Daily Life: Numerology

Numerology is the belief that certain numbers are significant, and can be used to tell the future. In Tirenia, academics believe that the prime numbers - 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13 and so forth - are the most magical and important numbers, using the celestial bodies in the sky as proof. There are some who believe in the significance of other numbers, such as the pattern 1 1 2 3 5 8 11, and others who reject this by claiming that it is merely coincidence, and that many of the sets have been manipulated to make them fit the pattern - for example, there are more than two genders, and eight rather than seven schools of magic.

Here are some things that occur in sets of prime numbers.

One: One is not actually a prime number, but many numerologists count it as one. There is one world, Tellaia. There is one sun, and there is one true God whose name is not spoken.

Two: Many things that are in opposition: for instance, there are good and evil dragons, heaven and hell, day and night, male and female, and so forth. 

Three: There are three moons in the sky. There are three afterlives: Purgatorio, Paradiso and Inferno. There are three types of being: those with a material nature (animals of the land, sea and sky), those with a spiritual nature (angels, demons and fairies) and those with both natures (humans, bestial humans and monstrous humans).

Five: There are five elements and five humours in the body: fire (yellow bile), water (phlegm), air (blood), earth (black bile) and magic (aether). There are also five broods of metallic dragons and five broods of chromatic dragons.

Seven: There are seven days in the week. There are seven planets, each of which is identified with one of the classical gods of Auromia. There are also seven 'schools' of magic - abjuration, or protective magic; conjuration, or summoning magic; enchantment, or mental magic; evocation, or energy magic; illusion, or deceptive magic; necromancy, or death magic; and transmutation, or creative magic. The 'eight school' of divination magic is held according to this model as being separate and superior, being the way by which wizards are able to perceive and interact with aether and magic. Divination does not map to a planet, but is associated with the three moons.

Eleven: The total number of celestial bodies: one sun, three moons and seven planets.

Thirteen: The number of months and constellations in the sky. Twelve of these months are regular, while the final month is intercalary, flexible, and used to bring the calendar in line with the movements of the heavens.

Image result for renaissance art stars
Art: 'Dante Holding the Divine Comedy.' Domenico de Michelino, 1465.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Character Creations: Ideals and Flaws

Image
Characters in Tirenia have ideals and flaws, just like in other worlds. Living up to their ideals, or giving in to their flaws, can be a source of Inspiration for them. In a Dragon Princes game, instead of using the standard lists of options, consider using the religious virtues or sins instead. This helps to tie your character more firmly into the setting. The seven virtues are: Charity (Caritas): The Church states that helping those in need is virtuous. Giving of oneself - whether time, money, or anything else - to aid others is its own reward, and should not be done with the thought of reward or recognition. This can also mean donating to the Church, which is capable of helping people on a larger scale. Chastity (Castitas): The moderation of sexual impulses. Tirenians generally do not believe in celibacy. They are also quite accepting of extramarital relationships, which are quite common for the upper classes. For them, chastity is about faithfulness to one's spouse or ...
Read more

The Pirates of Panormo, Session One: Rinascimento

Image
The bronze dragons of Staglia were planning something. Their war against Selenizia had ground into a bloody stalemate. After years of contant warfare, their resources were stretched to the point of exhaustion. And so their troops received the order to hold their positions, while the dragon generals were all recalled to Staglia for an emergency meeting. Meanwhile, surprise attacks were launched against the marble quarries of Camarma and the surreal ruins of Larisa, only to withdraw again. The quicksilver dragons of Trion, the alchemists and inventors of Staglia's war machine.  Something big was coming. And Captain Uberto meant to find out what it was. The crew of the Brazen Nudibranch were dedicated to fighting against the draconic imperialists. It was vital that someone should infiltrate Staglia and discover what the bronze dragons were planning, before it was too late.  The first step in the Captain's plan was to lay anchor at Monte Mamiliano. This small island was a haven of...
Read more

The Pirates of Panormo, Session Two: The Villa Salamandre

Image
 The crew of the Brazen Nudibranch fled the city of Staglia as quickly as they could. They decided to head inland to Trion, the home of the quicksilver dragons. They hoped that they could learn more about the ritual that had brought the marble and gold dragon to life. It was slow going, however, because very quickly they found themselves pursued by soldiers hunting for them. People said that spies from Staglia, with the help of a traitor (Scelto), had infiltrated the city and attacked a gathering of dragons with black magic. The group posed as itinerant monks to avoid being discovered. Soon they reached the shining Fulgente River, in whose silvery waters an angel was said to have once died. Evangelia grew nostagic as they beheld the glimmering water, for her home city, Medilano, was located downstream on the same river, and the Fulgente was sacred to the silver dragons. Avoiding a boat, because of the soldiers checking passengers, they made their way along its banks until they reac...
Read more