It is with great excitement and a profound sense of responsibility that I present to you the first-ever English translation of The Tablets of Holath, a cornerstone of Shokrafian culture and mythology. This project represents the culmination of two years of research into the Shokrafian language, history, and culture, and it is my hope that this translation will serve as a bridge between our worlds, fostering understanding and curiosity.
The Shokrafian language is unlike any human language, constructed from “stones”, carrying layered meanings and representing the fundamental building blocks of the universe. These stones fall into five categories: Deities (DEI), Sentients (SEN), Concepts (CON), Objects (OBJ), and Actions (ACT). While the language may seem alien to human sensibilities, the stories it conveys reveal a culture that is, in many ways, strikingly familiar. The Shokrafians tell stories of gods and prophets, build civilisations, wage wars, and trade with allies—echoing the patterns of human history.
The Tablets of Holath is one of the oldest preserved texts from the First Age of the Shokrafian Empire. It recounts the teachings and prophecies of the prophet Goareth, a pivotal figure in Farfaist religions. This text is not only a religious cornerstone but also a historical and cultural artefact, offering glimpses into the early days of the Shokrafian Empire and its complex interplanetary civilisation. The Shokrafian Empire, with its advanced technologies such as time travel, has expanded far beyond anything known to humanity, yet its cultural and spiritual roots remain deeply tied to texts like these.
The decision to translate the official state-approved version of The Tablets of Holath was not made lightly. While this version is the most widely distributed and recognised within the Shokrafian Empire, it has also been criticised as propaganda by non-Shokrafian Farfaists. However, I believe that making this text accessible to English readers is valuable in its own right, regardless of its origins. All religious and mythological texts carry visible and hidden agendas, and this translation aims to present the text as faithfully as possible while providing annotations to contextualise its cultural and historical significance.
I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to those who made this project possible. Cleo Rinofner, Shufu Studio’s artistic director, provided invaluable assistance with artistic research and the curation of First Age artwork included in this book. Lue Harvey offered critical advice on translation approaches and performed spectacular editing work, ensuring the accuracy and authenticity of this translation. In addition, I would like to thank our wonderful beta-readers, Ido Akov, Chen Holtzman, Kobi Kolodner and Inbal Shachar, for taking the time out of their busy schedules to help us refine the text before publication, making it more accessible to our fellow humans. Finally, I am deeply grateful to the Shokrafian Embassy and the Shokrafian Archive for their goodwill and support throughout this endeavour.
It is my hope that this translation will not only illuminate the rich tapestry of Shokrafian culture but also inspire readers to reflect on the universal themes that connect us all. The Tablets of Holath is more than a historical or religious text—it is a testament to the power of storytelling, the pursuit of knowledge, and the enduring human (and Shokrafian) spirit.
