On of the strangest of these is the Scroll of DeNomolos. It supposedly has been in the family for at least seven generations but the origins are for the most part unknown. The scroll is kept in a protective container, which at one time must have been quite ornate. Approximately 14 inches long, it is covered with some sort of fabric on which is inscribed strange characters not unlike runes. The age of the container would be had to determine as it is somewhat distressed and perhaps has been through a fire. An ornamental sunburst adorns the top portion of the container but other than that it has no distinguishing marks that would help identify where it might have come from.

The scroll appears to be made of parchment. It has been pieced together and obviously repaired a number of times. The winding sticks are about 12 inches long and are simple wooden dowels. The scroll itself has tattered edges and is ten or so inches wide. The length of the scroll when stretched out is right at thirteen feet long.

Divided into sections, the scroll is written in several of the ancient languages. There are runes, Greek alphabet, Egyptian hieroglyphics some English text. The sections are set up in right to left sections numbered with Roman Numerals. At the bottom of each section are the names of the personalities of the Major Arcana of the standard Tarot deck. They read as follows:

..................I.    THE MAGICIAN
..................II.   THE HIGH PRIESTESS
..................III.  (THIS ONE IS MISSING FOR SOME REASON)
..................IV.   THE EMPEROR
..................V.    THE EMPRESS
..................VI.   THE CHARIOT
..................VII.  THE SUN
..................VIII. THE STAR
..................IX.    THE TOWER
..................X.    THE HERMIT
..................XI.   JUDGMENT
..................XII.  JUSTICE
..................XIII. DEATH

Now those who know the Tarot know that these numbers do not match the names or numbers of the personalities. I can find no rhyme or reason for the numbering system or why the number three is missing but DeNomolos swears that when the scroll is called upon to give an answer, the numbers simply lead to the section and the skillful mage will read the section that applies and predictions are announced or serious questions receive serious answers. I think he had an idea to do a number force, which would make sense, but I have not been able to ascertain.

I suspect that the whole scroll idea is more for ambiance than for actual readings, as I have not seen DeNomolos actually use the scroll for any other purpose. I have read the first section, which is hand lettered and quite enigmatic. It reads: "In the beginning there was the word and the word was light and darkness in the void. From the darkness came evil and from the light came goodness." That which follows is anyone's guess. Only DeNomolos knows.

For those of you who might want to "Borrow" the idea, peruse the pictures.

In the Craft,
Ed Solomon +++ Collector of the weird and maker of messes.