Fourth Passage of the Harvest Moon

The consensus among sages is that we are in a remarkable moment in history. Not since the Masallan Expansion has there been such rapid and evident social change. Last An Tir, An Sel, and An Maad, sages from the Old World and New World gathered in Aranor to discuss those changes. Their three-day meeting culminated in a written proclamation which they presented, in an official ceremony, to Queen Lillian on An Ilé. Although the proclamation went into great detail and explanation, I’ve distilled the writing into a form more digestible to the public eye.

Queen Lillian’s Renaissance, which began in the city of Aranor, has swiftly spread throughout the Known Lands. The New World, Moraithe, and Masalla have all felt pressure to follow Queen Lillian’s lead in making knowledge available to all, which is evident from numerous examples, including new policies opening libraries to public viewing and the appearance of ‘newspapers’ in all three provinces that mimic the Oracle project. Other elements of the Renaissance, such as increased opportunities for all and a breaking-down of class distinctions, are not so evident in other provinces, but it is suggested in the proclamation that such changes are slowly evolving outwards.

The other known provinces are currently not being significantly affected, except for increased trade and communication, which seems to be growing even with ‘untouchable’ provinces such as Japura. The feeling of the sages is that the influence of the Renaissance will continue to spread into a world-wide movement.

Directly after the War for Aranor, most other provinces rallied in their mutual fear and dislike of Queen Lillian. Since that time, outreach by Queen Lillian, thriving world trade, and the opinions of the common populaces have done much to change that opinion. Old World relations with Moraithe, the New World, and Jedda Felsuin are extremely good, while Masalla, at the moment, seems to be mimicking Queen Lillian’s policies (in word if not deed) in a sort of unadmitted adoration. Relations with Japura have gone from nonexistent to slightly optimistic, which is evident in the opening of very limited trade agreements. Relations with Maelmuire are strained, and Goddard’s good ties with Casara have all but dissolved under Queen Lillian, to the point where there is very little communication between the two provinces.

In the Old World, claims of ancestral blood have lost almost all significance, and the title of nobility is delivered to those who possess enough wealth and behave according to noble mannerisms. Queen Lillian’s hope was to make the title of nobility a fluid title, achievable by anyone willing to put forth the effort. However, certain realities have made that possibility appear grim. Although it worked well at first, and a new nobility asserted itself after the war, it has become apparent that the nobles are, in essence, a ‘clique’, and that entrance into their circles has more to do with social acceptance than with gold, renown, or manners. Thus the noble class seems, even in the short time since the war, to have closed itself to most newcomers.

However, Queen Lillian’s plan has worked much better in the lower classes, and she seems to have created a fluidity that reaches from the sailor and the peasants up through the high merchants. The common class has transformed in nature from a group of people who simply worked in labor and serving positions to a group who is seen as free, open, and just on the cusp of great opportunity (for instance, I, Tirian, would be considered a ‘commoner’). Finally, the peasant class, long looked down upon and abused, has risen to great respect, and Queen Lillian has established funds to help peasants in the case of bad harvests (which, pleasantly, we haven’t suffered from since the war).

The open trade policies of the Renaissance have largely increased the flow of gold, and most people are enjoying a time of immense wealth and prosperity. This seems to be especially present in provinces who are embracing the ideals of the Renaissance, such as Moraithe and Masalla, rather than in those that aren’t adopting the new ways. Casara, for instance, which has rejected all aspects of the Renaissance, is suffering from the worst lack of wealth in its history.

Of the reasons for opposing the Renaissance, the most quoted is that the common folk are degrading into immorality. Loosely applied laws, weakened social mores, and the tolerance of non-traditional behavior were granted in order to encourage new thought, creativity, and growth. A result of that has been a sharp increase in tolerated behavior, such as sexual freedom, the wearing of strange clothes, and the presence of new art forms, such as rhythm dancing. However, crimes have been on the decrease, and it can be argued that no actual harm is being done by challenging the social conventions of the Goddard era.

Although there is no direct evidence of a link between faerie activity and the Renaissance, there is certainly evidence that the two are growing at the same time, and theoretical evidence suggests that our attitudes, perceptions, and morals have a strong influence on how easy it is for faeries to shift back and forth from their realm to our own. Fae encounters, from fearsome Sereg and trolls to gentle pixies and tyver, are definitely on the increase. And reports of fae entering cities are becoming almost commonplace. As well, reports of missing huntsfolk are increasing throughout the Known Lands. If this problem continues to grow at the pace it has, we could soon see our current way of life threatened.

The Renaissance is making significant social change throughout the Known Lands, and its influence seems to be growing steadily. If we can meet the challenges of disapproval by provinces such as Casara and Maelmuire, the possibility of degrading social mores, and the threat of a rising faerie influence, the Renaissance will continue to grow and nourish new and creative ideas, as well as provide prosperity and wealth for all involved.

Tirian

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