Saga of the Nameless

The Saga of the Nameless (Aréte: 'Deingelun'), Is one of the Pavlovist Sagas discovered in Taurëmár. It recounts the story of the Nameless Saint, to whom Pavlovich revealed his truth and who was the first person responsible for spreading the Pavlovist faith on Abexilas. The Saga was translated from Aréte by Árion Aerandir and Kasrinn an Hanof and was first published with in the Summer of 32 V.E. (8th August 2024). The Saga of the Nameless is considered the most important Saga of Abexilan Pavlovism, for it contains the direct commands of Pavlovich to his followers.
== Preface ==
Much effort has been put into translating this work from its original Aréte into a more accessible language. In some cases, however, a direct translation was not possible. 
The Ilenaré has been translated as the 'sacred community',a translation that is imperfect but conveys a close enough meaning.
The word vole, functioning in a similar manner as humans or humanity that includes all species of higher intelligence, has been left untranslated for lack of a suitable word.
== Chapter I ==
1.1. The truth of Pavlovich has passed from generation to generation, immortal and unchanging. Though our worlds have been lost and our followers have been scattered, the righteous truth has only grown stronger with each rebirth of the faithful pack.
1.2. Pavlovich, the greatest of all beings, hand of justice and keeper of truth, created the first worlds countless years ago. All of his creations, from the smallest of insects to his greatest creations, the vole, were left to live undisturbed by his hand. He trusted in the harmony of his grand creation and the faithful spirit of the vole.  
1.3. Not all that lives is a creation of Pavlovich, however. The Ancient Ones, beings weaker than Pavlovich but still capable of great feats of their own, descended upon the first world and fashioned themselves as Gods. 
1.4. Many of these Gods were of little harm, playing their own role in the natural order, but a great evil grew in the hearts of others. Thus began the meddling of the first demons - the so-called God of Blood and the Great Beast of the Void. Jealous of Pavlovich’s might, they began to corrupt the hearts of the living. The people of Jagdas soon became wicked, killing their animals and digging pits into the abyss. 
1.5. And so Pavlovich sent down the first of the truly faithful to cleanse the world of corruption. They established the first sacred kingdom, Kolossyisk. There, they protected the animals of their realm, taking them into their homes and adopting them as their pets. This was their gift to the animals, as they had helped the people of Jagdas to survive in the days before great kingdoms and armies kept them safe from the creatures of the night.
1.6. This sacred bond, between voles and their pets, is the foundation of the sacred community. It is upon these foundations that the faithful can protect the world from the corruption and decay which has already laid so much to waste. 
1.7. For a time, this sacred kingdom held strong, fighting back against the corruption which had seeped into the land. But the wounds wrought upon the world had become too great to fully heal. Pavlovich thus abandoned Jagdas, creating a new land for his followers to flee to. There, they were given a new hope to create a world truly free from evil. 
1.8. But even among the faithful there is room for weakness. Soon after they arrived in the new world they fought amongst themselves, until their nation fell and their people were scattered.
1.9. Remnants of the true followers travelled north, where they came upon an order of knights known as the Aurorans. In the darkest of days, before the followers had even set foot upon the new world, the Kingdom of Escharia fought to protect the world from the Lycans and the Blighted - perversions of Pavlovich’s creations made to bring terror to all life. After a great war, known by survivors as the Southern Incursion, an order of knights was founded to ensure that the world would never again fear the Lycans and Blighted. 
1.10. Though they did not know his name and had not heard his truth, the hand of Pavlovich guided them on their path to victory, for his hand protects all those who walk a righteous path. The First Saints - Rapolas, Bozhidar, Xalian and Miri, walked the land in these days, aiding the people in their great struggle to cleanse the world of evil. 
1.11. And so when the followers met with the Aurorans, they eagerly accepted Pavlovich’s ways, rekindling the flame of the sacred community.
1.12. The Aurorans founded their home on the Isle of Tessel, guarding a chasm dug by worshippers of the Void Beast. In time, however, they were driven from this home by their overlord after they stood in defiance of his endless desire to conquer. 
1.13. The Hand of Pavlovich guided them south to a land known as Haven, where they founded a great kingdom. For centuries, the Aurorans built and defended the greatest of the sacred communities. 
1.14. But in the end, their power would be their undoing. They became one of the most powerful kingdoms to ever rise in this world, involving themselves in games of politics, conquest and empire. They made many enemies and in the end they waged a series of terrible wars of destruction in defence of their kingdom. They survived all of them, but with each battle grew weaker and weaker, losing countless souls to battles across Haven and beyond.
1.15. Eventually, they became so weak, that for a time they were unable to even hold back the Lycan menace, who slaughtered countless voles within their very capital’s walls.
1.16. And so too did this world fall to corruption. The fires of war raged endlessly until there was nothing left to burn. Devoid of life, the world froze; the great seas turned to ice and the land was left as nothing but an endless plane of stone and dust.
1.17. But before the last lights of this world could die out, Pavlovich used the last of his strength to rebuild the world anew. 
== Chapter II ==
2.1. This world, which we know as Abexilas through the revelations of the Nameless, is our home. It is young; our dark age has only recently passed and the believers of the past world have yet to arrive. There is much work to be done. 
2.2 For generations until now, we lived in ignorance of Pavlovich’s truth, though his hand silently protected us from the evils of the night. For as long as we can remember his creations have lived among us, aiding us through the most troublesome times. In turn, we have aided and cherished these animals as family, and so we were ready for his truth when nomadic warriors arrived from the north.
2.3. Though his hand saved us from total destruction, the lands outside of our walled towns were still perilous when the sun fell in the sky and the Lycans and Blighted descended. They roamed the wilderness, killing mercilessly. We lived in fear, unable to even harm them with our weak weapons. The knights, however, attacked with swords of silver, cutting through their foes with ease. With the Hand of Pavlovich guiding their blades, they seemed as if they were immortal. 
2.4. Long we rejoiced after the victory of the stranger knights. We invited them into our homes, whereupon they first told us of Pavlovich’s truth and the story of their foundation. 
2.5. The knights traced their origins back to the first follower of his truth to ever exist on Abexilas. To the knights they were known as the Nameless Saint, for although their deeds were mighty and their story has travelled across the world, they were so strongly dedicated to Pavlovich’s truth that not once did they stop to give their own name.
2.6. The Nameless Saint lived in the first decades of Abexilas, in the dark age when there were no realms that could even hold back the threat of the demons’ servants, let alone destroy them. For a time, they lived a peaceful life within a walled village, seemingly well-defended against the servants of the demons. They survived for a while, but eventually there came a pack of terrible lycans too strong for the city’s defences to hold back. The village was destroyed, scattering the survivors into the wilderness.
2.7. It was here that the Hand of Pavlovich intervened, seeing the potential in these scattered villagers to begin the retaking of his world.
2.8. The Lycans tracked the Nameless to a thick forest, where they had hidden from the pack for many days. They attempted to follow the Saint in but Pavlovich's Hand contorted the branches of the trees, blocking their approach.
== Chapter III ==
3.0. When the lycans retreated, a path opened through the trees leading to a meadow with a great tree at its centre. The Saint rested there as Pavlovich spoke to them through the tree. He revealed to them the first part of his great truth, showing the Saint the origins of this world - how the other worlds had risen and fallen before this one and the purpose of this new creation.
3.1. It was then that the true purpose of the faithful on Abexilas was revealed. “The creation of this world has left my hand feeble - my enemies have exploited this as they feed on the life I have made to grow ever stronger.” He told the Saint. “Yet my truth remains strong and through you it shall fend off all evils. It is the task of the righteous - you, the ones who know my truth, to keep my creation safe and to see my will enacted. You all must fight to preserve this world, until a time in which my hand shall guide you to victory, and the eternal glory of Nebesa.”
3.2. The day rose, and a path led the Nameless out of the meadow. Animals of all kinds came to the Saint, bringing them food to sustain them on the coming journey. In turn, the Saint aided the animals, as they were a talented healer by training and could tend to any wounds the animals had sustained. 
3.3. As night fell, a great owl appeared to the Saint, which they followed back to his old village. Once again the Saint saw the Lycans. Pavlovich protected them, however, tricking the Lycans so that they did not even notice the Saint was among them. 
3.4. There, in their old village, Pavlovich revealed the sagas of the saints who came before. There were the four saints of the incursion: Xalian, the Judge of the Afterlife; Bozhidar, the Great Healer; Rapolas, the Saint of the Wild and Miri, the Guardian of the Battlefield and the Saint of the Home. They were sent to the world before ours to turn back the tide of Lycans and Blighted that threatened all, and none survived that great and terrible war. 
3.5. He also spoke of the two great Auroran Saints, who ruled that sacred kingdom through its greatest age. Nikephoros, the Saint of Smithing and Victory, was the only living person to have seen the sacred afterlife, Nebesa, having died once only to be sent back to the realm of the living by Pavlovich himself. It was under her reign that the Aurorans reached the apex of their strength, but they would also fight a brutal war against their siblings on Haven which would begin the descent of that once peaceful continent into endless bloodshed and chaos.
3.6. The other great saint of the Aurorans was Aurelian, Saint of Leadership and the sacred community, the first King of the Aurorans and father of Saint Nikephoros. Though he was not sent by Pavlovich, he was eventually granted long life for his dedication to Pavlovich’s truth, ruling for many centuries. In his reign, the Aurorans lived through their greatest and most terrible times. Aurelian himself sacrificed greatly, outliving many of his children. Through his dedication to Pavlovich, the truth survived the destruction of the old believers and it is to him that we owe our faith today.
3.7. Pavlovich spoke also of the lesser saints who, though their names are lost to us as with the Nameless Saint themself, have nonetheless earned their place in Nebesa by Pavlovich’s side as his most faithful servants. 
3.8. It was on this day also that Pavlovich revealed the story of his followers. The first followers Pavlovich called the Naverechnyans, a name he personally gave to his truest believers, sent down to the world by his hand. 
3.9. For each of his followers, the Naverechnyans, the warriors of the Southern Incursion and the Aurorans, he recounted their hardships, their heroism, and their failures. For all beings are capable of failure and even the saints did not lead lives of perfection. The truth of Pavlovich is one of mercy and all who strive to act under his will shall be judged fairly. When their time on this world is done, the gates of Nebesa shall not be closed to them.
3.10. As the sun rose, the owl departed. For a time, the Nameless was left alone in their village. This did not last for long, however, as dozens of scattered villagers returned home over the following days. Each of them upon returning told the same story, of how the animals of the forests had saved them from death.
3.11. It was then that the Nameless Saint first began to share the truth of Pavlovich. All they spoke to fervently accepted his will and as they rebuilt they took the animals that had saved them into their care, a sacred community as Pavlovich intended.
3.12. But the Nameless could not stay for long, as on the next full moon a pack of wolves arrived in the village, calling to the Saint as one. The Saint was taken to the ruins of an old shrine, but before Pavlovich could share more of his truth with the Saint, the Lycans appeared again.
3.13. They attempted to attack the Saint in the shrine, but the wolves blocked their approach and a vicious battle began. Though the Lycans were faster and stronger than the villagers, they were unable to match the agility of the wolves who danced around them dodging their every strike. Much time passed, with the Lycans growing ever more tired as the fight continued until, without making a sound to indicate their move, the wolves struck out as one.
3.14. Under the light of the moon, their teeth shone like silver, piercing the Lycans’ thick skin with ease. They all recoiled in pain, though one struck back at the wolves with its claws as it flailed wildly, wounding one before it fled in fear with the rest of its twisted pack. The Saint ran out to aid the wounded wolf, using fabric torn from their coat to halt the bleeding. Rather than chase the Lycans, the wolves remained with their wounded brother, speaking to the Saint once more.
3.15. The words they spoke to the Saint remain in the form as they were first spoken, for they are the most sacred of Pavlovich’s teachings. It is his instruction to us on how to create and defend our sacred communities. As per his will, we shall record them exactly as they were spoken to us.
== Chapter IV ==
4.1.  “You understand what is at stake, but now you must know what is to be done. As my creations have protected you, so too must you protect them. The bond between vole and animal is the most sacred of all, and through this sacred bond my creations shall find the strength to create a divine society which wards against all evil and protects all that is living.”
4.2. “To follow my righteous path is to revere all that lives, from the greatest animals to the smallest blade of grass. Protect this land from devastation, defeat those who devastate it and restore it to the state of natural harmony that I designed. If all these are achieved, this world shall persist. This is your most important undertaking, for as long as there are people in this world devoted to the defence of my creations, this world shall be safe from the corruption that destroyed the old worlds. Fight on, until a day comes when I return to my true strength and the whole world shall be cleansed of evil. The reward of the righteous shall be the eternal paradise, Nebesa, where no evil shall ever reach.” 
4.3. “But in all, there lies a capacity for evil even greater than that of the worst lycans. The ones who reject the holy bond and abuse my creations must not be allowed to persist. Those who harm an animal without cause must be punished as if they had harmed one of their own. The murderers and defilers are the most reviled of them all and must be destroyed. Do all that must be done to ensure they are brought to justice - let not rivers, forests, walls or mountains allow them to evade my righteous vengeance.”
4.4. “The community must also be warded against those who would harm it from within; those who would cheat, steal, lie, or inflict all manners of pain unto their neighbours. Treat the lesser offenders with kindness, for my truth is one of forgiveness, but for those who will not or can not see the light of redemption, cast them away quickly. For evildoers can soon corrupt the entire community, should their evil fester.” 
4.5. “The laws of the realm, unless they contradict my most sacred teachings, should be respected whether written by my followers or not. It is my will that none of my followers should bring chaos or disorder to the world.”
4.6. “Be vigilant also against those who seek to bring destruction to the world for nothing but their own gain. The ambitious lords, who bring war in the name of forging great empires and burning their names into the annals of history, leave nothing behind them but corpses and ash. As the Aurorans once rebelled against unjust conquest, so too must you stand in defiance of warmongers, for the path of destruction they carve threatens to end this world as it ended the old. Those who seek to profit from war likewise stand in opposition to peace, and must never be allowed to infiltrate our communities.”
4.7. “But save for these transgressions, it is my will that the sacred community is one of acceptance and peace. To follow my truth is to love and cherish all that is alive -  I permit my followers to live the lives they choose, provided they bring no harm to others.”
4.8. “The non-believers, too, have had an important part to play from the very first days and should be allowed to live among you, provided they do not disrespect my will. Do not bring destruction upon them; they too are my creations and deserve to be respected as such.”
4.9. “The natural state of my creations, from the first days of my creation, was one of harmony. Through the meddling of the demons this was corrupted, but through adherence to my truth the harmony may be restored. This truth is now in your hands. Go forth! Bring my words to all corners of these lands and gather the strength to bring this world into an age of peace!"
== Chapter V ==
5.1. With the last of Pavlovich’s knowledge bestowed upon the Saint, he returned to his village with the wolves by his side, instructing them of Pavlovich’s will. They then set out upon their journey, travelling restlessly to inform people of his word. In this mission they were utterly dedicated to Pavlovich, never resting for their own sake and never giving their name, for they sought to embody nought but Pavlovich’s will.
5.2. In their mission, the Nameless Saint was successful. Though they did not take up arms themselves, for not once did they deviate from the task they were set upon, others took up blades of silver to reclaim the world. Generations passed before they reached our lands, which appear to be the far south of our world, but after much fighting, the age of harmony is upon us! Pavlovich’s hand has guided us to victory, and his truth has guided us to peace. 
5.3. When the Nameless Saint grew too old to spread the word of Pavlovich, they returned home to their village to find a great town had been built where once there was nothing but death and ruin. They spent their last days there, until Pavlovich carried them on to Nebesa. 
5.4. We have written this saga in honour of their memory - to spread Pavlovich’s truth and record it for future generations. It shall be preserved forever, so that should we fail and the followers be scattered once again, a new group will arise to enact his will. 
5.5. We are certain of this, for the truth of Pavlovich shall always survive, immortal and unchanging.
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