Keepers of Lore/Regions/High Toprak/Scroll Two

“No Man Commands the Soul Except Gods, And They Are Not Men”

In another realm relevant to our story, long before we have the rituals we have now, there existed a Dalian religion that worshiped stone. The High Temple of the Stonist faith existed in the realm of Muspel and their Great Stone sat in its throne in this High Temple. The Stonists said that the only path to truth and enlightenment was by worshiping stones. For Stonists, truth meant that for which we can see. Enlightenment meant that for which we could touch. Therefore, through the rituals of Stonism, one could see and feel the world around them. A very spiritual religion this was. I was a member for a short time until I was flogged and deported, but that is another story. Anyway, the Stonists preached their faith without competition for four whole years until one day another prophet entered the realm. This prophet’s name was Kana. Kana heard the sermons of the Stonist Sisters and laughed. One of the Sisters approached him and said, “Who dares laugh at truth and enlightenment?” She was a fanatical Stonist, similar to many of them, and refused to tolerate the ideas and opinions of outsiders. Kana replied, “I would never laugh at truth and enlightenment Sister if I heard it. You speak jokes. I like jokes.” This was a grave offense to the Stonists and they beat him and licked his face even though he told them not to.

Later that week, when he was looking for a vendor to eat from, he overheard a Stonist priest offer a traveler salvation through the teachings of Stonism. Again, the prophet Kana laughed. Outraged, the priest stormed over to Kana and confronted him. “What are you laughing at outsider? I am a Stonist Priest and I am willing to save this poor Soul from Oblivion.” Kana lowered his head humbly and retorted, “Forgive my offense, I could never refuse salvation if I found it. You are kidding with that poor man. I love comedians!” The priest’s fist shot squarely into the jaw of Kana, knocking out one of his teeth and his consciousness.

Another few days past and Kana was seen sitting in front of the High Temple. Recognizing him, the priest and the Stone Sisters rushed over to him to see what he was doing. When they came closer they saw he was eating an orange. “Get off our steps,” one of the priests demanded, “You are a heathen and cannot be so close to our sacred Great Stone.” Kana smiled and reached out an orange slice in his hand. “Would you like a slice?” he asked, and one of the Stone Sisters accepted the slice. Together they ate the orange and shared its delicious juices. After the snack, the Stonists still required his answer so he told them, “I brought this orange with me from far away. I have shared it with your Sister and she liked it. I do not see orange trees grown around your realm and I find this sad. May I plant some orange trees nearby so that your people can have oranges too?” The priests and sisters nodded and agreed with his proposal. He smiled and thanked them, then stood up to leave. Before they let him leave, one of the priests stopped him and asked him again his reason for being in front of the High Temple. Kana said, “The last realm I came from worshipped Oranges. They are Orangists. I came to see if your Great Stone had ever seen or tasted an orange before and he said that he did not. Therefore, it was I who taught your God truth and enlightenment. You denied me at first but now you know who I am. I am the Great and Powerful Teacher of Things At First Not Known. For you, truth is what you see and enlightenment is what you touch, for me, those things are far more complex and mysterious. So, I share my Truth and Enlightenment with you via Oranges because it is easier for you to see and taste them and because they are delicious and healthy for you. Next time, do not close your eyes or hide your hands to outsiders.” At those words, the Great Stone bowed in humble service and the Stonists knew Truth and Enlightenment. Clearly then, young listener, you must always be prepared to meet the gods, for they are a wily and silly bunch and they sometimes like to visit us in the most amusing costumes such as oranges and stones. Listen to these objects and their prophets and only then shall you earn Truth and Enlightenment.

This, we learn to be our Destiny.