Curriculum of Culture

[Nen 236]

CURRICULUM OF CULTURE

As issued on the 12th of the First Seed, 7 SA

 

Aged are we mali of the Silver State, our civilization long predating the resettling of Elcihi’thilln under Malaurir Astoré. Understanding the origins of our people, the emergence of our philosophical creed, and the traditions by which the Motherland is governed, is essential to all mali’thill regardless of scholarly aspirations. This course aims to offer an introductory, but still encompassing, account of the facets of High Elven culture and philosophy, beginning with Larihei and continuing on to the political tumult of the past century.

 

High Elves of the Silver State

 

I. Origins of the Mali’thill

The story of our people begins in deep antiquity, during the First Ibleesian War, and when old Malin was still king of a unified elven people. Enter Larihei Lohmanih, the daughter of one of Malin’s eminent advisors, and the eventual progenitor of the High Elven race. A scholar and teacher, she became a driving force in the pushing back of Iblees, and following the end of the war and the settling of what we know as Asulon, became a celebrated figure. Her innovations placed her at the helm of a new scholastic culture, one which would soon create a divide between the traditional mali which favoured druidism and nature, to those that embraced science and the void. It is at this same time that physically distinct Mali’thill emerged, with those that bathed in the golden pools discovered by Larihei and her geologists developing a taller, more lithe figure, with a fairer complexion.

 

Artist’s rendition of Larihei, ca. 1693

 

II. Maehr’sae Hiylun’ehya

A phrase which all mali’thill are familiar, one that has been repeated and echoed across countless generations. Its substance is, unfortunately, often disregarded. It can be most simply defined through its literal translation: Progress and Health. The former half accounts for more than literal scientific progress, including the arts and elvenities. Indeed, any morally righteous pursuit that gives one fulfilment can be included in the phrase ‘maehr’sae.’ Health, or hiylun, pertains to a mali’thill’s literal physical health and wellbeing, but also, and more importantly, physical purity. Only through a balance of body and mind, health and progress, can purity and philosophical ascendance be obtained.

 

III. Interpreting the Maehr’sae Hiylun’ehya

The Maehr’sae Hilyun’ehya is an uncodified philosophy, and this is essential to both its understanding and its preservation. Its exact character shifts with the times; progress is endless, and new understandings and observations can necessitate alterations to tradition. This lesson will introduce the nuance of interpretation through establishing the similarities and differences between the views of past Malauriran, namely Lucion Sullas and Lelien Lazul. It must be noted that the philosophy’s flexibility exists only within a breadth, with its core tenets of mental development and physical purity being unassailable. 

 

IV. The Importance of Tradition

If mali’thill are beings which place great emphasis on free-thought, what is the purpose of tradition? This world is one of infinite complexity and confusion, one which even our most celebrated scholars have yet to fully understand. In this dark and rough sea that teems with information, tradition is our lighthouse. It is the culminated intellect of a nation and centuries of erudites, one that far supersedes any sole individual. Tradition is not an infallible law of physics, but a bank of ideals with which one is to withdraw inspiration and guidance, so that the mistakes of the past are not pointlessly repeated.

 

A mali’thill family, date unknown.

 

V. The Necessity of Logic

Logic is the rules of inference that are used to distinguish well-founded propositions from their baseless counterparts. Tradition and the maehr’sae hiylun’ehya’s malleability is essential to the uninhibited pursuit of progress. However, alterations to our creed must only be made after lengthy and due reasonable discourse. Logical thought is at the very core of mali’thill life, and is necessary for a successful state. This lecture will establish the logical thought process and its importance, warning against the whims of unfounded emotion.

 

 A Herbalist’s Experiment, 1555

 

VI. Haelun’or: Steadfast

An ancient country, our motherland has seen several iterations. Though internal and external duress have seen Silver bend, it has never broken. With the traditional cultural mindset of Mali’thill having been established, this final lecture aims to give a broad account of the various historical conflicts leading up to the present day. Change and conflict is natural and inalienable, and often breeds progress. Dissent should not be unduly stifled, nor should the threat of newness be aggrandized. Silver is eternal, and its path is always corrected by time.

 

Maheral, Eredael Rhenaer

Okarir’maehr, Aiera Sullas