Courage
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 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:
- 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.
Paragons and Exemplars
Recognised Paragons of Courage include:
- Kord, the oldest Paragon on record who, so legend has it, went deep into the earth where the darkness is so thick all light and hope is consumed, and learned the secrets of metal. Returning to the surface, Kord crafted the first axe, with which he drove back the dark forest and slew the Chimerae that dwelt within - and so his courage ensured the safety and prosperity of his people.
Recognised Exemplars of Courage include:
- Permion of the Highborn, called the Lawmaker. Faced with a wicked and corrupt Patrician’s Council, Permion was spurred to stand up to their evil ways, up to and including dissolving the Council. He then empowered the Assembly of the Virtuous in its place. Permion’s martyrdom inspired the Chapters to overthrow the Patrician forces and ensured his place in history as an Exemplar of Courage.
- 'Gilda Ashwine of Dawn. Gilda who was born in Dawn but who, along with her family, was sold into slavery by a wicked Earl. Gilda escaped but none believed her, calling her a liar or madwoman. Hounded from the land of her birth, she lived among the Freeborn for a time before eventually finding the proof that exposed the Earl's deeds.
Symbols, icons and trappings
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.
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.