Mythoi
The Mythoi is the first book of the Codex Ouranicus and details the cosmology and mythology of the Ouranic Church.
Mythoi
Leviathans
Abythos
Lo, Abythos is a place of desolation and unending woe; yea, it is a realm of thick darkness and of the shadow of death, where no light shineth, neither is there aught of rest. The winds thereof do howl continually, as a roaring tempest, and the souls therein are as leaves driven before the storm, with no place to abide. The ground is not, neither is there a firmament above; but they that enter therein do fall perpetually, as into a bottomless pit. The winds are as the breath of destruction; they are cold as ice, and their fury doth rend flesh from bone. Yea, the cry of the winds is the wailing of the Leviathans, who howl in their torment, and the noise thereof is as the sound of many waters.
At the beginning of the Second Age, when the heavens were new, the Leviathans, creatures of pride and rebellion, did lift up themselves against the High Ones of Ourana. And Ator, God of Oaths, Justice, and Vengeance, arose in His fury; yea, He girded Himself with righteousness and the power of His Law. Then Ator did smite the Leviathans, and He overcame them in the Tearful War, casting them down into the abyss. And He called the place Abythos, the place of outer darkness, where the sun doth not shine, and the stars give no light. There He bound the Leviathans with chains that cannot be broken, and their cries do ascend as a perpetual wind unto the ears of none. Thus were the Leviathans made an ensample unto all that rebel against the holy decrees of the Lord of Oaths.
And it came to pass that Ator declared, saying, Whosoever transgresseth My Law, and despiseth My judgments, the same shall be cast into Abythos, even as the Leviathans were cast down. For the souls of the unrighteous shall not stand in the congregation of the just; neither shall they find rest in the land of the living. The mercy of Maya shall not deliver them; for the Law of Ator is unbending, and His justice endureth for ever. They that forsake their oaths, and pervert justice, and take no vengeance upon the wicked, shall surely be condemned; yea, they shall fall into the pit of darkness, and their cries shall be forgotten.
The souls that are cast into Abythos do fall without ceasing, and the terror thereof is as an arrow that pierceth the heart. The darkness is so thick that it may be felt, and the cold so bitter that it burneth as fire. The winds do buffet them without mercy; yea, they are as the lashes of a scourge, and their cries are swallowed up in the roaring thereof. The sound of the Leviathans’ lamentation is as a dreadful melody, a song of woe that hath no end. The condemned lift up their voices, but there is none to hear; they reach out their hands, but there is none to deliver.
Wherefore, let all fear the Lord of Oaths, and keep His commandments; for His justice is swift, and His wrath is unsearchable. Swear not falsely, neither deal unjustly with thy neighbor; take vengeance upon the wicked, and uphold the cause of the innocent. For the path of the transgressor is hard, and it leadeth unto Abythos, the place of darkness and everlasting sorrow. Repent, therefore, while it is yet called to-day, and turn unto the Law of Ator; for He is a God of judgment, and with Him is no respect of persons. Blessed are they that mind His statutes, for they shall be spared from the wrath to come, and their place shall be in the order of His court for ever.
Birth of the Leviathans
And it came to pass in the Second Age, when the foundations of the world were yet young, that a union was made in the heavens above. For Esperus, god of Night, Darkness, and Secrets, did behold Naeia, the goddess of the Sea, and his heart clave unto her. And from their union were born the Leviathans, beings of great and terrible might, who were named after their nature: vast, uncontrollable, and untamed. The Leviathans were forged of shadow and the deeps, their forms beyond measure, their power beyond mortal comprehension.
These were not creatures of flesh and blood, but beings of primordial might, unbridled and untamed, whose very forms defied the order of creation. They were as shadows given substance, forces of nature incarnate, and their presence was an abomination unto the balance of the cosmos.
The Leviathans strode upon Tel, the plane of mortal habitation, their titanic forms shaking the earth with every step. They were as mountains that moved, storms that walked, and fires that consumed not only matter but the very fabric of existence. herever they trod, the fabric of order was torn asunder, and the threads of creation were unraveled into formless chaos.
These beasts knew no purpose but destruction, no thought but madness, and no goal but their own insatiable wrath. They fought one another as beasts of the field, yet their combat was not the clash of flesh and bone but the grinding of cosmic forces against one another.
Thus did the Leviathans wax great upon the earth, unbound and unbridled, and their names were a terror unto all creation:
- Anemodrakon, the Howling Tempest, who commanded the winds that tore through the heavens and shattered the earth beneath;
- Charygus, the Devouring Maw, who consumed all things, even the very light of the stars;
- Pyraxis, the Blazing Wraith, whose flames devoured flesh, spirit, and the firmament itself;
- Odios, the Endless Dirge, whose cries brought madness and despair unto all who heard them;
- Cryonaxos, the Frigid Titan, whose crystalline form froze the seas and brought stillness to the rivers of the earth.
Tel was made as a battlefield of horrors, a land where mountains crumbled into dust and rivers flowed backward in defiance of nature. The heavens themselves trembled, and the stars faltered in their courses, as if the very universe stood on the brink of collapse.
Esperus, their father, sought to guide them, and Naeia, their mother, sought to soothe their restless chaos. Yet their children would not hearken, for they were wild as the primordial void whence they sprang.
The Ouranic host looked upon the works of their hands, and they lamented, saying, “Behold, the world that we have made is undone by these, the children of our kindred. Shall we not rise and defend it, though it cost us dearly?”
Then Ator, arose, and his visage was as a flame of fire, and his voice was as the thunder that shaketh the mountains. And he said, “Let not your tears stay your hands, for the Leviathans have brought desolation upon the earth, and their rage will destroy even the heavens. We must make war, though it grieve your hearts, lest all that is be swallowed by chaos.”
Then did Naeia lift up her voice and weep, saying, “These be our children, born of my womb and the shadow of Esperus; how shall we raise a sword against them?”
And Esperus answered, “Yea, they are of us, yet their ways are not our ways; their wrath hath consumed the world and mocked the laws of heaven. If we spare them, naught shall remain.”
And the gods wept together, for their hearts were heavy, and the sorrow of that day was great in the high places.
Ator girded himself with the Scourge of Unbreakable Oaths, and the gods arrayed themselves for war. Edius came forth with flames that consumed even the darkness of his rival, Esperus; Eiona and her son Aelos, nestled in her bosom, cast their light upon the shadow of Anemodrakon, and his winds were stayed. Hyphantria wove words of power that bound Cryonaxos in chains of eternal frost. Bira loosed her arrows upon Odios, and his cries were silenced; Pyraxis was consumed by the flames of Edius, for fire cannot devour fire but is overcome by greater flame. And Charygos, the Devouring Maw, was sealed by the brightness of Aelos, for the light of the sun filleth even the emptiest void.
Yet as the gods struck down the Leviathans, their hearts were torn, for they smote the children of their own kindred.
Naeia wept as she raised great waves to drown the fury of her offspring, and Esperus cloaked them in shadow, saying, “May they know rest in the darkness, for the light doth reject them.”
And the gods mourned even as they fought, for the love of their children warred against the justice of their hands.
Ator cried aloud, saying, “Let us make an end of this strife, that the balance may be restored.” And with his scourge he struck the final blow, and the Leviathans were cast down.
When the Leviathans were overthrown, Ator commanded that they be cast into Abythos, the inner darkness, where they should abide in torment forever. And the gods bound them with chains forged of justice and tears, and their howling became the winds of Abythos, the cries of rage, despair, and sorrow that echo unto eternity.
And when the war was ended, the gods looked upon the desolation of the earth, and they were filled with sorrow. The mountains were laid low, the seas boiled, and the fields were as ashes; the stars faltered in their courses, and the heavens were veiled in mourning. Then Lamos went forth and healed the land, and Ikhatrus brought forth the strength of the earth, and the world was restored unto its former beauty.
But the tale of the Leviathans and the tearful war remained as a warning unto all who would defy the laws of Ator. For chaos shall not prevail, and the justice of Ator endureth forever.
Whispers of the Leviathans
And it came to pass in the Third Age, after the Leviathans were bound in Abythos, that their howlings did cease not, but ascended as whispers through the void unto the hearts of men.
For the darkness of that place, and the torment thereof, kindled within them an hatred exceeding great, and their vengeance waxed hot against the Ouranic gods and against the race of men, which had taken their place in the creation.
And their voices, though bound in the deep, came as whispers upon the winds of the earth, subtle and unseen, entering into the hearts of those who walked not in the statutes of Ator.
Lo, the whispers were as a venom that spread through the soul, turning the hearts of men unto rebellion, and their minds unto folly.
Thus spake the whispers, “Why dost thou bow thyself unto the laws of Ator? Behold, thou art but dust, and thy labours are vanity. Break free, and do as seemeth good in thine own eyes.”
And the men that hearkened unto these voices did wax bold in wickedness, for they esteemed not the law of justice, nor the oaths that bind the earth to its course.
They defiled the sanctuaries of the gods and committed acts of violence; they stole and bore false witness; they oppressed the weak and brought forth confusion upon the earth.
For the Leviathans sought to mar the creation of the gods, as they had warred against it aforetime, and they corrupted the sons of men that their vengeance might be fulfilled.
And the whispers of Anemodrakon, the Howling Tempest, filled men’s hearts with wrath, that they should strive one against another, as the winds tear at the trees.
And the whispers of Charygos, the Devouring Maw, filled men with greed, that they might consume and destroy without ceasing.
And the whispers of Pyraxis, the Blazing Wraith, did kindle lust and violence in their souls, even as fire devoureth the stubble.
And the whispers of Odios, the Endless Dirge, brought despair unto the hearts of the slothful, that they should turn away from hope and light.
And the whispers of Cryonax, the Frigid Titan, turned men’s hearts cold, that they should forsake mercy and love, and deal harshly with their brethren.
Thus did the whispers of the Leviathans corrupt the hearts of the unrighteous, and their iniquity spread as a plague upon the earth.
But Ator, the God of Oaths, Justice, and Vengeance, beheld the works of men and their transgressions, and his heart was grieved.
And he said, “Behold, the whispers of the deep have found a place among the hearts of the faithless, for they have cast aside my law and hearken unto the counsel of chaos.”
“Therefore shall my judgment go forth as a flame, and the transgressors shall be as stubble before it. Yet those who turn and repent shall be forgiven, for I am just unto those who walk uprightly.”
Then did the Judges of the Ouranic Law rise up, crying aloud unto the people, saying, “Hearken not unto the whispers that come from the deep! Turn ye back unto the law of Ator, lest ye be consumed in his wrath!”
“For the Leviathans seek your destruction, even as they warred against the heavens in ages past. Their ways are chaos, and their paths lead unto the pit.”
And some hearkened unto the prophets and returned unto the path of righteousness, but others hardened their hearts and said, “Who is Ator, that we should obey him? Let us walk in our own ways and be free!”
And the wrath of Ator was kindled against them, and their end was destruction, for the whispers of the Leviathans are the path of death and the shadow of the abyss.
The Seduction of Men
And the whispers of the Leviathans ceased not, but waxed greater, for the hearts of men were darkened, and their ears were open unto lies. Lo, they spake unto the prideful, saying, “Why should thy brother rule over thee? Rise up and take what is thine, for the strong shall inherit the land.”
And they spake unto the lustful, saying, “What is forbidden but that which bringeth delight? Take thou thy fill, for the law is a chain, and thou art born to be free.”
And they spake unto the gluttonous, saying, “Why should the beasts of the field live while thou dost hunger? Feast thou upon their flesh, though it yet breatheth.”
Thus the whispers brought forth a harvest of chaos, and the sins of men multiplied upon the face of the earth. Brother rose against brother, and blood did stain the soil; Men forsook their oaths, and no covenant was kept; mothers did lie with their sons, and all manner of warti was wrought in secret places. The beasts of the field were torn asunder while they yet lived, and the cries of their suffering did fill the night, yet no man regarded.
And the darkness of night became a cloak for iniquity, for in the shadow of the Leviathans’ whispers, men said, “Who shall see us? Who shall judge us?” Yea, they walked as if there were no eyes upon them, and the law of Ator was scorned in every place.
The Wrath of Ator and His Sacrifice
And Ator, the God of Oaths, Justice, and Vengeance, beheld the works of men, and his heart was kindled with fury, for the creation was defiled, and the order of heaven was mocked. Then Ator cried aloud, saying, “Behold, the darkness hath become a refuge for the wicked, and in the night their sins abound. Shall I not make an end of this hidden evil?”
“The light of the sun doth shine by day, and the paths of men are revealed; but in the shadow of night, they say, ‘There is none to see.’ Yet I shall rend the veil of darkness and bring every deed into the light of my judgment.”
Then Ator, in his righteous fury, did a terrible thing: he wrenched his own eyes from his visage, crying aloud, “Let no corner of Tel escape my sight!” And he cast them into the heavens, and they became as two moons that watch over the earth by night, searching out every hidden sin and every unspoken oath.
One eye shone silver, pure and bright, to illuminate the paths of the just; but the other, stained with his ichor, was as copper, a witness against the wicked, for it beheld the blood of the innocent and the sins of the unrepentant.
The Two Moons
And the silver moon was called Arcenta, the Light of Oaths, for it shone as a beacon of truth, guiding those who walked in the ways of Ator’s law. But the copper moon was called Ayus, the Eye of Judgment, for it burned with the fury of Ator’s sacrifice and laid bare the works of darkness.
From that day forth, no sin could hide in the shadow of night, for the eyes of Ator saw all things, and his judgment was swift and sure. The whispers of the Leviathans faltered, for the light of the moons pierced even the thoughts of men, and their chaos was stayed.
Yet the Leviathans in Abythos murmured still, plotting their vengeance, and their whispers found a place in the hearts of the faithless. But those who hearkened unto the silver light of Arcenta and feared the crimson gaze of Ayus turned back unto the law of Ator, and their paths were established in righteousness.
Thus did Ator’s sacrifice bring order unto the night, and his justice endured forever, though his sightless visage wept tears of flame for the sorrow of the world.
Ator's Vengence and Maya's Mercy
When the Third Age lay swaddled in its infancy, Ator, whose name doth strike awe for his dominion over Justice, Vengeance, and Oaths, beheld the corruption of men. In their hearts did fester the sin of warti, grievously offending the edicts of righteousness and polluting the land.
Witnessing this abomination, Ator's wrath was kindled, and his fury burned with the intensity of a thousand stars. He purposed to smite mortals from the face of the earth and cleanse it with the purifying fire of his judgment.
Yet ere he could unleash his wrath, Maya, his beloved wife and the goddess of Mercy, Love, and Peace, did step forth. With tears upon her cheeks, she did entreat her husband, saying, “Oh, Ator, mighty and just, let not thy fury consume all that dwell upon Tel. Though they have strayed, yet among them remaineth those who hold fast to goodness within their hearts.”
And Ator hearkened unto the plea of Maya, and his righteous anger was stayed. He decreed that each soul should stand before him in judgment, to be weighed according to its deeds, whether good or evil.
Thus was a covenant established between Ator and Maya, a testament to the enduring balance of justice and mercy throughout the ages.
And the twin eye-moons, Ayus and Arcenta, continued as watchmen over the earth, piercing the shadows of night and laying bare every hidden sin. Their light uncovered the deeds of darkness: the shedding of innocent blood, the betrayal of oaths, and all manner of transgressions. Thus were men reminded of Ator’s justice, and they feared to walk in the paths of wickedness.
And the children of men prospered under the guidance of the moons, for the light of Ator did not cease, and his law endured forever.
Judges
The Tale of Dexanides the Judge
And it came to pass in the early days of the Third Age, that the land of Thalassia was filled with great prosperity, for its ports were thronged with merchants, and the wares of many nations were brought unto its gates. The peoples thereof were diverse, and men of far countries did gather together, their tongues mingling as the waters of many rivers. Yet with the increase of trade and the multitude of tongues arose strife, and disputes waxed strong among them.
Now in those days were set the Ten Judges, to rule over the land and to render judgment with equity. Among these judges was a man named Dexanides, whose fame was spread abroad for his wisdom and his discernment of truth. For men said of him, "Behold, this is a man whose eyes pierce as the light of the sun, and his words are as the scales of justice, weighing all things with righteousness."
And it came to pass that there arose a contention between two merchants, Neranos and Ipherios, who both laid claim unto a ruby of exceeding beauty and worth, said to be endowed with enchantments. The gem had been found in the market square, and each man did swear that it had been stolen from him. The city was divided, for each faction clamoured for justice, and the matter was brought before Dexanides
Then Dexanides sat in the High Court of Justice, a hall most magnificent, wherein stood the graven images of the Ten Judges, their faces wrought in marble, a testimony of their righteousness. And Dexanides bade the merchants draw nigh, that they might declare their claims.
Neranos, a merchant of jewels, rose up first and spake, saying, "My lord, this ruby was taken from my treasury when thieves brake in and spoiled my house. Behold, I have brought witnesses and writings to confirm my words." And he presented his evidence before the court.
Then came Ipherios, a trader in rare treasures, who also declared his cause, saying, "This gem I purchased in the far lands beyond the mountains of Arkania, and here is the account of my journey and the testimony of those who were with me." And his words likewise were confirmed by witnesses and writings.
But Dexanides, perceiving that the evidence of both was balanced, and that the truth was veiled, said unto the people, "Bring forth the Scales of Truth, that the gods may reveal their judgment."
Now the Scales of Truth were an ancient artefact, fashioned of shining orichalcum, a gift from Ator, god of justice, which could discern the purity of a man's heart and the truth of his words.
And Dexanides placed the ruby upon one side of the scales, and he bade Neranos and Ipherios each place their hand upon the other side. Then he lifted his voice in prayer, saying, "O Ator, thou who art the judge of all the earth, reveal unto us the truth, that justice may be done in thy sight."
And lo, the scales began to shine with a light most wondrous, and a voice like unto the sound of many waters spake forth, saying, "The gem belongeth unto the one whose heart is pure and whose words are true."
Then Neranos stepped forward and placed his hand upon the scales, swearing an oath to his claim. But as he spake, the light of the scales wavered, and the balance remained unmoved.
Then came Ipherios, and when his hand touched the scales and he declared his claim, the light shone as the brightness of the sun, and the side whereupon his hand rested was greatly weighted. And the voice returned, saying, "This man speaketh the truth."
Then Dexanides rose and declared, "Behold, the judgment of Ator hath been revealed. The ruby belongeth unto Ipherios." And the people marvelled at the wisdom of the judge and the justice of the gods.
Thus it was found that Neranos had borne false witness, for his witnesses and writings were shown to be deceitful. Wherefore Dexanides spake unto the people, saying, "Let this man be brought unto punishment, for he hath transgressed against the law of Ator." And Neranos was taken forth and executed according to the law, that all might fear and refrain from falsehood.
Thus was the name of Dexanides magnified, and the fame of his judgments spread throughout the land. And the people glorified Ator, saying, "Surely He is just, and his stern gaze doth guide the judgments of men."
Hymns
A Hymn of Praise unto Maya
O sing ye unto Maya, the mother of Mercy,
for her love endureth forever.
She stretcheth forth her hand to the weary,
and her tender compassions fail not.
Her voice is as the gentle rain upon the parched ground,
and her countenance shineth as the morning light.
She healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
The widow and the fatherless cry unto her,
and she turneth not away her face.
Her mercy is a fountain that never faileth,
a wellspring of peace and consolation.
She is the strength of the weak,
and the shield of the oppressed.
She maketh wars to cease,
and causeth strife to be forgotten.
Her paths are peace, and her ways are demure,
for she leadeth the lost unto the path.
O how great is her lovingkindness,
and how deep the riches of her compassion!
Ourana declares her goodness,
and all Tel is filled with her praise.
The beasts of the field find shelter in her shadow,
and the birds of the air sing of her mercy.
Blessed be Maya, the bride of Ator,
for she bringeth sweetness unto the law.
Her mercy rejoiceth against judgment,
and her love is greater than the mountains.
Lift up your voices, O ye nations,
and give glory unto Maya.
For she is the balm of the wounded,
and the hope of the despairing.
O sing unto her a new song,
and declare her wondrous works among the people.
For her mercy endureth till the end of the age,
and her compassion unto all generations.
Hymn to Bira
I sing to the Daughter of the Night,
The archeress whose bow never misses!
Accept my offering of sweet-smelling incense,
So that you may look kindly upon me during my travails.
As you chase your quarry through the night, experiencing no fatigue,
May I be as in indefatigable in my pursuit of victory.
Blessed huntress of wild beasts,
You are the queen of the forest.
In your green raiment, stalking the forests unseen,
No deer can escape your arrows;
May I be as invisible to misfortune,
O maiden of eternal youth!
Come, ye guardian of hounds, if this entreaty be pleasing,
Reward your devotee with prosperity, health, and peace!
