Verses for the Dead of Ephia's Well

[Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi]

[This loose collection of poems is bound in the fashion of a folio, with long, thin pages. Each page is devoted to a different individual. A rough woodcut symbol is prepared at the top of each page for those individuals that are named within. Copies can be found in libraries throughout the Well and it seems many names are added as time goes on.]


Verses for the Dead of Ephia's Well

In the Styles of the Kulamet and the Martyrs
Acolyte Amelie Terrois of the Sisterhood of the Sibylline Vine

First Edition; Published Qdim 26, IY 7787


Let here be recorded certain of the dead of Ephia's Well for the ages long to come. For the Pilgrim shall renew the world through the realization of the Chalice and this Age of Ash is not our last. Thus we name them and honor them in the fashion that shall honor Izdu in the recordkeeping; in the fashion that shall honor the Martyrs by the memories of those gone from this world; and in the fashion that shall honor Kula to acknowledge the lives they led.

[Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi]

[This woodcut bears the image of a smirking, proud, and confident elf resplendent in the armor of a knight. He has a rose held aloft in one hand, a sword held high in the other, and he gazes off to the horizon with his face in profile.]


Of Velan Volandis
By Acolyte Amelie
Tabbah 30, IY 7787

Afraid of naught the hero elf;
Did take the blow of foe in stride;
Discarding thought to guard himself;
He strode into the battle wide.

For 'round him raged the creature dark;
That cast with wailing, gnashing teeth;
To bear a bitter, fouling mark;
Upon those who defied beneath.

O bright his ringing sword and shield;
Shone fierce and clear amid the gloom;
And rallied all who sought It sealed;
He strove to save all from that doom.

And to his noble mem'ry now;
the Cinquefoil Rose shall raise its wine;
A toast to one who took his bow;
Example set of courage fine.

[Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi]

[This woodcut print bears the image of a smiling woman seated upon a bench. She holds a rose in one hand and a set of spectacles in the other. The image of the Pilgrim rises behind her, the Palatial Pyramid behind that, and her expression is warm and kind.]


Of Pirouette Manners
By Lynneth Llywarch and Alejandro Benjazar
Tabbah 21, IY 7787

Behold besides the Pilgrim's gaze;
On humble stone and bench reclined;
A friend therein endured her days;
In both her word and deed too kind.

Beneath her blatant beauty laid;
The love to set a heart at rest;
And guile which never feared to wade;
Against the darkest kind of test.

My life was shared with friend so dear;
Alas, to end here such delight:
Herself she risked to Jinni sear;
Below a thousand years of blight.

Alone I hold her hidden smile;
And late the hour into dawn;
When whispered secrets we'd compile;
For knowledge shared is never gone.

[Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi]

[This woodcut print bears the image a scholar. The image is split down the middle: The left half of him is in Astronomer's robes and right half of him is in the robes of the Alchemist's Guild of Ephia's Well (as it existed in IY 7787). His left hand holds an astrolabe while his right hand holds an urn. Unlike his garb, however, is expression is not bifurcated. Rather, he stares directly at the reader with an inquisitive look.]


Of Lojir Trajaros
By Acolyte Amelie
Tabbah 21, IY 7787

The scholar's work is never done;
For Izdu bids us all to strive;
And Sabotage the dangers spun;
By Enemy he would deprive.

For They were known to him by choice;
Command of their accursed names;
And through this he would raise his voice;
To ward all from their bitter games.

Now here the challenge set to him:
Undying prison that would be;
The answer, those who life and limb;
Take to imprision Foe with ye.

And with this masterpiece of craft;
Writ by his sorcery's command:
That enemy's disdainful laugh;
He ended by his choice to stand.

[Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi]

[This woodcut bears the image of a cowled man, his face in shadow, who bears a large scythe at his side. Upon his chest as the focal point of the work is an amulet of the Martyrs.]


Of Hekatomb
By Acolyte Amelie
Qdim 26, IY 7787

Unto the Martyrs' graven brows;
Commend the mortal wayward soul;
For they again shall never rouse;
And Kula's vigil long is whole.

O They into repose shall meet;
This weary one in service long;
Who never could admit defeat;
His faith and piety was strong.

In ancient days their first command;
Resplendent in a mournful dirge:
"Remember they who walked the land";
And O, we gathered, now converge!

And say, as one, thy work is done.