Tigereans and Weres - On being a guardian
September 10th, 2011
I was looking forward to a quiet weekend with Katholos in the house, as Ch’Mrr and SH’Meral were attending a weekend retreat with the Archmage and Master T’Grlf to discuss my training progression and determine what my next steps would best be. CH’Mrr decided to spoil it, however, by giving me homework and having Katholos make sure I did it. It was deceptively simple- write an essay on what it means to be a guardian. The following was waiting for him when he returned on Sunday.
On Being a Guardian
Author’s note: This is the ENGLISH translated version of this document, released to the Terran Internet. For the original trr’th version, or versions translated into other languages, please consult the source version of this document on the Terran WorldNet Archive.
I am a guardian of my Clan. I am also the guardian of the Terran High Seer. Finally, I am a guardian of the Ambassador of the Tigerean empire’s trade delegation. But what does all this mean? This essay will attempt to describe what I think it means to be a guardian.
Let us first examine, in human terms, what we consider a guardian to be. The dictionary defines a guardian as “one who looks after, protects, or defends; someone legally appointed to manage the affairs of a person who is incapable of acting for themselves, as a child or one with an unsound mind.”(1) For certain, then, I fit the first context of this meaning- My duties as a guardian of my clan are to protect it’s leaders and assets first, and secondly to look after clan members and assist them with forwarding the clan’s stated purpose. My duties to the High seer are to keep her safe from those that would exploit her unique talents to harm the world. I am honor-bound to defend and protect the Ambassador, not merely because I am her mate, but at the direct command of the Emperor of the Empire itself. Additionally, all mages have a duty to protect the knowledge of certain secrets, as their public knowledge would unravel the very fabric of the world, and possibly that of fate itself.
I certainly qualify as a guardian under the human meaning of the word. But what of the concept? History tells us repeatedly of nations, rulers, and would-be kings that fell from the corruption or ineptness of those that called themselves guardians. They merely followed the definition of the word, but not the concept. The Tigerean version of being a guardian, I’ve learned, is closer to the concept of what the ideal guardian should do.
The core concept of a guardian is a protector- An ideal protector can not be subverted, bribed, or coerced into failing the charge they are given. Indeed, some of the better guardians are not sentient, but are mechanical or magical in nature. I cannot and will not include any computerized device in this category- even the most locked down, hardened system can still be subverted. a flesh and blood guardian would be one that takes their charge seriously, is able to adapt to the unexpected, and is willing to sacrifice everything to fulfil their duty, from personal gain, to their life.
To the Tigereans, being a guardian can be seen as something of a double edged sword from a human’s perspective- it is a high honor to be chosen as a guardian, for it requires something other than excellent physical fitness or combat prowess- it requires conviction and a certain strength of will. But with this honor comes a price, depending on what is being protected. This price can range from being unable to advance oneself personally, to being expected to take a mortal injury. All guardians know this, and they willingly pay this price, with no hesitation or second thought.
(1)http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/guardian
This entry was originally posted at http://tiger.dreamwidth.org/21629.html. Please comment there using OpenID.
I was looking forward to a quiet weekend with Katholos in the house, as Ch’Mrr and SH’Meral were attending a weekend retreat with the Archmage and Master T’Grlf to discuss my training progression and determine what my next steps would best be. CH’Mrr decided to spoil it, however, by giving me homework and having Katholos make sure I did it. It was deceptively simple- write an essay on what it means to be a guardian. The following was waiting for him when he returned on Sunday.
On Being a Guardian
Author’s note: This is the ENGLISH translated version of this document, released to the Terran Internet. For the original trr’th version, or versions translated into other languages, please consult the source version of this document on the Terran WorldNet Archive.
I am a guardian of my Clan. I am also the guardian of the Terran High Seer. Finally, I am a guardian of the Ambassador of the Tigerean empire’s trade delegation. But what does all this mean? This essay will attempt to describe what I think it means to be a guardian.
Let us first examine, in human terms, what we consider a guardian to be. The dictionary defines a guardian as “one who looks after, protects, or defends; someone legally appointed to manage the affairs of a person who is incapable of acting for themselves, as a child or one with an unsound mind.”(1) For certain, then, I fit the first context of this meaning- My duties as a guardian of my clan are to protect it’s leaders and assets first, and secondly to look after clan members and assist them with forwarding the clan’s stated purpose. My duties to the High seer are to keep her safe from those that would exploit her unique talents to harm the world. I am honor-bound to defend and protect the Ambassador, not merely because I am her mate, but at the direct command of the Emperor of the Empire itself. Additionally, all mages have a duty to protect the knowledge of certain secrets, as their public knowledge would unravel the very fabric of the world, and possibly that of fate itself.
I certainly qualify as a guardian under the human meaning of the word. But what of the concept? History tells us repeatedly of nations, rulers, and would-be kings that fell from the corruption or ineptness of those that called themselves guardians. They merely followed the definition of the word, but not the concept. The Tigerean version of being a guardian, I’ve learned, is closer to the concept of what the ideal guardian should do.
The core concept of a guardian is a protector- An ideal protector can not be subverted, bribed, or coerced into failing the charge they are given. Indeed, some of the better guardians are not sentient, but are mechanical or magical in nature. I cannot and will not include any computerized device in this category- even the most locked down, hardened system can still be subverted. a flesh and blood guardian would be one that takes their charge seriously, is able to adapt to the unexpected, and is willing to sacrifice everything to fulfil their duty, from personal gain, to their life.
To the Tigereans, being a guardian can be seen as something of a double edged sword from a human’s perspective- it is a high honor to be chosen as a guardian, for it requires something other than excellent physical fitness or combat prowess- it requires conviction and a certain strength of will. But with this honor comes a price, depending on what is being protected. This price can range from being unable to advance oneself personally, to being expected to take a mortal injury. All guardians know this, and they willingly pay this price, with no hesitation or second thought.
(1)http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/guardian
This entry was originally posted at http://tiger.dreamwidth.org/21629.html. Please comment there using OpenID.