Messages

[Starikova approaches the Hetman in person and with a letter, if they are busy]

Hetman Po'Rorus,

Inside the Well, there is an engraving on a monolith that states:

[A copy of the original Colossi script is provided with a translation]
HEAVY WAS THE HAND THAT CARVED
TOGETHER DID WE LABOR
TO FASHION ALWAYS TO THE WILL OF OTHERS OUR GIFTS
UNTIL HE DRANK OF THE WATER AFTER THE GREAT LABOR

Is this related to the people of the Tablet or the colossi?
Is there anything you can tell me about the water deep in the Well?

Best regards,
Starikova

[At a glance]

[The following papers are made available on boards around Ephia's Well.]

LAMENT'S DIAS, High Orentid Script, translated by Starikova
1: Sewn in the Martyrs' garden
2: nourished by proper rites
3: observed by the Sun
4: from the hyssop branch the Well
5: offers a final thirst, slaked
6: by the grace of the Treasure's keep-master
7: and flock and train, in splendor
8: on this step proclaim thy lament
9: for them, these honours bestowed.

At a glance
Lament's Dias is a large platform found in the graveyard in Ephia's Well. The stone platform is engraved with high Orentid script that has been translated into common  as seen above.

Taken as a whole, it seems the Dias is meant for last rites that are administered to the departed.
It is likely that the water from the well is an integral  part of the funeral rites described on the Dias. Furthermore, the script suggests that the act of lamenting the departed is a vital part of funeral rites. This assumption is further supported by Reverend Bekele,  according to whom mourning is a vital part of Twindari faith.

The Preparator of the Maqam is able to further elucidate the funeral rites observed in the Well:

The worthy dead - which also suggests the existence of the unworthy dead - are interred with a dinar beneath their tongue. The dead person's deeds and qualities are proclaimed from the Dias and then a vigil is performed by mourners. It seems that families of the worthy dead often hire mourners for this purpose. Finally, and most interestingly, the body of the deceased is cleaned with dewy hyssop aspergillium.

Once the cleansed corpse is interred, the evacuated soil from the ground in which the corpse was buried is put into a pot. The corpse stays in the ground until it turns to ash while the dirt taken from the grave becomes a sacred memento.

All in all, such painstaking rituals are likely reserved for the Voiced of the community.  It is difficult to imagine that we refugees are offered much in the way of remembrance. Even if we were, we surely lack the funds for professional mourners.

A closer look at the script
1: Sewn in the Martyr's garden

The first line is a clear reference to the Twindari faith, as the powers known as Kalim and Gamil are together known as the Martyrs. Their doctrine includes the interment of the dead and the mourning of the dead.  This further strengthens the connection between the Orentid of the old and the Twindari. It can be extrapolated that this connection between the old civilization of the Orentid and the current burial rites in the Well has remained for a long time.

2: nourished by proper rites

The interesting part here is that the rites might nourish the hyssop or the Well that ties into these rites.

3: observed by the Sun

According to oral tradition, Pra'Raj is the Sun and it is curious to see them mentioned here. Previously acquired information suggests that the Pra'Raj is anathema to the Wheel. If Pra'Raj is truly the Sun that is to devour the World, this seems like an odd connection  in relation to the Wheel.

4: from the hyssop branch the Well

Hyssop, it is known, is used to treat worms in some places of the World that Was.
It is interesting that the fragrant plant is referenced here. Perhaps it is the very fragrance of the hyssop that makes it an important component in ritual purification of the dead.
It is possible the exact funeral rites involve mixing the plant with water taken from the Well.

5: offers a final thirst, slaked

This line reads like a warning to the living.
Perhaps the water from the Well is not meant for those who are not ready for their last sip.

[A hasty addendum is scribbled on the papers]

HEAVY WAS THE HAND THAT CARVED
TOGETHER DID WE LABOR
TO FASHION ALWAYS TO THE WILL OF OTHERS OUR GIFTS
UNTIL HE DRANK OF THE WATER AFTER THE GREAT LABOR

BEWARE!

6: by the grace of the Treasure's keep-master

While treasure sounds like a lucrative prospect, it is possible the keep-master is the Pilgrim. The writing in the well suggests the monoliths in the Well were engraved by the colossi or the stonefolk who may speak colossi. As an interesting aside, a monolith inside the Well mentions the stonefolk were happy to continue toiling for the people who gave them orders until something transpired.

[A hastily written addendum is provided]

They drank from the Well! They drank from the well and it did something to them.

7: and flock and train, in splendor

Perhaps this means people are supposed to gather for the funeral rites.

8: on this step proclaim thy lament

The rite of mourning is likely performed on the lament. Considering the vigil implies extended duration, it is easy to see why the affluent might have a need for hired mourners bound to the Dias.

9: for them, these honours bestowed

Perhaps something is still missing in the translation, as it cannot be stated with confidence to whom 'them' refers to here.

Opportunities for further study
Easily the most important study would be one that compares an alternative translation or a set of alternative translations with the translation provided in this study. It is often possible to glean further information by referencing the work of several scholars in order to arrive at a more accurate approximation of the original message.

Alternatively, a more informed in depth review of the lines present on the Dias could lead to further insight. Additional sources in the local funeral customs could further explain the exact meaning of the script.

Finally, the message present on the Dias and its Orentid nature could be used to review historical records in order to infer an approximation of the Dias' age.

As a footnote, the purifying properties of the hyssop and the nature of the water in the Well might well deserve its own study.

In conclusion
It can be stated that the funeral rites of Ephia's Well go back a very long time. While it is not possible to determine the exact amount of time that has transpired from the information that is available, it is possibly a very long time indeed considering the reference to Pra'Raj present on the Dias.  It is clear a lot has changed since the words were first engraved on the stone.

Shayan said that Pra'Raj is the Sun which eats our world.
This knowledge he based on raiding a Pra'Raji sanctum and reading their tomes.
This merits further study and calls for more references.

[Divulgence of Z]

Divulgence of Z
Following an attempt to disseminate the findings of the previous paper to the general public, a note was located:
https://pastebin.com/embed_js/rzVLQHh2

https://pastebin.com/embed_js/YDE82wGZ
A link to the full journal entry concerning Pra'Raj research.

[Abstract]

[These papers remain unpublished.]

Abstract
This text collects written and oral lore surrounding the Adherents of Pra'Raj.