Temnestrian Iconography

First appearance and context

The Temnestrian Iconography is discussed in a chalk‑hall briefing within a Decenarian math as part of preparing fids for time outside the walls during Apert. It is presented alongside other named iconographies used by Saeculars to make sense of the mathic world.

Definition and characteristics

This iconography depicts avout as clowns with a sinister aspect. It is explicitly two‑phase: - Phase 1 (comic): avout are shown doing trivial or ridiculous things (e.g., prancing with butterfly nets, looking at shapes in clouds, talking to spiders, reading books upside‑down, or putting urine in test tubes). - Phase 2 (dark turn): an impressionable youngster is seduced, a responsible mother is lured into insanity, or a political leader is led into folly.

As summarized by the instructor, it functions as a way to blame society’s degeneracy on the avout—casting them as the original degenerates.

Origins

The pattern is traced to an ancient comedy, The Cloud‑weaver, by the Ethran playwright Temnestra. The play mocks Thelenes by name and was used as evidence in his trial.

How to recognize a subscriber

Those guided by this iconography may be civil so long as conversation is confined to what they readily understand, but can become strangely hostile once talk turns to abstractions—especially matters said to come from Hylaea. The first mention: Hylaea.

Perceived risk

In the same briefing, its danger was rated high (about 8 on a 1–10 scale). The discussion contrasted orderly proceedings by the Saecular Power with the unpredictability of mob actions—suggesting that while not the absolute worst case, this iconography poses serious practical risk when encountered extramuros.