The Angelic Verses

## Overview

The Angelic Verses, often referred to simply as "The Verses", is a sacred book of scripture revered by Callaxian followers of Stratism. The text serves as a religious and cultural foundation for the Stratum, a rigid class system that has shaped Callaxian society for generations. The Angelic Verses is divided into two main sections, the "Expoundings" and the "Happenings," each recounting different events and stories related to the Stratum and its divine origins. The Verses declare no official clergy or religious services, leading to an unusual structure for a monotheistic religion. (Read more about that here.)

## Organization of the Text

### The Expoundings

The Expoundings is the first section of The Angelic Verses and primarily focuses on the divine origins of the Stratum. According to this section, angels visited Callaxians near the Argony Sea 4.5 thousand years ago during an event known as the Expounding. These angels declared the already-existing Stratum system to be divinely sanctioned, which divided Callaxians into three classes: Gahls, Laxes, and Zeds. The social structure is believed to mirror the divine order in paradise, and how well an individual embodies the role of their class in life is said to determine their class in the afterlife. This section is shorter than the other and mostly includes a single eye-witness account of the miraculous event, which included many angels coming down from paradise to minister to individuals in small groups over the course of several hours. These angels shared their wisdom about God and life, their knowledge of the afterlife, and laid out commandments.

### The Happenings

The Happenings is the second section of The Angelic Verses. Much longer than the first section, this book contains a collection of stories and parables that illustrate the principles of the Stratum and provide guidance for its followers. It can be hard to tell if some of the stories are meant to be taken literally, and there is a divide between more literal members of the faith and those who take many of these stories to be parabolic in nature. This disagreement is nothing new and has been going on almost as long as Stratism has been around. The stories often depict the lives of early Stratists and exemplify the virtues and values associated with each class in the Stratum. They serve as a moral and ethical framework for Callaxians who adhere to the teachings of Stratism. The Happenings section spans more than a century after the Expounding.

## The Origin of Urgury

One notable story in the Happenings is the tale of the Craftswoman of Luce, which is found in Chapter 43. This story tells of Zen'ri, a Zed craftswoman who made and repaired great houses for Gahls. One year, she made a beautiful home for a Gahl named Maca, who was so impressed that he commanded Zen'ri to never make a home for anyone else ever again. With perfect humility, Zen'ri obeyed and pledged herself to his service for the rest of her life, along with her children and her children's children.

This story is considered the basis for the practice of Urgury, where many families of Zeds serve Gahls based on supposed pledges made centuries ago. However, there is controversy around the practice, as it is mandated by law and very hard for a family to emancipate themselves without the explicit blessing of the Gahl family they serve. This permission of freedom is rarely given, and the practice has caused unhappiness for many families who have been in servitude for centuries.

## Other Stories from the Happenings

### The Lovers

"The Lovers" is a tragic love story between a Gahl woman, Ra'la, and a Zed woman, T'ren, highlighting the devastating consequences of defying the Stratum by pursuing an interclass romance. Read the full story here.

### The Tale of the Gahl and the Beggar

"The Tale of the Gahl and the Beggar" tells the story of a wealthy Gahl, Ri'i, who encounters a beggar named Fo'lim, leading to an unexpected revelation. Read the full story here.

### Golden Apples

"Golden Apples" is about a desperate Zed named Kav who steals a golden apple reserved for ghals, only to face dire consequences. Read the full story here.