Habololy Main
HISTORY
SCIENCE
Habololy has a history of scientific discovery.
Below is a list of scientific categories. In each section, a
description of the most important discoveries in that field is given.
On Habololy, some science has become
synonymous with Tinkers. This was not always the case, but today the
connection between the two has hindered several science as a whole and
certain fields dramatically. In the past, religions and sciences
worked together in many cases. That cooperation has lessened greatly
and is now limited to only a few of the fields; typically those where the
presiding deity does not despise the tinkers or where there is no presiding
deity.
There are some fields not listed below that
are not true sciences, but are mistaken my many for one. Alchemy is
the best example. Those who do not have a formal education consider
Alchemy the study of rocks and liquids and associate it with Tfop.
Some see him as the creator of Alchemy, other as the master of Alchemy.
A distinction must also be made between
science and tinkering. Science is widely accepted to be mundane in its
true form, a fact that puts it in opposition to the religions on many
occasions. Tinkering rarely claims to be devoid of magical influence.
Tinkers develop in a world they know to be full of magic. They draw of
religion and arcana to interact on varying levels with their creations.
Their theories often sprinkle in magical theory with mundane.
Agriculture:
In terms of scientific advancement, the field of agriculture has trailed
behind the others for all of history. The power and influence of
Habastly, a creator and the most widely worshipped deity, has caused a lack
of need for the science. Habastly's clerics exist in all areas,
teaching agriculture and leaving the people with no need to take up the
science of agriculture. The agricultural advances and discoveries were
either made by clerics of Habastly, and therefore attributed to his
religion, or made on the Plateau by the Tinkocracy.
Astronomy and Space:
Up until the appearance of the moon and the arrival of Dresta and
Arsur'anyodel, there was very little concern for the space beyond Habololy.
Only on the plateau was it even considered, and even there, magic not
science was the only method of discovery. The moon's appearance
started the race for an explanation. Two deities sudden arrival with
the moon gave a huge boost to the magical theories and shut down much
discussion and debate. As usual, it was the people of the plateau that
objected. Their theories were spread briefly around the world.
The blowback against the thinkers of the plateau and the tinkers for their
theories of the moon is believed to be an early instigation of the tinkers.
They became angered that thought outside of religion was discouraged and
rebuked. This field is the most fiercely debated between science and
religion.
Biology:
The deities Falan and Hemator both lay some claim to inspiring and
controlling the discoveries of Biology. Some clerics in both religions
have devoted themselves as much to the study of this science as to their
religious studies. The other deities teach that the science is solely
the domain of the two deities in hopes that it will never fall into the
mundane realm of science. This is a greater possibility with Biology
than any other science since everyone as a body on which they can observe
and experiment. Wizards that summon or blend creatures using magic
have also dabbled in Biology. Breeds of unnatural creatures have
resulted. The Counsil frowns heavily upon new types of creature, and
spends as much time discouraging the mundane study of Biology as any other
science.
Botany:
Much like agriculture, botany had been dominated by the clergy of Habastly
for many centuries. It was not until the arrival of Tfop and Pfot that
the monopoly was broken. Unlike Habastly, the twins were much more
interested in science and allowing non-clerics to advance in the field.
When Tfop was left the Counsil, the science took a blow. Pfot kept
advances from the masses and a bitter struggle of information was waged
between the religions of Pfot and Habastly. Tfop's return re-opened
the door to many. Pfot's alliance to Highlander and the Tinkocracy
made Botany a battleground. This fight continued after the death of
Pfot. The new fight was between Habastly and his desire to return the
knowledge to the realm of religion, and Tfop and his desire to bring the
knowledge into the realm of science.
Chemistry:
This science has the most difficult time divesting itself from the arcane,
primarily due to Alchemy. The are very few even among the mundane
scholars that consider the difference between the two noticeable. Tfop
could have complete control over the science, but chooses not to due to his
nature. There are many alchemists that can be called chemists as well.
Geography:
Like the craft of Cartography, this science
is cursed. No deity dare claim it. Only the brave and foolish
even consider researching it. More than that, most do not believe in
the few discoveries that have been made.
Geology:
Before the death of Level, his religion was the final say of matters of
Geology. Between his death and the ascension of Drunnbar, the science
came into its own. With no deity to inspire and direct discovery, the
intellects of the world were free to make their own path. The deities
tried to intervene, but the presence of the quasi-deity Drunnbar prevented
them from decisive action. As the science moved close the to realm of
true science. It was then the Drunnbar ascended. The Counsil was
faced with a choice they did not like: lose control of a science, or grant
influence to a deity. On a close vote, it was decided that Drunnbar
should not be given control and Geology is now considered one of the true
sciences.
Mathematics:
This science is what scholars of Habololy
call a true science. There are no deities that lay claim to it, even
though Everentual has tried to do so. The masters of mathematics are
found mostly at the bardic colleges, which are credited with the development
of mathematics as a science. Thinkers and crafters, not clerics, are
mentioned by the peoples of Habololy if they are asked about the subject.
Medicine:
Before Hemator, the thought of healing
beyond the abilities of clerics was reserved for the foolishly atheistic or
the truly desperate. Neither of those groups ever advanced the ideas
of medical science. The mortal Hemator, despite being a cleric of the
Counsil, also started to study medicine in a non-religious, non-magical way.
She is credited with creating the first school of medicine in the nation of
Pacyr, before she was its patron deity. Since, during her time as both
a Counsil and Cult deity, Hemator has continued to press the idea of healing
through non-magical means. So effective was her clergy in pushing the
idea, that it is the only science that has a well-known group, Physicians,
attached to it. The biggest blow to the science was when Hemator left
the Counsil. Now, many consider the science to be tainted and will not
allow it. Even at that, they know of its existence and recognize the
science.
Meteorology:
The study of weather was historically seen
as the role of the clerics of Lakius. This field is one where the
scientists have managed to pry the science away from the religion.
Much of their success can be attributed to Lakius' philosophy of solitude.
His clerics do not frequently speak to others, much less to those with whom
they would likely argue. Bards, and in particular Weathersingers, have
jumped at the chance to lay claim to secrets of science that the clergy of
Lakius seems unconcerned to explain or take credit for. This science
is more studied by the people then by academic, you see it more as a matter
of specific divination than science.
Physics:
The least understood science has been
given very little thought by the deities. With the proliferation of
magic, there is little need for the science. The greatest tasks, that
would require a great understanding of physics without magic, become easier
with magic. Only on the Great Plateau has there ever been an interest
in the science. Even there, it has fallen low on the list for most
scholars.
Zoology:
The realm of zoology as always been
dominated by the Animal Guards and the religion of Treetop. So
interconnected are the two, that the number of scholars that consider its
study outside of the tenants of the religion can be counted on one hand.
To the general populace, the word is either meaningless or synonymous with
Teachings of The Animal Guards.
