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The Codices of the Sempiternials (Updated 2151 CE Edition)
Translator's note: The Sempiternials are members of a purported race of ancient beings whom are worshipped by followers of the religion "Sempiternialism." These figures left behind a series of largely well-preserved texts known as the "Codices" upon which the religion is based.Below is a selection of translated passages from the Codices. While any attempted translation of the Sempiternial texts is bound to have some semantic errors due to the difficulty of deciphering a thousand year old language, these ones have been vetted over 50+ years of study and are considered to be fairly accurate by most scholars today.
OOC: See my factbook on Sempiternialism for more information.
Codex One: Book of Finity
This first scroll is written in a more archaic form of the Codex language and is significantly heavier in subject matter in comparison to the other Codices. While scholars initially assumed that it is older that the other scrolls, carbon dating suggests they are the same age. This research is reason enough to believe that the Codices were likely been passed down through the creators' society as separate texts before being compiled into the scrolls we have found today. Also, considering the time it takes languages to evolve to the degree seen between the first and second Codices, this indicates the society that created it had a strong literary tradition that continued for at least several hundred years.
The First Codex is a weary human traveler's account of a dying world consumed by sin and shame. At the end, the Sempiternials destroy existence and begin anew, continuing the cycle of worldly reincarnation. This Codex describes many elaborate religious rituals, which are now practiced by Perpetuals (adherents of the religion) in the modern day. While difficult to decipher, it is perhaps the most important of the Codices to followers of Sempiternialism for the strict moral code it advocates as well as the sweeping story of sorrow and redemption it contains.
Group 1, Passage 9:
Sabari refused to listen. He went to heaven with a terrible storm, disappearing into the blue. As we drew [for the ritual], we began to focus on the shape of the number. At that [destined] hour, Gastro appeared in front of me. “You are young and weak,” he said before opening my leg and clicking [his teeth] on the altar of peace.
Gastro sighed and said, "Sacrifice us. Most [people] will decline in the third trimester. I hope that the city will continue to advance on the wrong basis and save time and lives from the Ruin." With this key statement, the rotund man disappeared into the depths of the earth.
Group 5, Passage 2:
"Amejnas Duo, "Back Number", Traci Ozee- "Zomogs Globe", and "Monkey Prestige Game." They are also known for their work in my previous cycle of reincarnation, when the sun was setting in the world. What eye explorers see is the sky is from the sky in the last cycle.
The side of the side of the side appeared and said that Sabari, the leader of the people, the Phoenix winner, also thinks Mennesker knows of his despairs. The underworld became Fuller Fuller from the Last sadness, ([that was when] I learned from you the Og.)
The Regular Vision of the Happy Heavenly Father Father; My Life is the Third World, it must be the World First.
Group 9, Passage 1:
Esau was surrounded by angels who were waiting for me. The mountains are very crowded. Over time, Mother Earth became more friendly and gentle. The city is cloudy during the rainy season, [as it should be.] The stone has fallen. Forgive me. My life goes on.
It's not good for someone who saved me but did not save me like me [to be left behind] so I tried to get back but still my brother [stopped me.] He paused for a moment. "Remember to stay at the table and not eat dinner. However, be sure to move on to the next step."
Codex Two: Book of Loneliness
Codex Two is relatively light in tone compared to Codex One. For the most part, it describes the antics of the Sempiternials as they live in disguise among the common people, usually to teach them some sort of moral lesson. Rather than the incomprehensible and unchanging heavenly angels of the First Codex, the Sempiternials in the Second Codex are much more down-to-earth, with humanistic actions and emotions.
Codex Two is relatively easy to understand compared to Codex One. Its relatively mundane settings and stories suggest that it was intended for a more commonplace audience than its overly symbolic and complex predecessor.
Group 3, Passage 5:
I traveled for a few years until I moved in with a [unintelligible] family. They ate plant fiber, wool, and fleece and gourd mixed with used soap; I'm scared to leave Alce alone for fear it will try some of their meals. Most homes in their community have perfect cleanliness and warm fires; but no one could be as happy as us with our "Juice." They also tried to show us ruthless devices, many weapons for murder. But against whom? This was not a time-worn tradition done without reason, it was with intent of use. I hope war never occurs here but I'm afraid it's inevitable. The war could rage on long, but if I acted then I could try and prevent the situation from growing out of control, so I took their weapons and hid them. They were angry and invented a new weapon to remove Alce and me from the city. I later sent representatives to meet them, but they no longer accepted guests.
Group 4, Passage 1:
Lani Morgan's son was sick and the entire government was surprised to hear the news. When I was tired of my current habits, I decided to travel to the city to see if I could get an audience with the Queen. Several rescue workers stood at the entrance to the palace, but no guards allowed them in. I talked to some of them, and they seemed like rational men. "What did the Queen do?" I asked them.
She had heard a mysterious voice in the palace. The workers said they were wanting to help with this unusual phenomenon. The queen was sure that her son would recover by midnight, but the illness had continued. So I asked the workers what I can do to cure the son of this disease. [They explained thoroughly a solution.] Yes of course. That would do. My conjecture was ultimately correct: when the soldiers destroyed the previous palace, the spirits of Willi had gathered. I purged the renewing spirits and saved the son, the Queen immediately offered me her aid out of gratitude.
Codex Three: Book of Radiance
Codex Three is very similar in tone and writing style to Codex Two, suggesting they were written by the same author. The main difference between the two Codices is that the third Codex is more involved with the mystical side of the religion. It constantly references many of the religious rituals introduced in the first Codex and significantly expands them in detail. The stories in the third Codex are from the point of view of a Sempiternial forced into a human body and fated to roam the human realm until the next Ruin. Similar to the First Codex, it has a focused and continuous narrative and is quest-like in its structure.
Group 5, Passage 14:
Along the way we found special islands. I like to dance and have fun, so we took the stone path and went to my favorite city. I applauded Soyla’s daily efforts of prayer. We went to another town when a tall monster climbed to the left of the road. Soyla did not answer her prayers and spent a long hot summer evening alone.
We were all tired and decide we could relax. We stopped in a cold village and drank fresh magic-crafted brew. A few days ago, I decided to continue looking for the sign shapes. Such rumors must be true; they must be here. They could be waiting for me in the woods or in the desert. But I don’t know where exactly to start looking.
Group 19, Passage 2:
I went to the market to buy fruit and the next day I took a "Breath." With those influences I realized something to the contrary was true. Without the help of a communal servant, I actually had a difficult decision to make. To be fair, I think that prisoners of our society naturally deserve a free spirit, not that my opinion matters much. Thankfully, these helpers can help me decide. I can base my decision on what they have to say to me. They wish me to clean away the garbage worms in an area far from the desert, but I think that's an inane distance to attempt to cover within a week. They reaffirmed their decision and asked me to do it through any means possible, so I thought it could be worth attempting. I spend days traveling in sun and grass. "Sign shapes" surrounded me in the morning, but I continued. I reached a long, fallen tower pointing south, and I followed in its direction, but to my dismay I found myself in a forest that was not far from home. "Gedi" cautioned me that many people have been lost forever to its depths.
Codex Four: Book of Good Health
The Book of Good Health is the final Codex and describes the process of renewal after the end of a cycle- after the world has been destroyed and it is time for life to return. Unlike the other Codices, which are written in the first person point of view, it is written in the third, with an unnamed narrator describing the the divine process of remaking the planet. The fourth Codex is notable for its poetic tone and deep attention to detail, and is reminiscent of the First Codex in its depiction of the Sempiternials as all-knowing, all-powerful entities. It is the longest of the Codices.
Group 3, Passage 4:
It was time. He grabbed the observer's belt and pointed his limb toward the Yaba Valley. A sliding motion turned the earth around and brought life back to the seas. After his descendants were finally released, the awakened world was enriched and regained its infinite mercy. The majestic observer turned to land and sank into the sea.
He continued, his high neck still adorned with passionate desire. The long arteries rose and the sea evaporated. Flourishes of seeds produced by algae and mollusks rose into the cosmos. Suddenly the observer turned and knocked on the door to the underworld. He melted and broke the earth. Lightning and fire created man.
Group 9, Passage 22:
The bad meat dissolved; rich in red, red, and blue colors. The observer's hand was pressed to the empty space. This would become the expectation of an audience of thousands of breaths- [a festival.]
The convoluted mass [of color] became a circle of spectators and destroyed his sword. He sat on his belt and covered himself warmly as he suffered injuries to his head and chest.
The thin trail opens, exposing the observer's sensitive fringes. They contain unending heat and trap dust. He became a target [for the fringes] before reaching his domain. He was submerged by them and drowned, [but] once one enters the hole, the ground will explode and one will end up gaining strength.
Group 12, Passage 5:
He clasped her by the neck and gathered those who were there. Suddenly he was shaking her head. If one's neck is broken, put it in a flask. She threw the [contents of the] goblet into the flask and slowly broke the flowers of death.
She cleared her throat and blood dripped like blood. Then eyes came out that came out, bursting with pressure, blood flowing, whitening, fluid leaking. Tears of violence from thorns. The fingers crossed their scents and destroyed the structure of the coating [structure.]
