The Idea of Evil

L'enquête sur le mal (Often shorthanded to 'L'enquête') is a philosophy followed by Ignan and the Vank peoples. It translates roughly to The Question of Evil. L'enquête has been a foundation of Vank philosophy that has been prominant in their society since the The Cruel Age, and was later adopted into religious beliefs relating to their Church of Aine.

What is Evil?

L'enquête asks a very simple question. 'What is truly evil, and how do we define it?'   During the Cruel Age, the question was designed to serve as a litmus test; the Vanks would question persecuted criminals or rival countries L'enquête as a means of learning their intentions by discovering what they view as 'evil'. It also serves as a foundation for the end goal of what the Question of Evil intends to solve; finding out what is and what isn't truly evil. Unjust, undue persecution towards those that aren't truly evil is arguably just as evil as the accusations laid upon the victim, and the Vanks sought to erase that as a concept.   The Vanks carefully define what is and isn't evil. It is divided into two core precepts.

Evil is NOT

  (Le mal n'est pas in Vank)   Evil is first determined by what isn't inherently evil in regards to the Vanks. In the eyes of a Vank, contentious things are simply that; contentious and questionable, but never inherently evil.

An Object

Objects are not inherently evil, it is the wielder that defines whether or not that object is evil.

A creature or person

Creatures or Persons, regardless of race, entity, standing, nationality, illness, religion, or anything that may define them as who they are, are not inherently evil. It is their actions that defines whether or not the individual is evil.

Necromancy

Magic of all forms; especially necromancy, is not evil. Magic is treated as an object in the sense that the wielder is who defines whether or not their wielded sorcery is evil or not.

Evil is to be

(Le mal doit être in Vank)   Evil is not something that is easily defined or understood, but it is able to be treated. Thus, the question defining what evil is isn't truly what defines what evil is; but how it is to be treated.

Mortified

Evil is to be treated with the same indignity that they have given their victims; those that would stand and act as savages are to be dealt with savagely. Those that treat evil evilly, are not evil.

Eradicated

All Evil is to be purified, destroyed, and castigated. Pity not the wallowing evil soul; for they may use their position to commit more heinous acts after using you as a stepping stone.

Absolved

Evil is to be forgiven if the one being forgiven has not committed multiple offenses. The weight of Evil is to be measured in the amount of acts; they must be made to suffer the pain that they have inflicted tenfold before they are truly absolved of the sin that they have committed. A pound of flesh will suffice for lesser crimes, while dismemberment will be given as a mercy to those that have done the most abhorrent.