Perelithian Liaison

First Appearance and Context

An entry in The Dictionary on “liaison” records that a famous pairing of Saunt Per and Saunt Elith gave rise to the name “Perelithian.” Shortly before Rebirth, several maths altered the Discipline to sanction this form; at the time of Reconstitution, a revised Discipline enumerated types of liaison and which were sanctioned.

Roles/Actions and Affiliations

A Perelithian Liaison is defined as a permanent union between one Fraa and one Suur. Sanctioned liaisons are governed by rules and are solemnized by an aut in which the participants agree—before at least three witnesses—to abide by those rules. Orders or concents that deviate from the Discipline by sanctioning other types are subject to disciplinary action by the Inquisition. It is permissible for an order or concent to sanction fewer types; those that sanction none are nominally celibate.

Relationships

• Etymology: Named for Saunt Per and Saunt Elith, whose posthumously discovered correspondence made their liaison famous.
• Comparison: Contrasted in tone and practice with the episodic Atlanian Liaison, which is limited to brief decennial meetings.

Descriptions/Characteristics

• Structure: Permanent pairing of one fraa and one suur.
• Recognition and rules: Treated as one of the formally recognized liaison types under later Discipline texts; each sanctioned liaison type carries specific rules and is affirmed by an aut with witnesses.
• Historical notes from reference sources: Earlier cartasian guidance forbade all liaison types; later summaries report that a “Revised Book of Discipline” described eight types and sanctioned two, while a “Second New Revised Book of Discipline” describes seventeen, sanctions four, and hints that two more are tolerated.

Current Status/Location

Referenced as a sanctioned form in some maths and as one of several types enumerated in later Discipline texts. Enforcement or censure for departures is attributed to the Inquisition in reference accounts; no specific proceedings are described in the available material.