circles

Meditations on the Aspects of Self (3/3)

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(See part 1 here; part 2 here.)

The third triad is that which adheres;
Circle, branch, and name reflect.

The circle stands strong, each multiplying each.
How diminished is the one which lacks
Those for whom it will kill and die.

The branch walks together, hands bound to telos.
By serving a purpose, your purpose is served.
Ten-thousand together may reshape the world.

Above all these, a glorious name;
Honor unstained, deeds of renown.
These buy what wealth, favors and xicé cannot.

The self is not many; the self is one.
With all these together, the circle is closed.

Trope-a-Day: Blood Brothers / True Companions

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Blood Brothers / True Companions: The (semi-) formalized groups of friends, especially in freelance adventurer/weirdseeker/etc. company, known as circles (short for “oath-circles”, because they are; also the second generalized form of Imperial social structure, after the branch).  Not all of them are formalized by oath, however, hence the “semi”, and they come in plenty of variant forms and intensities, ranging all the way up to “for each other’s names and honor, we will kill and die”.