-On a plane incomprehensible to that of our own exists a world called Osophras. Osophras does not exist as a planet in a solar system, it is its own system. A green land of rolling hills and beautiful vegetation. Many races of Osophrasians and many species of animals existed in the world of Osophras, and all of which coexisted peacefully.
-Osophrasians are immortal. There was one Religion of the world and it was adhered to strictly. The only way an Osophrasian can die is if he or she goes against the Religion. In the three hundred years in which Osophrasians had existed, only four had ever gone against the Religion. When they did they were met with inexplicable death. When one even considers breaking the Religion they have a vision or a “near death experience.” Osophrasians who had near death experiences were met with horrific visions of a world frighteningly unlike the only one they had ever known. However, the majority of Osophrasians only had dreams of their everyday wonderful existence.
-The Religion had been created by the first Osophrasians, named the Origins, who were miraculously spawned from two tigers. The Origins believe there are hundreds, maybe thousands of lands just like Osophras in existence. They are still alive and teach the Religion to the young. The concept of the Religion does not sound simple, but for Osophrasians it was practically instinct. Of course, it consisted of the usual concepts of right and wrong: One did not steal, murder, commit adultery, and one was always respectful of their neighbor. From there, the Religion became more complex. One was not aloud to hate. One must be respectful at all times. One was never disloyal. And never, by any means, did one lie.
-Crime did not exist in Osophras, so the usual concepts of right and wrong were not exactly “usual.” No one had ever been murdered, one had never been stolen from, and after marriage, no one ever cheated. However, disloyalty did exist before marriage, but it was not considered as breaking the Religion. One must only be loyal after marriage.
-Osophras was not divided into nations or countries. Perhaps this was because Osophras was not in need of a ruler. It was in the nature of Osophrasians to be friendly, peaceful, and innocent. Although, the land formation of Osophras was divided into a series of twenty-two islands. The inhabitants traveled and traded from island to island by wooden canoes. The Osophrasians lived in bamboo huts, for bamboo was extremely abundant. As previously mentioned, Osophras is its own system. It creates its own light and does not need a sun or moon to keep the temperature or the tides consistent. The feel of the air they breathed was a steady cool temperature and the land was light for fourteen hours every day.
-Every species of life which existed on Osophras was an herbivore. The killing of any animal was also considered murder. The animals of Osophras were immortal as well. They did not breed and mate at a high rate, perhaps one offspring a century. The secret to the creation of Osophras lies in the silence of these animals.
- Trade is the only form of currency, money is nonexistent. Each island created different crops and every member of the islands worked together to grow the crops and trade them with other islands. Every drop of water in the land was fresh, and the fresh water rained on the crops once every week.
- At last count there were four hundred Osophrasians in all, and perhaps two times as many animals. Of course many Osophrasians developed their own unique trades. Some created jewelry, some wrote poetry, some were musicians, and some were artists. Well, all Osophrasians are artists in their own right. All were beautiful people. Perhaps not physically, but inside. Although, none had any physical deformities, skin problems such as acne, or diseases. However, if one did, they would be excepted with loving arms. Even the families of the sinners who died had been forgiven and sympathized with. One of the elder Osophrasians had discovered electricity, but the people soon grew bored with it. Osophrasians loved candlelight. They created beautiful sculptures out of wax for candles. This was a much treasured art. They even loved their canoes so much that they passed on extravagant ship making. They only used tools evolved enough to help them work with their crops, and to irrigate the land. Osophrasians did not like extravagance. Their clothes, their hair, their homes were all beautiful, but simple. That was their way of life, they find what is glorious through simplicity.
- Their customs, so it seems, are the only aspect of their lives that is not simple. When it comes to an event, Osophrasians are the masters of celebrations. Weddings are the most spectacular event. All four hundred Osophrasians gather at the first island where the Origins were created, Farasmus. This was the island of the tigers. Next to the Osophrasians, the tigers are the friendliest creatures of the land. The ceremony is held on the first beach the Origins saw with their own eyes. The Osophrasians sit in the sand facing the water. The Origins stand at the very edge of the water with two crowns chiseled from emeralds, the stone of the land. The bride and groom ride to the edge of the water on the backs of the same two tigers which spawned the Origins. The bride and groom hold hands as the Origins read them a prayer. A new prayer is written each time, for the Origins are the most accomplished wordsmiths of Osophras. The prayer is written on a parchment of gold. The couple save the prayer and the crowns and mount all the three to the wall of bamboo above their beds. Aside from the prayers given to them at birth, this is the most extravagant material found in the home of Osophrasians.
- Unlike the prayers of Christianity or Catholicism, the prayers of the religion are not dutiful or obligating. They wish only peace and happiness to the Osophrasians. They usually include a secret to be kept with them throughout their immortal lives. At marriage the secret is often something uniting of the two Osophrasians. After the wedding a great party which spans a week is held at the beach. Through the week the new couple must kiss the cheek of every Osophrasian for good luck. A hundred tents of white cotton are set up on the beach for the guests to stay, though many choose to sleep on the sandy beach. A great tent of green silk is set for the new couple and is guarded by the two tigers, Osoprima and Osouna.
- Here is where one would find the Osophrasians on this very day. It is the wedding of Elise and Glitch. Glitch was the handsome son of the land's most famous painter and Elise was the rather plain daughter of a shoe maker. The wedding seemed an odd match to most of the people of Osophras. There were rumors that the painter forced the wedding because Glitch was much too confident and too vain a man.
This is where I will end my post for all of you. To give away the rest of the story for free, so soon would "take the piss out of the whole thing." I can tell you that in the following chapters Glitch commits a "sin" and is sent to hell...Earth... More will be posted if I see enough interest through emails: Elizabeth17anne@hotmail.com I always except and listen to comments seriously... or taken with a grain of salt^_^