# Overview *Dialogues With the Ancients* is one of two major writings of [[Venerate Sedric|Sedric]]. As with *Existence*, the writing is divided into 36 chapters spanning 1,693 pages in its most widely accepted version. *Dialogues*, as it is often called, is the first substantial piece of literature compiling the teachings and philosophies [[Prime Deities|The Shapers]] and the first known writing to speculate the existence of [[The Dreamer]]. ## Synopsis As one of only two surviving works attributed to Sedric, the monumental text represents the first substantial compilation of teachings about the Prime Deities (also called The Shapers) who created the world of Kald, now known as the [[Shattered Realms]]. The text explores the complex and often contradictory nature of the four Prime Deities: [[The Echoist]] (goddess of knowledge and innovation), [[The Arborist]] (goddess of nature and time), [[The Maiden of the Veil]] (goddess of death and fate), and [[The Harbinger]] (deity of luck and freedom). Through poetic dialogues and philosophical contemplations, Sedric presents these deities not as perfect beings, but as complex entities embodying both virtues and flaws similar to mortals. "Dialogues" is also notable for being the first known writing to speculate on the existence of The Dreamer, a cosmic entity whose dreams are believed to shape reality. Sedric's work challenges conventional religious thought by suggesting that the world's creation may be attributed to this primordial force rather than solely to the actions of the Prime Deities. The book remains highly influential in the Shattered Realms, providing theological foundations that continue to shape religious practices and philosophical discourse across various cultures and regions. ## Naming of the Gods Prior to _Dialogues With the Ancients_, deity names varied widely across cultures, regions, and religious practices throughout Kald. Each community worshipped these powerful entities under different names, with diverse rituals and contradictory mythologies that often led to religious conflicts and misunderstandings. Sedric's revolutionary contribution was in creating a standardized nomenclature for the divine pantheon. He carefully analyzed the common traits attributed to deities across various cultures and identified underlying patterns that suggested they were worshipping the same entities under different names. By establishing the now-familiar titles—The Echoist, The Arborist, The Maiden of the Veil, and The Harbinger—Sedric provided a universal framework for understanding the divine that transcended cultural boundaries. This standardization was not merely a scholarly exercise but a diplomatic achievement that helped bridge theological divides between regions. While many cultures still maintain their traditional names for these deities in local practice (as noted in the footnotes of several documents), Sedric's terminology serves as a common language for theological discourse throughout the Shattered Realms. In his writing, Sedric emphasized that these standardized names reflected the essential nature and domains of each deity rather than being tied to any single cultural tradition, thus making them more universally acceptable. This careful diplomacy helped his nomenclature gain widespread adoption, eventually becoming the canonical reference point for divine entities that persists to the present day.