Greeting the Light

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reeting the Light is the traditional greeting and sign of respect of the Children of Radiance — the human nation on Oabos. Greeting the Light involves maintaining a straight and upright posture, facing the recipient directly, with arms held at the sides and raised slightly rather than hanging loose. Open palms and a direct, unaverted gaze are turned toward the recipient. When addressing a member of the Order this position is maintained for longer times depending on rank, with the exception of Beacons for whom the position is maintained until directly told to relax.

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Origins

The act of greeting the light comes from the religious teachings of the Discerning Gaze. She sees all within her light.

Standing with an open and exposed posture shows an acceptance of the goddess seeing all that a person is and understanding their intent. By showing this same display to religious and authority figures, an individual is showing that they offer the same open knowledge of themselves to that individual. For someone to see and understand all that you are and all that you intend demonstrates subservience.

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Social Details

Authority is determined by religious standing for the Children of Radiance. Anyone of a higher authority is closer to the goddess and is considered a source of social light. In some situations there are individuals who are also a source of literal light. As a source of Her light, Her children must not avert their gaze and instead bask in the light. For this reason, part of the open posturing is looking directly at the authority figure for the rank-determined duration or until prompted to look away.

To look away or maintain a closed posture in the presence of someone of greater standing is a sign of disrespect. It shows that you are hiding something or do not trust that authority figure. This is extremely rude and is often taken as an admission of guilt. This behavior is discouraged in children from a very young age. Children who cannot maintain direct eye contact when speaking with an adult or religious figure beyond the age of six are encouraged to move out of the capital, with or without their direct family.

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Regional Observance

While the Discerning Gaze guides all of Her children in the ways of the light, observance is naturally stronger closest to her light. In Chronwhorl and nearby cities under the Disk, greetings are upheld with precision and pride, by those closest to Her light. Beyond the Disk's rim this pride and enforcement lessen with distance, and may become abbreviated or imprecise. Such deviations are generally tolerated when caused by environmental risks or limited Order guidance, but expected to be corrected once proper instruction and oversight are restored.