History of Gehenna Vol. 1 Ed. 1

So, you've a desire to learn of the Gehennan people? Very well, I'll guide you as best I can. Where to begin is the real question. For the history of my people stretch far and wide. However, I think I have a solution. We shall begin with the cosmology, the celestial pattern, the great cycle. It is quite different in some respects to the other religions of Eternia and yet so very different. Now, I shall be creating a picture of creation starting with the celestial gods and working our way down to those who reside upon the world with us. Though some gods may appear to be more important, never forget that it takes all of the divines are needed to keep the cycle running smoothly and without one it would fall apart. As a note to the reader, I will not postulate upon the origins of the world as the various beliefs upon it leave it to unclear to fully gauge.

An image upon the page was next seen. It was a circle, with a symbol for a sun on the right and a symbol of the moon on the left. The moon had a a black wolf half-encircling it on the left side. On the right there was a black panther completing the circle. Next to the sun to the right was a white wolf half-encircling it. On the left side a fiery serpent completed completing the circle. Within the sun itself there was the image of a mans face. To the north and south of the circle was a feathered serpent.

Here we see the beginnings of the cycle the very outer layer. We'll move through this as simply as we can. The sun is Jiuweihu, who provides light to see during the day. Though they are not a warrior, that role is reserved for Huitzilopotchli. The great god of war and the sun, utilizing the gifts of Jiuweihu to battle against Belial. Next the white wolf Asena, great wolf of Summer, bringer of renewal and life. It is there efforts which aid the ending of winter. The final solar deity is Xiuhtecuhtli, represented here by the fiery serpent. Xiuhtecuhtli is in charge of bringing the power of the sun to mortals, fire that is. The great cleansing tool with which he uses to smite Belial's monsters that leak into this world.

The moon is Belial, the chaos, antithesis to the great cycle. The black wolf represents Saekanis, wolf of winter and death. They are in charge of making sure the cycle of death is carried out. For without death the world would become stagnant, threatening the balance. Then we have Ixhel, the great panther. They hunt those monster that escape the moons embrace during the night when it is to dark for the other gods. Finally we have Quetzalcoatl whose works are upon the northern and southern poles, for she continually flaps her great wings to keep the celestial in motion.

Upon the next page the same image could be seen, however, this time within the circle there would be two smaller circles. One wrapped around the other. For the smallest circle there would be small shapes within vaguely appearing to be a rough map of the world. The middles circle possessed a serpents head, as if it where eating its own tail. To the sides of the serpent where two whales, one white, the other black.

The great serpent is Jormungander, just as the celestial work to keep the cycle going. So to does it, for it is the cycle of rejuvenation of the dead. You see, the great serpent is eating its own tail for it would outgrow creation if it did not. Just as it east the excess of itself, so to do the excess memories and thoughts of mortals go to be cleaned upon death. To those of Jianghu it is known as the 'lifestream' and many believe that the stars are Jormungander's scales.

The black whale is Yama and the white Inki, they are the twin gods of the sea. Yet, they're tale is not a happy one. We honor Inki for his efforts in shaping the world. For without him we would not have the bounties of the oceans. We honor Yama for his creation of the Sirens and for his efforts in keeping the peace between the gods of land and water. However, Yama did mock and deride his twin, driving Inki to rage and madness. This lead to Yama becoming a kin-slayer, ending the life of Inki. For this crime Yama was charged with aiding Jormungander in the cycle of rejuvenation. For Yama must weigh down the most sinful, thus the hardest to clean of their memories. This greatly aids Jormungander's digestion of the excess memory.


Finally the same image would be shown, this time there would be two figures separate from the cycle. One a man with white wings the other a man with black wings. The black winged figure was near the moon, while the white winged figure was near the sun.

Here we have Sacheal the white winged angel who came to aide Gehenna in the divine war and we have the Betrayer whose actions poisoned the world and lead to the creation of the wraiths. We pay homage to Sacheal for his aid, and we remember the Betrayer for his crimes must never be forgotten and his slaves must be punished.