Pandemonium Traditional & Live Action Roleplaying
Magic

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apocrypha: secret writings, not part of the accepted canon

The Apocrypha takes its name from the concept of "unsanctioned scripture". Scriptures are religious texts, texts whose purpose are to present and preserve the knowledge which describes the workings of the universe. Mankind (being petty and cruel) invariably seeks to place proprietary labels on this kind of knowledge. The reasoning being thus; "If I control what the people read, then I control what the people think". A sound arguement. If only there were a way to control what people write!
Ah, but there is! It goes something like this; Divine inspiration strikes! The scribe/poet/scientist takes up his stylus and scribbles down a universal truth. Scripture is created. The author shows it to someone "in authority" hoping for approval/petty revenge/justification. That authority takes it before a council. The council decides if the truth brought to light matches their plan for propagandizing the masses. If yes, the scripture becomes accepted Canon and is disseminated to the public for consumption. If no, the scripture is rejected and reviled, labeled Apocrypha.

The Apocrypha of the Mage: Secret writings which describe the workings of magic in the Pandemonium Universe. Knowledge reserved for the initiated, not for distribution to the ignorant masses.