*Lumnis: The Wisdom of The Balance presented by Lady Iscikella [#ge884ac4]

You say, "Tonight is yet another in a series of lectures of the Arkati as sponsored by The Beacon Hall Archive."

You say, "I have invited Iscikella to speak on behalf of Lumnis, the goddess of wisdom."

You survey the area.

You say, "I am sure you all are aware of the popular beliefs surrounding this arkati."

You say, "Lumnis seems little known, as public popluarity focuses on the arkati of Lornon."

You say, "Tonight, Iscikella will be sharing her views and discoveries."

You say, "Questions for after, of course."

Iscikella nods to you.

You nod to Iscikella.

You say, "Whenever you are ready."

Iscikella smiles at the assembly.

Iscikella says, "I'm here tonight to speak on the deity I follow -- Lumnis, Goddess of Wisdom and Knowledge, whose "place" is within the sphere of the Liabo Arkati."

Iscikella says, "I would like to separate this chat, if I may, into three distinct sections -- The Basics, encompassing who the goddess is and the major known tenets of Her faith; The Concept of Balance, which is a more involved and personally-intertwined view of Lumnisian philosophy, and of course a Question Session, during which I will try and answer whatever ye may wish to ask encompassing what I have spoken on."

Iscikella smiles.

Iscikella says, "So will start with the easy portion -- The Basics."

Iscikella clears her throat.

Iscikella says, "Lumnis, for any who might not know, is a goddess whose base philosophy falls within the realm of light we here in Elanthia associate with "Liabo" ideals."

Iscikella says, "More on the concept of light... and dark... -- in Lumnisian terms -- when we get into the concept of Balance.  But for now let's just say that Liabo ideals encompass those Arkati who believe lesser races, that is all our own, deserve to be taught and treated kindly."

(Iscikella nods sagely.)

Iscikella says, "Her specific area is reign over the Five Spheres of Knowledge.  Now reign is not meant here in the sense of rule, so much as in the sense of complete comprehension.  No other Arkati but Lumnis holds sway over such."

Iscikella says, "The Five Spheres cover all knowledge and are represented symbolically by circles of various colors, a device employed in Lumnis' own emblem.  The green circle represents the sphere of Elements, the blue circle represents the sphere of Spirit, the red circle represents the sphere of Planes, the white circle represents the sphere of Order, and the black circle represents the sphere of Chaos."

(Iscikella counts off the spheres on her fingers.)

Iscikella says, "The trick to all these vast spheres of knowledge is that they are interconnected.  And how that interconnection works is something within only the grasp of Lumnis.  While Fash'lo'nae sees knowledge more as individual pieces to be used as needed and possibly forced together in some way to attain a desired goal, Lumnis' idea is that those pieces do indeed fit together but only in a certain way."

Iscikella flashes a wide grin.

Iscikella says, "As the wife of Koar, some view Lumnis as the Queen of the Arkati, but Lumnis does not view Herself in such light, according to the signs scholars can interpret.  She is, however, Queen of Enlightenment, and of that there is no doubt."

Iscikella says, "Being able to surmise the interconnection between all forms of wisdom is the talent which gives Her just claim to this title.  It is said even Koar, who I personally do accept as the last living Drake, often stands amazed at Lumnis' grasp of the relation of things one to another."

Iscikella grins.

(Tarkisis rubs her staff with her thumb and appears to be struggling with remaining silent.)

Iscikella says, "Now because of Her very understanding of such relationships, Lumnis does not hold a strict aversion to any Arkati of the Lornon train of thought."

Iscikella says, "This will be elaborated on later as well when we get into the concept of balance.  But Lumnis, by the nature of Her comprehension of all wisdom, does not need to tag things "good" and "evil" per se.  All things fit together, remember.  Fitting them together well is the ultimate goal.  Therefore, She has no aversion to giving advice to those gods on the "dark" side of the equation."

Iscikella says, "The one exception here is Her reaction to Fash'lo'nae.  His use of knowledge without employing the underlying key of interconnection is something which irks Her.  The philosophies of these two Arkati are just too much at odds for Them not to clash, dispute and argue."

Iscikella says, "However, I do view Them -- as I think most do, as very respectful rivals, without the malice of outright enemies.  Esteem for each others' abilities would preclude them from ever becoming petty in their attitudes toward one another."

Iscikella says, "Many speak of a rivalry between Lumnis and Eorgina, but in fact that is a one-sided rivalry focused entirely on Eorgina's ground.  Eorgina, who wishes to supplant Lumnis at Koar's side, has Her own goals and agenda with regard to Lumnis.  But Lumnis Herself has none with regard to Eorgina.  Their spheres of influence, from Her viewpoint, do not clash and never have."

Iscikella glances at Sheka.

Iscikella says, "Lumnis is serenity itself.  She does not seek to hold sway or power.  She seeks to teach the interconnection.  She seldom flatly condemns.  Just as She almost never gives outright answers."

(Sheka keeps her silence though you see her fighting it.)

Iscikella says, "She will use riddles and respond to questions with other questions.  Why?  To make the asker think.  To make the asker come to see for himself the interconnection of knowledge by pushing him to link together the bits of what is known."

Iscikella smiles gently.

Iscikella says, "Though we cannot hope to attain the all-encompassing comprehension of Lumnis in this regard, we can learn some of the reality of interconnection.  She pushes us to do this with Her replies, which provoke thought.  She has appeared a few times openly in Elanthia, the last time debating with those who expect direct contact with their deities."

(Iscikella glances over the assembly for emphasis.)

Iscikella says, "Faith, She forwarded, should always be taken on faith.  A circular statement perhaps, until one delves into it deeply.  Faith, by definition, means believing without affirmation or evidence to prove us right.  If we expect such constant affirmation and evidence, then indeed we have not faith."

Iscikella coughs.

Iscikella says, "Faith, She forwarded, should always be taken on faith.  A circular statement perhaps, until one delves into it deeply.  Faith, by definition, means believing without affirmation or evidence to prove us right.  If we expect such constant affirmation and evidence, then indeed we have not faith."

Iscikella says, "Finally to conclude this portion on The Basics, I will mention Lumnis and Koar are known to have three children: Lorminstra, and the twins Ronan and Phoen."

Iscikella says, "We know next to nothing about how the Arkati regard "family units", but it seems these are, in Their terms, much more loosely-knit groups than the families we all have and cherish as our own.  The only thing which seems fairly certain is that Koar and Lumnis are Themselves very close as a married couple, which seems the exception rather than the rule amongst the Arkati."

Iscikella grins crookedly.

Iscikella says, "If the couple are as well close to their offspring, currently we have little evidence upon which to draw a firm idea in such regard.  So, I suppose, we must simply take whichever belief in this vein we hold as our own on faith."

Iscikella smirks.

Iscikella says, "On to the more hairy topic -- The Concept of Balance."

Iscikella clears her throat.

Iscikella shifts her weight.

Iscikella says, "To get a handle on Balance as a Lumnisian ideal one must, first and foremost, understand the base concepts of "light" and "dark"."

Sheka leans against an elegant green marble arch.

Iscikella nods.

Iscikella says, "Light and dark are not synonyms for "good" and "evil".  Light -- in simplest terms -- refers to what is open and out-giving, while dark -- in simplest terms -- refers to what is hidden and in-giving."

Iscikella says, "Neither is peggable from purely a "good" and "evil" standard.  Not everything forward and meant for others is "good", just as not everything secretive and meant solely for ourselves is "evil"."

Iscikella says, "A virtual scale must exist with both weighed in to determine a proper balance in the world."

(Iscikella uses her hands to simulate the sides of a scale balancing out.)

Iscikella says, "As dark does not exist without light, neither can light exist without dark.  The contrast provides the very basis of the other's definition.  And this is, by far, the hardest bit of base wisdom with which mere mortals must come to terms when becoming of the fold of Lumnis."

(Iscikella taps one finger against the palm of the her opposite hand.)

Iscikella says, "We are missing a great many pieces in the puzzle of interconnection.  And we must always remember we are missing those pieces.  And strive to understand as much as we can from the pieces which we do have."

Iscikella says, "As a youngster I was blessed to see evidence of this interconnection through Lumnis' own words to me."

Iscikella says, "Most here likely know the old story of the relic I found long ago, and I will not bore with the entirety of that tale.  However, there can be no doubt -- in Lumnisian terms -- the relic was of darkness, an item of great secret power which had to do with the selfish goals of its "owner"."

(Iscikella strikes downward with her hand at an angle for emphasis.)

Iscikella asks, "Yet Lumnis saw as balance simply the returning of this item to its place of origin, its quiescence, not its destruction.  For can there be any doubt in the minds of any She could have destroyed it easily?"

(Iscikella opens her hand palm upward.)

Iscikella says, "If is as has been later believed to be, it was a relic of an mere immortal, not of an Arkati.  The power of Arkati over that of immortal to me is without question.  Therefore, that Lumnis chose to simply return this powerful item to quiescence, chose to advise only so much and no more, speaks volumes on the concept of dark being needed to maintain proper balance in the world."

Iscikella says, "It is wise to remember that "good" and "evil" more properly can be applied to actions rather than philosophy.  No matter how barbaric, is any philosophy "evil" in and of itself?  Does it mean that anyone following such a philosophy will never do a "good" deed?  Certainly not."

Iscikella says, "Philosophies can be of the light or of the dark.  They can be more straightforward and seek to aid in general, or they can be more closed and seek to aid the specific."

Iscikella says, "Many an "evil" deed has been done and no doubt will be done in the name of a philosophy of light.  And many a "good" deed has been done and no doubt will be done in the name of a philosophy of dark."

(Iscikella nods sadly.)

Iscikella says, "The boundaries of mortal understanding are so limited, we are hard-pressed to stretch beyond those boundaries and see any wrong within what we conceive as right or any right within what we conceive as wrong.  But it is always there.  And always will be."

Iscikella says, "It is my belief that coming to terms with balance in the Lumnisian sense is what ultimately brings true serenity of mind, heart, body and spirit.  But this is a daunting goal.  Lumnis guides the way, but She does not drag us onto the path.  We must find it ourselves giving certain signposts of Her design.

Iscikella says, "Now some would argue that this seems a weak ideal."

Iscikella narrows her eyes.

Iscikella says, "In response to that I must counterpoint that accepting the whole rather than thrusting forward the parts is actually the strongest ideal, if one bothers to study closely.  It brings an openness of mind which can encompass all concepts."

Iscikella says, "Now some would argue that this seems a weak ideal."

Iscikella narrows her eyes.

Iscikella says, "In response to that I must counterpoint that accepting the whole rather than thrusting forward the parts is actually the strongest ideal, if one bothers to study closely.  It brings an openness of mind which can encompass all concepts."

Iscikella says, "Realizing the grandiosity of such an openness, we know of course we can never attain it fully.  Ah, but we can strive for it.  And in the striving lies the truest wonder of revelation."

Iscikella smiles serenely.

Iscikella says, "Because Lumnisian philosophy is not of itself a militant view does not mean that Lumnis will not take strong measures in certain regards.  Most particularly if the balance -- the interconnection of knowledge -- is jeopardized."

Iscikella frowns.

Iscikella bites her lip.

Dantrotic says, "I would argue that Lumnis intends herself to be revealed in the long term.  She gained her experience in acting as a God to the elves, to whom the short term is the next eon."

Iscikella says, "I myself have seen direct evidence of such measures in action.  Lumnis may be mild of mien, but She is a far cry from weak of heart."

Iscikella says, "Striving to comprehend such reasons is the most difficult part of this plan of action.  As mortals, our minds are more closed then we like to believe.  Our emotions tend to fixate on one viewpoint, and emotions can be poor indicators of balance."

Iscikella says, "But again, that is not to say emotions hold no place in the puzzle.  What is felt is part of what is known.  Wisdom is not curt-and-dried facts.  Wisdom combines knowledge with experience, and emotion is part of experience."

Iscikella asks, "Again, this is a bit of a sticky wicket.  How much do we trust our emotions?  How much try pointedly to overcome their influence?"

Iscikella furrows her brow.

Iscikella says, "In any situation the answer to these questions will be vastly different.  And such is when seeking Lumnis' guidance through prayer may provide more of a clue."

Iscikella says, "But to expect answer to any prayer to be forthright and absolute is folly.  As mentioned previously, this is not Lumnis' way.  She will draw upon our minds, push our thinking forward, make us pause and consider.  She will never force a decision.  Such decision is always ours to make solely."

(Iscikella nods definitively.)

Iscikella asks, "When thinking in terms of the Lumnisian ideal, the mortal mind often falters.  If Lumnis' way of knowing the grand concept of interconnection can so amaze even Koar, who are we to expect to not be flustered and frustrated in the pursuit of such?"

Iscikella says, "The point is though to "muddle through", to forgive ourselves the faltering as Lumnis does, and push those minds of ours to expand their current limits, to work toward growth of acceptance as a reaction to many things, and to piece together those tidbits of the interconnection between all knowledge which we are able to grasp."

Iscikella says, "This is not a short-term process, nor does Lumnis expect it to be."

Iscikella shakes her head.

Iscikella says, "She understands mortal limitations as She understands everything else.  And She is patient with those limitations since Her outlook is Liabo in nature."

Iscikella says, "So, in short, though She may expect us to falter, She also expects us to pick ourselves up and try again."

Iscikella flashes a wide grin.

Iscikella says, "There is no limit to the amount of "chances" we are given in Her eyes.  Not in this regard."

Iscikella says, "Discipline may come for something we do which threatens the balance, but it is not the discipline of one seeking to punish, but of one seeking to instruct -- of a mother to a child in many senses."

Iscikella says, "And that is truly Lumnis' greatest glory."


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