The Prophet of G'nar Peth: A Detailed Study, Volume 1.

By
Kvott Ki'jinn

This document represents a more thorough look at the "Prophet of G'nar Peth". Since little is know of this sect, more will be written on as it is revealed.

Who are the Prophets?

-Of the Prophets of G'nar-Peth, little can be said: the purple-robed mages came from what they called "Master G'nar-Peth's garden of paradise", the same hellish volcanic wasteland known to the rest of Elanthia as the Blasted Plains. Masters of perception and inner vision, it is said that no illusion could fool their minds-- nor their eyes, which were gouged out and the empty sockets hidden behind silken blindfolds.

While surely mad, these walking contradictions were also adepts of fierce power, and 'saw' the future in the reflections of their strangely-engraved sandstone bowls. While the original Prophets vanished long ago, back into the wastes, some of the bowls remain as their legacy: but, it is written, spending too much time in contemplation of their serpentine heiroglyphs can be dangerous to the mind and soul.

-"A Brief History of the Guild of Moon Magic" by Kssarh, Apprentice to Guildmaster Tiv.


This was the first reference, in the earliest days of Elanthia, that told us who these sightless seers were. Little else was known at the time, but you could, and can always, count of strange behavior from a G'nar Pethian Prophet. No greater truth was written when it called them mad. One of my own encounters with them was strange enough. During a meeting I had with Erzebet, a prophet(who I will not name) slapped me across the face as I was speaking. I gazed at the Pethian coldly, designing methods of his demise for the future. Yet, before the week ended, I saw him again. He acted as if nothing happened; he even proved to be very accomodating at the time. It is this aberrant behavior which leads me to believe that they are insane, possibly even forgetful of things trivial to them.

Truthfully, though, a Prophet of G'nar Peth is one whose perception transcends the physical; a teaching they demonstrate on many occassions. This will be discussed in detail later on...



The G'nar Pethian Religion

-Little is known of the man called G'Nar Peth, and little is known of those who followed him, all now long dead. In the early days of the Empire of the Seven Pointed Star, a sect of fanatics rose up, worshipping he whom they called Master G'Nar Peth. These Prophets as they called themselves possessed little sanity.

At early ages, they went through an initiation, much as other religions' followers do. But the initiation of the Prophets was not quite normal. They would remove their eyes and thereafter would wear blindfolds over the empty sockets. Yet even without eyes, these people saw, though their sight was also strange and twisted.

The land surrounding the Lesser and Greater Fists of Heaven, the two volcanoes in northern Zoluren, is called the Blasted Plains, and suitably so. Generations of volcanic eruptions, ash and smoke covering the skies, have ruined the land. This is the area where the Prophets of G'Nar Peth lived. They called it the Master's Garden of Paradise, and saw the Blasted Plains as a beautiful, tropical landscape. Though all the followers of G'Nar Peth are dead, some people in modern times have taken a fancy to the religion and have begun reviving its practices.

-"The Religions of Elanthia" By Pentaith Illistim.


Based on this writing, which was written by one of our own, no less, we begin to understand the the Prophets are more than just a sect of the Moon Mages. They are a religion. In comparison of all the other sects, they may be the most "clerical" in aspect. If the reader of this study believes Pentaith's writings as true, then we can formulate facts:

  1. G'nar Peth was a man.
  2. The Religion was established in the Blasted Plains and its roots are still there.
  3. Some possess sanity, but little of them do.
  4. A fully initiated G'nar Pethian will remove his or her eyes and wear a purple blindfold.
  5. The sect was "founded" or "discovered" in the early days of the Seven-Star Empire.
  6. Not all the practices of G'nar Peth have been revived yet.
Comments concerning a couple items.
IRT #4. To suggest that a person who practices the teachings of G'nar Peth is not one of their sect is a fallible statement. However, I do believe that Pentaith did mean that a G'nar Pethian will eventually lead him or herself to gouging out their eyes as the final step of their practice and initiation.

IRT #5. In all liklihood, this Sect/Religion had existed before it was discovered or revealed.

IRT #6. It is abosolutely true that more of their ways are yet undiscovered. As an example, The spell known as the "Articifier's Eye", known now as "Piercing Gaze", was proven as a G'nar Pethian technique for enchanting items. This was only learned after recent research; nearly sixty Elanthian years since the arrival of the "Modern" G'nar Pethian.


Possible and Certain Practices of the G'nar Pethian

Looking into rare and nameless archives, I've gathered some references to possible G'nar Pethian practices. Please understand, I am no student of the art, knowing far less that a true Prophet. However, their circle is silent to me and my spies. What knowledge I have gleaned, I would never be able to confirm...

Lack of Concern for Mental or Physical Damage. Without recourse, the G'nar Pethian has no concern for bodily or mental harm. I have gather multiple documents that show this and will present one here:

-After an argument with one of the Progeny of Tezirah members, which was highly uncharacteristic for the lad considering his earlier polite demeanor, he returned to his suite and shattered every mirror in the room. What was further disturbing was how he cut himself with the broken pieces, creating a distinct pattern of interlocking sigils the entire length of his body.

-"Profiles in Magic, Volume Nine, The Nameless One."


One could say that this was the act of an angry young person, however, the book continues with more descriptions. In later chapters, the "Nameless One" rights his name in his own blood and gouges out his eyes. Regardless of any magical important, the fact remains that his personal health was not a factor here.

Sight beyond Sight. In truth, this is more a philosophy than a practice. G'nar Pethians dwell not on what lies in the realm of the physical, but the symbolism and underlying meaning of their perceptions. This way, is what has led them to their innermost insanities. From many of the encounters I've had, the amount of time they spend listening to words, inflections, the shifting of stance, seems to hold more importance to them than anything else.

Likewise, their reverations are completely horrid, if not unique. Coming from the blasted plains, a blighted land with a volcano, you would think they were at the ultimate peace. Truly, what they perceive is beyond what any sane man would.

Bipolar Disorders. Never anticipate the designs of a Prophet. In one moment, you may very well be among a friend and ally; in the next, he will be biting you. I know this from experience. This is not actually a practice, but rather, a result from their practices. They never react in a logical manner. In times of stress, one may be carefree; in times of peace, they are angry. When a moment of joy arrives, one will be crying; when a funeral begins, he will be rejoicing. And all this is typical...

Inexhaustible Stamina for Truth. In many of the documents available, and from researches of my own, a common, even "positive", trait of a Prophet of G'nar Peth is his or her never-finished search for knowledges. They consider it a treasure to learn something new, even insignificant things. The usual Pethian will go days without food or drink while reading through libraries of forgotten lore. It is as though they forget their own need to survive.



Volume 1: Conclusion

This concludes what I have uncovered so far. More will be coming as there is considerably more needed, but I would prefer accuracy over speculation. And even so, I still only speculate. My only consolation is the "Prize" that one of the G'nar Pethians has agreed to meet with me in the near future and speak of their ways. I believe this is so because they have an underlying design in mind. Time will tell...

The End

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