Literature

The literature of the Helerin Archipelago reflects the diversity of its peoples and the limited spread of literacy.
Although books and scrolls are used by the educated elite, oral tradition remains the most common form of storytelling, poetry, and knowledge transmission. Fiction as a concept exists mainly in oral forms, with written fiction limited to short tales or epics preserved by a few literate classes. Non-fiction writing, including religious texts, instructional manuals, and historical records, is more prevalent in written form.
See also: Education and learning

Types of literature

Oral storytelling and fiction

Oral storytelling is a core part of cultural life in Helerin. Bards, known across the archipelago, travel between villages, towns, and cities to perform tales of gods, heroes, monsters, and moral lessons. These stories are passed down through generations and often adapted by each storyteller.

Some Weavers use their talent to accompany storytelling with vivid images and sounds.
Different peoples and cultures in Helerin maintain distinct oral traditions: the tribes of the Fan-Shene, for example, are known for preserving historical and genealogical narratives as part of their nomadic culture; the Dharo of Nythralla often combine storytelling with music; and the Norran incorporate tales into ritual feasts.
Written fiction is rare and usually takes the form of copied versions of well-known oral tales or epic poetry. Short fictional texts can be found in temples or private collections, especially among the wealthy and priestly classes. These texts are often used for entertainment, instruction, or moral guidance and are sometimes illuminated with simple illustrations.

Poetry

Poetry in Helerin is both a spoken and a written form of expression. It covers a wide range of themes, including devotion to the gods, reflections on history, descriptions of nature, and celebrations of personal or communal events.
Public recitations of poetry are common during festivals and gatherings. In more educated circles, poetry is sometimes compiled into collections, though such manuscripts are rare and typically owned by temples or noble households. The distinction between poetry and song is often blurred in Helerin.

Poetic forms differ by region and culture: the Norran use a highly structured verse form in their language, Nannavinga, which is inscribed onto stone or recited during formal ceremonies. The Dharo create lyrical poetry linked to the natural world and spiritual practices. Bulgiss poetry is known for its brevity and playful wordplay, often performed with accompanying music.
See also: Music

Non-Fiction writing

Non-fiction writing in Helerin focuses on practical, religious, and historical texts. Most written works are held in temples libraries, private collections of the nobility, or specialist academies. Religious texts, especially those dedicated to the gods Frenar, Balcosh, and Lessada, include records of prophecy, ritual practices, and theological commentaries. Temples also serve as repositories for genealogies, legal records, and ceremonial scripts.

Practical manuals and treatises are also common, covering topics such as metallurgy, architecture, medicine, and alchemy. These texts are often copied and maintained by guilds or academies, where they are used to train apprentices and scholars.
Written accounts of military campaigns, diplomatic treaties, and trade records are preserved primarily in the urban centres of Helerin's major realms.
Historical records, while limited by literacy rates, are maintained by priests and a small number of dedicated scholars. These documents tend to focus on major events such as the War of Salvation, the fall of the Thalissian Empire, or the establishment of new settlements. They are generally written in New Helerian, although older records may use ancestral languages such as Nannavinga or Fersa.