Post by Emily on May 23, 2009 20:51:05 GMT -5
Sometimes, it seems as if what should clearly is wrong becomes right, and what is obviously right is twisted and distorted out of proportions, if by word or deed, to make a wrong. All too often the what is made out to be clear, thick, useful line between the two is thin and blurred and confusing, at least to those who truly look at it. Those who don't, and that is most of humanity, narrow-mindedly see the line in all of its fuzzy, crooked narrowness and see it as something entirely different. Sometimes it is because they are just believing what they have been told all of their childhood, or convince themselves that is the truth out of conviction, stubbornness, or the simple need for stability in their lives. Often it is a combination of all four.
Others take hold of the line and forcefully bend it just enough for it to seem straight for the casual viewer so it can suit their needs. This is usually done with honeyed words, discreet politics, or undisguised power through fear. Whatever the case may be, it all started with the basic feudal system.
From a mage's point of view, the world was a perfect, spotless world where everyone had their place where they fit in like puzzle pieces. They were, naturally, at the top of the occupational, and consequently social and political, ladder. After all, they were naturally gifted with a magic it would be a crime not to take full advantage of from high places. There was nothing wrong with the way things worked.
Of course, this meant that a magic-less person's place in the puzzle was manual labor. Jobs like farming and serving simply fit them best. Besides, though unlikely, even if they did just so happen to be good at something else, there was no way they would possibly be as good as someone who had the aid of magic. It was simply kinder not to let them try and embarrass themselves along the way. In any case, their lords and ladies would take care of them no matter what. It was their duty as the caretaker of the less fortunate, so therefore the workers would be entirely dependent on his or her master. None of them would ever misuse their power, so what was the problem?
From a peasant's point of view, things were completely different. High taxes and low pay made life hard, and even though they were supposed to be provided for by the nobles they served, few actually followed that rule. Most tenants were left to provide for themselves in a world where they were treated no better than dirt. Employment not connected to the household they were born into was banned.
Still, not matter how bad things got, the mages stayed oblivious through self-righteousness and the well spoken influence of a council member. Things would have probably stayed like this, it only it weren't for the small rebellions that started to form in pockets throughout the kingdom. All were quickly crushed but one, that on the surface seemed no different than any of the others. However, the leader had discovered one small trait about himself and had formed a group of others with it.
Magic didn't effect them. He had found that the people that couldn't use magic were that way because they absorbed it on some small, mostly unnoticeable level. However, the trait had gotten so strong in some that it no longer effected them, though there were different levels of the ability. For some the impact of a spell was simply lessened, some were flat out not effected, and a small few could actually prevent mages around them from using magic, though that was only temporary. They began to go from village to village, recruiting anyone and everyone who showed the smallest sign of the ability.
The number of people who were immune to magic on some level was astounding, and the group's numbers reached into the thousands. Ways to enhance this ability were found, mostly in training exercises that were kept a strict secret to the point of wiping the memories of those who underwent it. All of that is simply detail, though. The main thing was that mages were completely helpless when faced with them. Word of the immunity to magic spread until it was simply known as 'The Ability'.
Only, the organization, which had taken on the name Parilit, had gotten out of hand. Many had begun killing mages for simply being mages, regardless of who's side they were on. The fact that no one did anything to stop this caused it to grow into such a problem that anyone that could use it it, regardless to age, the ability to defend themselves, or anything else for that matter. Many had grown bitter and took full opportunity of their chance for power. Everyone else just turned the other way, wishing that clear, straight line between good and evil into existence, then drawing in in their favor out of sheer guilt.
While a mage still held the title of king, he had little power. Still, Parilit was not yet in command, and with no real leader the kingdom had been thrown into turmoil. Nothing seemed to be able to calm the rising storm.
Others take hold of the line and forcefully bend it just enough for it to seem straight for the casual viewer so it can suit their needs. This is usually done with honeyed words, discreet politics, or undisguised power through fear. Whatever the case may be, it all started with the basic feudal system.
From a mage's point of view, the world was a perfect, spotless world where everyone had their place where they fit in like puzzle pieces. They were, naturally, at the top of the occupational, and consequently social and political, ladder. After all, they were naturally gifted with a magic it would be a crime not to take full advantage of from high places. There was nothing wrong with the way things worked.
Of course, this meant that a magic-less person's place in the puzzle was manual labor. Jobs like farming and serving simply fit them best. Besides, though unlikely, even if they did just so happen to be good at something else, there was no way they would possibly be as good as someone who had the aid of magic. It was simply kinder not to let them try and embarrass themselves along the way. In any case, their lords and ladies would take care of them no matter what. It was their duty as the caretaker of the less fortunate, so therefore the workers would be entirely dependent on his or her master. None of them would ever misuse their power, so what was the problem?
From a peasant's point of view, things were completely different. High taxes and low pay made life hard, and even though they were supposed to be provided for by the nobles they served, few actually followed that rule. Most tenants were left to provide for themselves in a world where they were treated no better than dirt. Employment not connected to the household they were born into was banned.
Still, not matter how bad things got, the mages stayed oblivious through self-righteousness and the well spoken influence of a council member. Things would have probably stayed like this, it only it weren't for the small rebellions that started to form in pockets throughout the kingdom. All were quickly crushed but one, that on the surface seemed no different than any of the others. However, the leader had discovered one small trait about himself and had formed a group of others with it.
Magic didn't effect them. He had found that the people that couldn't use magic were that way because they absorbed it on some small, mostly unnoticeable level. However, the trait had gotten so strong in some that it no longer effected them, though there were different levels of the ability. For some the impact of a spell was simply lessened, some were flat out not effected, and a small few could actually prevent mages around them from using magic, though that was only temporary. They began to go from village to village, recruiting anyone and everyone who showed the smallest sign of the ability.
The number of people who were immune to magic on some level was astounding, and the group's numbers reached into the thousands. Ways to enhance this ability were found, mostly in training exercises that were kept a strict secret to the point of wiping the memories of those who underwent it. All of that is simply detail, though. The main thing was that mages were completely helpless when faced with them. Word of the immunity to magic spread until it was simply known as 'The Ability'.
Only, the organization, which had taken on the name Parilit, had gotten out of hand. Many had begun killing mages for simply being mages, regardless of who's side they were on. The fact that no one did anything to stop this caused it to grow into such a problem that anyone that could use it it, regardless to age, the ability to defend themselves, or anything else for that matter. Many had grown bitter and took full opportunity of their chance for power. Everyone else just turned the other way, wishing that clear, straight line between good and evil into existence, then drawing in in their favor out of sheer guilt.
While a mage still held the title of king, he had little power. Still, Parilit was not yet in command, and with no real leader the kingdom had been thrown into turmoil. Nothing seemed to be able to calm the rising storm.