The Book of Rites: Emperor's Fall

"← Previous chapter: The Book of Rites: Foreword"Hovertext: A history of Soliam Murr, the first exile, and the foremost of the Eight Scribes.

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In the Words of Gol Golathanian, the Master-General

Page 3 - The First Exile
You know perhaps the thrice-cursed name of Soliam Murr, the Emperor of Sahr, the first exile, and my Liege.

This chapter concerns him and those who found him in the Downside. Each of us was sent to take his life, such was the hatred for him in and around his country.

Yet, we found in Soliam Murr a man transformed, in body, mind, and spirit. A man deserving of much more than mercy.

In time he named us all his Scribes, and he became the eighth. It is my greatest honor now to share with you his deeds.

To know his story is to know the Rites…

Page 5 - The Last Emperor
How many nations did I scour in the name of Soliam Murr? How many countries fell before our spears and blades?

Such questions mattered less to me with every passing victory. Our legions swelled across the land, and our dominion grew.

The Emperor Soliam Murr paid all this little heed. He only tended to his personal affairs. Our legions relished the autonomy.

We did not know that the Emperor cared nothing for his legions, nor his people. He cared only for that which was before him.

One day, he learned of such a thing as to befit his name, and vowed to seek it out…

Page 7 -The Rope-Caller
I knew it was a fool's errand. But my liege, he would not listen. He instead insisted to pursue a certain treasure, a Celestial Orb! Freshly fallen from the heavens in the reaches of the Downside!

He would be a living legend, if only he could grasp it, whispered in his ear that Khaylmer Rope-Caller, his elder and most trusted aide. Would that I slew that man myself.

His was a simple and yet brilliant ruse, to draw the Emperor farther still from his responsibilities, and towards his greed.

Thus did the Emperor begin an expedition into the forsaken lands. He insisted that he go, himself…

Page 9 - The Empire’s Collapse
It was not long before the Empire began to crumble. With my liege gone, his own country quickly turned upon itself.

I must admit that this collapse had started long before the Emperor's disappearance. His decision to give chase after a myth but hastened the inevitable.

All the while, the Rope-Caller stood by, awaiting such a time as he could rule in my liege's stead. He would be our people's savior!

His first charge was to organize a search for the missing Soliam Murr. Warriors, path-finders, and scholars heard the call, and prepared to seek him out…

Page 11 - Down The River
The Emperor Soliam Murr knew naught of this, of course. His expedition yielded not the treasure he desired, but brought him closer to his country than he had ever been before.

As he traveled down the River Sclorian in pursuit of greed, he found instead an inkling of shame. He saw the sunken faces of his people, heard their words for him. In time, he could not ignore it, and it proved more than he could bear.

The River finally claimed him, his belongings, and his retinue. Once the people heard, I understand they cried with joy.

Perhaps he ought have perished. But the mercy shown to him I think is what transformed him…

Page 13 - The Hunt For Murr
My Emperor lay there, bleeding and alone, stranded in a bitter land beyond the River. With fleeting consciousness he understood the folly of his quest, and the folly of his rule over his country. Thus did he await the last embrace.

It was the imp Ha'ub that nursed him back to health, and warned him often of the dangers he would have to face.

Many enemies of Murr would come in search for him, some under employment by the Rope-caller, some longing openly for cold, uncomplicated vengeance.

I was one of them. I plunged into the River willingly. We needed to be sure that he was dead…

Page 15 - The Demon
Emperor Murr... scarcely could I recognize him when at last I found him. A half-starved animal, horns sprouted from his head, a bestial mirror of his blackened reputation. And I, a man who conquered countries, feared my Emperor then in such a way as I had never known.

My charge had been to slay this man, but when I discovered him, he was already fighting for his life. The little imp, Ha'ub, proved of little help against the Beyonders, whose entire lives were culminating in this instant.

I was unable to watch. My heart ached with such pity for the man, and for the love I felt for him when I had served him, that I sprang to his defense…

Page 17 - The Mercy Shown
The imp Ha'ub and I, we helped to save my Emperor. And when the danger did subside, my Emperor Soliam Murr, he said something to me, which shook me to the essence of my being.

He said: 'You gave your freedom, Master Golathanian, so that I may yet have mine.'

'You, too, now are an exile of the Downside. In all the days which I have left, I never could repay the mercy you have shown me. So, if I cannot do so in this life, then I shall do it in the next.'

We crossed the land together. And, together with the imp, we gained the company of those who saw in him what I did…

Page 19 - The Eight Scribes
We found each of the others in due time, by fate, not by coincidence.

The wise Lu Sclorian stood among the trees, gazing at the stars, expecting us.

The wild witch, Milithe, was so enthralled by my liege's utter transformation, she stayed her sorceries.

Blessed-born Triesta swooped down upon us, but to warn of imminent attack.

The many-maned Jomuer thus intervened, and shared with us his humor and his hunt.

Even the Underking Ores, himself, sought out an audience with us. Thus, we became the Eight, and journeyed on, together…

Page 21 - The Scribes’ Deeds
I wish to be remembered not for boastfulness. Thus, I refrain from detailing our exploits 'cross the land, save to say that they were numerous.

Know that only through our combined strength of arms and wit did we withstand this savage land, such were the monstrous dangers that it posed.

I came to see that all the terrors which I heard at bed-side in my youth were based entirely in fact. So great they were, they blotted out the sky.

Such was the evil that we vanquished, that the remnants of it yet shine under the stars. And, in the end, it was the stars which guided us toward our truest calling…

Page 23 - The Freedom-Pact
We rid the land of an impending doom, but faced another of its kind. For, we knew that we were trapped.

Yet, for each danger which we faced, for every failed ambush by Arch, we met with gentle souls and kindred spirits in the Downside, who deserved more than to fade from memory within this land.

It was then the stars themselves showed us the way, delineating a great voyage 'cross the sea.

Near-broken we became, but then, at last, a moon-lit vision... that of the Rites, the Rites! Thus, shall they say of us: The Eight Scribes gave their freedom so that we may yet have ours."→ Next chapter: The Book of Rites: Living in Exile"