Zh'athae Wly'nith (Ze-hath-ae Will-in-if)

The Arshinus written language is known as Cuneiform, a logo-syllabic script, named for the characteristic wedge-shaped impressions which form its signs. These impressions are made by a special implement know as a Zh'athae Wly'nith an ancient tool, rooted deep within Arshinus tradition. The tool is an enchanted pointed shard, made of obsidian that is channelled by the wielder to superheat the tip, allowing it to score into stone, rock and the mantles of the Arshinus themselves.
Only that have been chosen among the Fire Sages of Infus are permitted to use the tool, for tradition dictated that the act of carving the Cuneiform, the letters of the Arshinus, can only be done by those ordained of the lord of fires sacred flame. Such is the strict doctrine surrounding the Zh'athae Wly'nith that those who have not ordained are forbidden to wield the Zh'athae Wly'nith , to do so is regarded as a grievous act of dishonour. Cuneiform is found through the sacred tablets and stones within the Temples and religious structures dedicated to the Arshinus gods.
As such, each Arshinus community has one ordained Fire sage that bares the responsibility to bare the Zh'athae Wly'nith and permitted to write the sacred letters for the Arshinus within the community. The uses are wide and varied within Arshinus society, but traditionally revolve around religious customs and rituals, particularly the funerary rites surrounding the kindling; the ending of a Arshinus lifecycle when they return to their ancestral flame, and their life does end. The Zh'athae Wly'nith is used by the Fire Sages to carve the letters of their life story into their mantle, and other ritualistic runes and protective spells before they can return to the ancestral flame. Each ritual is different for each kindling, and is a unique experience for the individual Arshinus and their family to reflect upon their life and the story it will tell.
Many outsiders have questioned this practice, dubbing it somewhat primitive and archaic to their own practices. Considering it is well know the Arshinus utilise another, more practical written language that is a short hand version of the traditional archaic cuneiform and uses charcoal for writing missives and notes between themselves. Other such implements have appeared over the centuries that allow the Arshinus to carve and mark their own mantles, however such unorthodox practices are regarded with scorn and contempt.

Item type

Tool