Sæcular Power

The Sæcular Power is a non-mathic authority recognized by avout as external to the maths. It is described as tolerating and sometimes protecting the maths, though avout note that such protection has not always been consistent. Some avout use the nickname “Panjandrums.”

First Appearance and Context

Avout discuss the Sæcular Power when framing relations with the world outside the walls, including in exchanges with visiting artisans before Apert. At the gate opening, onlookers from the outside—Sæcular spectators—gathered, and one waved the flag of the Sæcular Power. During walks extramuros at Apert, avout also refer to an “organ of the Sæcular Power,” and recall that when a large asteroid once threatened the world, thousands of avout were assembled in a convox to build a ship to deflect it—an episode often cited when explaining why the Panjandrums might seek mathic help in rare circumstances.

Roles/Actions and Affiliations

• Stands outside the mathic orders and Discipline (part of the non‑mathic world), acknowledged by Avout but not governed by them.
• Considered capable of tolerating and protecting the maths, yet—per foundational instruction—also able to “wreak changes” on them; avout resist the notion that it should “reform” the maths.
• Exercises formal judicial authority; accounts specify that Thelenes was executed in an orderly proceeding by the Sæcular Power (as contrasted with mob action).
• Evocation (voco): avout describe an aut in which a fraa or suur may be officially called out from a math to perform praxic work for the Panjandrums. Tradition holds that the Sæcular Power identifies needed expertise across concents, and some avout believe the Ita facilitate this by reporting specialties.
• Described as comprising multiple “organs,” a term used for its bureaus or agencies.

Relationships

• Saecular world: Distinct from individual Sæcular people, but the authority under which they live; avout refer to both when speaking about conditions outside the walls.
• Math governance: The Warden Fendant monitors reports and distinguishes among outside authorities on the community’s behalf.
• Counterpart claims: The Warden of Heaven is treated by avout as a separate extramuros movement; outsiders sometimes conflate it with the Panjandrums, which avout reject.
• Ita: Some avout voice a traditional belief that the Ita observe and relay information to the Sæcular Power, especially regarding voco; this is recorded as an avout perspective rather than a confirmed practice.
• Historical framing: In internal histories, formal action by the Sæcular Power is contrasted with mob violence and with catastrophic events such as The Three Sacks.

Descriptions/Characteristics

• Symbols: Its flag is recognized; during a gate opening, a spectator displayed the flag of the Sæcular Power among the crowd outside the walls.
• Names and usage: Also called the Panjandrums in informal mathic speech. Avout note that the Sæcular Power’s composition and style “change from age to age,” and from the maths’ vantage are mainly tracked during Apert.

Current Status/Location

Active as a recognized secular authority outside the walls. During the present Apert, onlookers have referenced it and displayed its flag; avout mention contacts such as voco in traditional terms, but no new confirmed action by the Sæcular Power has been observed in the present scenes.