Auras of Wisdom

Latest revision as of 11:42, 24 July 2016

We can gain a lifetime of knowledge, yet never see the wisdom in it.

Avigliana di Sarvos

Overview

An aura is a persistent spiritual effect on a person, location or item. The auras listed here are created by priests dedicated to the virtue of Wisdom who use the relevant ceremonial skill. A character who is dedicated to Wisdom must pick one of the following auras when they perform the relevant ceremony. A priest of the Way may also use the Dreams of Wisdom when they use the dedication ceremony to provide a pilgrim with a visionary dream.

The names used for each aura are simply the most common ones used in the Empire. For example, the Worth of Wisdom may be called The Fork in the Road by a Varushkan wise one. This is especially true with those auras that are named after paragons and exemplars; all these auras would have had different names before the exceptional individual they are named for was recognised by the Synod. The Hallowing of Avigliana for example was commonly called the Hallow of the Messenger before Avigliana's recognition as an exemplar of Wisdom.

Study of these auras helped the founders of the Way to create the Path of Wisdom. Some lay persons assume that the Imperial Synod created these auras in some fashion to encourage adherence to orthodoxy, but according to theological scholars the situation is the other way around. The auras came first, then the tenets of the Path of Wisdom.

Anointing

Anointing involves a short ceremony to create a personal aura on a mortal being. Anointing always requires the consent of the subject.

The Worth of Wisdom

You feel driven to make a decision and act on it - you are painfully aware that if you do nothing the situation can only get worse.

Description: The Path of Wisdom teaches that "the virtuous apply what they have learned; Wisdom knows all knowledge is incomplete". Priests of the Path of Wisdom are able to use this anointing to stir those who have become mired in contemplation or the acquisition of knowledge to test and apply that knowledge and gain wisdom. This anointing has also been applied to citizens and pilgrims who face difficult decisions, or are hesitating from taking action.

The Focus of Wisdom

You feel driven to find a practical solution to the problem you named when anointed. Digressions, fanciful suggestions, and unworkable ideas infuriate you.

Description: One of the core axioms of the virtue states that "Wisdom is not always knowing the answer; Wisdom is finding the right question". The virtue is not about accruing ever more information, rather it emphasizes the importance of using the crucial knowledge to apply practical solutions to problems. Priests of Wisdom use this aura to remind pilgrims of the importance of focussing their search for knowledge on the essential facts needed to overcome challenges.

The Clarity of Wisdom

You feel an urge to express your ideas and opinions clearly and concisely. You find it difficult to tolerate those who ignore the facts.

Description: The pilgrim who follows the Path of Wisdom understands the benefits of sharing facts and understanding with others. As well as enabling others to act wisely, helping others gain insight may be the most effective way to use the knowledge the pilgrim has gained. However priests often remind the virtuous to "let every word you speak carry meaning; do not use forty when four will do." Effective communication requires simple, short communication of the essential ideas, not rambling or grandstanding. Priests of Wisdom use this aura to remind pilgrims of these ideas, as well as helping those who struggle to find the confidence to speak out about what they know.

The Challenge of Wisdom

You feel an urge to test your knowledge, discarding anything that falls short. A good decision depends on good understanding.

Description: Assumptions and inherited knowledge can be dangerous obstacles on the Path of Wisdom. The Path of Wisdom teaches pilgrims to "test what you learn; only fools accept hearsay as truth". The Empire is filled with misinformation and falsehoods, often promulgated by people who have not applied critical reasoning to the things they have been told. Priests of Wisdom use this anointing to encourage pilgrims to examine the things they have heard, to try to separate the wheat from the chaff by identifying what is likely to be true from pure fiction.

Having grey hair doesn't make you wise.

Marcher Proverb

Consecration

Consecration is the ceremony used to create an aura on a clearly defined location. There is only one aura for each virtue, and all priests create the same one when they use this skill.

Dagger of the Mind

You have a profound sense that nothing is impossible. You feel you can solve any problem if you ask the right question.

Description: This powerful aura of Wisdom fills those who experience it with an uplifting sense that they can overcome any obstacle if they find the right approach. The aura helps pilgrims focus on the challenges they face and inspires them to seek new solutions.

Dedication

Dedication is the ceremony used to link a pilgrim's soul to the virtue. It can also be used to create vivid oracular dreams.

Dreams of Wisdom

The next time you sleep you experience a vivid dream concerning the problems you are facing. The dream will often show those experiences and moments that revealed information about the challenges you are now facing and sometimes you see yourself acting on that information or seeking out new information. Sometimes the vision will include new problems or mysteries - these seem pressing and important in the dream even if you have never considered them before. The dream will often include individuals you know offering advice or information that helps you in the dream though it is hard to recall the details of what was said or done later.

Hallow

Hallow is used to create an aura on an item, such as a weapon, implement, shield or suit of armour. It is not possible to use hallow to create an aura on large immobile objects. Hallows do not provide a source of supernatural strength, but are durable and can last for a year (or potentially forever in the case of an artefact hallowed with true liao).

Hallowing of the Questor

You feel an urge to question received wisdom and determine how trustworthy that information is.

Hallowing of the Strategist

You feel an urge to appreciate the bigger picture. The needs of individuals pale besides the greater good.

Hallowing of Chastisement

You feel an urge to chastise fools, and those who spread folly or use hindsight to criticize others' wisdom.

Hallowing of the Volhov

You feel driven to find problems to solve and to ignore anyone who tells you to mind your own business.

Hallowing of the Stormcrow

You feel an urge to listen to others when they speak about the things they know.

Hallowing of the Magistrate

You feel a urge to trust your judgement, and act according to the information you have now.

Hallowing of Avigliana

You feel a desire to spread ideas, sharing your experiences, knowledge, and insights with others.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+<quote by="Avigliana di Sarvos">We can gain a lifetime of knowledge, yet never see the wisdom in it.</quote>
 ==Overview==
-These roleplaying effects are created by priests dedicated to the virtue of Wisdom who use the relevant ceremonial skill. A character performing an annointing or hallow must pick one of the appropriate roleplaying effects when they perform the ceremony.
+An [[aura]] is a persistent spiritual effect on a person, location or item. The auras listed here are created by priests dedicated to the virtue of [[Wisdom]] who use the relevant ceremonial skill. A character who is [[dedication|dedicated]] to Wisdom must pick one of the following auras when they perform the relevant ceremony. A priest of the Way may also use the [[#Dreams of Wisdom|Dreams of Wisdom]] when they use the dedication ceremony to provide a pilgrim with a visionary [[dedication#Dreams|dream]].
-==Wisdom Consecration==
+The names used for each aura are simply the most common ones used in the Empire. For example, the [[#The Worth of Wisdom|Worth of Wisdom]] may be called ''The Fork in the Road'' by a [[Varushka|Varushkan]] [[Varushka_religious_beliefs|wise one]]. This is especially true with those auras that are named after paragons and exemplars; all these auras would have had different names before the exceptional individual they are named for was recognised by the Synod.  The [[#The Hallowing of Avigliana|Hallowing of Avigliana]] for example was commonly called the ''Hallow of the Messenger'' before Avigliana's recognition as an exemplar of Wisdom.
-'''Effect:''' In this place, you feel an urge to use the knowledge you have gained and, in doing so, test it.
-==Anointings of Wisdom==
+Study of these auras helped the founders of the Way to create the Path of Wisdom. Some lay persons assume that the [[Imperial Synod]] created these auras in some fashion to encourage adherence to orthodoxy, but according to theological scholars the situation is the other way around. The auras came first, then the tenets of the Path of Wisdom.
-The following are a range of auras that can be summoned onto a living soul, with their consent, by priests whose own souls are dedicated to Wisdom:
+==Anointing==
+[[Anointing]] involves a short ceremony to create a [[Aura#Personal_Aura|personal aura]] on a mortal being. Anointing always requires the  consent of the subject.
 ===The Worth of Wisdom===
-'''Effect:''' ''You feel that the acquisition of wisdom is a worthy end in itself. Increasing your knowledge and understanding generates a sense of satisfaction and wellbeing. Any hesitations or remorse you might encounter as a result of actions taken to advance your knowledge or understanding are lessened.''
+* ''You feel driven to make a decision and act on it - you are painfully aware that if you do nothing the situation can only get worse.''
-'''Description:''' The path of wisdom can sometimes teach hard lessons, or require pilgrims to learn from bitter or painful experience. These burdens acquired on the path have sometimes caused pilgrims to falter and leave the path. Priests of wisdom have been able to use this aura to ease the burdens acquired on the path, and empower pilgrims to walk the difficult steps ahead of them.
+'''Description:''' The Path of Wisdom teaches that "the virtuous apply what they have learned; Wisdom knows all knowledge is incomplete". Priests of the Path of Wisdom are able to use this anointing to stir those who have become mired in contemplation or the acquisition of knowledge to test and apply that knowledge and gain wisdom. This anointing has also been applied to citizens and pilgrims who face difficult decisions, or are hesitating from taking action.
 ===The Focus of Wisdom===
-'''Effect:''' ''You feel a desire to pursue wisdom without distraction. You feel a desire to consider circumstances in a dispassionate and objective manner. All your emotions, and passions, become more muted and contained for as long as the aura lasts.''
+* ''You feel driven to find a practical solution to the problem you named when anointed. Digressions, fanciful suggestions, and unworkable ideas infuriate you.''
-'''Description:''' The pursuit of the virtue of wisdom is often made challenging by mundane concerns, petty distractions or heightened emotion that interfere with the learning of valuable lessons. Priests of wisdom have been able to use this anointing to help pilgrims and citizens clear their minds of these distractions and focus on the pursuit of wisdom. This anointing has proven useful in helping pilgrims to overcome other influences on their minds that might obscure the pursuit of wisdom, including malign auras. Some priests have also used this anointing to help citizens cope with grief or other strong emotion, but this is not widely endorsed by the Synod.
+'''Description:''' One of the core axioms of the virtue states that "Wisdom is not always knowing the answer; Wisdom is finding the right question". The virtue is not about accruing ever more information, rather it emphasizes the importance of using the crucial knowledge to apply practical solutions to problems. Priests of Wisdom use this aura to remind pilgrims of the importance of focussing their search for knowledge on the essential facts needed to overcome challenges.
-===The Fresh Eyes of Wisdom===
+===The Clarity of Wisdom===
-'''Effect:''' ''During this anointing, you were asked to specify a particular event, topic or thing. Whilst this anointing is in effect, your knowledge and experience of this event, topic, or thing, is suppressed. This knowledge and experience is returned in full when the anointing ends. This has no effect on any knowledge or experience you gain whilst the anointing is in effect.''
+* ''You feel an urge to express your ideas and opinions clearly and concisely. You find it difficult to tolerate those who ignore the facts.''
-'''Description:''' Assumptions and inherited knowledge can be dangerous obstacles on the path of wisdom. The path of wisdom teaches pilgirms to "test what you learn; only fools accept hearsay as truth". The priests of wisdom have been able to use this anointing to help temporarily remove these assumptions and pre-conceptions and allow the pilgrim to approach an incident, or phenomena, from a different and renewed angle. This fresh perspective will ultimately be reconciled with their prior knowledge, unlike the ritual [[Cast Off The Chain of Memory]] which seeks to remove the knowledge and experience forever.
+'''Description:''' The pilgrim who follows the Path of Wisdom understands the benefits of sharing facts and understanding with others. As well as enabling others to act wisely, helping others gain insight may be the most effective way to use the knowledge the pilgrim has gained. However priests often remind the virtuous to "let every word you speak carry meaning; do not use forty when four will do." Effective communication requires simple, short communication of the essential ideas, not rambling or grandstanding. Priests of Wisdom use this aura to remind pilgrims of these ideas, as well as helping those who struggle to find the confidence to speak out about what they know.
-===The Guidance of Wisdom===
+===The Challenge of Wisdom===
-'''Effect:''' ''You feel a clear sense that wisdom without action has no meaning. You are inclined to make a decision using the knowledge you possess now, or even make a decision on behalf of another, especially if they are hesitating.''
+* ''You feel an urge to test your knowledge, discarding anything that falls short. A good decision depends on good understanding.''
-'''Description:''' The path of wisdom teaches that knowledge and experience must go hand-in-hand with such axioms as "the virtuous apply what they have learned; wisdom knows all knowledge is incomplete". Priests of the path of wisdom are able to use this anointing to stir those who have become mired in contemplation or the acquisition of knowledge to test and apply that knowledge and gain wisdom. This anointing has also been applied to citizens and pilgrims who face difficult decisions, or are hesitating from taking action.
+'''Description:''' Assumptions and inherited knowledge can be dangerous obstacles on the Path of Wisdom. The Path of Wisdom teaches pilgrims to "test what you learn; only fools accept hearsay as truth". The Empire is filled with misinformation and falsehoods, often promulgated by people who have not applied critical reasoning to the things they have been told. Priests of Wisdom use this anointing to encourage pilgrims to examine the things they have heard, to try to separate the wheat from the chaff by identifying what is likely to be true from pure fiction.
+<div style="float:right;"><quote by="Marcher Proverb">Having grey hair doesn't make you wise.</quote></div>
+==Consecration==
+[[Consecration]] is the ceremony used to create an [[Aura#Location_Aura|aura on a clearly defined location]]. There is only one aura for each virtue, and all priests create the same one when they use this skill.
+===Dagger of the Mind===
+* ''You have a profound sense that nothing is impossible. You feel you can solve any problem if you ask the right question.''
-===The Portents of Wisdom===
+'''Description:''' This powerful aura of Wisdom fills those who experience it with an uplifting sense that they can overcome any obstacle if they find the right approach. The aura helps pilgrims focus on the challenges they face and inspires them to seek new solutions.
-'''Effect:''' ''The next time you sleep you experience vivid dreams concerning the problems you are facing. These dreams recall those experiences and moments that revealed information about the challenges you are now facing and sometimes you see yourself acting on that information or seeking out new information. You awaken feeling refreshed and with lucid memories of the things you dreamed about, and a strong urge to take decisive actions to resolve your problems.''
+==Dedication==
+[[Dedication]] is the ceremony used to link a pilgrim's soul to the virtue. It can also be used to create vivid oracular dreams.
-'''Description:''' The world is a complex place and full of mysteries, such as the Eternal Realms and the Labyrinth of Ages. Those lacking in virtue can sometimes balk at the complexity and enormity of these mysteries. Equally, those citizens who live in one area all their lives may never challenge the assumptions around them or explore the distant horizons. Priests of wisdom are able to use this anointing to encourage others to open and expand their minds.
+===Dreams of Wisdom===
+* ''The next time you sleep you experience a vivid dream concerning the problems you are facing. The dream will often show those experiences and moments that revealed information about the challenges you are now facing and sometimes you see yourself acting on that information or seeking out new information. Sometimes the vision will include new problems or mysteries - these seem pressing and important in the dream even if you have never considered them before. The dream will often include individuals you know offering advice or information that helps you in the dream though it is hard to recall the details of what was said or done later.
-==Hallowings of Wisdom==
-===Hallowing of Avigliana===
-''You feel an impulse to seek out those in need of your experience, knowledge and insights and share them. The impulse includes using this item as part of this teaching, if it would be appropriate to do so.''
-===Hallowing of Atun===
-''You feel an inclination to expand your mind and the ways in which you acquire knowledge. This impulse includes a desire to either learn new things, or seek to learn in new ways. You also feel more inclined to trust your intuition more.''
-===Hallowing of the Philosopher===
-''You feel comfortable when discussing concepts, ideas, and matters of depth and substance. This sensation is accompanied by a growing intolerance for trivialities, such as gossip or minor details, when compared to bigger issues.''
+==Hallow==
+[[Hallow]] is used to create an [[Aura#Item_Aura|aura on an item]], such as a weapon, implement, shield or suit of armour. It is not possible to use hallow to create an aura on large immobile objects. Hallows do not provide a source of supernatural strength, but are durable and can last for a year (or potentially forever in the case of an artefact hallowed with [[liao#true liao|true liao]]).
+===Hallowing of the Questor===
+* ''You feel an urge to '''question received wisdom''' and determine how trustworthy that information is.''
 ===Hallowing of the Strategist===
-''You feel a tremendous sense of scale and an urge to appreciate the bigger picture. Whilst under this effect, it feels harder to consider the needs and priorities of individuals or smaller groups against the whole.''
+* ''You feel an urge to '''appreciate the bigger picture'''. The needs of individuals pale besides the greater good.''
-===Hallowing of Kala===
-''When bonded to, and in contact with, this item, you feel an urge to solve problems that you encounter; even if they do not directly affect you. This includes an impulse to challenge assumptions about the nature of a problem. This includes an impulse to use this item in the solving of problems, if doing so is appropriate.''
 ===Hallowing of Chastisement===
-''You feel an urge to forcefully chastise fools, and those who spread folly. This includes an impulse to use this item in the chastisement, if doing so is appropriate.''
+* ''You feel an urge to '''chastise fools''', and those who spread folly or use hindsight to criticize others' wisdom. ''
+===Hallowing of the Volhov===
+* ''You feel driven to '''find problems to solve''' and to ignore anyone who tells you to mind your own business.''
+===Hallowing of the Stormcrow===
+* ''You feel an urge to '''listen to others''' when they speak about the things they know.''
+===Hallowing of the Magistrate===
+* ''You feel a urge to '''trust your judgement''', and act according to the information you have now.''
+===Hallowing of Avigliana===
+* ''You feel a desire to '''spread ideas''', sharing your experiences, knowledge, and insights with others.''
-===Hallowing of Isenbrad===
+{{Auras further reading}}
-''You feel an urge to use this item in the most effective way that you know how. Alongside this impulse, you feel a broader urge to utilise the knowledge that you have immediately, and test it through that use.''
-[[Category:Religion]]
+[[Category:Religion]] [[Category:Ceremonies]]