BerserkSeraph/WoSMetaphysical

Five Sons Address their Mother

Five sons lived with their mother.
They were herdsmen; their herd was All Things.
One day, their mother called for them.
"Your uncles have grown ravenous,
"Your aunts have grown vicious,
"Your cousins have grown wicked,
"They are as wolves among the lands."
- The Wheel of Seasons, First Disc, Verses 1-7

During the early eras of Creation, Gaia was moved by compassion to stand with the gods against her brethren, as befit her nature as the nurturing mother. However, that same nature forbid her from direct fratricide; she decreed that she would not raise up soldiers of her own account, instead granting her blessings for five of her children, the Elemental Dragons, to empower mortals of their own. Knowing that the power of the Incarna might not suffice to maintain the war on all fronts, cunning Luna interceded with Gaia, and suggested that she turn her own attentions to the maintenance of life in Creation. Her children would not be soldiers but shepherds, vessels for Gaia's great compassion among the mortal races, so that her other spawn, the Dragons, could focus on the war. Gaia was much pleased for a chance to help without bathing in the madness of war, and began the work of making her own champions.

First Among Brothers stepped forth.
He was impetuous and beautiful, and vigor seeped from his pores.
"Mother!" said he,
"I will go among the wolves, and bring back their hides!"
Mother smiled, and shook her head.
"You are a herdsman, the wolves will gobble you up!
"Much better to go among the sheep!
"Be their hides, bring them warmth, make them hearty,
"And soon the sheep will take the wolves' hides themselves."
First Among Brothers nodded, and Mother touched his heart.
His breath became as fragrance, his voice became a song
Spring left to live among the sheep.
His children taught husbandry, beauty, song, and bounty.
- The Wheel of Seasons, First Disc, Verses 8-20

Now the stuff of Gaia's substance was much too potent to rise up mortals undiluted - they would become ashes as their frail Essences were touched with the vast energies of a Primordial. Instead, she decided, she would use the merest fragments of her being to infuse them, raising up champions of various stripes so that Creation would never want for the right steward. Her first attempts were flawed, the Shards she was given shattering in her uncertain grasp. She realized that in order to create champions of herself, she would have to act in her own manner, as she could not fulfill the role of direct creation. She was the Mother, and so she let the Shards nestle inside herself, taking their character from this contact.

Those Shards that rested in her womb came out flush and healthy, the stewards of Spring, who would go into Creation as champions of Birth. This was an easy thought for the Mother, who loved birth and nourishment beyond all things. They would foster life and beauty amidst the peoples, and in so doing throw back the horrors of war under the pressing growth of life.

Last Among Brothers stepped forth.
He was quiet and calm, his eyes never faltered.
"Mother," whispered he
"I will go among the wolves, and bring back their hot blood."
Mother smiled, and shook her head.
"You are a herdsman, the wolves will drink your cold blood!
"Much better to go among the shepherds!
"Drink their breath, steal their vigor, make them frail,
"So that none shall have all the sheep for themselves."
Last Among Brothers nodded, and Mother touched his head.
His breath become as frost, his gaze killed the turf
Winter left to live among the shepherds.
His children taught patience, rationality, grief, and scarcity.
- The Wheel of Seasons, First Disc, Verses 21-33

Those Shards that Gaia nestled in her lungs came out cold and still, and for a while did not move. Shocked, Gaia breathed life into them, but they would always carry a touch of the final chill; the stewards of Winter would go into Creation as champions of Burial, the world-nourishing death. This was a sad thought for the Mother, but she knew that if Birth was allowed free reign, it would choke on its own rampant energy. They would assure restraint and proper caution amidst the people, and throw back the chaotic influence of the War by preventing crowding and overpopulation.

Second Among Brothers stepped forth.
He was tan and mighty, his steps never rested.
"Mother!" shouted he
"I will go among the wolves, and shatter their frail spines!"
Mother smiled, and shook her head.
"You are a herdsman, the wolves will gnaw your bones!
"Better to go among the devils!
"Sing their songs, beat their drums, spur them on,
"So that none shall ever know peace in their hearts."
Second Among Brothers nodded, and Mother touched his teeth.
His hands became as claws, his bellow shook the heavens
Summer left to live among the devils.
His children taught conflict, warfare, drive, and ambition.
- The Wheel of Seasons, First Disc, Verses 34-46

Those Shards that were nestled in Gaia's heart came out too hot to hold; the stewards of Summer would go into the world as Champions of Sowing, the potential for growth and gain. This was an exciting thought for the Mother, who enjoyed the idea of hope in a dismal era. They would crackle with energy and potential, guiding mortals to greater and greater dreams and vigorously fighting back against the encroaching armies of the Primordials.

Fourth Among Brothers stepped forth.
He was hearty and broad, his heart thundered.
"Mother," he chuckled
"I will go among the wolves, and cut off their heads."
Mother smiled, and shook her head.
"You are a herdsman, the wolves will wear your skull!
"Better to go among the farmers!
"Guide their hands, validate their labors, show them plenty,
"So that the diligent will find satisfaction among themselves."
Fourth Among Brothers nodded, and Mother touched his hands.
His hands were callused, his laughter pleased the heart
Autumn left to live among the farmers.
His children taught cooperation, hard work, integrity, and mirth.
- The Wheel of Seasons, First Disc, Verses 47-59

Those Shards that Gaia held in her hands emerged worn and tarnished; the stewards of Autumn would go into the world as the Champions of the Harvest, the payment in abundance for strife and toil. This was a sobering thought for the Mother, who knew that all gathering precedes scarcity. They would work diligently alongside the people, assuring that no opportunity was not strained for, eking out life and plenty in defiance of the horrors of war.

Third Among Brothers looked around.
He was neither tall nor short, broad nor frail.
"Mother?" he asked.
"I am a herdsman, the wolves will dance among my entrails.
"Surely I shall go somewhere else!"
Mother smiled, and shook her head.
"Better that you go among the wolves!
"You are a herdsman, they will ignore you!
"Steal their skins, pluck out their teeth, gouge their eyes,
"Be the sheep among the wolf pack!"
Third Among Brothers nodded, and Mother touched his soul
His spirit coursed among the stars, his body slunk in the shadows
Calibration left to live among the wolves.
His children taught chaos, deception, secrets, and havoc.
- The Wheel of Seasons, First Disc, Verses 60-73

Those Shards that Gaia held in her mind emerged none like the other, jostled by every thought and worry, untouched by light; the stewards of Calibration would enter the world as Champions of Alignment, the chaotic necessity that would ensure that the process could begin anew. This was a strange thought for Gaia, who had trouble conceiving of the need for chaos for prosperity, but as it was a thought that had originated in her own mind, she could hardly argue. They would be in many places and, more often, in none, teaching the people of secrets, chaos, subversion, and deception, and in so doing assuring that neither birth nor burial nor sowing nor reaping would grow too dominant in the lands.

The Measure of Heroes

Mother spoke to her brother's rebellious children,
"How many should my heroes be?
"And how much power shall each have?"
Among her nephews, Sol was the greatest.
"They should number as your heartbeats,
"And on the field each should be as a legion!"
Among her consorts, Luna was the foremost.
"They should number as the drops of your blood,
"And each should surmount any challenge posed to them."
Among her nieces, the Maidens were the wisest.
"They should number as the stars in the sky,
"And lay bare all of Creation's mysteries before them."
Among her children, the Dragons were the eldest.
"They should number as the grains of sand,
"And each bring with him a tempest."
Among her brothers, Autochthon was her closest.
"They should number as chambers in a hive,
"And each have the power of a thousand engines."
The Mother smiled and shook her head.
"They will number as the hearths of men,
"And have as much might as they make for themselves."
- The Wheel of Seasons, First Disc, Verses 88-108

The Arcadian Exalts were given dominion over societies, as the Solars were given dominion over the people, the Lunars over the beasts, the Terrestrial over the elements, and the Sidereals over the stars. Gaia produced and subsumed Shards not to maintain a strict number but rather to suit the needs of Creation, her first and foremost child; each major city and league of tribes was allowed one champion, and so in the First Age their numbers were great. The power granted each Shard was channeled through their interaction with the five charges given them by the Mother, and so they became greater by fulfilling their duties to the world. A prosperous society produced a more potent steward, and so they could always, Gaia reasoned, rise to the task at hand. They were granted authority over the elements second only to the Dragons themselves, and were given unparalleled leeway in the exercise of controlling the Bureau of Seasons and Weather, which was their tool for preserving, nourishing, or terminating societies, as the greater good required.

At the height of their power the Arcadian Exalts numbered over a thousand, each a point of light for the metropolis he shepherded. At the closing of the Age, however, many of those grand cities were devoured by disease and the Wyld; in the Age of Sorrows it is assumed that there are perhaps 200 'Hearths' large enough to merit the attention of a Shard.

Five Virtuous Goals

Mother visited the home of one of her champions
"What," asked she, "is the proper way of being?"
The steward answered without hesitation
"Flourish, Hope, Earn, Wither, Know."
Mother smiled.
- The Wheel of Seasons, Second Disc, Verses 1-5

The philosophy of the Arcadian Exalts fulfills five 'roles' in Creation, called by their scholars the Five Virtuous Achievements, the Five Great Doctrines, or the Mother's Five Exhortations. Informally, these are called the Callings. Each Calling establishes a facet of the chain of useful longterm life for a species, city, society, or ideal - and it is the task of the Arcadians to ensure that each stage comes to pass in the proper amount at the proper time, to create harmony in Creation, in accordance with the Mother's great compassion.

"What," asked the Mother, "Is it to Flourish?"
The steward answered witout hesitation
"To Flourish is to give birth,
"It is to be as a vigorous mate and parent,
"To nourish, guide, and sustain."
"What," asked the Mother "Are the ways of birth?"
"In Spring the way is courtship
"In Summer it is vigor
"In Autumn it is the plow
"In Winter it is hot blood
"And in Calibration, the way is thoughts."
- The Wheel of Seasons, Second Disc, Verses 6-16

The first of the Virtuous Achievements - Birth, the Exhortation to Flourish. Birth is expressed in Creation by fostering new life and leading it on its first tenuous steps. As such, its miracles are generally those that preserve life or provide new avenues for lives; it lends itself to artistry, enduring hardship, healing wounds, overcoming pain, and avoiding danger. Spring is the Birth of all Creation; thusly each Doctrine of Spring is to some extent a part of Birth.

"What," asked the Mother, "Is it to Hope?"
The steward answered witout hesitation
"To Hope is to sow seeds,
"It is to be as an unflagging ally or hero,
"To fight, strive, and excel."
"What," asked the Mother "Are the ways of sowing?"
"In Spring the way is to nest
"In Summer it is to migrate
"In Autumn it is eagerness
"In Winter it is rationing
"And in Calibration, the way is deeds."
- The Wheel of Seasons, Second Disc, Verses 17-27

The second of the Virtuous Achievements - Sowing, the Exhortation to Hope. Sowing is expressed in Creation by great actions and large goals. As such, its miracles are generally those that create new vistas for action; it lends itself to artisans, changing venues, shifting the body, logistics, and scrutiny. Summer is the Sowing of all Creation; thusly each Doctrine of Summer is to some extent a part of Sowing.

"What," asked the Mother, "Is it to Earn?"
The steward answered witout hesitation
"To Earn is to harvest crops,
"It is to be as a diligent farmer and fruiting tree,
"To have much, gain much, and merit much."
"What," asked the Mother "Are the ways of harvesting?"
"In Spring the way is calls
"In Summer it is conquering
"In Autumn it is wisdom
"In Winter it is pilfering stores
"And in Calibration, the way is words."
- The Wheel of Seasons, Second Disc, Verses 28-38

The third of the Virtuous Achievements - Harvest, the Exhortation to Earn. Harvesting is expressed in Creation by gaining with diligent effort. As such, its miracles are generally those that collect on existing potentials; it lends itself to speech, warfare, education, theft, and occult practices. Autumn is the Harvest of all Creation; thusly each Doctrine of Autumn is to some degree a part of the Harvest.

"What," asked the Mother, "Is it to Wither?"
The steward answered witout hesitation
"To Wither is to bury,
"It is to be as a solemn guide and surgeon,
"To excise, terminate, and prevent."
"What," asked the Mother "Are the ways of burial?"
"In Spring the way is spreading flowers
"In Summer it is the tooth and claw
"In Autumn it is the scythe
"In Winter it is scarce prey
"And in Calibration, the way is actions."
- The Wheel of Seasons, Second Disc, Verses 39-49

The fourth of the Virtuous Achievements - Burial, the Exhortation to Wither. Burial is expressed in Creation by reducing populations and ending some lives to preserve growth over the whole. As such, its miracles are generally those that terminate life or prevent new growth; it lends itself to casting javelins, fighting unarmed, the use of swords, archery, and concealed motion. Winter is the Burial of all Creation; thusly each Doctrine of Winter is to some extent a part of Burial.

"What," asked the Mother, "Is it to Know?"
The steward answered witout hesitation
"To Know is to align,
"It is to be as a sage and a fool,
"To perceive, measure, and disorganize."
"What," asked the Mother "Are the ways of alignment?"
"In Spring the way is display
"In Summer it is the occupied shadows
"In Autumn it is the swirling leaves
"In Winter it is the long darkness
"And in Calibration, the way is shorelines."
- The Wheel of Seasons, Second Disc, Verses 50-60

The fifth of the Virtuous Achievements - Aligning, the Exhortation to Know. Aligning is expressed in Creation by creating or destroying balance, causing or stilling states of havoc, so that the whole is always acting with every facet of its being. As such, its miracles are generally those that move forces or put existing patterns into disarray; it lends itself to persuasion, observation, avoiding assaults, resisting arguments, and exploring frontiers. Calibration is the Alignment of all Creation; thusly each Doctrine of Calibration is to some degree a part of Aligning.

"Which is the first among the callings,
"And which the last?" asked the Mother.
"First among them is Birth, last is Aligning."
Mother nodded; this was true.
He continued: "First among them is Sowing, last is Birth."
Mother nodded; this was true.
He continued: "First among them is Harvesting, last is Sowing."
Mother nodded; this was true.
He continued: "First among them is Burial, last is Harvesting."
Mother nodded; this was true.
He continued: "First among them is Aligning, last is Burial."
Mother nodded; this was true.
"How can this be?" asked the Mother.
The steward drew a circle in the sand.
"We perceive the Wheel of Seasons,
"All things precede all other things,
"There is no origin on the Wheel!"
Mother nodded; this was true.
- The Wheel of Seasons, Second Disc, Verses 61-78

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Input

He continued: "First among them is Aligning, last is Birth."
Mother looked puzzled; this could surely not be so.
(I think perhaps you meant Burial?)
-- Darloth

I did indeed; nice catch.