Pride

The Path of Pride

Some may believe that Pride is simply Senators in fine clothing praising the qualities of their Nation, but this is only a tiny part of the Path. National Pride is, quite rightfully, important to many Citizens and is the reason for the existence of the Egregores. Yet the Virtue of Pride exists to inform the small parts of life as much as the large. From the servant who keeps his mistress’ cups clean, to the craftsman who holds all his work to the same high standard, to the general who remembers the name of every soldier who died under their command – all demonstrate Pride and know what it is that they serve and strive for.

Teachings of the Paragon

Across their incarnations, the Paragon of Pride has provided much wisdom and guidance on how to pursue the Virtue. What follows are a handful of the Paragon’s teachings that are said to go to the very heart of the Virtue:

• Pride conveyed by words alone is vain boasting; proclaim it by how you conduct every part of your life
• Do not be complacent; ever strive for excellence in that of which you are proud
• Embrace your past; never be ashamed of it
• The Virtuous inspire others to greatness; they do not demean them
• Despise the half-hearted, the uncommitted and the pretender

The Paragon

The Paragons of Pride have been amongst the easiest to identify for they are, by nature, rarely reclusive and withdrawn. The oldest recorded incarnation of the Paragon was Kethry of the tribe of Kesh who were conquered by the Guerra, a Freeborn Tribe, who were larger and more aggressive. Many of Kethry’s people turned their back on the ways of the Kesh and adopted the ways of the Alam. Yet, though defeated, Kethry did not yield in her heart and continued to live as her ancestors had; the clothes she wore, the songs she sang, the food she prepared. People from both tribes would come to her home and marvelled at her, and some proceeded to follow her example. More and more were swayed until, one day, Makin, the Chieftain of the Guerra, awoke to find that all his people were living as Kesh. Bowing to the inevitable he sought out Kethry, courted her and she became his Queen. In this way did Kethry overcome the strength of her enemies and conquered them with Pride.

Other well-known incarnations of the Paragon include:

• Lepidus of the Seven Stars Chapter of the Highborn, who led his Chapter to remembering and protecting the great legacy of the Highborn during the period of the Patrician’s Council and used these seeds to bring about a renewal of Highguard and laid the foundation of what would become the Imperial Synod.

To Do

Symbols, Icons and Trappings

The symbols of the Path of Pride are unusual insofar as the Priests and Pilgrims simultaneously have both none and many. Flags, banners, icons and heraldry are all strong symbols and trappings of the Path of Pride but often depict that in which the Priests and Pilgrims have pride in. Some wear the symbol of the Sun as a symbol of letting one’s light shine openly for the world to see.