Penita Scrolls
From Mizahar Lore
Penita Scrolls or "Penita" is a collection of encouraging words from Yahal spoken to his followers. A full collection of the Penita is in Yahal's temple in Wadrass. Followers usually possess portions of the text and share it amongst one another. It is written in both Common and Shiber.
Contents |
Appearance
Penita Scrolls can be on any material, but the sacred version is written on vellum and organized into dozens of scrolls. The text is predominantly in Common and Shiber, but other languages are present. A writer will always write in his primary language. Translations must be sought by the reader.
Some versions are decorated with ink and art, but the sacred Penita is surprisingly plain.
Creation
The complete Penita is located in Yahebah's temple, written on vellum scrolls, but there are other less valuable versions there as well. When a follower of Yahal believes the god has given him a portion to add to the Penita, he must travel to the temple and attempt to transcribe it there.
The process begins under the supervision of a Son of Rapa as the words are transcribed on a fresh sheet of wadj. These versions are usually highly decorative to fill the excess space. Once this is done, the priests await to see if the writer is struck with the "withering". Stern in his demand for purity, Yahal will dole out a special punishment against those who write words that are not his. This punishment is a crippling of the right hand, called a withering. As such, those who think they have heard a divine word worthy of the Penita often spend a great deal of time in prayer before transcribing it.
Should the writing have been deemed false, the wadj version is burnt and its ashes buried. If the word is accepted, the writer inscribes the vellum version of the text and a celebration is given, during which the new encouragement or caution is read to the High Masha. An illuminated version of the new version will also be sent to the Knights in Syliras.
Organization
For every era of the Penita's existence a symbol is chosen. Writings that take place in that era are categorized chronologically under the symbol. Symbols are usually drawn at era's end, inspired by what was written (if anything) and may be suggested by any gnosis marked follower at the Feast of Scrolls.
Within symbols, sections are broken apart by seasons and then lines. The line portions are drawn from the primary text in the temple. Since many followers do not have immediate access to this, they only use the symbol and season when quoting the text.
So if one wanted to refer to a writing created in 130 AV in spring, they would say "From the spring of the Lily".
Selections From the Book
Please note, this is a work in progress.