the WEALTH of fiosachd:
LEARNING THE true fortune of compassion
Glioca and Fiosachd, being Opposites, share an awkward and uncomfortable relationship. Fiosachd's Allies, Ceannlaidir and Gramail, also happens to be Glioca's traditional Enemies.
I make sense of this relationship, and provide some suggestions on how Glioca and Fiosachd might be able to cooperate, and still hold faithful to their respective worldviews of Temuair.
I make sense of this relationship, and provide some suggestions on how Glioca and Fiosachd might be able to cooperate, and still hold faithful to their respective worldviews of Temuair.
Fiosachd, The God of Swiftness and Wealth
Meaveen tells us that Fiosachd is the God of Swiftness and Wealth. He is famed for his immense aptitude for cultivating treasure, and is sometimes deceptive and silent. Fiosachd's worshippers often pray to him for fortune in their endeavors, primarily surrounding physical wealth.
A cursory look at the Fiosachdian temple reveals the riches that they have accumulated over the cycles - a mark of their wit and cunning ability to pursue (and retain) fortune. The most devout Fiosachd worshippers have an uncanny ability to divine the true value of an item, far beyond any Mundane could. While Aislings know that the true value of an item is a function of demand and supply (Laurier O'Cathain describes this phenomena in his treatise), few are as rabid as Fiosachdians in being willing to go to extremes to maximize that wealth.
Meaveen tells us that Fiosachd is the God of Swiftness and Wealth. He is famed for his immense aptitude for cultivating treasure, and is sometimes deceptive and silent. Fiosachd's worshippers often pray to him for fortune in their endeavors, primarily surrounding physical wealth.
A cursory look at the Fiosachdian temple reveals the riches that they have accumulated over the cycles - a mark of their wit and cunning ability to pursue (and retain) fortune. The most devout Fiosachd worshippers have an uncanny ability to divine the true value of an item, far beyond any Mundane could. While Aislings know that the true value of an item is a function of demand and supply (Laurier O'Cathain describes this phenomena in his treatise), few are as rabid as Fiosachdians in being willing to go to extremes to maximize that wealth.
Fiosachd's Wealth Symbolizing Self-Interest
The Tension Between Glioca and Fiosachd
And... herein lies the tension between Fiosachd and Glioca. While they are not naturally enemies of one another, Fiosachd's alliances with Glioca's traditional Enmities, Gramail and Ceannlaidir, results in belief systems that are difficult for Gliocans to comprehend.
First, Fiosachd's affinity with Gramail - that of Order - has generally allowed Fiosachdians to use their wit and cunning to create Prosperity for themselves. To illustrate, Wuhao, former High Priest of Fiosachd, proposed to pervert the very Priestly Order of Fiosachd when he proposed a new money making scheme to rake in massive amounts of gold by forcing Priests and worshippers to pay him gold in exchange for High Clergy status.
The indulgence and gluttony that follows such a belief system is difficult for Gliocans, who pride themselves on putting other Aislings before themselves:
"...the way it works is, to sign up [as a Priest of a Faith], you give me [as High Priest] 10,000 gold coins, as well as half of what you get from the people under you every moon. Then, you go to your friends and have *them* give you 10,000 gold coins, and half of what all their friends give *them* every moon. And then they go to their friends and ask THEM to give 10,000 gold coins and allocate the moonly [Priestly] duties."
- Wuhao
(Merisa's Notes: I truly hope this was proposed in jest. If intentional, it would be really horrible.)
And... herein lies the tension between Fiosachd and Glioca. While they are not naturally enemies of one another, Fiosachd's alliances with Glioca's traditional Enmities, Gramail and Ceannlaidir, results in belief systems that are difficult for Gliocans to comprehend.
First, Fiosachd's affinity with Gramail - that of Order - has generally allowed Fiosachdians to use their wit and cunning to create Prosperity for themselves. To illustrate, Wuhao, former High Priest of Fiosachd, proposed to pervert the very Priestly Order of Fiosachd when he proposed a new money making scheme to rake in massive amounts of gold by forcing Priests and worshippers to pay him gold in exchange for High Clergy status.
The indulgence and gluttony that follows such a belief system is difficult for Gliocans, who pride themselves on putting other Aislings before themselves:
"...the way it works is, to sign up [as a Priest of a Faith], you give me [as High Priest] 10,000 gold coins, as well as half of what you get from the people under you every moon. Then, you go to your friends and have *them* give you 10,000 gold coins, and half of what all their friends give *them* every moon. And then they go to their friends and ask THEM to give 10,000 gold coins and allocate the moonly [Priestly] duties."
- Wuhao
(Merisa's Notes: I truly hope this was proposed in jest. If intentional, it would be really horrible.)
This tension is further heightened by Fiosachd's affinity with Ceannlaidir. While Gramail and his order bring about Prosperity for Fiosachd, Ceannlaidir and his propensity for wars bring opportunity for plunder. Some unscrupulous Fiosachd worshippers have exalted at contemplating the most efficient ways to create wealth using the least amount of effort, and are adept at making use of disorder and chaos to make a pretty penny, often in secret... highlighting the Fiosachdian aspect of Desire. This aspect of Fiosachd is often devastating.
Example: Tristar Rings, A "Gold Grab" Never Useful In Breaking The Seal of Temuair?
To further illustrate Fiosachd's Desire, wise Aislings of the past may know that Tristar Rings were used by many Aisling groups to defeat the Guardians of Temuair. Summoner Biothean "BioMagus" A'gus, one of the "Famous Five" who broke the Seal of Temuair, spoke in Deoch 167 to Claudine MacAmhlaigh, current Suomi Troupe Burgess, about the highly dubious nature of the Tristar Rings (comment slightly edited for clarity):
To further illustrate Fiosachd's Desire, wise Aislings of the past may know that Tristar Rings were used by many Aisling groups to defeat the Guardians of Temuair. Summoner Biothean "BioMagus" A'gus, one of the "Famous Five" who broke the Seal of Temuair, spoke in Deoch 167 to Claudine MacAmhlaigh, current Suomi Troupe Burgess, about the highly dubious nature of the Tristar Rings (comment slightly edited for clarity):
Honestly? No one really knew if the Tristar Rings really did anything actually. No one did. Even if the Tristar Rings did, it probably merely slightly reduced the Guardians' rate of self-healing. Funnily enough, Tristar Ring prices skyrocketed. It could very well been a ploy by someone who was stockpiling Tristar Rings.
I later clarified this comment with Summoner BioMagus herself upon her recent return to Temuair in Deoch 168, Winter:
Discussing the impact of the Tristar Rings with Summoner M'agus
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Journal of dialogue with Biothean M'agus, Deoch 168, in Rucesion
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Example: Pinpointing Fiosachd's Self-Interest and Self-Preservation Above All
Indeed, the cultivation of wealth and treasure naturally invites one to emphasize their own welfare and interests -- something that is completely Opposite to what Glioca prides herself in - that of Compassion and Love for Others.
Consider the example of showing Altruism to a Beggar.
To Fiosachd, altruism is irrational and unproductive, for it does not promote self-interest and self-preservation. Laurier O'Cathain, ex-Fiosachd High Priest, states that: "...not only is begging dishonorable, but giving away our wealth away to random beggars with whom we have no personal connection is inconsistent with our natural tendencies. Furthermore, wealth is not created when beggars are given what they have not earned."
Conversely, Gliocans would state that altruism itself is a form of Compassion. By giving the Beggar a bit of wealth, we achieve two things: we engender hope through lending a small helping hand; and we are better in appreciating the beauty of what we have, without coveting wealth.
Similarly, Gliocans would argue that one would only ever choose to pursue self-interest when it is being compassionate towards ourselves. Conversely, a Fiosachdian might say that the only reason one would claim to pursue self-compassion is when it serves as a form of self-preservation.
Indeed, the cultivation of wealth and treasure naturally invites one to emphasize their own welfare and interests -- something that is completely Opposite to what Glioca prides herself in - that of Compassion and Love for Others.
Consider the example of showing Altruism to a Beggar.
To Fiosachd, altruism is irrational and unproductive, for it does not promote self-interest and self-preservation. Laurier O'Cathain, ex-Fiosachd High Priest, states that: "...not only is begging dishonorable, but giving away our wealth away to random beggars with whom we have no personal connection is inconsistent with our natural tendencies. Furthermore, wealth is not created when beggars are given what they have not earned."
Conversely, Gliocans would state that altruism itself is a form of Compassion. By giving the Beggar a bit of wealth, we achieve two things: we engender hope through lending a small helping hand; and we are better in appreciating the beauty of what we have, without coveting wealth.
Similarly, Gliocans would argue that one would only ever choose to pursue self-interest when it is being compassionate towards ourselves. Conversely, a Fiosachdian might say that the only reason one would claim to pursue self-compassion is when it serves as a form of self-preservation.
Reconciling Glioca and Fiosachd: The Value of True Wealth
Glioca serves all, and loves all. Her acts are selfless. Fiosachd’s acts revolve around personal gains, such as the cultivation of wealth. On the surface, they are indeed Opposites. The secret, I believe, is for the two groups of followers to consider these questions, as they navigate Temuair. It will require a concerted effort to truly understand the answers to these questions.
To the Fiosachdian:
What lies beyond material wealth? And is true wealth something that is only measured through gold bars and coins?
To the Gliocan:
What has been useful byproducts in the pursuit of wealth? How can we appreciate the joy that comes from accumulating Wealth? Can we make use of physical wealth to further promote Love and Compassion in Temuairan society?
Glioca serves all, and loves all. Her acts are selfless. Fiosachd’s acts revolve around personal gains, such as the cultivation of wealth. On the surface, they are indeed Opposites. The secret, I believe, is for the two groups of followers to consider these questions, as they navigate Temuair. It will require a concerted effort to truly understand the answers to these questions.
To the Fiosachdian:
What lies beyond material wealth? And is true wealth something that is only measured through gold bars and coins?
To the Gliocan:
What has been useful byproducts in the pursuit of wealth? How can we appreciate the joy that comes from accumulating Wealth? Can we make use of physical wealth to further promote Love and Compassion in Temuairan society?
I proceed to my examination of the Gods who have Neutral relationships with Glioca: that of Sgrios, and Luathas. I proceed to discuss Sgrios and Glioca, two seemingly conflicting Gods who could instead be very similar in nature, indeed.
