On The Creation of Heroes: The Ubel Rebellion

Contents

Defining a Hero ******Defining Good and Evil Defining a Hero: Section Two Creation of a Hero: Alexander Ubel ******The Hypothetical Constants of Need and The Shared Subconscious Creation of a Hero: Alexander Ubel: Section Two The Future Heroes

Defining a Hero

Before I can even begin to write my primary thesis, I must first take a moment to define a hero. Now, this may seem to many, perhaps even my reader, as an easy process. I however, do not believe so.

The key difference between the beliefs many share on the definition of a hero, and the one which I hold, is this: a hero is, without exception, created by the will of a society, not by their actions. Now, I wouldn't be surprised if you do not agree immediately with my proposition, however, if you stop a moment to think on the matter, it is a valid truth. However, before I explain to you why, I must make a brief aside to make things clear.

******Defining Good and Evil I understand this is quite a leap from the original section of introduction, but this subsection is a requisite explanation without which one could not understand my theory entirely. As with defining a hero, society is that which defines good and evil. If one thinks honestly on the matter, you would find that this is true. Good and evil are not black and white, but rather, both are shades of grey. Take for instance, a society which many of us, no doubt, think is evil: that of the drow.

To us, they are evil that knows no bounds. However, what of drow children? Are they born with what we perceive as evil in their blood? Can such a thing be honestly said, when the child has, at birth, no concept of good or evil? I would be willing to stake my life on the assumption, that, raised outside its parental culture, a drow could grow to be one of the kindest individuals to walk this earth. It is drow culture that has, for so long, been immersed in our perception of evil, that makes this child grow to be evil. The child is not born as such. In drow society, children have no society to compare the concepts of right and wrong, moral and just, with their own societies precepts on such matter. In their society, things we view as evil are viewed as good, natural behaviours.

Thus, a society defines good and evil, not natural ideals embedded in our thoughts.

Defining A Hero: Section Two

Continuing on the first section, I will address in more detail my definition of the hero. Holding to the truth that it is society which defines good and evil, we can quite easily see how it is that society defines a hero. Using the drow again as my example, to them, a mighty cleric of Lloth that heals their warriors may be considered a hero, whereas to us, who hold enitrely separate concepts of good and evil, view such a cleric evil. Thus, our society does not acknowledge that person as a hero. If the same situation was applied to a cleric of say, Ilmater, for us, that person would be considered a hero, not so for the drow.

So, we can see that is not entirely possible to concretely define a hero. However, we can arrive at the following metaphysical definition for heroes: "A hero is that which, by the dictates of a particular society, is viewed by that individual society as a paragon of that which is viewed as good and just by that individual society.

Now, with that definition in mind, I can proceed with discussing my theory on the creation of such heroes, using the Ubel Rebellion as a model.

Creation of a Hero: Alexander Ubel

Now, many people, especially citizens of Upper, may be repulsed by the thought of elevating Alexander Ubel to the status of hero. However, bearing in mind my objective definition of a hero, it is quite easy to see that he is a hero for a society, just not that of Upper.

However, the question that remains is this: how did Ubel become a hero? How is it that a man of Upper could become a hero for the citizens of Lower? Again, in order to make clear my thoughts on this, I must make a brief aside.

******The Hypothetical Constants of Need and The Shared Subconscious

Now, in order to understand the premise of my theory, one must be allowed two hypothetical constants when dealing with life. Generally, the basic needs of every living being are the following: food, shelter, warmth. These can be broken into any number of of sub-categories, such as defining warmth as fire and clothing etc. For our purposes, these are fine.

In addition to these three basic needs, I feel that two others can be found in the more intelligent races. These are the needs of freedom, and of security, and both are mutually exclusive. Freedom is generally understood by all, and security as well. Security's need is derived from the desire to protect freedom. Freedom is derived from the need to have less security (or, one could say, government.) Now, with these to constants holding sway over many of our thoughts, (As I can only assume. I'm rather certain one does not wake up in the morning and think: "I would like to be a slave" or, "I hope I am murdered today.") people strive to build a society that meets their needs in both areas, Thus, it could be said we share a Subconscious. This Subconscious mind, while not necessarily connecting us completely with all others around us, unites us in the desire for the two constants I have proposed.

Creation of a Hero: Alexander Ubel: Section Two

With the collective Subconscious of a society in mind, it is easy to see how a hero is created in respect to the two hypothetical constants.

So, we finally arrive at the thesis of this essay: "When a society, in it's desire for either freedom, security, or both, is hampered, the collective will of its Subconscious will give rise to a hero through a mandate of the masses derived from that subconscious. No more relevant an example can be found in Sanctuary that Alexander Ubel.

Perhaps now, my reader understands how Ubel can be considered a hero, but, I will write the connections here, for those who cannot make them on their own.

There is much history involved with the Ubel Rebellion, which I will not discuss here. (If you wish more knowledge, there is a four volume dissertation available on its history.) Essentially, there is only one major piece that one needs to understand to make the connection.

Lower Sanctuary's citizens felt persecuted by the Council of the time, and lived there to escape its rule. Upper, worried about the possible risk that Lower could pose, implemented a heavy guard presence there, much to the chagrin of a people who wanted nothing to do with what they thought was an oppressive government. (An influence by the constant of freedom.) However, the citizens there could not deny their need for security, which one can still see in play today, as evidenced by the presence of gangs. (Which, as a logical extension of the need for security, will evolve into the government of Lower, which will act as it's security, and therefore, preserve and play upon the need of freedom.)

Now, do to many wrongs, the masses of Lower felt as though the were oppressed. The voice of its people, for the sake of argument, had been muted by Upper. The will of their collective subconscious then worked to create a hero, the one individual in a society who, through the willingness to take action, would be elevated to the status of the people's hero. The saw, in Upper, the man Alexander Ubel, who opposed all of what was occurring in Lower, and preached a militant message, who was part of the very Council which had caused them such pains.

Thus, the populace, unable to voice its own desires, elevated Ubel to a god-like status of an awesome hero. He became the populace's "hands" with which to work, and he, promoting a revolution, gave to the people of Lower a voice, this voice was war. Meeting the mandate of the masses, appeasing the will of their collective subconscious, Ubel became a hero. He opposed what the society of Lower viewed as evil, and supported what it viewed as good. Meeting these needs, he became their hero, and falls perfectly in to the universally true definition of hero that I have herein established.

The Furture Heroes

Taking into account all that I have written, I must leave my reader with a final thought.

The situation in Lower has reached a critical point. In their desire for freedom, they left Upper, and in their desire for security where there was no government, gangs have formed to attempt to meet that need. Now, with a war between the largest gangs of Lower, the people stand to loose their security, and, following shortly after, their freedom, as the last gang standing rises to power, its leader now a warlord.

This leaves no doubt in my thoughts that the will of the collective subconscious of Lower's citizens will soon give birth to a new hero, one to rival Alexander Ubel's status. Who this hero is cannot be known until he, or, quite possibly, she, steps forward, and it is likely this person does not know who they themselves are. We are in a prime position to witness the birth of a hero, and I, for one, attend to be present when it happens.

-Aziel Rosis