Opho: And where did you gain this knowledge, boy?
Boy: From a book, teacher.
Opho: Let me ask you…do you ‘see’ to read a book?
Boy: I do, teacher.
Opho: And is not hallucination one of the gifts of madness?
Boy: It is, teacher.
Opho: Then might not everything you read be an image sent to you by the Mad God?
—The Torovar, “Opho’s Dialogues”
Rigor: Mental
Focus: Abstract
Color: Grey
Adjective: Ophic
Overview
The Ophoi (followers of Opho) concern themselves with what we can know about ourselves, the world and the nature of Order. They argue that this basic understanding is essential before anything else can be accomplished, especially in light of the weakness of the senses in the face of madness. They mercilessly apply logic to all arguments and situations and have a reputation for meddling in the affairs of the other sects.
Structure
The Ophoi recognize three branches of philosophy: metaphysics (the study of the nature of being and the world), epistemology (the nature and the scope of knowledge) and ethics (questions of morality and moral systems). Their members run the gamut from hermit-like logicians to consultants, advising others on the implementation of philosophical systems into practical applications. While many criticize the Ophoi for being impractical, there is no doubt their ideas have influenced institutions throughout the World, from government to education.
There are nearly as many philosophies as there are members of the sect and, in the interest of fair and impartial consideration, the Ophoi elect their leaders through debates. The closed conclaves that encapsulate these debates are usually very long, every monk given as much time as they need to offer a reasoned argument for the outcome of their choice. There is a joke among non-Ophic monks that Ophoi would debate the harvest of wheat, long after it had rotted in the field, and all the debaters had starved to death.
Though they elect deans for each of the individual branches of philosophy, and a prior over them, all monks have a say and a vote in the election of each, regardless of discipline. The Ophoi are notorious for being able to set aside personal feelings, and almost always vote for the most reasoned argument in political debates, making articulation a vital attribute for influence in the sect. If an idea cannot be expressed, they reason, it is not valid.
Second to the prior is the Ophic special office of Diplomat. It is the diplomat's responsibility to serve as an envoy between the Monastery and the World beyond. The combination of keen reason and detached emotion makes the Ophoi well-suited to this task.
Special Vow
In addition to the traditional vows of obedience and poverty, Ophic monks take a vow of stoicism.
Rituals
(to be determined)
