Kata

"The One True Goddess.”

The Five Tribulations of Kata
The Five Tribulations of Kata are a collection of five, ancient sacred texts found scattered across Eldham over the course of multiple weeks. Each text contains an obscure story regarding Kata in the third person, and follows her travels through what is believed to be a pre-mortal plane of existence. It is unknown during what time period these retellings took place, only that they seem to have occurred consecutively of one another. The texts themselves are a parchment created from an ancient, unknown material, believed to be organic in some sense. While no magical properties have been discovered about the texts themselves, they seem unable to be damaged by any traditional means, despite the signs of wear and tear across their surfaces and edges.

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The first text is titled ‘Demon’ and was discovered by a Stolas fisherman when, during a particularly vicious storm, their boat was nearly capsized by a massive wave. It was promptly confiscated by the church of Kata and studied thoroughly to ensure its legitimacy. The following text was found recorded within.

''In the beginning Kata was alone. The worlds parted and were formed, an eternally transforming wild who all traversed and none dared tame. And with Her roamed every beast, monster, and man. And He watched over all, and every living thing feared the Demon with a great respect, for He was mightier than all before Him. And the Demon came before Kata with tooth and with horn, and with mountainous voice did He beseech Her. “Wise Kata, wilt thou not seeketh the corruption this world hath wrought and cast it out for the favor of thine Lord?” And Kata denied the Demon, saying, “I belong not of mine Lord nor His own, for I belong of this earth, and I am its mistress and it is mine.” Then Kata set forth across the wild, and the Demon followed with her saying, “But is the earth not my own, and are you not hers? So it was eternally.” But Kata did not falter, and spoke the Demons own truth, saying, “This world and all its beasts belong to thou, but the travelers sovereignty is owned by no man. Leave me O mighty Demon, so that I might wander.” And so did He leaveth Her side, and Kata did traverse rock and earth and flesh until She halted before a great cavern. The tear did stretch on until it did not, which was never, and across it lay a frail bridge of the hopes of those who had fallen within. And from the pit did emerge a Serpent of immense length, and came to Her saying, “Look now, wilt thine travels be brought to an end. The bridge shalt not carry thee, and thou hast none to whom to turn.” And She cast the Serpent aside, saying, “Doth the wolf flee in fear when abandon by its pack? Begone, Serpent, and I shalt take of the earth as I doth need.” Then Kata plunged her arm deep within the earth, and the earth did answer, and bestowed Her with a powerful sword of its own, for She was its mistress. For the trees of the earth were Hers, and with a mighty blow did she topple the largest of these, and the cavern was conquered. Now the Serpent was more patient than beast and man, and returned from whence It had emerged, and Kata endured. ''