The Spark of Deoch:
The Symbiotic Nature of Compassion and Inspiration
Glioca's close relationship with Deoch is one that has changed over time. Using examples from contemporary Temuair, I will explain Deoch's origins from the little we do know, and describe why Gliocan Compassion is symbiotic with Deochian Inspiration. I also describe how Inspiration is often frittered away, and also discuss ways to help cultivate Inspiration.
This section is also perhaps the most important to most Readers, especially since the presence of Ennui - the lack of Inspiration - is rampant in today's Temuair. I have, therefore, deliberately made the decision to go into more detail here.
Deoch, The God of Inspiration
We know that Deoch was originally the God of Debauchery, and was a Dubhaim God of Evil, born from the Great War between Danaan and Chadul. He was deployed by Chadul not to physically destroy the Agents of Light, but to tempt them to the side of Darkness.
However, after the Shadows War, Deoch stumbled onto something unexpected that would change his very nature forever. Deoch fell in love with Danaan; with her tireless work at weaving together the foundations of the Aisling Spark, and her grace in which she pursued this thankless task.
Upon Danaan's sacrifice, Deoch crossed the chasm from Darkness to Light, and took it upon himself to complete - and continue - the task of weaving the Aisling Spark to what it is today.
Why? While we can all guess at the reason, my theory is this: It happened when Deoch acted in line with Glioca's traits that we have come to associate so well with. Deoch's overwhelming Compassion for Danaan's unfinished work, over many eons, Inspired him to finish the work of Danaan.
In the same token, Deoch's boundless Love for Danaan gave him the wisdom to break free from the Chadul's abyss of darkness. In that moment, he was anointed with Glioca's Wisdom: that darkness merely leads to more darkness... and that only Light can create more Light.
This section is also perhaps the most important to most Readers, especially since the presence of Ennui - the lack of Inspiration - is rampant in today's Temuair. I have, therefore, deliberately made the decision to go into more detail here.
Deoch, The God of Inspiration
We know that Deoch was originally the God of Debauchery, and was a Dubhaim God of Evil, born from the Great War between Danaan and Chadul. He was deployed by Chadul not to physically destroy the Agents of Light, but to tempt them to the side of Darkness.
However, after the Shadows War, Deoch stumbled onto something unexpected that would change his very nature forever. Deoch fell in love with Danaan; with her tireless work at weaving together the foundations of the Aisling Spark, and her grace in which she pursued this thankless task.
Upon Danaan's sacrifice, Deoch crossed the chasm from Darkness to Light, and took it upon himself to complete - and continue - the task of weaving the Aisling Spark to what it is today.
Why? While we can all guess at the reason, my theory is this: It happened when Deoch acted in line with Glioca's traits that we have come to associate so well with. Deoch's overwhelming Compassion for Danaan's unfinished work, over many eons, Inspired him to finish the work of Danaan.
In the same token, Deoch's boundless Love for Danaan gave him the wisdom to break free from the Chadul's abyss of darkness. In that moment, he was anointed with Glioca's Wisdom: that darkness merely leads to more darkness... and that only Light can create more Light.
When Inspiration And Compassion Run Dry: The Example of Contemporary Temuair
This spiraling effect of Darkness and Light have played out in an eerily similar manner in contemporary Temuair. I will start with the conclusion:
This spiraling effect of Darkness and Light have played out in an eerily similar manner in contemporary Temuair. I will start with the conclusion:
Inspiration and Compassion are Finite resources.
When not tended to, they run dry.
If carefully Nurtured, Inspiration and Compassion flourishes.
Do you still recall the time when your ideas were gushing like the endless water fountains in the Glioca temple? Indeed, when Aislings are freshly Sparked, Inspiration is in abundance. Aislings are often hasty in making the mistake of either getting spread too thin, or being too involved too deeply, making assumptions of one's limitless creativity.
Landon Lockhart, Minister of Deoch, explains that such a mindset is foolhardy, and unfortunately ends up being an colossal waste of Inspiration:
Landon Lockhart, Minister of Deoch, explains that such a mindset is foolhardy, and unfortunately ends up being an colossal waste of Inspiration:
“[Assuming that one has limitless creativity] is akin to attempting to drink too quickly from a spring to quench one’s thirst, and allowing water to splash all over one’s front and on the ground. While one achieves one’s objective, a lot of effort is wasted.”
Landon Lockhart, Deoch Minister
Personally, in my short time as an Aisling, I have witnessed the sparks of talented Aislings peter out simply because they worked to accomplish too much, too soon. Their haste to feed their flames of Inspiration results in them running on fumes. One of two things often happen. Either they waste away, because their Inspiration was simply unable to sustain those desires; or they reached their goal, only to find… endless emptiness. I suspect many of us know at least a fellow Aisling like that.
Compassion works in a similar fashion, too. When Aislings and Gliocans fail to live up to their lofty standards of practicing Indifferent Compassion, and allow it to go on for too long, we experience Compassion Fatigue, dramatically reducing our ability to feel empathy and compassion ((definition paraphrased from Figley, 1995)). I have seen this in many an Aisling when they begin to persistently avoid emotional situations in groups, and/or downplay the emotional state of the Aisling in question.
Unfortunately, over an extended period of time, exhausting one's resources of Compassion and Inspiration creates a persistent state of emptiness and compassion fatigue. This leads Aislings down the path to Ennui, where they become mere husks of themselves, feeling endlessly bitter about Temuair, and wandering in zombie-like fashion in Temuair. Many sadly then leave Temuair, and many times, for good. Wise Aislings, who have endured the test of time in Temuair have cautioned against blind bravado and indifferent compassion without careful contemplation.
We must guard our Inspiration and Compassion zealously, perhaps even more so than our own material wealth.
Compassion works in a similar fashion, too. When Aislings and Gliocans fail to live up to their lofty standards of practicing Indifferent Compassion, and allow it to go on for too long, we experience Compassion Fatigue, dramatically reducing our ability to feel empathy and compassion ((definition paraphrased from Figley, 1995)). I have seen this in many an Aisling when they begin to persistently avoid emotional situations in groups, and/or downplay the emotional state of the Aisling in question.
Unfortunately, over an extended period of time, exhausting one's resources of Compassion and Inspiration creates a persistent state of emptiness and compassion fatigue. This leads Aislings down the path to Ennui, where they become mere husks of themselves, feeling endlessly bitter about Temuair, and wandering in zombie-like fashion in Temuair. Many sadly then leave Temuair, and many times, for good. Wise Aislings, who have endured the test of time in Temuair have cautioned against blind bravado and indifferent compassion without careful contemplation.
We must guard our Inspiration and Compassion zealously, perhaps even more so than our own material wealth.
Tending to Our Wells of Inspiration and Compassion
How then, do we tend to our Wells of Inspiration and Compassion?
The most wise and esteemed of our Aislings have unanimously advocated self-cultivation as the key thing to do. On a broader level, Aisling Kedian Ta'Null, in his wonderful Philosophy Class, "The Spark" * in the 171st Deoch, shares that the singular most important thing is to do anything that brings us Joy. To find Joy in something that begins within us - that does not require others - before we contemplate creating communities. Only by focusing on our spirit, are we able to effect others and our communities sustainably.
On a more specific level, Aisling Pashura offers some useful insights in her book, “The Big Book of Advice: An Aisling Guide to Etiquette” to stave off Ennui and build Inspiration. I have expanded on her broad advice with specific examples. Those range from individual activities to community-related ones, and are by no means exhaustive:
How then, do we tend to our Wells of Inspiration and Compassion?
The most wise and esteemed of our Aislings have unanimously advocated self-cultivation as the key thing to do. On a broader level, Aisling Kedian Ta'Null, in his wonderful Philosophy Class, "The Spark" * in the 171st Deoch, shares that the singular most important thing is to do anything that brings us Joy. To find Joy in something that begins within us - that does not require others - before we contemplate creating communities. Only by focusing on our spirit, are we able to effect others and our communities sustainably.
On a more specific level, Aisling Pashura offers some useful insights in her book, “The Big Book of Advice: An Aisling Guide to Etiquette” to stave off Ennui and build Inspiration. I have expanded on her broad advice with specific examples. Those range from individual activities to community-related ones, and are by no means exhaustive:
"Create a story." |
Direct your creativity to creating a simple story, no matter how simple. This could be spicing up an inane conversation with an Aisling, or brainstorming an alternate view in the classroom. A wonderful way to strengthen your imagination. |
"Get others interested." |
When you find something interesting, attempt to convince others to engage with you on it. This could be an event idea, or an intention to hunt or battle in Arena. A great way to test out the strength and sustainability of your inspiration. |
"Learn more about the land." |
Why are certain lands, buildings and items named the way they are? What can I do to make navigating these lands less confusing? What are items worth? You may be surprised at the answer. |
"Teach a new student." |
You know many things, both in the areas of creativity and adventuring. Teach it to a newly Sparked Aisling, or a returning Aisling. You may end up learning something yourself. |
"Join politics." |
Read the laws of your village, be it Mileth Law, or Rucesion Law, and speak to your political officials to inquire about political office. You may (or may not) appreciate how the laws are made. Other institutions worth considering are the Suomi Troupe, the Mileth College, and religious fellowships. |
"Ask a stranger if they need help." |
As simple as it sounds. A whisper, request, or World Shout will do the trick. It may lead you to unexpected experiences. |
Merisa's specific suggestions to tend to Inspiration and Compassion
Concluding thoughts
I imagine true Inspiration as one that is sustained and carefully contemplative. Consider Deoch’s continued persistence, to this day, to weaving the Aisling Spark. Did he not observe and contemplate Danaan’s actions over thousands and thousands of years, before making his decision? When true Inspiration comes, it will be impossible to stem its flow, and be impossible to fake. The words will flow freely like water from the top of a mountain to its valleys, seeping through every nook and crevice of an Aisling's fibre.
I will repeat this: Compassion and Inspiration are finite resources. If we recklessly abuse them, they can, and will run dry, and erode the Temuair we love. Conversely, if we carefully tend to the growth of Inspiration and Compassion, they will be truly a formidable force to behold, and be a force for good in Temuair. We only need to look towards Deoch and Danaan's history in creating us, the Aisling, as the best example.
(*Merisa's Notes: I highly suggest reading Kedian's full series, found here. It is truly thought-provoking and challenges us to reconsider the function of our current communities and institutions in Temuair, among many other inane and funny topics. Kedian has since disappeared into the aethers again, and I hope for his return to the College classrooms once more.)
I imagine true Inspiration as one that is sustained and carefully contemplative. Consider Deoch’s continued persistence, to this day, to weaving the Aisling Spark. Did he not observe and contemplate Danaan’s actions over thousands and thousands of years, before making his decision? When true Inspiration comes, it will be impossible to stem its flow, and be impossible to fake. The words will flow freely like water from the top of a mountain to its valleys, seeping through every nook and crevice of an Aisling's fibre.
I will repeat this: Compassion and Inspiration are finite resources. If we recklessly abuse them, they can, and will run dry, and erode the Temuair we love. Conversely, if we carefully tend to the growth of Inspiration and Compassion, they will be truly a formidable force to behold, and be a force for good in Temuair. We only need to look towards Deoch and Danaan's history in creating us, the Aisling, as the best example.
(*Merisa's Notes: I highly suggest reading Kedian's full series, found here. It is truly thought-provoking and challenges us to reconsider the function of our current communities and institutions in Temuair, among many other inane and funny topics. Kedian has since disappeared into the aethers again, and I hope for his return to the College classrooms once more.)
Silmarillion's memory of Dartanian's advice to remember to never stop gaining true insights
I now proceed to discuss Glioca's Enemies. I aim to show that Gliocans and Aislings will be able to draw Inspiration, if you will, from reading my perception of how Enemies can coexist and work together to build a better Temuair.
