LordDunsanysPegana/OfOod
LordDunsanysPegana/OfHowImbaunSpakeofDeathtotheKing -LordDunsanysPegana/TheRiver
Of Ood
Men say that if thou comest to Sundari, beyond all the
plains, and shalt climb to his summit before thou art seized
by the avalanche which sitteth always on his slopes, then
there lie before thee many peaks. And if thou shalt climb
these and cross their valleys (of which there be seven and
also seven peaks) thou shalt come at last to the land of
forgotten hills, where amid many valleys and white snow
there standeth the "Great Temple of One God Only."
Therein is a dreaming prophet who doeth naught, and a
drowsy priesthood about him.
These be the priests of MANA-YOOD-SUSHAI. Within the
temple it is forbidden to work, also it is forbidden to
pray. Night differeth not from day within its doors. They
rest as MANA rests. And the name of their prophet is Ood.
Ood is a greater prophet than any of all the prophets of
Earth, and it hath been said by some that were Ood and his
priests to pray, chaunting all together and calling upon
MANA-YOOD-SUSHAI, MANA-YOOD-SUSHAI would then awake, for
surely he would hear the prayers of his own prophet -- then
would there be Worlds no more.
There is also another way to the land of forgotten hills,
which is a smooth road and a straight, that lies through the
heart of the mountains. But for certain hidden reasons it
were better for thee to go by the peaks and snow, even
though thou shouldst perish by the way, than that thou
shouldst seek to come to the home of Ood by the smooth,
straight road.