Mathic World

First Appearance and Context

The mathic world denotes the social and institutional life within the walls, contrasted with the worldly realm outside in the Saeculum (the secular world). The term is used in reference works and everyday speech to frame how cloistered practice differs from outside customs and authorities.

Concept and Description

The mathic world comprises avout (cloistered scholars) communities living under a shared Discipline (rule set for avout). Life emphasizes restrained devices, study, liturgy, and craft within cloistered grounds. Formal discourse commonly uses Orth (formal mathic language) intramuros (inside the walls) and may shift to vernacular speech extramuros (outside the walls) when needed. Accounts note that its view of time differs markedly from extramuros perspectives.

Use in Current Discourse

Reports describe how the mathic world operates when exceptional travel is ordered: - Under a Convox (large assembly), many Evoked avout assemble and travel together so they can preserve the Discipline within their Peregrin (sanctioned journey) group. By contrast, Voco (single-person sending) is understood to send an individual out, making preservation of the Discipline harder. - Practical measures reported include pairing more extramuros‑fluent Tenners with Hundreders for language and logistics, using outside drivers, and holding working discussions in Orth with ad hoc translation for non‑speakers. These details are presented as participants’ practice rather than fixed liturgy. - Personal accounts sometimes describe the bolt, chord, and sphere (standard avout kit) as tangible links to life intramuros; losing such kit while extramuros can feel like a severing from the mathic world. - Some speakers characterize a Convox as a joint Sæcular/Mathic apparatus that can feel political; they express reluctance to engage in such politics even while acknowledging the need to be useful.

Practices and Gate Customs

• Gatekeepers at cloistered walls sometimes deliver a formal warning that entry is into “a world that is not your own,” followed by a requirement to swear a vow (pledge not to depart) before admission. This formula is said to date back to Cartas (revered reformer).
• Speakers also note that there are variations in the Discipline from one math to the next, so practices may differ across communities.
• Guests from the Sæculum may be admitted to lodge in a separate guest house set apart from the cloister. Hosts often brief newcomers on mathic etiquette (expected conduct inside the walls). Outside goods and devices may be kept in the guest area and left behind when joining communal activities.

Boundaries and gray areas

Some cloistered communities outwardly resemble maths but state they are not maths under the Discipline. One example is Orithena, where a Lineage (very old tradition) maintains a walled cloister, works with avout‑like tools and customs, and (by report) “pretends” to be a math for clarity when interacting with outsiders, while remaining dedicated to its work. Such cases highlight the cultural boundary of the mathic world and its neighbors.

Governance and cooperation with the Sæculum

• Certain research sites and related properties tied to cloistered work are administered by foundations with mixed Sæcular/Mathic boards of governors (joint oversight). Accounts mention long, formal bylaws and emphasize durability over quick changes. At places adjacent to the math—such as the facilities linked to Orithena—this arrangement frames how the cloister interfaces with the outside world and manages visitor access.

Related Concepts and Affiliations

• Counterpart: the Sæculum, the worldly realm outside the walls.
• Inhabitants and language: avout communities and Orth as the formal register.
• Rites and movements: Voco and Convox (with travel conducted as Peregrin).

Current Status

The mathic world remains cloistered and regulated by the Discipline. In current accounts, many avout are reported to be traveling toward a designated Convox in organized groups while those remaining continue ordinary observances inside the walls.