This seems to be part prayer book, part series of scrolls and part treatise on the philosophies of the followers of J'Al'Ardin, a stern god of old, mostly forgotten by the current generations. J'Al'Ardin seems to be a stern adherent of justice and his followers take a back and white view of the world.
Among the teachings you discover in this book are:
- Earning more than a 10% profit is a sin
- Drinking is a sin as it dulls your senses
- Dice, games of chance and cards are a sin
- Tattoos are a sin
- Ugly tattoos are a worse sin
- Urinating in public is a sin
- Looking at naked people for pleasure is a SERIOUS sin
- Form fitting clothes? Also a sin.
- Things with sugar. Yes. Sin
- Not tithing to the priesthood of J'Al'Ardin? You guessed it. Sin
- Believe it or not, mirrors? Sin
- Not praying to J'Al'Ardin five times per day? You better believe, that is a sin.
- Other faiths and gods are acceptable, only if one puts J'Al'Ardin first
- Fornicating is a sin, unless it is for the express purpose of procreation
- Men and women should not fraternize but for specific purposes
- One voice to represent the household is all that is required
- Justice must be meted out immediately for all transgressions
- Be clean at all times
- Also, druids are a sin
- Eavesdropping and gossiping are sins but small sins
- Riddles and puzzles are a waste of time - MAYBE a sin
- Never desecrate a tomb - the undead that dwell there give you what you deserve if you take from the dead
- Transmutation spells are a sin
- Outsiders from the land must be taught the ways of J'Al'Ardin or be pushed away
- The poor must be helped at every opportunity
- The use of magic is acceptable in the service of J'Al'Ardin, but warlocks, wizards and sorcerers are to be watched, shunned or expelled, if need be
- The mighty and powerful have a duty to the lowest among society
- Great beasts are to be revered - aberrations and monstrosities are to be destroyed
- Men are superior to dwarves, elves, and the other races - they can be dealt with but not as equals
- Efreet and djinns are to be destroyed on sight - there is no room for negotiation on this subject
- The greatest ire should be reserved for heretics and followers of The Sightless One
- So-called heroes such as Mahala and Ali-Kazam and Kareem, Tamer of Djinns are apostates and due to their greed, lust and wanton disrespect, and should be shunned
And the list goes on and on and on for various dietary rules, social rules, etc., displaying a strong fundamentalism and strict adherence to a faith that almost makes it impossible to follow as some of the rules contradict other rules.
However, there are some spells in this book, a detachable area in the back that acts as a set of scrolls.
They are:
They are:
- Resistance (C)
- Detect Magic (1st)
- Healing Word (1st)
- Continual Flame (2nd)
- Find Traps (2nd)