The World of Tilzam

What is the Greatest Sin?

Long ago when the world was young, the Creator looked out over the landscape. It was quiet, peaceful, and tranquil. This pleased the Creator. Time passed and the silence began to gnaw at the Creator—no longer did it bring pleasure. So the Creator’s hand stretched out and touched the world, and all manner of growing things—flowers and vines, grasses and trees—sprang forth. The sounds of their growth brought pleasure once more to the Creator.

Soon, the steady sound of growing was no longer enough, so the Creator touched the world once more. Birds and animals sprang forth from the plants and the world was filled with the din of their life. This pleased the Creator immensely, so much that the Creator touched the world once more. Woman and man together emerged from the same fruit and their laughter was the sweetest thing yet.

In this way, all intelligent and living things were created to fill the silence that had plagued the Creator for so long. And for a time and another time, it was enough and the Creator wandered the world, taking pleasure in its life.

All good things come to an end.

One day, the Creator looked out again and the sight brought no pleasure, only disgust. The budding people of the world were sinning and it was the most wretched thing in the eyes of the Creator. “Begone from me!” the Creator cried. The peoples of the world were driven before the angry Creator. Out of their homes they fled, away from the sight of their god. Mountains rose up behind them and a great voice cried out in anguish. “You have done something terrible in the sight of your God! As punishment, you will be driven from the land of your fathers to the wilderness beyond. You will not see my face again until you learn to atone for your sins and repent!”

Great towers sprang from the earth all across the land, great crystals at their tips glowing in the night. “Behold, these shall stand as testimony to you and your children. They will watch you and keep you from doing what is evil. Keep watch and teach those after you to follow in the ways of peace. Repent or you will perish alone and forsaken by your god!” Then, behind them, a great wall of shining light burst from the ground. Those who dared to touch it were wreathed in flame and darkness and, from that day forth, no one saw the Creator again.

—A memory shared by every sentient being across Tilzam from birth