Originally translated by AgamenonWhen-Gunaydin.
Introduction to The Book Of The Prophets - Editor's notes
"Now their names were 'Feiron', that was the wisest and oldest, and 'Chonane', she was unsurpassed in her way with words, and 'Nerida' she was the most inventive, and 'Ovaron' who was able to see the future. And the others were 'Wardok', 'Zarine', 'Kardaron', 'Jintara', 'Jekar', 'Zuluf', 'Feraina' and 'Zantor'." Second Book of Hamalzah, ch1 v7.
The book of the prophets, according to some, was written during the "Dark Age" (2000BT - 1000BT). As little or no documentary evidence exists from this time, it has been difficult to date accurately, but newly discovered pre-collapse radiation-decay measurements have indicated that this may indeed be true.
The author is unknown, but may very well have been the Prophets themselves, as a number of hands can be proven to have written the original scrolls. However, this may be due to the scrolls having been copied a number of times by monks - which was the traditional method for copying scripture before the widespread use of standard data discs.
The tales contained within the Book are strange, fantastic and sometimes contradictory. It is believed by some that these stories are simply parables used by the early Quantar Priests to educate simple agricultural folk in the more complex ways of Quantar culture. Others, notably the Religious Caste, have argued that the parables are Gospels, and are accurate accounts of the actions of Hamalzah's first true disciples.
I think all Quantar will agree that whatever their origins, the stories of the Book of Prophets are entertaining, educational and inspirational. Many of our traditional children's stories and rhymes have origins which can be traced back to the Prophets - even though the children singing them don't realize it! Take, for instance, the popular Temple Playground song of "Here comes the Kahro!":
Here he comes,
Black as night,
Come to steal our hearth-homes!
There he goes,
Black as night,
Gone away with gemstones!
If he finds you,
Run and hide!
Here comes the Kahro!
The Quantar theologist-philosopher Nah'al Ibn-Tambriq has been researching Quantar folk memory for years, and he has this to say about "Here comes the Karo!": 'This children's song has been handed down for generations, and is sung regularly by children all through Quantar space. The story has been changed slightly, but is essentially the tale of the Prophet Kardaron, and his alleged discovery of the first semifluxor asteroid. "Black as night" is clearly a reference to the hazardous invisibility of semifluxors. The people who lament Kardaron's apparent passing cry that their home will be ruined because of his demise - hence the stealing of their "hearth homes". His going "away with gemstones" of course refers to the gap in their income which would have ruined them. The last verse is a warning to treat semifluxor asteroids with great caution.'
So, whether Canon or not, the twelve tales in the Book of Prophets certainly hold good advice for all Quantar. To make up your own mind, you will have to read them - the will of the people, so they say, will always prevail!
Note that much of the Book of Prophets in still under restoration at the QUEST Library.
The Parable of Feiron
In times past, there stood an oasis in the deep desert. And about this oasis stood a city. And about this city stood a wall. Within the walls of the city was great prosperity and many peoples journeyed there to sell there ore and take away grains and fruits. The oasis fed fields, and they were green with crops and travelled by cattle. In these fields were two families. One family was hard working and well read of the scriptures, and housed and fed their landsmen. The other family were lazy, and made use of rods and whips to work their landsmen, and they coveted the lands of the others. And the good family were the Ekoo. And the covetous family were the Bronci. It came to pass that one day, the Ekoo went to till a field, and found that the Bronci had already sown there, and they were stood with their rods and staves to defend their crop. "This is our field, which we have worked for generations" exclaimed the Ekoo. "It is ours now, by our right of force!" spake the Bronci "we shall not take up our crop". And the Ekoo returned to their hearth to pray to Hamalzah for guidance. The next day, a wanderer came unto the city, and stood in the fields to admire the city. He saw the field to be guarded by Bronci staves, and he saw the perturbed Ekoo regarding them. "Friends! What is the happenstance here, that causes you to stop your work, and become aggrieved to each other?". And he went first to the Bronci and heard from them. "We have claimed this field before it comes to ruin, for the Ekoo never farm here. It is good earth, and will make for a good crop, which we can sell and become wealthy!". And he then went to the Ekoo, and heard from them that they had farmed this field for generations, and the greedy Bronci had unjustly claimed the field for their own. Then the wanderer threw off his cloak, and revealed his true self. And it was seen to be Feiron, a Prophet of Hamalzah himself and High Priest of all of the lands hereabout. And both the Ekoo and the Bronci gave him tribute, and bade him welcome, and anointed his feet with P'ahn oil. "But how will you resolve this conflict?" asked the Ekoo and the Bronci. "Hamalzah will decide," spake Feiron, "and he who is just will prevail. You shall each bring me your eldest son, and bring with him his hand-pick and his reaping-hook. And we shall see who is right." And the next day, the eldest sons of Ekoo and Bronci came to the field. And Feiron bade them to fight unto the death so that Hamalzah may decide the fate of the field. The son of the Ekoo was much frightened by this, being a peaceful and conscientious farmer. And he took to his heels and ran across the field, jumping over familiar stones and roots with ease. And the son of the Bronci, beset with rage and wielding his sharp reaping-hook gave chase. And the father of the Bronci shouted after him and encouraged him to kill the son of the Ekoo so they may take the field for their own, and take the profits thereof. And the Bronci gave chase across the field. By Hamalzah's grace, the eldest son of the Bronci caught his foot on a root, and he fell headlong in his flight. And he landed upon his reaping-hook and was made undone. And so it was that the wisdom of Feiron caused the impetuousness and the greed of the Bronci to be their undoing. And the Bronci left the field, and went to another city across the desert never to be seen again. And the Ekoo tilled the field, and found that the blood of the eldest son of the Bronci had made the field more fertile, and it produced a crop unrivalled since. And the Ekoo were pleased, and Feiron was pleased.
The Parable of Chonane
In times past, before the enlightenment of all the Quantar, it happened that some followers of Horridahl had built two great cities. In these cities was much debauchery and slavery. And the cities were Ghordom and Horrahlem. These cities fought amongst each other in the Arena, but it was not the civilised way that they fought. To preserve their own bodies, and to leave their own flesh unbroken, they forced slaves to fight in their stead. In particular, Horridahl had taught them that no life was sacred and often they pitted the weak and helpless against each other in fights to the death, or in fights against champions. It was about this time that Chonane was on pilgramage, and was visiting Ghordom and Horrahlem to bring the Light of Hamalzah to the wayward citizens. She rested awhile outside the walls, and began talking to the citizenry thereabouts. Soon She had a crowd of many, there to listen to Her. And She spake about Hamalzah, and His Word, and His deeds. And the crowd became angry at Horridahl at his wanton ways. And the crowd came to Hamalzah, and this pleased Him. Upon hearing that many of their citizens were listening to the Word of Hamalzah, the rulers of Ghordom and Horrahlem became angry, and sent forth soldiers dressed in black and red to dash Her upon the rocks. And the rulers said "Anyone who hears Her, cut off their ears! Anyone who sees Her, put out their eyes with fire! Anyone who speaks Her words, cut out their tongue!" And the soldiers surrounded Her, and raised their arms to strike at Her to dash Her on the rocks. "Wait" cried Chonane, "would it not be better for your rulers to see me in the Arena, for to provide them with entertainment?" and they heard the words of Chonane, and they listened, and spake of this amongst themselves. And they chained Her and brought Her before the Rulers. Upon hearing their story, the Rulers became enraged and visited their wrath upon the soldiers. They made the soldiers cut off their own ears, and cut out their own tongues, and put out their own eyes with fire. And the Rulers decided to put Chonane in the arena, as she had wished. And Chonane was put into the Arena, and was faced not with men but beasts. And the beasts were razorbacked Lions and sawtooth reptiles. And they would not attack Chonane. For Hamalzah moved over them to calm them, and none of the sharp staves or whips of the beastwardens would change this. And the crowd grew silent and listened to the words of Chonane, who could not be killed. And She spake unto the crowd, and told them of the Word of Hamalzah, and His Light. And the crowd knew Her to be right, so powerful were Her words, and rose up against the Rulers. The Rulers turned from anger to fear, and the crowd bore down upon them with much resentment for the way the Rulers had taken them from the true Path of Hamalzah. And the Rulers cried for their guards, but no soldiers came. The soldiers had no ears to hear the cries, no eyes to see their predicament, and no tongues to call for help. And the base Rulers were dashed onto the rocks. And the peoples of Ghordom and Horrahlem took apart their cities with shovels and chisels, and built farms and Temples in their stead. And Hamalzah looked upon them and was happy, and blessed them with good fortune.
The Parable of Nerida
A great flood came upon the fields of a city. The city was built on the bend of a mighty river, and was called Omni after the ancient word meaning "everything", for indeed this City had everything needed by the people. It had fine Temples and good crops and many mines. The people were contented and grew lax in their work, and came less often to Temple than they should. But a Priest named Nerida berated them and spoke to them about discipline, and good fieldcraft, and storing grain for the future. But the people did not listen, as they were content in their bountiful crops, and they became more indulgent. So Hamalzah stirred the waters of the river, and made them swell and burst their banks. The banks had been badly maintained, and broke easily, and flooded the fields of the city so it could not be seen where the river ended and the fields began. And the people became trapped in their city, and began to look to their stores for sustenance. The people in their disregard had not only forsaken the riverbanks, but had also been careless with their regard to proper storage of grain. As such, the stores soon ran out of grain, and the wells of clean water, and the butteries of ale. And for all the gems and minerals they had in their houses, the people could not find bread, and famine stalked the isolated city. Nerida, however, had heeded Her own advice, and had ample stores, enough for Herself and many others. She gave of Her stores as much as She could, and spake unto the citizens to encourage them to pray to Hamalzah. Nerida went unto the soldiers and said "Give me your armour, and your shields". And the soldiers said, "but who shall defend the city?". And She said "The Waters of Hamalzah will defend us." And they gave Her their shields and armour. And She went unto the merchants, and said "Give me your cloth", and they said "but who will make clothes", and she said unto them "would you rather make linings for caskets from your cloth?" And they gave their cloth untoher. And She went unto the farmers and said "Give me your arms for labour," and they said "but who will till the fields?". And she said "what fields?" And they gave her their strong backs. And she went unto the mothers and said "Give me your skill with the needle". And the mothers said "But who will feed our sons?" And Nerida said "Would you have no sons to feed?" And the mothers came with their needles. And Nerida had the landsmen beat the shields and armour to make boats. And Nerida had the mothers make sails from the merchant's cloth. And all of the citizens entered the boats. And they made their way to the edge of the flood, and to fertile fields and fresh water. And Hamalzah looked upon the scene, and was pleased with their co-operation and mutuality. And He smiled upon them, and the waters receded and their city was once more available to them. And thereafter they worked diligently and kept the fields and hedges in good order, and maintained good stores against disasters which may befall them. And they gave thanks to Hamalzah.
The Parable of Ovaron
Under restoration (presumed lost).
The Parable of Wardok
Wardok, who was a great hunter and skilled fighter, spent much of His time in the mountains. He fought razorback Lions, caught the fleet Roh Deer and found the secretive Mimbat. Legendary was his skill at arms, and legendary was his love for his family. Horridahl saw this, and said unto himself "this warrior is greater than any of mine. His arms are strong as trees and he is swift as the winds." And Horridahl was displeased that Wardok was not his, but gave obedience to Hamalzah. Horridahl sent to Wardok a demon in the form of a Quantar. To the demon he gave a shishlik, and the gift of stealth, and bade unto him "kill me Wardok by subterfuge, so my warriors may again be the greatest". And the demon came unto Wardok as He lay still in the grass, and he thought he was sleeping. The demon raised it's sword to strike, yet Wardok leapt at it with His eyes blazing and his teeth gnashing. Wardok set about the demon, and cut off it's arms, and cut off it's legs, so it could not fight. "How didst you discover me?" asked the demon. And Wardok said "I was hunting greensnakes for broth, and you disturbed my quarry. I knew you to be there and threw myself upon you". And Wardok cut off the demon's head with a single blow. Horridahl was displeased, and sent unto Wardok two red and black demons, of mighty countenance, and not disguised as Quantar. And Wardok saw them, and became angry. "Begone, demons, or I shall send you back to hell in many pieces!" cried Wardok. But the demons were silent, and approached him with their swords. And the demons set about Wardok. Wardok danced about them, and made them into a multitude of limbs and flesh. And Horridahl saw this and grew angry. He picked up a mountain, and threw it down at Wardok. The mountain shattered, and from the inside of the mountain came many demons, all black and red, spitting fire and cursing Wardok. And Wardok stood fast against the Hordes. And he hefted His sword, and prayed to Hamalzah. And Hamalzah looked upon Him, and touched His sword with Light. And the sword burned with the Light of Hamalzah. And Wardok cut out at the Hordes, slashing one way and another. The touch of Hamalzah's light burned the flesh from the bones of the Demons. And the demons fell asunder, broken and burned. And Horridahl turned his eyes away, and was gone. And Hamalzah was pleased with Wardok.
The Parable of Zarine
Under restoration (presumed lost).
The Parable of Kardaron
A mighty man was Kardaron. His shovel was bigger than any other man's and His chisel was always kept sharp. Bold was He, and never any fear knew as He ranged over sky and mountains searching for the rocks and stones that brought His tribe and family comfort. He knew red rock made iron for ploughs and swords. He knew green rock made copper for light and heat. And he knew all the other rocks for the benefits they brought to Him and His own. One day, as He was sleeping in a rocky valley after working the faces, Hamalzah came to Him in a dream and spake unto Him. "Kardaron! Heed me!". And the sound was as of the rolling of thunder. "Search ye in the skies for one you cannot see. Take him into your carriage, for he will bring great wealth unto you. There are things to know from him that you will never know unless you find him. When you have found him, you will recognise him again, and see many more of his kind in the Heavens." And Kardaron woke from His dream. Hamalzah's words had confused Him and He knew not what to do. He returned to His home-hearth and spoke of His dream with the Wise Ones of the tribe. "Do not leave us Karadaron!" urged the tribe. "You are strong, and your right hand breaks rocks, and your left hand gives good fortune. Should you leave us on this quest, we shall be ruined." But Kardaron's heart was true, and He heeded the words of Hamalzah, and set forth to journey the sky. And there was much gnashing of teeth and rending of garments on his departure. It came to pass that Arkan, a Demon of Horridahl saw this, and came unto the tribe in Quantar form to tempt them away from Hamalzah. "Look how the mighty Hamalzah takes away your strong right arm, and your generous left arm! Is this truly the work of a God?" he said unto them. And they were weak, and he was strong in his oratory. And they grew angry with Hamalzah, and set out to look for Kardaron. They looked into their oracles to see where Kardaron had gone. They saw Him in the sky, with his great shovel and iron cart. As they watched Him thus, he disappeared from the oracle, despite their being nothing else to see that might cause this, and they threw themselves on the ground in despair. "See how Hamalzah takes your greatest prospector?" said Arkan. And they believed him, for they could not see how else Kardaron could have vanished. They lamented for Kardaron and split His belongings amongst the tribe as was their way. They tore down the effigy of Hamalzah in the Temple, and replaced it with an effigy of Horridahl in its place. And Arkan became the leader of their tribe, taking many children and women into his service. And the tribe began to suffer great hardship, as Arkan made merry, they neglected their fields and slept often. Then came such a day that Kardaron returned. Not one of the tribe knew of His coming, for they had not been attending the oracles as they should. Kardaron saw what Arkan had done to his hearth-home and was greatly displeased. He went to Temple, where Arkan sat upon a throne of bronze, attended by the Quantar, who feared him. There the tribe saw it was Kardaron, and He had returned to them. He took His shovel in His mighty right hand, and struck Arkan. The blow was so mighty as to have laid low mountains, and Arkan was rent asunder and sent to the four winds. "See, I have returned," spake Kardaron. "With Hamalzah's Light I have found that which cannot be seen. With my right arm I have brought it back, and with my left arm I give it to you. Come back to Hamalzah, and ye shall partake of His Divine bounty, which He has given to us." And the tribe came back to Hamalzah, but they said "Kardaron, we thought you were lost, for we could not see you in the oracle!". And He said unto them "I was not lost. I have found that which cannot be seen. As black as the sky it was, and hard to see. It lies in wait for the unwary, and hidden as it is can destroy even iron carts such as mine. The heavens have many of these dark things, and now I know their appearance, I can show you where they are." And he opened up his iron cart, and gave unto the tribe great wealth with his left hand, as was His way. From then on, the tribe was Hamalzah's and His alone. And they prospered and made merry in the Light of Hamalzah.
The Parable of Jintara
A village was beset by a ferocious razorbacked Lion. The Lion ate their cattle, and chased the tribe, and polluted their well. And the villagers were in fear. And the Lion was large of shoulder, and sharp of teeth, and mighty in size. The Warriors had blunted their spears on it's hide, and broken their shields on it's teeth, such was it's ferocity. The tribe prayed to Hamalzah for guidance. It was at this time that a wandering Priest came unto the tribe, and that Priest was called Jintara. She was wise and a good healer. And She saw the tribe cowering in fear. And She went into the fields and watched the Lion from atop a P'ahn tree. The Lion roared like thunder, and threw it's mane about it's head, and gnashed it's teeth. And she saw about the Lion the bones of many cattle. And about the bones, She saw Kifkif bushes. And She knew that Kifkif was the burning plant, and that it's spines were barbed and full of poisons. And She saw how the Lion had made it's den by the Kifkif bushes. And She waited until the sun had set, and the Lion was sleeping. And She climbed down from the P'ahn tree, and went to seek out the Quantar herb, and the burrowing Chamachal, and the hungry Thornboar. And She made a fire of the herb, so that the smoke drifted unto the Lion. And she opened the Chamchal grub, and made a salve. And she went to the Lion and saw it was pierced many times by Kifkif spines. And she plucked the spines from the Lion, and applied the salve to it's injuries. And she set the Thornboar abroad, so that it ate of the Kifkif, as she knew the boar was immune to it's poisons. And she returned to her tree. And as the sun rose, so did the Lion. And the Lion stretched and felt no pain. And the Lion sniffed it's Den, and smelt Jintara. And the Lion came unto Jintara in her tree and gave thanks. And the Lion went away, to make it's Den in another place, away from the tribe. And the tribe made great merriment at the Lion's parting.
The Parable of Jekar
Under restoration (presumed lost).
The Parable of Zuluf
Under restoration (presumed lost).
The Parable of Feraina
Under restoration (presumed lost).
The Parable of Zantor
Long ago, in a Temple in a far away place dwelt a priest called Zantor. He was remarkable in height, and made an impressive figure amongst the people. About this time, a great plague came to the area, and began to take many lives. It was thought that the plague spread itself upon the touch of others, and so the peoples began to shun each other. They daubed the houses of the suffering with green circles to indicate the plague was there. Soon, many of the peoples were suffering from this plague and the pyres became so numerous as to turn the night sky to day. People looked to the Temple for help, but even the Priests and Healers took fright and began to shun the company of their people. The Priests gathered their belongings, and took up their crop, and left the place. All excepting Zantor, who stayed, and threw open the gates of the Temple to the people. And the people brought their dying to the Temple garden, and laid them down, and asked Zantor to bless them, so they might travel to Hamalzah with forgiveness. And then the peoples left, so they would not be close to their dying ones, and become sick themselves. Zantor prayed to Hamalzah, and spake unto the dying Quantar "I am no Healer, but I have ears to listen, and through Hamalzah's grace I shall shrive you of your sins and send you onto Heaven with a light heart." And He did so, moving amongst His charges with the Word of Hamalzah upon His lips, and listened to their confessions, and with an altar-chalice of fresh water from the Temple well in His hand. He offered the water to the parched lips of all the dying. And He spake unto them of the next life, and they were prepared. Hamalzah looked down from the Heavens and saw the plight of the people, and the humility and sacrifice of Zantor. And Hamalzah breathed onto the water, and made it Holy. And as it touched the lips of the dying, it cured them. And as the peoples arose from their palletts, Zantor rejoiced, and praised the name of Hamalzah. And Hamalzah honoured Zantor for his service, and took Him for a Prophet, so that he could administer to the Quantar in times of great upheaval, and guide them with good heart to His arms. And the peoples emerged from their hearth-homes and rejoiced also, that the plague was gone. And the Priests returned, and made Zantor their leader, and did great penance for their doubts. And the priests of Zantor became known for their observation of the proper rituals, and many people came to them for solace when their time drew to a close. And the Temple grew wealthy with contributions and charity for their good deeds, and the Priests built a mausoleum and a hospital with the gold, and made a place for all Quantar to begin Hamalzah's final journey in dignity. And so it became done that the dying were honoured and revered, as they were closer to Hamalzah than all but the dead.
"After this, there is no more. There is but the silence of the stars, and the singing of the dead." Iqmar Haresh Balmentat (36BT - 41AT), "The Silence Of The Stars".