Axiom of Flesh

The dark, isolated kingdom of the far north, Rethreim, is a land filled with aristocratic blood drinkers, gaunt villagers and mad alchemists. Once a diseased, post-apocalyptic bastion of survivors from the fallen empire of Aethelas, Rethreim has transformed itself and its people over the centuries. To help the transition, a sect of Aethelas' prominant religion The Holy Order of Dawn was formed in opposition to everything the kingdom once was. This was called the Order of Dusk.   The core principles of this new faith highlight the importance of change and transformation, adapting to a new environment, and resourcefulness in trying to survive. And so the Axiom of Flesh was written, to cement the new path forward for all Vezhkin.  

Material

Named for both its contents and the medium, the Axiom of Flesh is written in ink mixed with blood and ash, upon the flayed and tanned back skin of the "First of the Martyrs". These individuals are alluded to in the doctrine of the Order of Dusk, seen as people that suffered and bled (usually literally) so that the Dusk could be established and order laid down. Their names are not noted, as it is inconsequential. The important thing is that the Martyrs endured pain and suffering to create the Axiom, and this is remembered in the rolled-up skin of the First.  

Contents

Written onto the flayed skin are a set of principles and values that "Duskites", and indeed all Vezhkin, must adhere to if they are to survive. Some of these include:

• The siphoning and drinking of blood becoming legitimised, so the people can sate their natural iron deficiency.
• The praising of mutations and corrupted forms.
• The sacrifice of the few, for the good of the many.