The Law of Gramail:
The Difficulties of Practicing Compassion in a Law-Driven World
Glioca has a testy relationship with Gramail, and in many ways, their relationship is much more fraught with difficulties than that of Glioca and Ceannlaidir.
Gliocans often find themselves in conflict with Gramail, simply because it is difficult for Compassion to find a home in a law-driven Temuair. And yet, there is a lot we can from examining this relationship. Let me attempt to explain why.
Gliocans often find themselves in conflict with Gramail, simply because it is difficult for Compassion to find a home in a law-driven Temuair. And yet, there is a lot we can from examining this relationship. Let me attempt to explain why.
Gramail, The God of Law, and "The One"
According to Meaveen, Gramail's temple is not filled with fevered prayer or emotional offerings. His worshippers instead choose to show it through continual actions that forward the cause of justice and even-mindedness. Gramail devotees believe in the use of these laws to maintain peace in Temuair.
In my experience, the Gramail worshippers whom I have met are purely logical Aislings. They do not look to other gods for inspiration or affection. Their belief is that the best (and only way) to effectively counter the chaotic effects of the darkness is by remaining neutral, following and applying natural and artificial laws impartially. Famous Gramailians who come to mind are Ubrei Lightwood, Angelique De'Winter, and Verran Byrnison*. It is perhaps not a surprise, that two out of the three of these Aislings are Rangers today - impartiality is a virtue very much prized within this select group of Aislings.
This is also why Gramail is most worshipped in times of judgement, when this striving towards achieving balance by impartiality is most needed.
(*Merisa's notes: Ranger Byrnison is a dear friend of mine, and we butt heads ever so often as worshippers of 'enemy' Deities. I have similarly clashed with Ranger Angelique in Rucesion politics, due to her position as a guardian of Rucesion law. Some of my most favorite conversations have been with these worshippers.)
According to Meaveen, Gramail's temple is not filled with fevered prayer or emotional offerings. His worshippers instead choose to show it through continual actions that forward the cause of justice and even-mindedness. Gramail devotees believe in the use of these laws to maintain peace in Temuair.
In my experience, the Gramail worshippers whom I have met are purely logical Aislings. They do not look to other gods for inspiration or affection. Their belief is that the best (and only way) to effectively counter the chaotic effects of the darkness is by remaining neutral, following and applying natural and artificial laws impartially. Famous Gramailians who come to mind are Ubrei Lightwood, Angelique De'Winter, and Verran Byrnison*. It is perhaps not a surprise, that two out of the three of these Aislings are Rangers today - impartiality is a virtue very much prized within this select group of Aislings.
This is also why Gramail is most worshipped in times of judgement, when this striving towards achieving balance by impartiality is most needed.
(*Merisa's notes: Ranger Byrnison is a dear friend of mine, and we butt heads ever so often as worshippers of 'enemy' Deities. I have similarly clashed with Ranger Angelique in Rucesion politics, due to her position as a guardian of Rucesion law. Some of my most favorite conversations have been with these worshippers.)
Gramail's Domains of Natural Law and Artificial Law
Let us consider Gramail's domain of natural law and artificial law. We will then briefly look at how these view unfortunately causes conflict with Glioca.
Natural Law refers to a philosophy that is based on the concept that what is "right" and what is "wrong" come from beliefs of what universal rights are. Natural law arises as Aislingkind decides upon certain things to be useful and good, and others to be evil or destructive. For instance, the universal belief of Aisling society that, "All beings have a right to life, liberty and happiness", leads to the natural law that, "killing another being is wrong".
By definition, universal rights and natural laws do not change, if ever.
Contrast that with artificial law, which refers to the written law present in all villages in Temuair and Medenia. Artificial laws are derived from the evolving beliefs of Aisling society over time. An example of an artificial law would be, "The killing of another being is not wrong (i.e. not murder) if said being has willingly removed his or her right to life by sacrificing a Succubus's Hair. It is also not murder if said being (example: Law; Dark Aislings) threatens the wellbeing of Temuair".
By definition, artificial laws are subject to change over time - and they differ between villages even.
This, unfortunately, is also one big reason why Gliocans find it difficult to agree with Gramail's "line-in-the-sand" approach. While the concepts of natural law and artificial law may be easy to understand, it is tricky in practice, and difficult to adapt quickly to any given individual's situation.
We sigh at the inflexibility of Gramail, and how his search for pure justice also denies the capacity to forgive or show mercy. A world with laws inhibits the flow of compassion. Conversely, my Gramailian friends, Ubrei Lightwood and Verran Byrnison, among others, have told me that Gramail has historically viewed Glioca as Dangerously Naive in her Unconditional Compassion. They know that good intentions can have disastrous results, and fear that Glioca's compassion has the strong possibility of bringing about calamity to Temuair.
To sum it up: To Gramail, Law is absolute, with no room for emotion or compassion. That puts it in direct conflict with Glioca.
Let us consider Gramail's domain of natural law and artificial law. We will then briefly look at how these view unfortunately causes conflict with Glioca.
Natural Law refers to a philosophy that is based on the concept that what is "right" and what is "wrong" come from beliefs of what universal rights are. Natural law arises as Aislingkind decides upon certain things to be useful and good, and others to be evil or destructive. For instance, the universal belief of Aisling society that, "All beings have a right to life, liberty and happiness", leads to the natural law that, "killing another being is wrong".
By definition, universal rights and natural laws do not change, if ever.
Contrast that with artificial law, which refers to the written law present in all villages in Temuair and Medenia. Artificial laws are derived from the evolving beliefs of Aisling society over time. An example of an artificial law would be, "The killing of another being is not wrong (i.e. not murder) if said being has willingly removed his or her right to life by sacrificing a Succubus's Hair. It is also not murder if said being (example: Law; Dark Aislings) threatens the wellbeing of Temuair".
By definition, artificial laws are subject to change over time - and they differ between villages even.
This, unfortunately, is also one big reason why Gliocans find it difficult to agree with Gramail's "line-in-the-sand" approach. While the concepts of natural law and artificial law may be easy to understand, it is tricky in practice, and difficult to adapt quickly to any given individual's situation.
We sigh at the inflexibility of Gramail, and how his search for pure justice also denies the capacity to forgive or show mercy. A world with laws inhibits the flow of compassion. Conversely, my Gramailian friends, Ubrei Lightwood and Verran Byrnison, among others, have told me that Gramail has historically viewed Glioca as Dangerously Naive in her Unconditional Compassion. They know that good intentions can have disastrous results, and fear that Glioca's compassion has the strong possibility of bringing about calamity to Temuair.
To sum it up: To Gramail, Law is absolute, with no room for emotion or compassion. That puts it in direct conflict with Glioca.
Compassion and Law Can Coexist
Being a Gliocan in the law-driven world of Temuair has been challenging. I am active in both the legislative and judiciary arms in Rucesion, and I have run into many situations in which I have been torn between applying the letter of the law and practicing compassion towards would-be offenders. More recently, my position as College Chancellor (previously Contest Host) of the Mileth College has continued to put my deeply-held beliefs of Compassion to the test. I will not deny it continues to be a struggle.
As I have become more attuned to the rigors of office, I have gradually learnt to balance the two. If there is anything that I have learnt over time, it is this: one can both be compassionate and be impartial. They do not need to be mutually exclusive.
But how?
Twila Ta'Null-Ichrius, first Ranger and Master Ranger of Temuair, as well as Judge of Rucesion, offers an insight into how this could occur. According to her, true impartiality requires drawing elements from different faiths. It is heartening to me how Twila, one of the wisest Aislings in Old Temuair, understood this point in spite of Glioca being one of Gramail's traditional Enemies.
I have written a few lines from the perspectives of Ceannlaidir, Deoch and Sgrios, in order to emphasize interfaith harmony and provide it with a sense of completion:
Being a Gliocan in the law-driven world of Temuair has been challenging. I am active in both the legislative and judiciary arms in Rucesion, and I have run into many situations in which I have been torn between applying the letter of the law and practicing compassion towards would-be offenders. More recently, my position as College Chancellor (previously Contest Host) of the Mileth College has continued to put my deeply-held beliefs of Compassion to the test. I will not deny it continues to be a struggle.
As I have become more attuned to the rigors of office, I have gradually learnt to balance the two. If there is anything that I have learnt over time, it is this: one can both be compassionate and be impartial. They do not need to be mutually exclusive.
But how?
Twila Ta'Null-Ichrius, first Ranger and Master Ranger of Temuair, as well as Judge of Rucesion, offers an insight into how this could occur. According to her, true impartiality requires drawing elements from different faiths. It is heartening to me how Twila, one of the wisest Aislings in Old Temuair, understood this point in spite of Glioca being one of Gramail's traditional Enemies.
I have written a few lines from the perspectives of Ceannlaidir, Deoch and Sgrios, in order to emphasize interfaith harmony and provide it with a sense of completion:
Twila and Merisa, "A Judge's Prayer"
Lessons between Glioca and Gramail
Gliocans can work to understand why our Gramail friends seek to be impartial: They seek to serve all of humanity, and help Temuair move forward in a positive way. These aspirations is something that we can appreciate.
Similarly, Gramailians could also appreciate that Gliocan compassion and love in law can be very helpful in being able to maintain peace and order in the land.
While it is no doubt difficult for a Gliocan to practice Compassion in a Law-Driven World, I firmly believe it is possible. I am grateful to all my Aisling companions for the continued education in this area.
Gliocans can work to understand why our Gramail friends seek to be impartial: They seek to serve all of humanity, and help Temuair move forward in a positive way. These aspirations is something that we can appreciate.
Similarly, Gramailians could also appreciate that Gliocan compassion and love in law can be very helpful in being able to maintain peace and order in the land.
While it is no doubt difficult for a Gliocan to practice Compassion in a Law-Driven World, I firmly believe it is possible. I am grateful to all my Aisling companions for the continued education in this area.
