mizis Hero's, of a hero kalo Tale du this darzhn story, tale, telling kenapo-te-kith was known of old vare (by) many qi but kena-ne-te-javu known not today tharos of the world zhin he dimi wise ones sizal-te-javu-maq Mistake. Should be sizal-te-maq, sustain quietly kalon tale (accusative) sizal-sho sustain in tsogama song (dative) i and labranma book (dative) sizal-ba sustain behind fir closed tapma door (dative) tsosh faint sholma light (dative) sho-ragno In the future zhis his kalo tale lutvo-kaba may be heard around folodma fires (dative) lut heard — the repetition indicates subjunctive lutvo-sha may be heard again kithd the old darzhro Mistake. Should be edarzhro, will tell chids their lidn children (accusative) li child lin child (accusative) lutvo-sho may be heard in vilo public raqbibma square (place) vilim private shapd spaces tsoga song dimi may be heard zhi he po was mizin hero (accusative) lidjs people (genitive) nosh meek nadj mighty tazlkon honorable chuf cunning

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Dear Dr. Stacey,

I found this manuscript in a museum archive, apparently forgotten for many years. It hasn’t been studied enough to warrant a name, but I’ve come to call it “The Nameless Hero,” or “galtine-mizi” in its own language, for reasons that will be clear in the reading.

It’s written in the Darzhran language of south Runlatia, using the familiar scribal cursive script. I’ve attached a translation and primer about the language. It’s really a fascinating piece – it raises more questions than it answers.

It was apparently received by the museum in 1817 after being in private collections for years. They estimated that it was written in the 11th century, but I would probably put it a few centuries earlier. At some point, most of the manuscript was lost – only 4 and a half pages remain. Apparently these were lost very early. None of the private collectors recorded having any more pages. Based on the content, I would guess that the remainder was lost shortly after it was written. The story goes that these were salvaged from a fire meant to destroy the monastery and its contents. This could be apocryphal, but I am inclined to believe it. At least, it makes a compelling story if it is true.

Compared to other works in the region and time period, this work is actually quite simple. The letter shapes are the work of an experienced scribe, but it seems rushed. I found a few obvious errors in the text – repeated words or mis-spellings. Only the minimum work was done to place the ascenders and descenders of the words. More careful examples of the scribal cursive show that every line is planned so that it matches the other lines. This manuscript is only written in pen, while usually there would be painted illustrations or even gold leaf inlays for works of this type.

Let me know what you think.

Your friend,

Ryan Russell

Dept. of Runlatian Studies

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