Truth supersedes culture.
On Mithgar, among the races of Elves, Trolls, Dwarves, Baeron, Men, Mages, Pysks, and Warrows, beliefs can be very different, or interestingly similar. It is what we would expect if there was one central truth they all [in every culture], consciously or unconsciously, saw with varying degrees of muddled sight.
But, some may say, aren’t we all muddled in our view of truth to some extent? Yes. Thankfully, our less than perfect perception does not negate the truth we do see. Far less him who is truth, the Creator of all, who brings us to ever clearer sight as we follow the light.
Though sometimes we try to create our own reality, our own truths, real truth constantly intrudes, disproving our false beliefs. Truth is absolutely real.
But, someone may say, everything we call reality is a figment of our imaginations. I would not agree, but I could respect such an honest person, if to prove their point they never ate again, since food is not real.
That is an example of the end result of that person’s thinking; truth has most uncomfortable ways of getting past our false fantasies.
People growing up around central beliefs in Mithgar, including truth, half-truth, and untruth, act on what they believe, and those actions spread through every area of life until they solidify into what we call culture. But culture is not truth, rather an amalgamation of beliefs, from true to false. Culture must be challenged and measured against truth, whether in Mithgar or our own world.
Before we are reconciled with our Creator and pass from spiritual death to life, at any point in our earthly life we are either acknowledging what we do see of truth, or going our own way. And until the fateful moment when all choice is gone, if we see bright glimmers of truth in the dark sea of partial truth and lies in our own culture, and struggle toward it, we are also testing the minds and hearts of others and what they call true. This does not end when we begin to live in our Creator’s love of truth. Our blade is merely honed and sharpened for a battlefield we see ever clearer.
Small people like Warrows who are drawn into battle in their culture contain just as great or withered a heart as those of larger stature. The degree of withering or greatness depends on the amount of truth each of them holds to, and whether they are seeking more truth or denying it. [Quote from Dennis McKiernan’s epic fantasy duology, Hel’s Crucible.]
‘Rael turned up a hand. “The pith of the debate was that Adon argued for the right of all peoples to freely choose the paths they would follow, whereas Gyphon spoke for the domination and control of those he named ‘inferior beings.’”
Beau now stood and stepped to a different portion of the tapestry and climbed upon a chair, and Tipperton said, “I take it then that these Black Mages side with Gyphon, for as you have said, they seek dominion, control, power over others.”
All the Lian nodded in agreement, and Loric said, “They have become allies of Gyphon, yet should Gyphon himself gain the upper hand, he will utterly dominate them as well, much to their everlasting sorrow, though they believe it not.”
Beau, standing on the seat, peered at the figure representing Gyphon. “Why, he isn’t a pure single color at all, but instead shimmers like oil on water.”
“Aye,” responded Talarin. “’Tis because he is the Great Deceiver, showing a given person or people whatever face need be until he has them in his grasp. Then and only then will his true nature show, and it is monstrous.”
Hurriedly, Beau drew back from the tapestry, clambering down and resuming his chair.
“And this Modru in Gron, the Black Mage fighting against High King Blaine, he’s been deceived by Gyphon?” asked Tip.’
–Into the Forge* by Dennis McKiernan, pg. 105
This fantasy duology has a couple mentions of immorality [without graphic description] and a mixed view of truth, which I’ve overlooked. [Because] This story has much to recommend it. We would be the poorer for not reading this tale.
In Mithgar, Gyphon and Modru’s deception led to worldwide war and the testing of many comrades in friendship and love and the crucible of life-and-death loyalty. And those decisions withered the heart or made it greater, truer than it had been before.
The testing of the Warrows’ beliefs lead to their greater knowledge, and to our own. Honest, logical questions about why we exist, even in fantasy, need answered. The next most important question is whether the knowledge we gain progresses to understanding—do we rightly act upon the knowledge we wrest from the war-ground of culture? Truth supersedes culture. Will we follow truth?
-Fantastic Journey: The Soul of Speculative Fiction and Fantasy Adventure, pg. 67
Until next time,
Azalea
Crossover – Find the Eternal, the Adventure