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Courage
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{{CaptionedImage|file=ChildPrimer2.jpg|width=168|height=240|align=left|caption=From ''A Children's Primer of the Way''}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=ChildPrimer2.jpg|width=168|height=240|align=left|caption=From ''A Children's Primer of the Way''}}
==The Path of Courage==
==The Path of Courage==
''Courage is the straightened spine.<br>
Courage is a popular virtue amongst the soldiers of the Empire who must face bloodthirsty foes and the spectre of death. However, the Virtue of Courage has lessons for those in all walks of life. Courage calls for citizens to stand firm in the face of all that would cause them to falter. The senator whose conscience compels them to vote against the populist measure; the proud leader who must face the shame of a secret exposed; the general who must pass on ill news to their people – all of these must draw on the Virtue of Courage in their time of trial. It is easy for many citizens to pay lip service to the Virtue of Courage but harder to cling to when the challenge finally comes.
It is the strength to stand by one’s convictions.<br>
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It is the burning need to do what must be done.<br>''
 
The virtue of Courage is prominent in every part of Imperial life, always present when hardship rears it's head, driving the citizens of the Empire to make their world better. Whatever challenges they must face, the Courageous will always find a way – and defeat is not the end.  
 
Courage is a broad Path, but a rocky one. Whether someone finds herself standing up to a senator’s self-interest, revealing a dangerous secret to the world, or standing firm in the teeth of a thousand howling barbarians, Courage is never easy. It is popular among the Empire’s soldiers, who must face the specter of death more often than most, but it is not solely a martial virtue. The honesty of the [[The Brass Coast|Freeborn]] is often seen as a form of Courage; the horrors that the [[Varushka|Varushkan]] people face on a daily basis would overcome them in an instant if they lacked courage.
 
Courage thrives when it is challenged; indeed, it requires challenge. The newly-appointed Senator must stand for his people’s interests no matter what any others in the [[Imperial Senate|Senate]] might want; the [[Wintermark magical traditions#Mystics|mystic]] must tell her [[Wintermark political leadership|thane]] when he is doing wrong, despite his temper; and of course, each and every soldier in a formation must know that the shield-sibling on their shoulder will stand and fight and die for the good of the Empire. Many priests argue that hardship does not reveal Courage – hardship makes Courage.
 
[[Malign spiritual presences#Fear|Fear]], despair and shame are all the enemies of Courage. Fear is born of weakness, fatalism and the belief that defeat and death are inevitable and must be avoided. Despair breeds among those who are unhappy with their lot, but cannot bring themselves to oppose the source of their pain. Shame begins when someone places the opinion of others above doing what is right. A  Courageous person does not care what anyone else thinks of them; they know that those who matter will respect their bravery and forthrightness.
 
In traditional theology, Courage is sometimes called a “structural Virtue”, for it is implied in several of the other Virtues. To face the price of striving for one’s [[Ambition]], for instance, requires Courage; so too do [[Vigilance]] and [[Loyalty]], which often require challenging power and authority. Those who follow the Way of Courage sometimes argue that this makes it the most important: “''If I know a thing is wrong but lack the Courage to oppose it, I am complicit; if I know a person is wrong but lack the Courage to challenge them, I am their ally.''” Others argue that for most, it is subsumed within the ordinary bravery of following the Way, but it is crucial for those in positions of power, who are often subject to impressive pressures.
 
===Guidance on the Path===
===Guidance on the Path===
Through study of the Paragons and Exemplars, the priests of The Way have gleaned insight into the heart of the Virtue and how best to pursue it. There are collections of parables, tales, sayings and teachings that distill this for Imperial Citizens to learn from. The following are a handful of teachings and sayings deemed to be essential to understanding the Path:
Through meditation on the [[auras of Courage]], and study of the lives of paragons and exemplars, the priests of the Way have gleaned insight into the heart of the virtue and how best to pursue it. There are collections of parables, tales, sayings and teachings that distil this for Imperial citizens to learn from. The following are a handful of teachings and sayings deemed to be essential to understanding the path:
* The Virtuous face unwelcome truths as boldly as any barbarian charge.
* The Virtuous face unwelcome truths as boldly as any barbarian charge.
* Do not fear to act; only be shamed by inaction.
* Do not fear to act; only be shamed by inaction.
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* Never accept defeat; adapt your strategy and try anew.
* Never accept defeat; adapt your strategy and try anew.
* Despise cowardice which steers the spirit to weakness and inaction.
* Despise cowardice which steers the spirit to weakness and inaction.
<ic><p><i>'I shall despise the cowardice that steers me to weakness and inaction. I shall face unwelcome truth as boldly as any barbarian charge. I shall not fear to act; only be shamed by inaction. I shall never accept defeat; I shall adapt my strategy and try again. I shall cleave to what I know to be true even when others wish me to doubt.'</i></p>
A Highborn Litany of Courage</ic>


==Paragons and Exemplars==
==Paragons and Exemplars==
Recognised [[Paragons and Exemplars|] of Courage include:
Recognised [[paragons and exemplars]] of Courage include:
* The oldest recorded Paragon, [[Korl]], whose legendary learned the secrets of metal in the darkest places of the world and used them to craft the first axe, with which he drove back the dark forest and slew the beasts who dwelt within.
* The oldest recorded paragon, [[Korl]], whose legendary learned the secrets of metal in the darkest places of the world and used them to craft the first axe, with which he drove back the dark forest and slew the beasts who dwelt within.
* The Exemplar [[Permion]] of the [[Highguard|Highborn]] who opposed the wicked power of the corrupt Patrician’s Council and empowered the Assembly of the Virtuous in its place.
* The exemplar [[Permion]] of the [[Highguard|Highborn]] who opposed the wicked power of the corrupt Patrician’s Council and empowered the Assembly of the Virtuous in its place.
* The Exemplar [[Gilda Ashwine]] of [[Dawn]] whose fortitude and commitment freed her family and brought down the corrupt [[earl]] who had enslaved them.
* The exemplar [[Gilda Ashwine]] of [[Dawn]] whose fortitude and commitment freed her family and brought down the corrupt [[earl]] who had enslaved them.
* The Exemplar [[Inga Tarn]] of [[Wintermark]] whose fearlessness and forthrightness inspired generations to sieze the opportunities life presents.
* The exemplar [[Inga Tarn]] of [[Wintermark]] whose fearlessness and forthrightness inspired generations to seize the opportunities life presents.


===Symbols, icons and trappings===
==Symbols of Courage==
The Path of Courage has many symbols and icons across the Empire, but one of the most common and prevalent is an Axe. This is symbolic of Kord’s creation of both tools and weapons with which to tame the wilderness and overcome obstacles. Several Priests and Pilgrims who walk the Path of Courage carry axes for this reason.
<onlyinclude>
Common symbols of Courage across the Empire are those associated with the iconic tools or weapons of favoured paragons and exemplars. One of the most common and prevalent is the '''axe'''. This is symbolic of the axe created by [[Korl]] as both a weapon and a tool with which to tame the wilderness and overcome obstacles. Axes and hatchets are popular weapons among priests and pilgrims dedicated to the path of Courage for this reason. The '''hammer''', the iconic weapon of [[Inga Tarn]] is likewise favoured as a weapon by pilgrims, and is especially popular among those dedicated to Courage in the southern Empire especially [[the Marches]] - a common saying is that a pilgrim in the south is much more likely to encounter problems that can be solved with a hammer than with an axe.


Many who follow a less martial form of courage use the Blue Rose as a symbol, in memory for the influential role it played in Gilda Ashwine’s tale of unwavering resolve.
In [[Wintermark]], courage is often signified by a '''jackdaw''', while in [[Varushka]] the virtue is associated with the strength of the '''boar''' and the '''bear'''. '''Jotra''', the [[Jotra|Rune of Battle]] which represents challenges to be overcome, is used by some magicians as a symbol of Courage.
 
Some mystically inclined individuals point to the [[Wintermark]] [[Rune Overview|rune]] [[Jotra]], which represents battle and challenges, as a symbol of Courage.


Those who take a less martial approach to the virtue use the '''Blue Rose''' as a symbol, in honour of [[Gilda Ashwine]]. During the Spring flower festival celebrated by the [[urizen]] by contrast, crimson and scarlet blossoms are associated with this virtue, perhaps representing shed blood.
</onlyinclude>
==Further Reading==
==Further Reading==
* You can learn about the various spiritual [[roleplaying effects]] created by priests [[Religious skills#Dedication|dedicated]] to Courage [[Courage_roleplaying_effects|here]].
* You can learn about the various spiritual [[roleplaying effects]] created by priests [[Religious skills#Dedication|dedicated]] to Courage [[Courage_roleplaying_effects|here]].
* You can learn about the skills that priests can use to spread the virtue of Ambition [[Religious skills|here]].
* You can learn about the skills that priests can use to support the virtue of Courage [[Religious skills|here]].
 
===The Seven Virtues===
* [[Ambition]]
* [[Courage]]
* [[Loyalty]]
* [[Pride]]
* [[Prosperity]]
* [[Vigilance]]
* [[Wisdom]]
===Religion===
*[[The Way|The Way of Virtue]]
*[[Imperial Theology]]
*[[Imperial Synod]]
*[[Religious skills|Religious Skills]]
*[[Recent history|Recent History]]


[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:The Empire]]
[[Category:The Empire]]

Latest revision as of 04:45, 20 August 2024

ChildPrimer2.jpg
From A Children's Primer of the Way

The Path of Courage

Courage is a popular virtue amongst the soldiers of the Empire who must face bloodthirsty foes and the spectre of death. However, the Virtue of Courage has lessons for those in all walks of life. Courage calls for citizens to stand firm in the face of all that would cause them to falter. The senator whose conscience compels them to vote against the populist measure; the proud leader who must face the shame of a secret exposed; the general who must pass on ill news to their people – all of these must draw on the Virtue of Courage in their time of trial. It is easy for many citizens to pay lip service to the Virtue of Courage but harder to cling to when the challenge finally comes.

Guidance on the Path

Through meditation on the auras of Courage, and study of the lives of paragons and exemplars, the priests of the Way have gleaned insight into the heart of the virtue and how best to pursue it. There are collections of parables, tales, sayings and teachings that distil this for Imperial citizens to learn from. The following are a handful of teachings and sayings deemed to be essential to understanding the path:

  • The Virtuous face unwelcome truths as boldly as any barbarian charge.
  • Do not fear to act; only be shamed by inaction.
  • Cleave to what you know is true, even where others wish you to doubt.
  • Never accept defeat; adapt your strategy and try anew.
  • Despise cowardice which steers the spirit to weakness and inaction.

'I shall despise the cowardice that steers me to weakness and inaction. I shall face unwelcome truth as boldly as any barbarian charge. I shall not fear to act; only be shamed by inaction. I shall never accept defeat; I shall adapt my strategy and try again. I shall cleave to what I know to be true even when others wish me to doubt.'

A Highborn Litany of Courage

Paragons and Exemplars

Recognised paragons and exemplars of Courage include:

  • The oldest recorded paragon, Korl, whose legendary learned the secrets of metal in the darkest places of the world and used them to craft the first axe, with which he drove back the dark forest and slew the beasts who dwelt within.
  • The exemplar Permion of the Highborn who opposed the wicked power of the corrupt Patrician’s Council and empowered the Assembly of the Virtuous in its place.
  • The exemplar Gilda Ashwine of Dawn whose fortitude and commitment freed her family and brought down the corrupt earl who had enslaved them.
  • The exemplar Inga Tarn of Wintermark whose fearlessness and forthrightness inspired generations to seize the opportunities life presents.

Symbols of Courage

Common symbols of Courage across the Empire are those associated with the iconic tools or weapons of favoured paragons and exemplars. One of the most common and prevalent is the axe. This is symbolic of the axe created by Korl as both a weapon and a tool with which to tame the wilderness and overcome obstacles. Axes and hatchets are popular weapons among priests and pilgrims dedicated to the path of Courage for this reason. The hammer, the iconic weapon of Inga Tarn is likewise favoured as a weapon by pilgrims, and is especially popular among those dedicated to Courage in the southern Empire especially the Marches - a common saying is that a pilgrim in the south is much more likely to encounter problems that can be solved with a hammer than with an axe.

In Wintermark, courage is often signified by a jackdaw, while in Varushka the virtue is associated with the strength of the boar and the bear. Jotra, the Rune of Battle which represents challenges to be overcome, is used by some magicians as a symbol of Courage.

Those who take a less martial approach to the virtue use the Blue Rose as a symbol, in honour of Gilda Ashwine. During the Spring flower festival celebrated by the urizen by contrast, crimson and scarlet blossoms are associated with this virtue, perhaps representing shed blood.

Further Reading

  • You can learn about the various spiritual roleplaying effects created by priests dedicated to Courage here.
  • You can learn about the skills that priests can use to support the virtue of Courage here.

The Seven Virtues

Religion

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