from the archives | THE CHRONICLES OF MOURRA → A-Z aesthetics → A: Annals

Also referred to as ‘the Chronicles of Mourra’, or else simply as ‘the Annals’, these are a written collection of Mourra’s history since shortly after its founding as a kingdom nearly eight hundred years ago. They are compiled by a select number of scribes, each the best of former apprentices of previous scribes, flowing in an unbroken chain all the way to Lady Iklimah, the First Scribe of Mourra. 

They are written out using a special and secretly formulated ink, rumoured to contain charcoal from the fire of an anqa bird’s immolation, and handam pens constructed from the most expensive wood in the world, oud from the Khadra Woods. 

The Annals document the births and deaths of Mourra’s rulers and royal family, notable weddings, major wars, minor battles, alliances made or broken, famines or plagues endured, and other major events of the year. Every Ruling King or Queen of Mourra is permitted to write personal entries to accompany the Annals, and these are compiled in a smaller document titled the Ruling Memoirs. 

The Annals, Memoirs, and relevant documents are preserved and maintained on a special floor of the Great Library of Qarun, Mourra’s capital. They are always under guard, so as to protect and be preserved against damage, willful or accidental. 

The Annals stand as a testament to time, and it is considered one of the greatest crimes to damage or defile them. The only exception to this is in the case of disownment and exile of a member of the royal family, when their name—as well as any images or mentions therein—are struck from the Annals.

In such instances, any mention of their given names becomes forbidden to every citizen in Mourra.

— this was previously posted on my now defunct tumblr.  i hope to continue this a to z  aesthetics meme one day!