East Cambria's Drowned Archives

[Nymaeron]

During his free time at the Enclave, Nymaeron has spent some time transcribing some of the books (or whatever their remains are) that were left to him by the East Cambrian library, which today is several feet below the seabed after the Inferno eruption. Most of these books were written by the East Cambrian dialect, which only a handful survivors today speak, including his close friend Farah Wrynn, who has helped reviewing the transcriptions.

List of transcriptions:
[The First People of Cambria]
[Parting Ways]
[Appointment of Najib Usta to Head Chef of Cambrian Royal Kitchens]
[a foreword on Kambrii, Qutbism and the “The Path of the Qutb (The Perfect Man)"]
[The Path of the Qutb]

 

[Nymaeron]

The first transcription is named "The First People of Cambria"

"...It is widely believed that the people of Cambria at the date of 170 AC comprised of different demographics, clans, habits and languages.

Some of the most prominent groups include:

Old Trinsicians:
After the near-destruction of their city, the remaining Trinsicians who didn't escape to other cities, stayed and rebuilt their homeland. They have continued their crafts to form the core craftsman and merchant societies of new Cambria, which then led to their ascension into upper class, forming the Cambrian aristocracy. They employed many of the immigrants which often led to social clashes between the new and old inhabitants of Cambria. However the influence of the Trinsicians are still strong, albeit never reaching their peak similar to the time before the cataclysm.

Nomads from the desert:
Around 160 AC, some of the nomads wandering from the southern desert and surrounding plateaus have migrated into Cambria. These people, known for their proficiency with horse husbandry, made themselves a key part of the information network in and out of Cambria, and took up jobs such as scouts, caravans, couriers. Bringing their horse riding and warfare abilities into Cambrian militia, they influenced the founding of the Warrior's Guild and later on supporting the famous Cambrian condottiere (most of the condottiere Cavalry are still descendants from nomads). Some of these nomads have been known to worship an entity known as the One that Should. They also have their own dialect, which has distinctive characteristics of vowel harmony and agglutination, much different to the more prominent languages of the realm.

The sea-people:
Thought to be originating from the drowned island that's previously known as Serpent's Hold, these sturdy people were known to be experts of water. Supporting the local knight garrison, they were mainly fishers, sea traders and knight squires(only noble families of the old were allowed to be full landed knights). Having settled into Cambria they have brought their organised fighting techniques and sea expertise to help the city flourish and stay defended. It is said that they also formed the Fighter's Guild and then had a large role in formalising the Cambrian army by founding the condottiere, and providing men to it's main infantry corps."

 

[Farah]

Parting Ways​

This weathered and surviving manuscript is believed to have been written around AD 160 by a nomad, who is thought to have migrated to Cambria from the southern desert or the surrounding plateaus. A large part of the diary could not be deciphered due to excessive deformation.

Journal Record 1
We have been in this Desert Ruin for a very long time. We are safe here except for a few unsuccessful raids, but it is clear that the Prevalians across the bridge are not very happy with our presence. Our supplies are running low, our healers complain about not being able to find anything to feed and heal us in this god-forsaken canyon. Besikchi said he was working on a plan and asked us to be a little more patient. I hope he will make up his mind as soon as possible and our caravan will set off again.

Journal Record 2
Like everyone else in the horde, I woke up to loud noise in the middle of the night. Besikchi was almost killing Rasi with a knife in his hand. Everyone hurriedly rushed to separate them. I could not leave Esma and my children alone. Especially when Rasi's men are lurking around. I heard Besikchi cursing at him and saying that we will part ways tomorrow. Could he be serious this time finally?

Journal Record 3
The next morning there was a rush in the caravan. When I stepped out of my tent, I saw old Memduh waiting for me. He started to lead me towards the river as he clung to my arm. His eyes were wide open, and he had to gather his breath to tell him what he had to say:

“Listen to me, take your wife and child and get the fuck out of here now. This business is about to get out of hand. Rasi said they wanted to devote themselves to the god of the southerners with the retard he gathered around him. I heard it with my ears. Moreover, they want to take half of our provisions with them and sacrifice them to their new god. I'm telling them, but they're not listening to me. Nobody is listening. Rasi is up to something bad. If they want to join uncertain people and worship a false prophet, this is their business. We have to continue. Oh, I told him, how many times I told him we don't need scums like Rasi..."

Journal Record 4
Our caravan leader Besikchi and the renegade Rasi spent almost the whole day in the tent. It was obvious that they couldn't share something. All the people gathered in front of the tent, trying to make sense of what was going on. Rasi's followers were talking to each other in a corner only in a whispering manner. The moon was shining in the sky when Besikchi and Rasi came out of the tent. Besikhci said that we will set out in mid-morning tomorrow and we will arrive in Cambria altogether. According to the plan, those who wanted could continue with him, and those who wanted to stay behind could join Rasi. Besikhci was a valiant man, the moment we came into eye contact with Esma, we both had a clear decision.

Journal Record 5
The whole caravan was on duty in the early hours of the morning to move on. However, everyone knew at once that half of the caravan had disappeared. Rasi and his men took away our little supplies and ran away. Those dogs left us here to die. We no longer had the chance to freely determine our next camp by running the long way. There were a lot of old people, women, and children in the caravan. For their safety, we had to settle a new temporary camp by crossing the canyon at the first suitable area in the desert. It was good that we got rid of the Rasi and the heathens like him, but I wish we had not been in such a difficult situation. I need to talk with Besikchi, will this desert plan work? I am worried about my family...

 

[Nymaeron]

A piece of parchment describes the events that took place before the promotion of a new head chef for the Cambrian Royal Palace:

....

"MARICO!!!!! Where in the seven hells are you? The midday meal needs to be prepared in 2 hours and your lazy ass is NOWHERE!"

The steward got to the kitchen in one last attempt to hope that he was simply...late. But the only person in the kitchen was Najib, the nomadic assistant chef to Marico, looking equally puzzled.

- The king is going to kill me, right after I kill Marico! You know where he is?
- No, efendi. I haven't seen him this day.
- Shit, what are we going to do? The king wanted a big lunch, but Marico is nowhere! Did he give you a recipe to make?
- The efendi chef never shares recipes. He only orders us around to make them.

The steward clenched his fist.
- What can YOU make?
- Efendi, does the royal highness like meat?
- He doesn't like lamb, if that's what you're asking.
- That's because he hasn't eaten a proper one. Would he be willing to try again?

Running out of options, the steward nodded.

Najib whistled and a water boy appeared from the next room.
- Oghuz, benim eve git, hatundan kiyma ve kusbasi getir.

- Efendi, I need your help to make the food. Please take some badlijan...erm aubergine and put them on the grill, fetch tomatoes, peppers, parsley, onion and garlic. For dessert, take some milled wheat, milk and butter. And ask the pastry chef to bring some flat dough.

......

The food was ready. The steward took the tray and got back 2 hours later, with a pale face.

- The king wants to see you.

Najib and the steward are summoned to the royal eatery. The king, looking tired and grumpy:

- Did you make these dishes? What are they?
- Yes, your highness; these are my people's recipes. I made you meat-on-bread, lahmajoun; lamb cubes on smoked aubergine and a semolina halva...erm pudding.
- Lamb!?! Are you saying this is LAMB? the king raised his voice

Najib got very nervous.
- Yes, your highness. My people mostly eat lamb, therefore this was the only thing I could make in confidence.

The king hesitates for a moment, and then smiles.
- I loved it, especially the main course! What is this dish called?

Najib releases a sigh of relief and perhaps some more relief on the backside.
- Your excellence, we call it the sinking lamb.
- Sinking lamb? You nomads clearly have no idea on what to call things beautifully.
- Your excellence Najib hesitates before continuing... maybe we could call it the King's Delight to honor your appreciation?

the King ponders for a moment
- Hmm, I like the sound of that....AND I want the same for dinner tonight. Whatever preparations you need, ask the steward. Also, I am now making you the head chef as of today. If you can cook lamb like this, I'd want to see more from you and less from that lazy fat idiot who has been cooking same recipes for ages.

Najib returned to his kitchen, with a sense of pride and nervousness. He quickly made his way to the chamber pot in the kitchen.

 

[Nymaeron]

a foreword on Kambrii, Qutbism and the “The Path of the Qutb (The Perfect Man)”

Kambrii was born at the northwest of the Ossuary desert. His birth name is unknown. Son of a merchant who frequented all cities of Avadon, he moved to Cambria at the young age of 18 to study philosophy of the Oneism. Quickly he became one of the key preachers of Cambria and soon has formed his own spiritual doctrine called “Qutbism” which he’s known for being the founder of, as well as the author of “the Path of the Qutb”. Living an exile life after being ousted for disturbing the ruling class of Cambria, Kambrii was last seen to be boarding a ship to follow his friend, mentor and lover, Shams.

Qutbism is a mystical branch of Oneism which cultivates above all things, union with the Dunya(the name given to Avadon, by the followers of Oneism). Its monk students are called “Dervish”. The main philosophy of this spiritual doctrine is that an individual must work all their life on a path to come nearest to the realization of divine self-knowledge in human life; in order to become the Qutb (the perfect man). For Kambrii, this is achieved in three methods.

1- Philosophy, which is reflected in poetry. Many Qutbist monks, practice poetry in different forms, but in essence a poem reflects a message to the Dervish on becoming a Qutb.

2- Meditation, which is reflected in daily rest as the food of the soul. The meditation can be done while whirling (a dance done by Dervishes after consuming enough Sarap that the Dervish is neither sober nor drunk) or while standing still, doing absolutely nothing to be one with the world.

3- Endurance, which is reflected by combat in which the Dervish fights evil beasts to protect the world that One has created. The fighting occurs through only the body, a Dervish must not be holding any weapon. Dervishes hold a copy of an extract from the famous “Path of the Qutb” while fighting, which they believe will provide enhanced fighting abilities. By silently reciting the stanzas of a pillar, a Dervish changes his fighting style to suit any situation.

There are five pillars to Qutbism style of fighting and they are:
the Sun, a favor of the One to reward the focus of the mind
the Endurance, the protection of the One for his followers
the Whirl, the dance to remove all worldly attachments around and the fear of the evil from the Dervish
the Sandstorm, the conscientious effort a Dervish displays to hunt
the Breath, restoration of one’s soul and body by the One

Some keywords for understanding texts are highlighted here to provide context for non-Oneist followers:

Kambrii: someone from Cambria
Qutb: the pole, the perfect man.
Dervish: a student/monk following the Qutbism
Nefs: breath
Dunya: world
Jannat: heaven
Muhabbat: conversation/love
Sarap: life/wine
Ishq: light
Ruh: soul

 

[Nymaeron]

The Path of the Qutb

Traveller!
The path is full of genuine Endurance.
The obstacles blocking the path are anything that keeps you from that, any fear that you may be broken to bits like a glass bottle.
This path demands skill, meditation and focus.
If ye shall still seek the essence of One, start the journey to become the Qutb:

The Qutb is the lion, it his his business to hunt, all the rest eat his leavings.
So far as you can, endeavor to satisfy him, so that he may gain strength and hunt the wild beasts.
He is the person who has Muhabbat with the Dunya.
The Qutb revolves round himself, while round him revolve all spheres of Jannat.
Lend some assistance in repairing his Ruh, be his devoted servant.
In reality your aid is a benefit to you, not to him:
As One hath said, ‘If ye help One, ye will be helped”.

Traveller!
Meditate upon the five pillars of the Qutb. Let One guide your body; reflecting to a different conundrum of the path.

The Sun:
I lost my stamina, my mind, my Dunya -
The Sun appeared and all the shadows ran
I ran after them, but my mind vanished as I ran -
Ishq ran after me and hunted them down.

The Endurance:
‘No-one suffers enough’ he said, ‘Be the one
Who endures everything and comes to me
with nothing but this bowl
Into which I can pour my Sarap and keep you alive.

The Whirl:
We came whirling
out of nothingness
turning and urning
it sunders
all attachments and shadows

The Sandstorm:
The One handed me a sword and said, “sweep the sand from the desert!”
I struck one time, nothing happened
I struck a second time, nothing happened
I struck a third time, the sandstorm began.

The Breath:
Speak to the One, time after time.
When you hear wing flapping of a crane
and Nefs of wind says “Now”,
the hold up a goblet
of everlasting life.