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{{Homebrew}}
{{Homebrew}}


''La Société de la raison éclairée'' is a small but growing group of educated yet delusionial [[Dementlieuse]] whose faith in [[science | modern science]] mirrors that of a zealot in his religion.  
''La Société de la raison éclairée'' is a small but growing group of educated yet delusional [[Dementlieuse]] whose faith in [[science | modern science]] is akin to that of religious zealots. Prominent among its members are [[biologists]], [[chemists]], and [[engineers]].  


By modern science the society understands material science: the science of things and of the mechanical, mathematically bound universe in which they were purported to exist. Science is the study of the great machine of existence. Existence consists of matter in motion. Being that is not matter in motion is being that should not exist, in fact is being that does not exist. Men are biological machines. Thougtht is electrical impulses. Philosophy is, at best, groundless speculation and, at worst, obscurantist superstition. Magic is, at best, smoke and mirros and, at worst, is as yet unexplained instances of matter in motion. Religion and the gods are obscurantist superstition.
By ''modern science'' the society understands ''material science'': the science of things and of the mechanical, mathematically bound universe in which they are purported to exist. Science is the study of the great machine of existence. Existence consists of matter in motion. Being that is not matter in motion is being that should not exist, indeed is being that does not exist. Men are biological machines. Thought is electrical impulses. Philosophy is, at best, groundless speculation and, at worst, obscurantist superstition. Magic is either smoke and mirrors or as-yet-unexplained instances of matter in motion. Religion and the gods are but obscurantist superstition.


The society owes its ideology to science as it is practice in [[Lamordia]]. The group's existence does not reach back into the [[false history]] of [[Dementlieu]]. Instead the society came to be two after Dementlieu came into existence on the southern border of Lamorida.  
''La Société de la raison éclairée'' owes its ideology to [[science]] as it is practiced in [[Lamordia]]. The group's existence does not stretch back into the [[false history]] of [[Dementlieu]]. Instead the society came to be three years after Lamordia appeared on Dementlieu's northern frontier.  


It is at least possible that the seed from which the society sprung was planted by Lamordia's [[The Syndicate of Enlightened Citizens | Syndicate of Enlightened Citizens]]. At present, however, there is little in the way of contact between the two groups. Whereas the [[The Syndicate of Enlightened Citizens | Syndicate of Enlightened Citizens]] prompts violence against being that should not be that it might in fact not be, ''La Société de la raison éclairée'' is non-violent and believes in the power of clear thinking to rid the world of enigmas and mystery. The Lamordia group would happily orchestrate the death of wizard. The Dementlieuse group would invite the wizard to tea and, after persuading itself that he is not a simply charalton, offer him instruction in the methods of science so that all may arrive at the truth of what he is doing when he thinks that he is casting spells.  
It is at least conceivable that the seed from which ''La Société de la raison éclairée'' sprung was planted by Lamordia's [[The Syndicate of Enlightened Citizens | Syndicate of Enlightened Citizens]]. Yet the methods of the two groups are very different. Whereas the Syndicate of Enlightened Citizens secretly promotes violence against being that should not be that it might in fact no longer be, ''La Société de la raison éclairée'' believes in the power of a quiet discussion and of clear thinking to rid the world of enigmas and mysteries. The Lamordian group would happily orchestrate the death of a [[wizard]]. The Dementlieuse group would happily invite the wizard to lunch and, after persuading itself that he is not a simple charlatan, offer him instruction in the methods of science so that all may arrive at the truth of what he is really doing when he thinks that he is casting spells.  


The emminent reasonableness of the society is, of course, an illusion. A wizard who sits down with the society is permitted to arrive at the truth of his magic only in terms of matter in motion. The prejudices of the society are a vitriol that reduces every alien term to those of material science. This quickly exhausts the goodwill of even the most patient of wizards so nothing productive is forthcoming from the discussion.


The matter is far worse with [[priest|priests]]. Wheras wizards are seen as tinkerers in need of the genuine understanding afforded by the principles of material science, priests are held to be stiffling the search for truth with the cold comfort of outright lies to which they in their weakness succumb. And the explosive situation is not defused in the least by the fact that priests hold much the same opinion of the members of the society. Indeed, it is the informal policy of the society to not even bother treating with priests and religious zealots generally.


Indeed the society was only formed in 709 BC,
''La Société de la raison éclairée'' has scant influence in Dementlieu and virtually none beyond its borders.  No one views the society as a threat, although many deem it a nuisance. The Syndicate of Enlightened Citizens has, however, infiltrated the group, principally to gain access to the wealth of information in its records, but also in the hope of bending the will of the group towards violence.


Philosophy is, at best, 
The penchant of ''La Société de la raison éclairée'' for bothering wizards who it would be wiser to leave alone earned it a place in ''[[Lord of Necropolis (item) | Lord of Necropolis]]'', a forged and calumnious autobiographical parody of the life of [[Azalin Rex]]. In the work Azalin describes his elaborate preparations for a discussion with the society over dinner at [[Castle Avernus]]:


''"[[Fearweed]]", ''Runco vereor'', is something of a misnomer. Unfortunately, madness weed, ''Runco rabies'', is little better. In any case, the candles were the success that I had expected. For obvious reasons, living [[bees]] would not readily do the work; thus a hive was slain and infused with my potency. Its members gathered the pollen, embedding it in their wax. The wax was cast into shape, the steak knives were honed to a razor’s edge, and thus I was well armed to meet over dinner the arguments of La Société de la raison éclairée.”''


[[Philosophy]], previously the ultimate form of scientific endeavour, was cast out of science as groundless speculation at best and as obscurantist superstition at worst. And it was as obscurantist superstition that religion and the [[deity | gods]] were dismissed and consigned to the dustbin of [[history]].
==Authorship==


''La Société de la raison éclairée'' was created by '''[[USER:Cure | cure]]''' as part of a contribution to [[John W. Mangrum | John W. Mangrum's]] [[Teeny Tiny Tales of Terror]] project (posted on the [[Cafe de Nuit|Fraternity of Shadows message board]]).


 
[[Category:Homebrew non-canon]][[Category:Science]][[Category:Society]][[Category:Dementlieuse]]
The Syndicate of Enlightened Citizens
 
[[Category:Society]][[Category:Dementlieuse]]
 
Science began as [[reflection]] that deemed the ascription of the unknown workings of the stuff of existence and of existence itself to the [[gods]] as lacking sufficient curiousity and rigor. It grew into a boundlessly curious and largely rigorous exploration not only of nature but also of the nature of nature. Tremendous advances in [[mathematics]] and most especially in [[mechanics]], combined with the explosion into open conflict of the struggle between science and [[religion]] over the [[authority]] to define the nature of nature, triggered a revolution in science. Science became material science, the science of things and of the mechanical, mathematically bound universe in which they were purported to exist. Science became the study of the great machine of existence. [[Philosophy]], previously the ultimate form of scientific endeavour, was cast out of science as groundless speculation at best and as obscurantist superstition at worst. And it was as obscurantist superstition that religion and the [[deity | gods]] were dismissed and consigned to the dustbin of [[history]].
 
In the [[Land of Mists]] only the people of [[Lamordia]], and by no means every last one of them, conceive of science in its modern form, which is to say as material science. In other modern lands material science may certainly have a foothold in the universities and especially among those working in [[mathematics]] and [[mechanics]]. Its methods are very conceivably gaining ground in [[biology]] and in [[alchemy]], threatening the division of the latter into [[alchemy]] and [[chemistry]]. There is likewise also the potential for a split within [[psychology]]. The burgeoning science of [[economy]] would certainly see much that is admirable in the new science and at least some [[historian|historians]] and [[linguist|linguists]] may be beginning to wonder about its applicability to their disciplines. Those in [[arcane lore|arcane studies]] would regard it, at best, as a wayward child and, at worst, as a slanderous and unconscionable attack upon the legitimacy of their own field of research and endeavour. New science would be universally abhored by those in [[theology|theological studies]] and by the [[religion|religions]] as a false [[deity | god]]. Outside of the most modern domains, however, science in any form would have but a  tenuous hold on the popular imagination, with modern science being the least understood of all.
 
[[Victor Mordenheim]] is the arch-priest of modern science in the Land of Mists, although he doesn't spend much of his time evangelising.
 
[[Category:Reflection]][[Category:Knowledge]]

Latest revision as of 14:57, 1 October 2024

La Société de la raison éclairée is a small but growing group of educated yet delusional Dementlieuse whose faith in modern science is akin to that of religious zealots. Prominent among its members are biologists, chemists, and engineers.

By modern science the society understands material science: the science of things and of the mechanical, mathematically bound universe in which they are purported to exist. Science is the study of the great machine of existence. Existence consists of matter in motion. Being that is not matter in motion is being that should not exist, indeed is being that does not exist. Men are biological machines. Thought is electrical impulses. Philosophy is, at best, groundless speculation and, at worst, obscurantist superstition. Magic is either smoke and mirrors or as-yet-unexplained instances of matter in motion. Religion and the gods are but obscurantist superstition.

La Société de la raison éclairée owes its ideology to science as it is practiced in Lamordia. The group's existence does not stretch back into the false history of Dementlieu. Instead the society came to be three years after Lamordia appeared on Dementlieu's northern frontier.

It is at least conceivable that the seed from which La Société de la raison éclairée sprung was planted by Lamordia's Syndicate of Enlightened Citizens. Yet the methods of the two groups are very different. Whereas the Syndicate of Enlightened Citizens secretly promotes violence against being that should not be that it might in fact no longer be, La Société de la raison éclairée believes in the power of a quiet discussion and of clear thinking to rid the world of enigmas and mysteries. The Lamordian group would happily orchestrate the death of a wizard. The Dementlieuse group would happily invite the wizard to lunch and, after persuading itself that he is not a simple charlatan, offer him instruction in the methods of science so that all may arrive at the truth of what he is really doing when he thinks that he is casting spells.

The emminent reasonableness of the society is, of course, an illusion. A wizard who sits down with the society is permitted to arrive at the truth of his magic only in terms of matter in motion. The prejudices of the society are a vitriol that reduces every alien term to those of material science. This quickly exhausts the goodwill of even the most patient of wizards so nothing productive is forthcoming from the discussion.

The matter is far worse with priests. Wheras wizards are seen as tinkerers in need of the genuine understanding afforded by the principles of material science, priests are held to be stiffling the search for truth with the cold comfort of outright lies to which they in their weakness succumb. And the explosive situation is not defused in the least by the fact that priests hold much the same opinion of the members of the society. Indeed, it is the informal policy of the society to not even bother treating with priests and religious zealots generally.

La Société de la raison éclairée has scant influence in Dementlieu and virtually none beyond its borders. No one views the society as a threat, although many deem it a nuisance. The Syndicate of Enlightened Citizens has, however, infiltrated the group, principally to gain access to the wealth of information in its records, but also in the hope of bending the will of the group towards violence.

The penchant of La Société de la raison éclairée for bothering wizards who it would be wiser to leave alone earned it a place in Lord of Necropolis, a forged and calumnious autobiographical parody of the life of Azalin Rex. In the work Azalin describes his elaborate preparations for a discussion with the society over dinner at Castle Avernus:

"Fearweed", Runco vereor, is something of a misnomer. Unfortunately, madness weed, Runco rabies, is little better. In any case, the candles were the success that I had expected. For obvious reasons, living bees would not readily do the work; thus a hive was slain and infused with my potency. Its members gathered the pollen, embedding it in their wax. The wax was cast into shape, the steak knives were honed to a razor’s edge, and thus I was well armed to meet over dinner the arguments of La Société de la raison éclairée.”

Authorship

La Société de la raison éclairée was created by cure as part of a contribution to John W. Mangrum's Teeny Tiny Tales of Terror project (posted on the Fraternity of Shadows message board).

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