Centered Focus
Location: Outlands / Spirelands
Centered Focus is a quaint rilmani village nestled in the shadow of the Spire, a stone’s throw away from the once resplendent Sum of All. Unlike its neighbour, which revelled in its external beauty and the complexity of external balance, Centered Focus turns inwards, embodying a philosophy of introspection and personal equilibrium. It’s a place where the architecture mirrors not the cosmos but the inner realms of thought and spirit, where buildings spiral inwards in patterns that mimic the labyrinthine journey of self-discovery.
Here, the rilmani don’t concern themselves with the grandiose displays of wealth or power. The streets are lined with modest dwellings, each an ode to the pursuit of knowing thyself and the cultivation of one’s own place within the balance of all things. The air is thick with the scent of meditative incenses, and the sound of contemplative silence is more common than conversation. Centered Focus thrives on the principle mastering one’s own philosophy of balance is the truest path to harmony.
In the village’s heart lies the Grove of Self-Reflection, a surreal space where reality seems to bend, encouraging deep introspection. Mirrored surfaces float amongst the trees, not reflecting the world but the thoughts, hopes, and fears of those who gaze into them. It’s said that to walk through this grove is to engage in dialogue with one’s soul, to confront and harmonise its disparate elements.
The rilmani of Centered Focus are philosophers, artists, and hermits who believe that balance starts from within. They engage in daily practices of meditation, martial arts that flow like water and wind, and create art that blurs the line between the material and the metaphysical, reflecting their inner tranquillity.
Community gatherings, rare as they are, resemble more a conclave of sages than a social event. Discussions delve into the nature of existence, the balance of forces within the Great Ring, and the pursuit of a personal path that aligns with the universal balance. Here, the rilmani teach that every individual’s journey is unique and that true balance cannot be imposed but must be cultivated through self-awareness.
Canonical Source: Tales from the Infinite Staircase [2e] p99-106 (brief mention)
