Fid

First Appearance and Context

Within the mathic community (cloistered scholarly), "fid" denotes a junior learner inside a math (scholarly order/house). The label appears both as a collective ("the fids") and as a formal style of address placed before a given name during instruction or examination.

Concept and Description

Fids study under elder avout (cloistered scholars), take on practical chores that sustain the community, and often move in cohorts. As a cohort matures, members prepare for order selection following the opening season and the subsequent selection rite.

Instruction and Curriculum

Classic Dialog (formal debate transcript) texts are described as being studied, re-enacted, and memorized by fids. One elder teacher observes that, by tradition, quantum theorics (study of quantum phenomena) is taught to fids using an older interpretive vocabulary (e.g., "superposition", "wavefunction collapse") inherited from early theors (scholarly theorists). He contrasts this with more polycosmic (multiple parallel cosmi) terminology favored by some theors; his comments are offered as his perspective on prevailing teaching habits.

Use in Current Discourse

Current speech among avout describes exceptional circumstances in which a fid may be included among the Evoked (formally summoned to act) traveling outside the walls, extramuros (outside the walls). In such cases, fids join seniors in small groups, aiming to preserve the spirit of the Discipline (rule of conduct) while extramuros. Statements made in these discussions contrast solitary Evocation with group travel during a Convox (mass assembly rendezvous), noting that a Peregrin (sanctioned travel while observant) group can better uphold communal observances; these points reflect participants' understanding and are presented as usage notes rather than codified rules. As inferred from events, brand-new fids may require close guidance from seniors while abroad to maintain observance.

Related Concepts and Affiliations

• Avout - the wider community to which fids belong
• Apert - the opening period preceding order selections
• Eliger - the selection rite that binds a cohort member to an order
• Convox - a rare mass assembly serving as the rendezvous for Evoked groups
• Peregrin - sanctioned travel in the Saeculum, while keeping to communal observance
• Discipline - the rule-set guiding avout conduct, invoked during travel plans

Current Status

Fids continue routine study and duties within their maths while their cohort's selections proceed. In the present assembly, at least one brand-new fid is traveling with seniors as part of a Peregrin group converging on a Convox, while others remain intramuros.