Canon 16: The Calling of Gamasiel

In 5076 as the elves reckon time, there was a priest of the Patron Deity of Peakshadow called Gamasiel who was devout and pious. He lived in the Grand Temple and spent many hours of study in the most ancient of scrolls.

While at study, he heard a voice calling, "Gamasiel, follow me." After looking around and seeing that he was alone, he ignored the voice. It spoke again saying, "Gamasiel, follow me." He ignored the voice again, but then it spoke a third time saying, "Gamasiel, follow me."

"And who are you," Gamasiel asked, "That I should follow you?"

"I am He who has been forgotten and will be remembered again. I am he who was and is and is to come. I am he that has made all things and brings all things to right once more. I am he that made you and set you here for my purpose."

But Gamasiel replied, "I know all the gods and their ways, long have I studied these things."

"I have no name among your people," the voice replied, "but I was before all things were. Listen to my voice and hear the things I shall say to you. For you will be first among those who are made right. There shall be ten signs given to you, by which you shall know me."

The Gamasiel took himself to the other priests and scholars of the Deceived Priesthood that then was, and told to them all of the things that he had heard. But the priests laughed at him and accused him of too much learning and the madness that can result.

But Gamasiel would not relent from his claims, so the Prefect of the Patron of Peakshadow expelled Gamasiel from his Priestly Order and brought him before the Tribunal on the charge of heresy.

For 6 months the tribunal was held, with Gamasiel subject to many inconveniences and indignities, but he would not relent from his claims. In the end, he was not convicted of any crime -- for the Tribunal was deadlocked. Some held that he was a heretic, but others claimed he was merely propounding an unknown god. In their indecision, he was allowed to come and go freely in the Grand Temple, but no order would have him in it.

So it was that Gamasiel was cast out of the Temple dormitories and sought shelter with the sheep in the Arcade beneath the Southern walls. Neither was he permitted to gather with the other priests, except at the library which all the holy men held in common, and when attending the Large Councils -- in those times, he was mocked by learned men who wrinkled their noses and called him, the Shepherd Priest.

There Gamasiel remained for the next ten years, shepherding the flocks of the temple. And he was only let forth from his labors and captivity during the time of the Signs, which the temple heeded not.