A Question of Godhood

Beourjen Annalist Veranos Menx wrote a letter to Callahan Fallen author Sven Claughdon in 1372. He was reportedly working on a compendium summarizing the pyramisic gods from an academic and historical perspective. His letter to the author was reviewed by the full roster of Annalists within his Hall, as is custom, however his official report stated that he never recieved a response from Claughdon.

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Dear S. Claughdon,

I read Callahan Fallen when it was first serialized and, shortly after it was banned, was fortunate enough to procure a copy of the compendium whilst on a trip to Armistace. It is a remarkable and captivating work of literature, one I have returned to innumerable times since my late adolescence. Of course, I adore all the key figures which populate its narrative. But there is one depiction - that of the god Berez - that is of particular interest to me.

I consider myself to be an astutely learned man - I am an Annalist of the Beourjen Confederacy, in fact, adept in the pyramisic studies. My time before that was spent in the Cult of Azraskus in Vernase. I know, simply from your writing but also from your interview with the Reserves, that you are a devout man yourself. There is mention of other gods throughout the series, of course, but Berez is where your divine focus is clearly set. I would ask if he is one of your chosen worshiped, though I know it is a personal question. You need not answer it.

My main question concerns any further information you may be able to divulge on the god Berez. I have researched him, and read various versions of the Doctrine for mention of him. There is virtually no mention of the god in the Doctrine, nor in any Clan texts. You would know even better than I that there are many gods only openly known and worshiped in the Imperium. I can only assume that Berez is included among these.

But it simply doesn't make sense to me why there is so little information about him privy to Beourjen and its people. I am planning to compose a summary of sorts on Berez, so that his worship might be more easily accessible to Beourjens - those native to the country, that is, who aren't already familiar with him. But I find myself hitting dead ends and feeling utterly lost. I implore you, Claughdon, if you have any notion: what are his origins? What were his relations like to the rest of the pyramisic gods, to the Doctrine? If possible, where would I find more references on him?

I hope you understand the well-meaning nature of my inquiry. While Beourjen's official religion is that of the Second, there are many who would like to see all the pyramisic gods - or as many as feasible - represented. With the recent decades of Cravvik integration, I feel this only becomes more relevant. You are of a similar mind, I'd reckon.

If you do not wish to speak on such an intimate subject, I understand. I know that discussing one's chosen worshiped might be considered tasteless. It is only for the sake of learning, and maintaining a fuller knowledge of pyramism, that I should ask.

Sincerely,

Annalist Veranos Menx

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Menx later disclosed to two close companions during a gala at Valzeirse that Claughdon had in fact responded - however, Menx had burned the letter in frustuation upon reading it.

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A Question of Godhood

Annalist Menx,

It is such a curious question. For you to ask, I know, but also for me to receive. Knowing that a reader enjoys my writing always warms me. It is even more warming to know that a reader is paying attention and thinking deeply on it.

To address your first question - not your main one, but still your first - Berez is not one of my chosen worshiped. I am partial to Beatrix and Libere, and at times to Typhon as well. I have not considered the others as particularly calling to me. I suppose Berez is somewhat of a unique exception to my reverence of the pyramisic gods in general.

I spoke of it at some length in the interview, but you may know that my pedeír and I fled Cravv only to be taken hostage soonafter. It was a rather terrifying time in my life, the city being pillaged, and then us assaulted and snatched from our brief freedom. When we were still paddling away though, and the burning city was still all around us, I recall crying to my pedeír about how the gods had deserted us, and left us for dead. Specifically, I recall thinking how Libere had deserted me. My own chosen, whom I had been devout towards since my adolescence (twas not that long of a worship at the time, as I was still young, but it felt long), had denied me mercy. They had denied me grace.

My pedeír assured me that I was simply outside of Libere's domain, that I was so far outside of their domain that I must ask another god for their aid instead. I asked him who, and he told me perhaps luck, and chance. That was all we really had now, wasn't it?

I asked him, who was the god of luck and chance? I hadn't remembered hearing of any such god. And that was when he told me of Berez.

Later on, my pedeír died. He was stuck through the chest with a blade by the men who abducted us, and then left to bleed out on the deck of the ship. I was at least permitted to lay by his side while he did so, before I was brought to the galley. While I was there lying in his arms, I finally questioned him on whether Berez was even a real god. I hadn't seen his name in any scripture, nor heard anything of him by word of mouth. And my pedeír, the Lady grace him, laughed and told me that Berez was a real god if he said so.

Anyhow. I think it's worth considering all of the gods' origins, their assertion into our world, and their function. Why does any man worship one god over another, and what do they serve in our lives? The last part of the above story, about my asking if Berez was a real god, I have never told. It was a very intimate moment between us. Of course it was, it was his death, but it was also a question of religion. An inherently intimate subject.

If you've really looked into these things, and spent your whole life in the company of the theistic as you said you have, then you'll begin to see blank spots in many of the gods' stories. The point, though, is that it doesn't really matter whether those blank spots hold any meaning. In fact, I tend to think it's easier, on the soul and the psyche, if you don't look too closely at those blank spots. A god is a god no matter how it came to be one. Whether it was made of light, or fur, or even a dying man's lie. As much as the gods create man, so does man create the gods.

At least that is how I've come to see it. It's a very Cravvik way of perceiving things. I do wish it afforded you more of an answer as to the nature of Berez. But I'm afraid the only references I can direct you to, aside from my own books depicting the god, are those retellings based on the serial itself.

I am still entirely in support of your intentions of seeing all the pyramisic deities conferred within Beourjen's temples and cathedrals, and I should hope that Berez is no exception. He is, as much as any of the other gods, worthy of devotion no matter his humble origins. And it is humbling to me, as much as it is also amusing, to hear that he is worshiped in the Marevian cathedrals. I only ask that you keep my small recollection to yourself. As I stated before, it was an incredibly intimate moment between me and my pedeír. And I do feel as though it would lessen the mystery of the god Berez somewhat. . . all gods should be permitted their mysteries, in my opinion.

As a last note: I sincerely hope my response has not disappointed you in any way. There is something about writing a letter that is quite vulnerable. I have opened up to you just as you have opened up to me. In this small act I have shared a piece of my work even closer to me than that which is published, and even now I am uncertain of whether I shall come to regret it. But I trust that your inquiry will not supersede your care of my dignity and privacy.

Sincerely,

Sven Claughdon

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