|
Greetings fellow Pathfinders, fellow seekers, fellow people.
My name is Jitran and I would like to think that I am something of a scholar. But, unfortunately, my ideas, sound and relevant though they may be, have landed me into trouble more than once.
I have been laughed and shouted out of nearly every institution and center of learning at which I have spoken. And some places I dare not go for fear of being burned at the stake.
However, my intellectual integrity is more important to me than my professional reputation - otherwise, what is the point?
The Grand Lodge is my last hope for finding a sanctuary where the free exchange of ideas is permitted and where critical thinking trumps accepted 'truths' informed by tradition and 'common sense'.
Here are two examples of the sort of thinking that has alienated colleagues and pupils alike:
-In my home country of Galt, I gave a lecture in which I proposed that elves, orcs, and humans are a single species due to their ability to interbreed and produce viable offspring. My suggestion that the fundamental differences between these races is cultural rather than biological earned me the ire of my audience. Objects were thrown in my direction and the uproar forced me to leave in a hurry.
-I once spoke at a school in Andoran about the possibility that the gods are not supernatural. I proposed that 'divine' beings are, in reality, subject the same laws as you and I and may be studied just like a common mouse or reptile. My passion blinded me to the rolled eyes and chuckles throughout the talk, and I told myself that those who walked out had other obligations. Afterwards I was politely asked never to return.
Nonetheless, I remain optimistic and hope that the Grand Lodge will be more open minded and enlightened.
What do you think?
|
|
"I find myself more a student of the observable, than a intellectual theorist. Observing solely from your statements there, it appears you are promulgating unpopular hypotheses and haven't yet reached the stage in development to present them to banausic gatherings and institutions. I, myself, find the less erudite more closed-minded and non-receptive to novel positions and thought."
The no longer young elf pauses a moment, and casts a brief spell. A brief, and none-too-broad smile plays on his lips. "However, if you would like discourse to refine your position, and develop your evidence, someone here could possibly portray the role of Asmodeus' Advocate."
|
|
"I find myself more a student of the observable, than a intellectual theorist. Observing solely from your statements there, it appears you are promulgating unpopular hypotheses and haven't yet reached the stage in development to present them to banausic gatherings and institutions. I, myself, find the less erudite more closed-minded and non-receptive to novel positions and thought."
The no longer young elf pauses a moment, and casts a brief spell. A brief, and none-too-broad smile plays on his lips. "However, if you would like discourse to refine your position, and develop your evidence, someone here could possibly portray the role of Asmodeus' Advocate."
Well, it seems as though the Grand Lodge's reputation for housing inquisitive minds is accurate then.
Immune to the tone of flirtation that the elf's words would have conveyed (intentionally or not) to less dedicated individuals, Jitran's face remains impassive as she brings her hand up to her chin. Underneath, she almost chuckles at the memory of a former student of hers - a promising young woman who became enraptured by the knowledge and wisdom of one of her elderly male professors. The result was a scandal that blew back on her and cut her career short.
'Such a waste of potential. So much damage caused by the exaltation of passion above reason,' she laments before dismissing the line of thought.
Hmm. Yes. I would like that very much. It has been some time since I engaged a willing partner in a debate.
|
|
A wise elder once told me. "It's good to be open minded. Just make sure your brains don't fall out."
Indeed. I have never seen a positive outcome from the decision to accept an idea on faith or authority. Even worse, I have seen many a colleague fall from grace due to an egotistical attachment to a pet theory. I assure you, I do not fall under either category, regardless of what my detractors may claim.
|
|
In my home country of Galt, I gave a lecture in which I proposed that elves, orcs, and humans are a single species due to their ability to interbreed and produce viable offspring. My suggestion that the fundamental differences between these races is cultural rather than biological earned me the ire of my audience. Objects were thrown in my direction and the uproar forced me to leave in a hurry.
"If what you propose about about elves, humans and orks being of a related species, then why have we never seen an Orlfk? Or I guess they could be called an Elrk. You know, Ork-Elf or Elf-Orks. I mean we have Half-Ork and Half-Elf. Why not a two half or an ork and elf to make a whole of two halves."
|
|
A middle-aged Varisian man wearing the vestments of the Eternal Rose stands and bows slightly.
"Greetings, Jitran, and welcome. I am Thaddeus Lamplighter, Pathfinder Chronicler. In my travels I have learned that orthodoxy is nothing more than unorthodox ideas which have withstood the forge of observation and evidence. As long as we are open-minded to contradictory evidence as well as that which supports our theories, we cannot go astray."
He glances around the room, taking in the mix of cultures among the Grand Lodge members present. "As to your first assertion, there are many biologically-distinct species that can interbreed... horses and donkeys, or horses and griffons, for example. Clearly these creatures are not merely separated by culture?"
"As to you second proposal, clearly the gods are not "merely" mortal. Yet, one may say the same thing of an archmage. I prefer to look at things the other way - not that all gods are mortal, but that we - " he opens his arms to indicate the room - "are all divine."[/b]
|
|
In my home country of Galt, I gave a lecture in which I proposed that elves, orcs, and humans are a single species due to their ability to interbreed and produce viable offspring. My suggestion that the fundamental differences between these races is cultural rather than biological earned me the ire of my audience. Objects were thrown in my direction and the uproar forced me to leave in a hurry."If what you propose about about elves, humans and orks being of a related species, then why have we never seen an Orlfk? Or I guess they could be called an Elrk. You know, Ork-Elf or Elf-Orks. I mean we have Half-Ork and Half-Elf. Why not a two half or an ork and elf to make a whole of two halves."
I propose that this has more to do with the intense cultural barriers that exist between elves and orcs. Were it ethical, I am confident one could breed the two races to produce viable offspring.
|
|
A middle-aged Varisian man wearing the vestments of the Eternal Rose stands and bows slightly.
"Greetings, Jitran, and welcome. I am Thaddeus Lamplighter, Pathfinder Chronicler. In my travels I have learned that orthodoxy is nothing more than unorthodox ideas which have withstood the forge of observation and evidence. As long as we are open-minded to contradictory evidence as well as that which supports our theories, we cannot go astray."
He glances around the room, taking in the mix of cultures among the Grand Lodge members present. "As to your first assertion, there are many biologically-distinct species that can interbreed... horses and donkeys, or horses and griffons, for example. Clearly these creatures are not merely separated by culture?"
"As to you second proposal, clearly the gods are not "merely" mortal. Yet, one may say the same thing of an archmage. I prefer to look at things the other way - not that all gods are mortal, but that we - " he opens his arms to indicate the room - "are all divine."[/b]
Ah, I clearly am among distinguished company and I feel privileged to be having this discussion with all of you.
She casts a sideways grin at Thaddeus.
Kaleel always offers the best deals and has the most interesting wares, doesn't he?
Her face once again grows serious, as it always does when she is explaining a theory.
Well, the definition of a species involves its members being able to produce viable offspring, that is, offspring which can in turn reproduce. The examples you mention only produce sterile children. This is why their biological characteristics remain distinct.
Sentient beings, like elves, humans and orcs, are even more complex because they have the capacity to form conscious belief systems and they naturally create culture, which is a force of its own that should never be underestimated. But cultural differences do not equate to discrete biological categories. I read the work of a philosopher from the Far East once, curse my poor memory I do not recall his name, who claimed that speciation requires aeons of continuous separation between populations.
Her quizzical grin returns.
As far as your claim that everything is divine is concerned, I believe we have reached a non-sequitur here. For what you call mundane, I call magnificent. And what I call natural, you call divine. Pure semantics.
She suddenly became deadpan. Her eyes shone with a dark intensity.
Though I never for a moment have believed that the gods, or any other creature in the Great Beyond, are exempt from the fundamental laws of nature, whatever those laws may be. And I assure you, such mechanics only await discovery in due time.
Mommy. I'm bored. And Gluppy keeps snoring!
|
|
Will you excuse me for a moment?
She kneels down in front of the goblin and produces a toy that looks like a disc with a string attached. Glubbles attempts to grab it from her hand but is not quick enough.
What did I say about manners?
The goblin takes on a meek posture and politely asks for the toy. After Jitran gives it to him, along with a second one for his brother, the excited humanoid runs off in delight.
She then addresses the group, slightly embarrassed.
Poor things. Refugees from Irrisen. Frostfur goblins. After they were brought to the Decemvirate by an expedition they could no go back to their homeland, so myself and other well meaning Pathfinders decided to adopt them as our own.
With just a little love and consistency I find that even goblins have a good nature that can be cultivated.
She sighs and her shoulders slump.
So much hatred. So many stereotypes. And so much pain and death as a result.
|
|
"One must posit that there is a reason for stereotypes, merited or no." The wizard clasps his hands behind his back and takes a few steps. "Subsentientization, the demeaning of a group to be less than persons, is useful to manipulate popular opinion and motivation, and as such, is practiced in many places to bring a populace to the necessary mindset for war."
He seems to be gathering his thoughts as he speaks, as if unprepared for this line of reasoning, but still speaking with far-ranging insights.
"Other stereotypes are often simplifications to allow one without a breadth of experience to assimilate differences and grasp them without undue effort. I postulate that we here, in this current discussion, find that the effort is due to understand the full spectrum of individuals and their characteristics, be they from ancestry or upbringing."
"So, the proposal before us is that speciation of dominant sentients on Golarion is not necessarily as many preconcieve? That evolutionary development has left seemingly disparate races merely facets of a single whole?" He turns, looks up with a finger raised, and nods. "As indicated by the young man, unorthodoxy can be difficult for some to accept. Also, the experiment to breed, hmm, culturally opposed specimens might be difficult. Might I suggest an exploration of the opposite direction, chronologically speaking? Is there an indication of divergence of a single categorization in the past?" He turns to look expectantly to the others gathered.
|
|
It sounds like we have the beginnings of a research project here. Perhaps an archeological team, trailblazed by Pathfinders, could search Golarion for evidence of a common culture that preceded elven, human and orc civilizations?
If only we had the means to characterize an organism in a definitive, quantifiable and physical way. An indisputable basis of comparison. There must be some kind of substance or property of the body that determines how a creature develops and functions - on a physiological level of course...but I digress..
She seems lost in thought at this point as her face takes on a distant expression.
|
|
A very thin, and very tall tiefling witch eyes the woman. She's dressed in the robes of a priestess of Phrasma, and the Whipporwhill that as alighted on her shoulder only speaks further to her being a followre of the Lady of Graves
"There is a problem to your theory." She says, her voice carrying a definite accent. She fixes dark, and rather gaunt looking her eyes on the woman. She speaks from behind a skull-like funeral mask that covers most of her face aside from her mouth. However the skin that is seen is gaunt as the skull-mask she wears.
She drapes herself into a chair and rests her chin on an equally skeletal hand that ends in wicked looking claws.
"There are many levels of proof that elves are not even from this dimension." She pauses and watches the woman carefully. "And there are many hybrid creatures in the world, weather they appear to be true hybrids or are something else. You're forgetting one factor, we live in a world brimming with magics. I mean, half-dragons for example. Almost anything can be half-dragon. Or fey-touched. It oft means that the creature in question's mother had relations with a creature. Or the Mongrelmen, all descended from hybrids of humanoid creatures that shouldn't be able to breed. She pauses. "Then there are elemental blooded children born of human parents." she smiles slightly. "And of course people like myself. My parents were ordinary Ustilavian humans. I come from creatures that wish to see life itself destroyed and devour even the souls of those creatures."
She pauses again.
"And then there is the fact that elves and orcs cannot have offspring together. I'd say it likely has more to do with the time when the Aboleth decided to take control over our world and messed with breeding lines of humans." She furrows her brow. "Though there seems to be an ability of orcs to breed with other creatures than humans, though it is much more rare." She muses some more and eyes the others.
|
|
The elf nods slowly as the skeletal witch conducts her statements. He looks to the floor as if lost in his own thoughts. "Our own histories date back a scant dozens of millenia. Who knows what happened even prior to that time, but the actions of the Aboleth cannot in any way be discounted. I think," he pauses and looks to the instigator, Jitran. "I think that investigations into said actions of the seagoing race should be conducted. They are the enigma that shrouds much mystery in Golarion's past. It is possible that they, themselves caused the rise, and then the fall of the great progenitors of modern humanity: the Azlanti."
He shrugs a little. "I have sources that detail such with some definity, but those sources are themselves suspect. Perhaps, collation of all such relevant data could be conducted under the auspices of the Society itself?"