Book of Epiphanies

This neat and orderly canon, entitled “the Epiphanies,” has square covers of plain black or brown leather, plain block writing and no art to break up its text.

While its physical impression is one of order and reason, the text rambles from one story to another. Endless parables and anecdotes drone on and on, and some of the stories are clearly retellings of previous chapters. Each of the nine Epiphanies reads like an old man’s rambling, with little regard to continuity or form. Deep within the words, however, the reader can find powerful elements of wisdom. Careful, insightful readers will recognize an overall order arising out of the apparent rambling. On some second level the text reaches a higher order that is not apparent without great wisdom (and even multiple readings).

On the surface, the Epiphanies sometimes seem to contradict themselves, but a deeper reading by a knowledgeable and wise reader reveals that this is not the case. The Epiphanies all share certain messages: life is good, because living grants experience, and experience begets wisdom; respect your elders; take nothing for granted. At least one posits that even a selfish pursuit of wisdom (seeking lichdom, in the example given) is not a wrong thing to do. Worshipers are encouraged to consider all options before pursuing a course of action. The book is not entirely academic exercise: wisdom is considered a means to an end. The Epiphanies’ clearest exhortation is that the wise person is happy with his life if he has made choices that provide for the best life possible.

The Epiphanies are not common, but they can be found in large cities for 40 gp. Their temples always have one or two copies for sale.