The Ancestors’ Hearth
The Ancestors' Hearth at Saeada was a guild cloaked in the mystique of wizardry and steeped in the practices of ancient herbology. Their establishment on the secluded island of Saeada was both their sanctuary and, ultimately, their downfall. The island itself, while providing the isolation necessary for their work, also limited their interaction with potential new members, contributing to their disappearance last winter. This isolation, paired with the harsh realities of winter and the guild's stringent policies, created a microcosm of intense communal living that may not have been sustainable in the long term.
Their self-perception as true wizards, despite their reliance on herbology and simple decoctions rather than genuine magic, speaks to a common psychological phenomenon within closed groups: the development of a shared belief system that distinguishes them from the outside world. This belief system, while unifying, also served to isolate them further from potential allies and the guidance of true wizards who recognized the danger in their untrained talents.
The strict celibacy requirement and lack of privacy within the convent-like structure could have profound psychological effects on its members. Such restrictions often lead to increased stress and tension within a community, as individual needs and desires are suppressed for the collective good. Human psychology dictates a need for personal space and some degree of privacy to maintain mental health, making the guild's communal living arrangements potentially psychologically unsustainable.
Moreover, the policy of life-long commitment, while not enforceable as a prison, suggests a cult-like mentality. It's a form of social control that relies on psychological bonds rather than physical barriers. This could lead to cognitive dissonance among members who may have become disillusioned but felt trapped by their vows and the guild's isolation.
Members who lived with them until their bodies became less agile and their hair turned towards gray could get a role as an advisor at Fakhur by request.
The guild's presence on Saeada and their claim to wizardry without proper training might have posed a subtle threat to the established order of true wizards. The true wizards' decision to restore the balance disrupted by the guild's activities, without engaging in debate, highlights a pragmatic approach to maintaining the magical equilibrium. It also underscores a form of political maneuvering to neutralize potential threats quietly and efficiently, without causing a public spectacle.
The village on Saeada, though not directly involved, would inevitably be affected by the guild's presence and sudden disappearance. Villages in such remote locations often have intricate relationships with the groups that settle there, relying on each other for trade, mutual support, and protection. The guild's ability to cure diseases would have been valuable to the villagers, creating a dependency that vanished with the guild. This left the village vulnerable, both medically and economically, and possibly stir up political unrest as the delicate balance of power and dependency shifts in the wake of the guild's disappearance.
In summary, The Ancestors' Hearth at Saeada is a cautionary tale about the risks of isolation, the psychological impact of communal living without privacy, and the dangers of untrained magical talents. Their story is interwoven with themes of psychological needs, cult dynamics, and political maneuverings, set against the backdrop of a remote island village that must now navigate the aftermath of their disappearance.
by Désirée Nordlund + check Credits article
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