereby decrees that unforgivable sins include: murder of a monk, nun, priest, or priestess, mass murder, destruction of holy property (temples, shrines, etc), impugning testimonies of the Gods, murder of children under the age of 1 year, corruption in the flanks of God, and obstinacy in sin up until death.

11.10 Let it be known that no sin is beyond situational judgement however. For example, if a monk fell to insanity, and was about to kill you, then you would be permitted to defend yourself, even if it resulted in the death of said monk.

11.11 Self-defence means you commit no sin, say the Gods. And if, in the situation, you would die without repenting said sin, then that is self-defense, and in the eyes of the Gods you have not sinned.

11.12 But beware! If man or woman tried to abuse this merciful law, tries to bend or change it to fit their own wicked ways, then they will be sent to the bottom of the pits of the nether, forced to eat burning coals until their mouth turns black.

Verse 12

12.1 After death, one’s soul takes the form of your physical body, and you are transported to the Holy Plains. You walk through the empty white space until you reach a white building - the Holy Court.

12.2 In the Holy Court, every deed and decision you have ever committed is read out in the Holy Scribe, by Xaton, angel of order and judgement, godling of Aestheria and Legaros.

12.3 Legaros hears his son, and then judges you upon your sins, deciding if each one is justified or not. Once he has reached his conclusion, he makes the final, overall decision on whether your soul is dark or light.

12.4 Now you leave the court, walking through the great doors of oak, and you come across a bridge. You must walk across the bridge to progress into the afterlife. If you do not walk across the bridge then you will be chased by wolves, so you are forced to walk across the bridge

12.5 The bridge is crafted from ancient wood, with weeping faces carved along the gnarled sides. It sways, despite there being no wind. Below the bridge is a river of fire, the River Styx. You hear the screams from the condemned souls when walking across, chilling, dying screams.

12.6 If your soul is heavy, you fall off the bridge, dragged down by the weight of your sins. You land in the nether, and then must meet Ignarus. Ignarus judges you, on whether you are suitable to join his army of the Dead, or whether you are too weak.

12.7 If you are too weak, you are sentenced to a lifetime of suffering, until Legaros decides your punishment has been served. If you are strong enough to join the Army of the Dead, then you will serve as a soldier, commanded by the demons of the nether.

Verse 13

13.1 Ignarus hopes one day he will gain enough power to rise to Panjea, and take his army to destroy the world that has only brought him suffering and pain, and kill all humans, the creations of the Gods he hates so much.

13.2 The Army of the Dead has three generals; Lorthrax, a swirling fire demon created from nothing but flame and ash, Xandor, a three-headed monsterous beast with burnt bones the colour of charcoal, and Daendra, a huge ghostly figure who weeps blood that burns and screams words that scar.

13.3 The Army of the Dead is sorted into three categories, the archers, the warriors, and the mages. The archers are skeletons, made from bone, and have soulless eyes. The warriors look like the broken shells of men, their flesh is rotten and their minds too. The mages could easily pass as human, if not for their strange clothing and eyes.

13.4 Lorthrax controls the mages, teaching them the dark arts and magics of the nether. He gives them enchanted stations where they can perform their blood magic, and whispers evil thoughts into their mind.

13.4 Xandor is an ugly beast, with three personalities; the central one is the operator, the host mainly in control.His left head is full of hatred, a vile thing, full of vulgar insults. His right head is full of pain, screaming in agony due to his permanent state of torture. He controls the warriors.

13.5 Daendra is a woman who once bore a son she loved with all of her heart. Her son was framed for murder by an ex-lover, and executed by the city guards. Her heart became blackened and broken, and she vowed to take revenge against Legaros and his ‘so-called’ justice. She controls the archers.

13.6 Daendra’s grief was so extreme, she ended her own life, and her spirit was so full of range and an unquenchable thirst for vengeance, she was made a general of the Army of the Dead.

13.7 One day, when the sky fills with fire and the rivers run with blood, the Army of the Dead will have gathered enough power to rise to Panjea and reign terror down on earth. We must pray to the Gods when the Day of the Dead arrives.

13.8 For on the Day of the Dead, babes will be ripped from their mothers’ teat, and crowns will be shattered and the world will become a cremation - and all one can see is ash and anguish and death.

13.9 There are other soldiers in the Army of the Dead, but they are demons, created by Ignarus. They have never, and will never be human, and have no soul or heart.

13.10 At night, when the Gods (except Phaedron) are resting, Ignarus has enough power to send some soldiers of his army to the surface, and he does, every night, fed by each and every life the soldiers reap. Blessed be the man who slays these beasts.

Verse 14

14.1 The City of the Night is the land where Phaedron rests, his home. It is guarded by Narphendrix, Titan of the Night, an age-old dragon with the black scales of Phaedron’s cloak, and the strange purple eyes that all Phaedron’s creations share.

14.2 The City of the Night is inhabited by the Shadow Men, tall and slender creatures formed of nothing but shadow, their eyes that same piercing purple. There are also Shadow Rats, which burrow through the pale yellow stone.

14.3 The City of the Night was created by Phaedron after the War of the Skies began, as he needed somewhere safe he could rest, well away from the Gods. It is a separate realm, like the aether and the nether, and cannot be found by anyone except for a child of Phaedron.

14.4 Avid worshipers of Phaedron will be stolen away by him after their deaths, so that they do not face judgement at the hand of Legaros, but at the hand of their God. Only the best followers receive this gift however, for it is a great gift.

14.5 If you are chosen by Phaedron at the end of your time, you become a Shadow Man, granting you immortality from age, for you are hidden under Phaedron’s cloak, hidden even from death. The rats have the same fate, as rats are creatures of Phaedron, informants of his will and bidding.

14.6 Men of Shadow are trained, and then sent up to Panjea to perform Phaedron’s commands. They assassinate children of the other Gods, and all who do harm to the children of Phaedron.

Verse 15

15.1 Another tale of Phaedron’s time, is the tale of the creation of Paraxaneth, Godling of Insanity. After a particularly bad storm, one in which Phaedron was badly injured, he decided he wanted vengeance on Marventa, as their rivalry started the godly war, but he knew he must be sneaky, as she would beat him in an open field.

15.2 He dressed himself as Metus, the lover of Marventa, and crept up to her in the aether. “Lover.” He said, in a perfect impersonation of the jolly man. “Oh sweet, lovely wife.” He said, kissing Marventa softly, “I do love you so.”

15.3 His powers were strong, and Marventa had no reason to question him. She smiled and returned his kiss. “Oh sweet, lovely husband, I do love you so.” She thought it strange, though, that his lips did feel so cold, compared to his usual radiation of warmth.

15.4 That night, they birthed a child, and when Marventa looked down at the beautiful girl she had created, she saw that it had the purple eyes of Shadow.

15.5 Her lover removed his mask, and cackled at her dismay. “This is my revenge, for you starting this damn war Marventa. For you being so selfish as to not give up your simple winds, when you own the entire ocean, and all stone and rock.” He did say.

15.6 “And everytime you see your lover, I want you to remember me Marventa. And remember this child, and this night.” He said, laughing again. Marventa spat on the ground, “I shall kill this child, a foul creature of shadow. I shall never think of it again.”

15.7 Phaedron smiled, “Marventa the merciful, Marventa the kind, ready to murder a newborn babe. Well I’m afraid I cannot quench your thirst for blood today Marventa, no, she shall be kept under my cloak so that you can never harm her, so that you can never forget.”

15.8 “No matter how hard you try. She won’t ever be history, she will be eternal torture.” And with that, he took the newborn under his cloak.

15.8 “She will surely go insane, like all your other creations forced under your damn cloak. Death is far less cruel.” Marventa cried in dismay. “I knew you for a cold bastard Phaedron but an eternity of torture for me is an eternity of torture for her too, she is your own child too.”

15.9 “Yes she is my child, and I suppose I will have love for her in my cold heart, but you call insanity torture? I call it a spot of fun. And trust me, an eternal being will rot away in their divine soul without a bit of fun.” Phaedron retorted, before disappearing into the night, leaving Marventa to be alone.

15.10 And so Paraxaneth was born, brought up under Phaedron’s cloak. As Marventa predicted, she went completely insane due to never being allowed out from his cloak. Her memories were chaotic, infused with her dreams. Time became meaningless, the world was meaningless.

15.11 Soon, she was too much for even Phaedron to handle. She tore open his cloak and escaped onto the world, wreaking havoc and mischief. Phaedron found her again, but he didn’t bring her back to the City of Night because for the first time in her life, she was genuinely happy.

15.12 Paraxaneth was happy creating mischief with the mortals, inventing strange and bizarre demons and hosting odd tea parties, and so Phaedron left her to her own devices. Legaros attempted to stop her, once she had taken one too many lives at one of her ‘tea parties’, but Marventa forbade him to.

15.13 “Brother, I never thought I would want to see my ungodly child prosper. When she was born I would have drowned her, and kept her out of thought, but now she is a woman grown, she is an angel… just...not like the others.” Marventa said, looking around at the other angels of the aether.

15.14 “I look at her and I see Phaedron’s eyes, but I see my face and my smile, and so I beg that you leave her be. There are many other, greater threats we have to overcome, leave the girl alone.” Marventa said, firmly.

15.15 “She may be Phaedron’s child, but she is my child too, and so she is part of our family. They are just humans, she is a Godling, whether we like it or not. It is not her fault that she is insane. She had no say in becoming who she is.”

15.16 Legaros respected Marventa’s decision, and so he continued to allow Paraxaneth to act the way she was. To this day Paraxaneth still roams the world, with the bright blue hair of Marventa, and the purple eyes of Phaedron.

15.17 And here this warning, if you hear of her, or see of her, run. For her games are not lightly played by mortal men. She is the whisperer of chaos and insanity, her voyage is into madness.