The Z'axahian Codex

See also: Kyrevan's Dream Wiki

## Origins

This black-leather-bound codex appears to be written in an ever-changing array of different languages. It was discovered on the 11th day of Spring 1345 by a party of adventurers, including Hildebrand "Earthsnout" Thisteclaw, Kit Khu, Sonsuza Kadar, and Shantak, in Nevamörk's ancient shrine dedicated to the Ancient Rim Pantheon. Shantak, in the name of the betterment of understanding of his patron - Z'axah, then slowly and methodically translated the codex.

This historically-religious book appears to have been written by the high priests of the pantheon during a time when the pantheon itself was dwindling for reasons unknown. It seems to be inspired by Z'axah - the last remaining deity of the pantheon - who desired the divine story to be documented in a timeless magical artifact, which is this codex.

## Translations

### Chapter 1

This codex contains the comprehensive written history of Yugxheduth's fall to Dread, or perhaps it would be more accurate to describe it as its descent into Dark, along with its offspring - Dread and Space. However, this is just one facet of our narrative. Guided by the final surviving master, we have endured millennia, only to ultimately share the fate of Yugxheduth, as our souls have been inexorably tethered to the realm of our now-vanished deities, a force that grows increasingly potent and irresistible. In our final service to the Light, we present this codex, wherein we diligently record the world's past and our joyful cultivation of it

In a broader context, this narrative is a cautionary fable of how once we grew together and moved between planes and how it all came to an end when Yugxheduth was ripped from the grasp of Light. We emphasize that this fate should never be allowed to befall any other world, whether through natural or artificial means, for nothing gets left behind in the cold grasps of Dread and Dark, not souls, not magic, not hope.

Our story commences in a realm known by two widely recognized names: the Rim World and Yugxheduth. It exists on the outermost fringe of the Sun's life-sustaining and life-desiring radiance. Some may argue that the Rim was always destined for its current state, being the first world to confront the dwindling Light, and that this impending doom catalyzed the rise of humanoid civilizations across the reach.

Perhaps this is the case. Who are we to declare, given that the pantheon set these events in motion eons ago, so far removed from our present that even if we could recall, we would not be deemed reliable. Our historical account begins with what we would likely refer to as the Ancient Rim Pantheon, an amalgamation of deities both primordial and engendered through belief, united in a singular religious entity. From this extensive roster of minor deities, six assumed leadership of this faith. The six in question being Dobbelbh, Hidhyla, Iv'ithu, Ub'iozi, V'ggar and Z'axah.

Dobbelbh the Burning, a primordial deity, reigned supreme over endlessness and spells. It bestowed many with longevity and arcane abilities, once standing as one of the foremost deities of magic. Its devoted servants engaged endlessly in research and innovation, and together, they fashioned the magic spheres that encompassed all worlds, granting mortals and immortals alike easier access to this potent force. The most common cost for wielding these powers was the relinquishment of the organs of passion, including hearts and reproductive organs, as well as those leading to emotional imbalance and clouded minds.

Hidhyla the Spoken, a deity of conscious creation, presided over poems and valor but did not shy away from extending her influence into the realms of songs and visual art. Songs, poetry, art, tales, and fables owe their existence to her, as she inspired her acolytes who later settled across the worlds. Her devoted followers honored her through their artistic creations, yet she did not bestow the gift of creativity freely upon all. Her price for granting artistic talents required individuals to surrender an aspect of themselves that they would not utilize in their chosen art form. For instance, a singer might have to sacrifice their sight, while a painter might part with their ability to speak or hear.

Iv'ithu the Flowing, a deity brought into existence through belief, presided over streams and winds. Her gift to other worlds was the essence of breath and the replenishment of liquids. While some might view this as harsh, in the past, it was seen as a blessing. Many worlds once did not need to breathe or drink, and she made it a reality so they could experience the joy of breath - filling one's body with ki, and drinking - replenishing one's life force. These principles, now widely accepted, were once considered novel by her devotees and were spread out of necessity for strength, before the advent of metals. Today, the mastery of the gift of breath is achieved by only a determined few, but in the past, the cost of breath was the overuse of one's organs. To instill humility in a talkative person, their tongue was the price.

Ub'iozi the Great, a primal deity, was the master of power and balance. His followers grew to great stature without experiencing shortness of breath. He fathered many races of giants who now dwell where giants are not native. Those who chose to relinquish their servitude to him, however, could not expect growth solely for growth's sake. They were destined to grow through a life of balance, which required sacrificing balancing parts such as tails or toes to then relearn balance consciously and to train the inner balance from this training along the way.

V'ggar the Brooding, another primal deity, held dominion over paths and screams. They granted the ability to cause great suffering and to bring it to an end, as well as the power to open, block, point, or divert from paths in both travel and life. While one might label them the controller of fate, they truly were not, as fate could be easily manipulated by revealing and obscuring certain life paths anyways. Their followers were bestowed with the abilities to inflict suffering and to influence the course of these roads. They could incite cries and silence them in due time. As for the gift of grander meaning to the present world, humanoids in time from those acolytes bred the skills to allure and influence, flirt and engage in playful interactions. In exchange for these talents, a cost of one's stealth was exacted, such as the soft cushions of one's paws.

Z'axah the Wise, a deity created through belief, ruled over law and knowledge, manipulating the eternal fabric of reality and bestowing upon all the ability to remember and learn. He was responsible for binding worlds to their respective laws, a gift that would later as well bind himself more firmly to those laws than anything or anyone else. Those who dared place their faith in him were also bound to the hardships of being tethered to the universal laws more than others. However, in time, they gained the power to bend these laws even more. They could manipulate the laws governing the capacity of one's mind, the limits of one's capacity for souls, and even the laws of reality itself. They were able to rewrite reality, but it came at a cost - the loss of a modes of rewriting those universal laws: a hand, a tongue, or memories necessary in determining what was right and wrong.

See also: Kyrevan's Dream Wiki