Ludovico quirks a brow giving a quite arch look to Vares and Titus in turn. Then he begins to chuckle, laughing softly at first and then with some intensity. Then he stands, bowing ever so slightly to each in turn and applauding in a symbolic, slow and deliberate, way to each. [color=red] "My friends, my friends. You each in turn seem to struggle so valiantly to express your Physis against the all pervading Nomos. In different ways. Against different aspects of Nomos. But I salute you each in your efforts. Be wary however, for both of you instead are accepting other aspects of Nomos seemingly unchallenged.
Therein lies the real trap, the exceedingly corruptive and deceptive nature of Nomos to begin with. Why it is so very difficult to escape, truly. Far too many -think- they have, when what they have truly done is simply rejected a certain part only to run and wrap themselves in the warmth and comfort of another they find more pleasing."
The magus then folds his hands over his abdomen. He appears thoughtful for a long moment before speaking once again. First, to Titus.
[color=red]"Friend, you should question the -assumption- that 'any' such a non-latinate Magus may ever prove to be other than inferior. While we can observe and judge the probability to be so, with our knowledge of the respective traditions and their relative prowess, the ultimate factor in any equation will inevitably be Physis. One with a great enough Physis will, from any origin, prove the better man. Damhad Allaidh for instance killed -many- Hermetics that in today's world would have assumed themselves naturally his better. Pralix did not even confront him alone. Be wary of the Nomos of Pride. Part of the value of Conflict is that it deconstructs it, and forces one to rely on the true merit of Physis. Be concerned more with your own strength, and you will remain the greater. Be too concerned with your foe's weakness, and you may find them greater than you thought."
Then he turns towards Vares, giving a nod of respect and smiling a bit more widely. He nods to himself a few more times and he seems to consider his words once again. [color=red]"You make good points my friend, you do. Though I suppose, for my own purposes, the most apt comparison would be to the auxilliary system. Rome never assumed loyalty either. The Gauls were usually not relied upon to fight one another on the behalf of the empire. They were taken somewhere else and brought to bear upon another foe foreign to them both. Here in Iberia we have Sahir within and Sahir without. It is... uncomfortable to have a tradition split so and then be expected to -assume- loyalty. If I dwelt in the Rhine and faced instead the threat of Vitkir without and a Sahir Magus came and offered to join my fight. Then... well, I should have far less reason to question would I not? Here however things are different."
He pauses for another moment, rubbing his hands together and chuckling once again.
[color=red]"And you should also not assume 'equality' any more than our good comrade Magus Titus should assume superiority." he says, his mirth a tad more exuberant now. [color=red]"It is as dangerous an implementation of Nomos as any other. Whether an assumption of superiority or equality both have the same ultimate flaw. They do not acknowledge Physis. They create a barrier to the truly great by simple convention. And this, this is the ultimate evil. The best for all is the fostering of the very best among us. What greatness the world would have never known had Bonisagus never been acknowledged for his genius? Would any dare to say he was or should have been merely one voice among many? I would strike such a man down myself.
The traditions of the Rhine acknowledge this. Is Journeyman the equal of a Master? Master that of an Archmagus? No, to answer plainly and simply. And they should -not- be treated as such."
Ludo's manner slows, grows a tad more serious. [color=red]"Doissetep is a great foe, should they prove our enemy. Yes. And it would be wiser in the short term if we could avoid allowing them within our arena in the immediate future if we could manage it. Ultimately, once we had secured our own strength, it would possibly even be to our benefit to include them in the plan! They would benefit as much as we. We must simply be sure to be in a position where they could not immediately dominate us in the arrangement. We must have greater strength and greater numbers. Then we may very well entertain the prospect of alliance with them towards our end."
At Titus' last outburst Ludovico frowns slightly, shaking his head and waving a finger towards the other Magus much as a schoolmaster might. [color=red]"Really? And what is Treachery Master Titus? What is it but the hate of another who has thrown off a shackle of Nomos that you may still hold dear to heart ones-self? Pralix may have defied the Order, the Diedne may have been reprehensible in their acts, and yes... the upstarts of the bastard traditions may be oh so very wrong that they are anything near being your equal. But do not deceive yourself. Even if all of these things are objectively true, if we -assume- so for the sake of argument. That isn't what has you so angry. So tempestuous. Your own Nomos assumes that such should not be so, and this... this it appears can not be borne. Let it go. Why resent another for finding his own Physis, even if it differs from yours? No. While I agree with you, things are not as simple as they might seem in regards to the war, such complications can not be used to simplify an accepting of merely a different version of Nomos. That would be the ultimate folly, though it is all too common. Do not reject one illusion merely to turn from it in favor of another. Reject all illusions, all things untested, untried. And then you will be left with the only truth that can be left. Your own Physis."
))