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<div style="float:left; width: 300px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Moody Magus.jpg|caption=Urizen priests seek ways to combine their understanding of the [[Net of the Heavens]] and [[arete]] with the [[the Way|Way of Virtue]].|align=left|width=300}}</div>
<quote by="Confucious">Faced with what is right, to leave it undone shows a lack of courage.</quote>


The philosopher-priests of Urizen embrace an image they poetically call the Net of the Heavens. This philosophy is related to the Dance Navarr, but the Urizen would claim it represents a more refined understanding of the cosmos. It is a metaphor that defines Creation as being made up of “nodes” or “knots” – pivotal people and events that shape everything around them. By influencing a powerful node, a philosopher can exert influence over events and individuals he has no personal connection to.
==Overview==
With its emphasis on philosophy and an ordered and rational life, it is no surprise that virtue and religion are important in Urizen. Most Urizen try to live virtuous lives and many believe that virtue is essential for [[arete]], that people can only be truly effective when they act in a virtuous manner, or that [[Urizen culture and customs#Poise|poise]] cannot be achieved while giving in to base urges. In particular, a philosophical understanding of the [[The Way|Way of Virtue]] is regarded by most Urizen as a matter of concern and interest to all, rather than the prerogative and business of priests.


The First Empress was a pivotal individual who changed and influenced thousands of other individuals, both when she was alive and in every generation since her death. She influenced other nodes and they in turn influenced the nodes around them. Another example might be an orc chieftan. A powerful node that influences and directs countless other individuals, if that node is neutralised then those other nodes are irrevocably changed.
The Way of Virtue promotes behaviours that allow civilisation to prosper. Individuals who are virtuous encourage others around them to be more virtuous, and discourage self-serving or slothful attitudes. [[Highguard]] priests argue that virtue and vice are “contagious”, that virtuous individuals promote virtuous behaviour in those around them, and vice versa. The priests of the Urizen do not deny this idea, but from their understanding of the [[Net of the Heavens]] the priests of Urizen perceive a deeper truth.


Likewise the Paragons are some of the most pivotal individuals in history. They shape the world around themselves, and do so in a durable and far-reaching way. Their appearance is difficult or impossible to predict, which is unfortunate as influencing a Paragon would allow the Urizen people to influence vast swathes of other people.
==Temples==
While Urizen is most famous for its [[spire#arcane spire|arcane spires]], the nation is also home to numerous [[spire#temple|temples]]. These spires are dedicated to the study and debate of virtue, philosophy and the Way. In many ways a temple is the ultimate embodiment of the Urizen ideal, a school devoted to the mastery of the self. Each temple has its own distinct philosophy, a unique take on the Way that attracts adherents from across Urizen who welcome the opportunity to share and debate ideas with like-minded pilgrims.


Not only people can be pivotal, and a person may become pivotal through a combination of time and space. The first meeting where the Empress outlined her idea for the Empire was a pivotal event, where dozens of influential nodes come together. Likewise, an individual may become pivotal for a few moments through their proximity to another node – the soldier who assassinated the Mad Emperor became absolutely pivotal as a result of that action, and her choice could have moved the entire Empire in a number of very different directions.
While many temples enjoy a healthy exchange of ideas with rival schools of philosophy, most of them also engage with the communities around them, seeking to spread their ideas. Not content with mere contemplation and debate, temples not just to seek out higher spiritual truths, but to put that learning to use. The temples guide the spiritual development of the people of Urizen, but each has their own vision of what that might mean and not all of them embrace the orthodoxy mandated by the [[Imperial Synod]].


Not all nodes are equally influential or pivotal. An orc chieftan is a pivotal individual, for example, one that influences dozens of other individuals and events. Removing the orc chieftan is often a much more effective way to deal with their army than fighting the army directly.
==Orthodoxy==
In many ways Urizen is a very orthodox nation. Many of its priests and scholars are deeply concerned with matters of [[The_Doctrines_of_the_Faith|doctrine and faith]]. This dedication to the Way is deeply reflected in the cultural practices of the nation. There is a widespread view that personal [[arete]] — the sense of an individual striving for excellence — is contingent on a person making virtuous choices. To be truly accomplished, an individual must excel in all ways. More that mere skill, they must exhibit admirable personal qualities — virtue — for all to see.


This philosophy is core to all areas of Urizen life, and identifying individuals, times and places where effort can be expended to enact massive changes is a constant drive.
The more devout Urizen often see the ideal create a better world for everyone in terms of creating a more virtuous world. A perfect society would be one in which everyone is virtuous all the time. The [[illuminate|Illuminates]] in particular pursue this goal - they believe that citizens who hold prominent [[Imperial title|Imperial titles]] are key nodes in the [[Net of the Heavens]]. Since virtue is contagious, the most effective way to spread virtue is ensure that such titles are held by virtuous people and not by those who lack virtue.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Solidarity.jpg|caption=Some Urizen regard the Way of Virtue as a work in progress.|align=right|width=450}}


The Navarr expend a lot of energy trying to influence every single node in the Net of the Heavens through their metaphor of the Dance Navarr. The Urizen philosophers argue that it is a much more sensible approach to identify pivotal individuals and events and by influencing them enact far-reaching and durable change.
==Hetrodoxy==
Urizen priests display a tendency to deviate from those ideas approved by the [[Imperial Synod]]. The Urizeni like to question and evaluate ideas, and to explore different philosophical approaches, and matters of spirituality and faith are no exception. [[Questor|Questors]] exemplify this tendency; they view the [[The Doctrines of the Faith|doctrine]] of the Way as incomplete revelation. By questioning every aspect of perceived wisdom they search for new insights into moral philosophy, the mind of the creator, and the purpose of existence.


<quote-right>The Paragons have shown us the way, but they will not carry
This has led to conflict with the Synod, and several Urizen philosophers have been denounced as heretics. Urizen has been the source of a number of Imperial heresies — most notably the [[Schisms_and_Heresies#The_Lucidian_Blasphemy_.2F_Auran_Idolatry|Lucidian heresy]] - which began in the Restless Spire in [[Redoubt]]. The Restless scholars believed that clarity of thought was essential for virtue, and that anything that interfered with this lucidity would cloud a person's moral judgement. Lucidians refuse to use [[liao]] to create [[aura|auras]], believing that any aura degrades a human's ability to think for themselves.
us up the mountain on their backs.</quote-right>


The teachings of the Imperial Faith found fertile ground in Urizen, partly due to their understanding of the Net of the Heavens. The Highguard priests argued early on that Virtue is “contagious” and this idea proved influential among the Urizen. The idea runs that an individual who puruses Virtue encourages other people to be “better.” Virtuous individuals easily become pivotal individuals, inspiring and influencing everyone round them.
While some priests question the doctrine, others go further and question the purpose of the Way. The [[sword scholar|sword scholars]] openly challenge the authority of the Synod. These warrior-priests embrace the tenets of Wisdom and exhort their fellow Urizeni to test what they learn, to eschew hearsay, to despise folly, and to chastise the fools that spread it. They reject the idea of a higher authority, arguing that the only virtuous decisions are the ones each individual takes for themselves. As a result of a [[mandate]] by the [[Assembly#The_Virtue_Assemblies|Wisdom assembly]] in 382YE, their merciless philosophy of questioning the Synod has begun to spread across the Empire. Consequently, this has led to the situation where it is significantly more difficult for the Synod to directly influence Imperial citizens.
The Path of Virtue promotes behaviours that allow civilisation to prosper. Individuals who are virtuous encourage others around them to be more virtuous, and discourage self-serving or slothful attitudes.  


The illuminates of Orsion are priests who believe that each person has the potential to advance to a higher state of being – to equal and eventually surpass the Paragons in their enlightenment and understanding of the divine. They encourage people to pursue a personal connection with the divine, to unlock their own potential through both study and righteous action.
==Soul Net==
Urizeni pilgrims will often seek out a priest to help them create their personal [[Net of the Heavens]]. By spending time talking to a pilgrim, a priest can discover what goals they are striving to achieve and what obstacles stand in their path. Together they can determine what the key nodes are for that individual. This is essential — applying the Net of the Heavens requires first identifying which individuals or events must be affected to produce the desired outcome. Not all Urizeni priests have the skill or the patience to be able to to help an individual divine their own Net of the Heavens, and those who do are in much demand.


Many illuminates seek to challenge themselves and others by questioning the dogma of other priests. They use doubt and logic as tools to explore the meaning of faith and the purpose of virtue. They are often at odds with the priests of Highguard, and are known to question what the exact role of priests should be in religion. They regularly propose that priests have a responsibility to guide and offer advice, but that they should not attempt to force individuals to undertake or avoid certain types of behaviour because by doing so they are damaging the soul’s progression towards enlightenment.
The most respected priests are able to give advice on what virtues should be embraced to achieve the desired outcome. It may be that an individual is lacking a single [[virtue]] which is holding them back from achieving their goals but more likely is that they will benefit from embracing the tenets of two or more virtues. Most priests will provide guidance and advice on which combination or which tenets might aid a pilgrim in dealing with each individual node.


They reason that while there are unlikely to be any more Paragons, if they do appear they will benefit from being shepherded – they are perfect examples of incredibly influential individuals with the power to change the destinies of thousands of people. If no more Paragons appear, they believe that there will be more and more Exemplars – individuals who through their virtue inspire others and achieve great things. By encouraging these Exemplars to explore their divine nature, they reason that eventually all humans will be born with an innate understanding of virtue and that the human species  will be irrevocably changed.
It is common to capture this advice on a scroll or parchment, usually as a pictographic depiction of the arrangement of nodes facing an individual, with notes of which virtues and tenets might be best pursued to positively affect those notes. These scrolls are called soul nets, they are a spiritual map that guides a pilgrim towards their destination. A soul net is often a work of art; a brightly coloured series of nodes and lines marked with fine calligraphy. They are often laid out in a geometric pattern or created to mimic a constellation. Discreet artists who can turn a soul net into a beautiful symbolic piece of art are much sought after.


The ultimate goal of the illuminates is nothing less than a transcendent understanding of creation and their place in it, and to use that understanding to inspire others to transcend their understanding. They want, effectively, to make themselves into Paragons through reason and Virtue, and catalyse a change that will see everyone in the Empire achieve a higher state of being.  
A soul net is an intensely personal item, and most Urizeni keep the scroll on their person. This allows them to ensure its safety, but it also means they can study or update it whenever they need to. Studying the spiderweb arrangement of nodes and virtues can remind a pilgrim of their real goals, allowing them to focus their [[arete]] and ignore distractions. A soul net might be shared with a close friend or ally, but it is considered a gross invasion of privacy to ask to see someone's soul net.


It is quite an ambitious aim.  
<!--
==Spiritual Forces==
It is rarely discussed openly, but some Urizen priests are prepared to consider the benefits of virtues other than the seven virtues perscribed by the Way. In Urizen's long history there have been several examples of teachers who clearly embraced other spiritual forces. Even the Synod acknowledges this to some degree — the [[doctrine of the faith]] accepts that other spiritual forces may benefit humanity, though it is clear that they offer no assistance in passing through the Labyrinth. In practice, these spiritual forces are still roundly condemned and those who proselytise them face execution for heresy.  


<quote>Better to doubt and find the truth than to be given it as a gift</quote>
As a consequence, any Urizen priest who perceives a benefit in spiritual forces such as [[Vengeance]], [[Anarchy]], [[Peace]], or [[Hope]] is careful to keep such beliefs to themselves, only sharing them with those who are receptive and open minded. Urizeni priests rarely preach to a gathered congregation, but they may talk about these virtues in private when discussing matters of faith with a pilgrim. Some priests will even take advantage of the privacy offered by a soul net to include the potential positive benefits offered by virtues other than the seven approved by [[the Way]], at least when they are dealing with someone they believe might be open to such advice.
 
-->
Most Urizen wholeheartedly embrace the idea that this flesh is just a vessel through which the soul happens to be passing on its road to enlightenment. After an individual is dead, the body should be treated with respect but it is fundamentally an empty husk. Bodies are interred with minimal ceremony in quiet mausoleums built on the lower slopes beneath a Spire. They are rarely entombed with grave goods or marked with great ornamentation. Influential and inspiring figures are recalled in bas-reliefs and statuary that decorates an Orsiond Spire, but it is a rare Urizen whose biography, journals and collected letters cannot be found in the library at the heart of a Spire.
{{Urizen Links}}
 
[[Category:Nations]]
[[Category:Urizen]]

Latest revision as of 17:00, 29 December 2023

Moody Magus.jpg
Urizen priests seek ways to combine their understanding of the Net of the Heavens and arete with the Way of Virtue.

Faced with what is right, to leave it undone shows a lack of courage.

Confucious

Overview

With its emphasis on philosophy and an ordered and rational life, it is no surprise that virtue and religion are important in Urizen. Most Urizen try to live virtuous lives and many believe that virtue is essential for arete, that people can only be truly effective when they act in a virtuous manner, or that poise cannot be achieved while giving in to base urges. In particular, a philosophical understanding of the Way of Virtue is regarded by most Urizen as a matter of concern and interest to all, rather than the prerogative and business of priests.

The Way of Virtue promotes behaviours that allow civilisation to prosper. Individuals who are virtuous encourage others around them to be more virtuous, and discourage self-serving or slothful attitudes. Highguard priests argue that virtue and vice are “contagious”, that virtuous individuals promote virtuous behaviour in those around them, and vice versa. The priests of the Urizen do not deny this idea, but from their understanding of the Net of the Heavens the priests of Urizen perceive a deeper truth.

Temples

While Urizen is most famous for its arcane spires, the nation is also home to numerous temples. These spires are dedicated to the study and debate of virtue, philosophy and the Way. In many ways a temple is the ultimate embodiment of the Urizen ideal, a school devoted to the mastery of the self. Each temple has its own distinct philosophy, a unique take on the Way that attracts adherents from across Urizen who welcome the opportunity to share and debate ideas with like-minded pilgrims.

While many temples enjoy a healthy exchange of ideas with rival schools of philosophy, most of them also engage with the communities around them, seeking to spread their ideas. Not content with mere contemplation and debate, temples not just to seek out higher spiritual truths, but to put that learning to use. The temples guide the spiritual development of the people of Urizen, but each has their own vision of what that might mean and not all of them embrace the orthodoxy mandated by the Imperial Synod.

Orthodoxy

In many ways Urizen is a very orthodox nation. Many of its priests and scholars are deeply concerned with matters of doctrine and faith. This dedication to the Way is deeply reflected in the cultural practices of the nation. There is a widespread view that personal arete — the sense of an individual striving for excellence — is contingent on a person making virtuous choices. To be truly accomplished, an individual must excel in all ways. More that mere skill, they must exhibit admirable personal qualities — virtue — for all to see.

The more devout Urizen often see the ideal create a better world for everyone in terms of creating a more virtuous world. A perfect society would be one in which everyone is virtuous all the time. The Illuminates in particular pursue this goal - they believe that citizens who hold prominent Imperial titles are key nodes in the Net of the Heavens. Since virtue is contagious, the most effective way to spread virtue is ensure that such titles are held by virtuous people and not by those who lack virtue.

Solidarity.jpg
Some Urizen regard the Way of Virtue as a work in progress.

Hetrodoxy

Urizen priests display a tendency to deviate from those ideas approved by the Imperial Synod. The Urizeni like to question and evaluate ideas, and to explore different philosophical approaches, and matters of spirituality and faith are no exception. Questors exemplify this tendency; they view the doctrine of the Way as incomplete revelation. By questioning every aspect of perceived wisdom they search for new insights into moral philosophy, the mind of the creator, and the purpose of existence.

This has led to conflict with the Synod, and several Urizen philosophers have been denounced as heretics. Urizen has been the source of a number of Imperial heresies — most notably the Lucidian heresy - which began in the Restless Spire in Redoubt. The Restless scholars believed that clarity of thought was essential for virtue, and that anything that interfered with this lucidity would cloud a person's moral judgement. Lucidians refuse to use liao to create auras, believing that any aura degrades a human's ability to think for themselves.

While some priests question the doctrine, others go further and question the purpose of the Way. The sword scholars openly challenge the authority of the Synod. These warrior-priests embrace the tenets of Wisdom and exhort their fellow Urizeni to test what they learn, to eschew hearsay, to despise folly, and to chastise the fools that spread it. They reject the idea of a higher authority, arguing that the only virtuous decisions are the ones each individual takes for themselves. As a result of a mandate by the Wisdom assembly in 382YE, their merciless philosophy of questioning the Synod has begun to spread across the Empire. Consequently, this has led to the situation where it is significantly more difficult for the Synod to directly influence Imperial citizens.

Soul Net

Urizeni pilgrims will often seek out a priest to help them create their personal Net of the Heavens. By spending time talking to a pilgrim, a priest can discover what goals they are striving to achieve and what obstacles stand in their path. Together they can determine what the key nodes are for that individual. This is essential — applying the Net of the Heavens requires first identifying which individuals or events must be affected to produce the desired outcome. Not all Urizeni priests have the skill or the patience to be able to to help an individual divine their own Net of the Heavens, and those who do are in much demand.

The most respected priests are able to give advice on what virtues should be embraced to achieve the desired outcome. It may be that an individual is lacking a single virtue which is holding them back from achieving their goals but more likely is that they will benefit from embracing the tenets of two or more virtues. Most priests will provide guidance and advice on which combination or which tenets might aid a pilgrim in dealing with each individual node.

It is common to capture this advice on a scroll or parchment, usually as a pictographic depiction of the arrangement of nodes facing an individual, with notes of which virtues and tenets might be best pursued to positively affect those notes. These scrolls are called soul nets, they are a spiritual map that guides a pilgrim towards their destination. A soul net is often a work of art; a brightly coloured series of nodes and lines marked with fine calligraphy. They are often laid out in a geometric pattern or created to mimic a constellation. Discreet artists who can turn a soul net into a beautiful symbolic piece of art are much sought after.

A soul net is an intensely personal item, and most Urizeni keep the scroll on their person. This allows them to ensure its safety, but it also means they can study or update it whenever they need to. Studying the spiderweb arrangement of nodes and virtues can remind a pilgrim of their real goals, allowing them to focus their arete and ignore distractions. A soul net might be shared with a close friend or ally, but it is considered a gross invasion of privacy to ask to see someone's soul net.

Further Reading

Core Brief

Additional Information