Collected

Overview

Collected refers to the ceremonial moment when newcomers are formally received into a math from the extramuros world through Collection. It most often occurs during Apert, when a high outside official publicly hands entrants over to the host Concent with oaths and a bell, marking their transfer into mathic care.

Preceding Context

Ahead of the moment itself, candidates for intake are identified via Collection: infants (“foundlings”) and older youngsters brought directly from outside, alongside those on the one‑year path associated with the Unarians. The term “Collected” distinguishes those entering by Collection from those who progress into longer‑cycle maths after time in the Unarian path.

What Happens

During the culminating public meal of Apert, the highest‑ranking outside official performs the handover. Names are read, the transfer is witnessed, and entrants are assigned to initial placements appropriate to age and condition. From that point, they are considered avout under the Discipline, and ordinary settling‑in follows under their new community’s routines.

Aftermath/Consequences

• Status change: After the handover, entrants become Avout and are subject to mathic rules and rhythms.
• Usage in speech: Mathic speakers use the word as a time marker in personal histories (e.g., noting that a person “walked out before we were Collected”), a phrasing that recently arose in reference to Estemard.