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Veil of Forgetfulness

A holy item, said to be able to restore to a person every memory of everything he or she has ever experienced.   Old stories tell of the Veil, that all creatures must pass through at some point in their existence. The first passing removes all memories prior to the passage a second passage through it will restore all.   Other than the name, not much else is known regarding this item. Is it a curtain? A veil to be worn? A scarf? When written about or told in story, it has taken on many forms.   One variety of story claims it to be a sort of head scarf, that was carried by a master thief. If perchance he was caught, the veil was brought out and tossed over the face of the witness. Thereafter, nothing could cause the witness to recall anything of the theft, or anything about his life prior to that time. The most favorite of endings to this tale was when the thief found it flicked back at him and fell under its influence himself. He died a beggar, unable to find his home, his friends, or any of his great treasury of stolen riches.   Another version asserts that it is not something to be worn, but is like a curtain that can be passed through. Those who are 'in the know' are claimed to have access to this curtain, and control of it, so that only certain memories are lost or recovered. This is one of the more fanciful claims, but does have its adherents among the more suspicious sorts who are sure that those with power have and use it according to their whims.   Does it exist? What is it like? Who can use it and when? Is it an item for good, or for evil? Who created it? Is it a gift from the heavens, or from the pits? Until someone actually sees it and retains what they learn, all we have is speculation.

Summary

An item of unknown description, or multitudinous descriptions, said to remove some or all memories or restore all or some memories. Unknown origin, unknown powers, unknown alignment.

Historical Basis

There are some minimal statements in the Ramblings that seem to reference this veil, and old stories, still popular continue to tell of it. As to its actual existence there has been no evidence that has survived scrutiny.

In Literature

Some few published theories. Some oral and written legends that are shared over the years.

In Art

Some of the written records have illustrations that reflect what the author believes the veil to look like. There is no historical information that can provide any accurate rendition.
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Cover image: by Gerd Altmann & Clker-Free-Vector-Images combined by me

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