Fantasism

Fantasism is a culture of individuals following an unconventional ideology that condemns the use of violence and corporal punishment, even against criminals and blasphemers. They peddle life advice and comfort in return for charity. As beggars they are known to accept even the most worthless trinket in exchange for their services. They may sometimes be mistaken for clairvoyants.

History

Empathy has been around for many hundred of years. They are almost solely a gentle and immensely sensitive people, who meet swift and tragic ends at their own hands as often as at the hands of others. For most of those years Empaths have been dismissed as unfortunate souls in need of charity. Many turned into beggars through force or free will and survived on that charity. It was first recorded in Hammar, at the beginning of the Fedheran Unity, that several Empaths had formed societal groups within the confines of the city. This was not seen as any kind of threat as they did not break any laws. It happened that they were needed to move from abandoned properties, but this was no issue as they always left peacefully when asked. In 186, a scholar by the name of Pavin the Bird, gave a presentation to the Colleges concerning the growth of the Empathic culture within their own, and how it differed from the Laws without actually breaking any of them. It seemed they had all agreed upon a set of principals that forbade them and any followers from ever displaying aggressive or violent behaviour. When they were threatened or harmed, the Empaths refused to fight back. They would speak to their offenders about the poison of pain, anger, hatred, and fear, and even offer solace. In 188, King Muterious gave them the name ‘Fantasists’ because the idea that men could live together without an hierarchy or corporal punishment was an ideological fantasy. It was assumed that this ‘cult’ would die out, but to this day Fantasists can be found all over Fedhera, especially in larger cities.

Reception

The reception of this pacifist culture has been mixed. There are obviously those who are overwhelmingly drawn to the belief that the world can be made a better place through peaceful means. These people often commit themselves full to their own state of poverty, offering their skills in return for whatever their customers are willing to give. They may also commit partially, by providing regular shelter and supplies to those who are fully committed. Then there are those who find their passiveness frustrating or laughable. Their response is often to harm or ridicule Fantasists on sight. Some even go out of their way to raid their shelters, or their persons. The majority, however, find that they pose no threat to anyone. Though these people will not seek to cause any harm, most blame the Fantasists for their situation because they refuse to defend themselves, even in the most gruesome situations.

Parent ethnicities