The people of the League often sort themselves into Schola, or schools. Originally, these began as true schools of thought, places or organizations that taught some kind of philosophy, architecture, natural sciences, and/or magic to those who wished to attend. Eventually, though, as these groups became more and more entrenched and the connections between the members of each Schola became stronger and tighter, they started functioning as much more than mere places of learning — they acted as mercantile associations, ritualist collectives, or theological orders. Even the warriors amongst the Ceruleans formed their own Schola, turning the schools that taught the martial arts and sciences into bands of mercenaries willing to put their skills to the test in exchange for coin or favors.
In modern times, Schola are how Ceruleans organize, using their Schola as their primary support structure outside of the family and relying on it in order to help them accomplish their goals. The original intent of the Schola, teaching, remains a strong part of the modern incarnation of the tradition, and Ceruleans are remarkably fast to welcome new “students” into their Schola, running them through the philosophical outlook and practices of the group and teaching them what they need to know in order to effectively contribute to the Schola’s activities.
Iremia (EE-reh-MEE-ah), translated as “serenity” in the common tongue, is the ideal of self-control that all Ceruleans aspire to achieve and maintain. Iremia is both the state of serenity and self-possession itself and the process of achieving it — a never-ending journey that all Ceruleans undergo every day of their lives. Achieving serenity one day is no guarantee that someone will achieve it the next; every Cerulean knows that they must always exert control, for even a single slip at the wrong time can be enough to let Radokhar’s influence begin to sway one’s mind.
To achieve Iremia, you must allow emotions to occur, but never let them dictate your words or actions. Fear, anger, sorrow, pain, want, joy — emotions are a natural and critical part of the mortal experience, and it can be harmful to try to not experience them, but they must not be allowed to dictate your choices or actions. Iremia demands that you control your response to emotions, not your emotions themselves; it is a serenity born of the rational mind floating upon a sea of emotion and maintaining its course no matter the currents or winds that attempt to shift it.
Actors and dramaturges within the League are masters at using Iremia to simulate emotions while remaining in control. They are so highly-regarded in this that they often end up as therapists and guides to others, helping those who are having trouble maintaining Iremia to recognize and control their emotions sufficiently to achieve serenity.
Though stability and discipline are the overarching backbone of Cerulean culture, there is one massive exception in every Cerulean’s life: their Odyssey. Once a young Cerulean is grown to the point where they can take care of themselves physically and are capable enough to earn money on their own, they are given leave to go on a long journey to other places. This Odyssey doesn’t need to be particularly exciting, nor does it need to be a terribly long journey; rather, it’s an opportunity for young people to see the world beyond their normal boundaries, to travel around the League or even other nations, exploring new places, meeting new people, and learning new perspectives on the world.
Many Cerulean families have a tradition of sending their young ones on an Odyssey that resembles their parents’ or ancestors’. They travel to the same places in roughly the same manner and order in an attempt to recreate a journey from the past to see what has changed and what has stayed the same, to maintain relationships started during their family’s previous journeys, and to learn some of the same lessons that helped shape their forebears’ personalities and thoughts. It rarely works out that way, of course, but the tradition persists nonetheless.
Those who are on Odyssey are expected to pay their way and be good guests, but are usually given the lowest rates possible for cheap food and lodging if they’re strapped for coin. Though some may have a specific itinerary and destinations they wish to visit, others go where the winds and tides take them, intent on experiencing what Fate has in store for them no matter how mundane or different from their expectation. Many young Ceruleans of the same relative age choose to go on Odyssey together, forming a small and very amateur martial Schola to go on a joint adventure into the world.
A Cerulean’s return from Odyssey is a time of rejoicing for their friends, family, and Schola, who often have not heard from them for quite some time by that point. A feast is thrown, and the one who has returned is grilled (lovingly) for all the things they saw, people they met, places they visited, and — most importantly — lessons they learned. An Odyssey is a turning point in a young Cerulean’s life, and frequently shapes the Schola they choose to join and the philosophical approach they take in the following decade or two, and so all who know them are eager to hear what new things they are beginning to incorporate into their approach to life.
It’s expected for young people to delay marriage or any significant and lasting life decisions until they have completed their Odyssey, as they are seen as immature and not truly knowing themselves well enough to make that kind of commitment until they’ve gone on the journey of self-discovery. It is, however, culturally acceptable for young people to become engaged and then go on their Odysseys (either together or alone), and immediately get married once they’ve both returned home if that’s still what they both want.
The term “Odyssey” derives from Odussera, an ancient Cerulean warrior-queen from before the Godswar, who was lost at sea while returning home from one of Radokhar’s wars after she offended a benthic Spirit and spat in the eye of one of Bakharos’ Heralds. Through trials and tribulations and journeys to half the shores of the Continent, she finally returned home after eleven years to slay the suitors for her husband’s hand. The Oduserra who returned home was said to be a notably wiser queen and gentler partner and mother than the one who left, and so the tradition of the Odyssey is seen as a means to let young Ceruleans mature and grow into a better version of themselves through travel and experience.