masked_god | Summer Vacation 2.0 (Reply)

...and I must admit that, despite a few irregularities, it is the people who interest me most in this strange little world. For, even while barbarism runs rampant through their world, a gifted few still try to rise above it.

I met an elderly monk by the name of Marcus Apollo who was quite kind in taking a wearily and addle-brained traveler such as myself into his home. He proved to be wise in the ways of the arts and strategy. It was from him that I learned about my ‘deformity’ being quite common on this world, where genetic mutations produce many unlucky souls. Yet when I asked why ‘we’ had not been allowed to die at birth, he spouted some religious nonsense, and was generally evasive. It seems that The Church forbids ‘murder’ of almost any kind. I find this an interesting religion and, in light of its prevalence on other worlds, shall have to study its theology more.

Unfortunately our discussion was cut short, as the poor man was dragged from his home under the orders of the king. There was little I could do for him, except make his going less painful.

…and it was there that I met a strange hermit going by the name of ‘Lazarus’. He took a liking to me when I professed no disbelief at his age, of which he claimed considerable amount. The man was far more perceptive than his fellows, and was able to guess that I was ‘not from around here’. From him I was able to learn quite a bit more about the history and culture of this planet, and rather devoid of bias. I suppose his long life had given him the ability to see clearly through the lies present in every society, but it was still refreshing to speak with him.

It was he who suggested I visit the monks of Leibowitz, and their monastery in the desert. Apparently they were a group of scholars, dedicated to preserving knowledge…

As I have mentioned before, I find the ‘nuclear apocalypse’ idea a far too common occurrence throughout the multiverse. It is hardly unique. But the near fanatical protection of knowledge is quite unusual, though not completely unknown. I have read of a similar world, where upon one world was to become the Foundation to the resurrection of knowledge. Here, it is a small community of monks, steadfastly protecting their ‘Memorabilia’ from book burners and looters. I find their dedication admirable, though some might say foolish. It is true that they have made little attempt to use the fragments that they have saved. But their knowledge will prove important in the years to come, a vital link in this worlds working towards civilization…

Excerpt from “Bookleggers and Memorizers: a Study of world 340U964”

((ooc:
Miller, Walter M, Jr, A Canticle for Leibowitz. J. B. Lippincott & Co, New York, 1959 ))