Notes on the Bothean medicine
Warning: this page talks about fictional ableism.
English isn't my main language and I may misuse words, or use words that have a connotation that I ignore. If I do so, please kindly explain my mistake to me. Dramas can be easily avoided that way ~
Reading this page is completely optional for your understanding of the universe and is simply here as bonus content.
(As usual, any picture here can be used for free in your YVVO projects. These AI generated images didn't steal artworks, read why in the rules!)
Introduction
The medicine on Bothea is a forbidden art that comes with many taboos. To full understand this page, it's recommended to have read the page about Yevatem's beliefs first, as medicine is closely linked to their ideology and understanding of the world.
Nomenclature:
The primordial Yevat, or the Yevat (as entity), is Yevatem's soul. It can also be mentionned as the FATHER.
Borah means "healer."
Noheyoa defines a job which specificities are unique to all who practice it. It's basically a job of listening like a psychotherapist. Some also add a praising to boost one's ego, some even add more intimous moments or chaste hugs. "That close fiend who will understand you," but raised as a full job.
Ovskrud are the Yevatem's sanctuary lakes, aquatic graveyards.
The Ovskrud disease is a death fungi that is known to develop in the lakes of the same name. It's one of the only disease known to be able to kill a Yevat.
English isn't my main language and I may misuse words, or use words that have a connotation that I ignore. If I do so, please kindly explain my mistake to me. Dramas can be easily avoided that way ~
Reading this page is completely optional for your understanding of the universe and is simply here as bonus content.
(As usual, any picture here can be used for free in your YVVO projects. These AI generated images didn't steal artworks, read why in the rules!)
Introduction
The medicine on Bothea is a forbidden art that comes with many taboos. To full understand this page, it's recommended to have read the page about Yevatem's beliefs first, as medicine is closely linked to their ideology and understanding of the world.
Nomenclature:
The primordial Yevat, or the Yevat (as entity), is Yevatem's soul. It can also be mentionned as the FATHER.
Borah means "healer."
Noheyoa defines a job which specificities are unique to all who practice it. It's basically a job of listening like a psychotherapist. Some also add a praising to boost one's ego, some even add more intimous moments or chaste hugs. "That close fiend who will understand you," but raised as a full job.
Ovskrud are the Yevatem's sanctuary lakes, aquatic graveyards.
The Ovskrud disease is a death fungi that is known to develop in the lakes of the same name. It's one of the only disease known to be able to kill a Yevat.
The status of medicine on Bothea
To understand the status of medicine on Bothea, it's best to first realize how tough Yevatem generally are:
- They're naturally resistant, endurant, agile, clever, and tough. They don't get wounded easily. - They have a great regeneration. Depending on the Yevat, a wound not too deep can heal in a night, while a deep one can take up to a week. As long as bones aren't chopped off, flesh will regrow (bones don't - so they can still lose limbs.) - They are resistant to most diseases, save for the Ovskrud one. You'll seldom, if not never, see a sick Yevat. - They're not immune to genetic problems, however, but the victims will often be seen as being "tested" by the FATHER. - Mental problems are often not considered at all. A Yevat with mental problems will often be judged as if it was his/her natural behavior, and not a sickness. When there is no need to be cared for or to heal for long periods, then there is no need for a medicine either. And when there is no need, nothing truly is developped. But Yevatem sometimes do need a better medicine, yet there's more to the problem: medicine is generally badly seen by society. If a Yevat gets hurt, it will always be considered to be their responsibility only. Others will think that it's the Yevat's fault if he got wounded, either by weakness or lack of care. It's then all natural that the wounded Yevat cares for his wound himself. Whining about a wound is seen as childish, and usually, Yevatem don't bother others with their physical problems. |
A Yevat will also often have very animal instincts regarding being harmed, in the way that they'll tend to isolate when being hurt. It's considered as very intimate to be seen cleaning a wound or caring for it. If a scent of blood immediately threatens them because of predators in the area, they may cover the wounds and apply bandages until they're in a safe area, but even this act will often be done alone.
As for Yevatem suffering from mental handicaps, they're often even denied the fact that there is a problem or difference at all. If other might notice that one acts strangely, or seem to have a "strange personality" (like in the case of autism, for example), they'll most often say that the concerned Yevat simply doesn't make enough efforts to be "normal" like the others. A depression will not be recognized as such, but will be seen as somebody who gave up. A Yevat suffering with ADHD will be rewarded for the hyperactivity, but blamed for their lack of focus. Etc.
The same goes for "invisible" diseases. For example, a Yevat suffering with rheumatisms will only be seen as somebody complaining about about "inexistant" pain and thus, wanting to attract attention. "How can you feel pain if there is no wound? Stop whining!"
All of this causes the Yevat society to be what we would call "ableist" in our modern language. Yevatem simply don't understand that some might have problems that others don't. Why wouldn't the FATHER and Bothea give the same chances to all? Yevatem with real problems and handicaps also often die young due to the lack of help, and thus it doesn't help spreading awareness on Bothea.
"Sahatar ve ostvalaik, ve hal tukat uefi." (If you fall, you can only stand up.)
As for Yevatem suffering from mental handicaps, they're often even denied the fact that there is a problem or difference at all. If other might notice that one acts strangely, or seem to have a "strange personality" (like in the case of autism, for example), they'll most often say that the concerned Yevat simply doesn't make enough efforts to be "normal" like the others. A depression will not be recognized as such, but will be seen as somebody who gave up. A Yevat suffering with ADHD will be rewarded for the hyperactivity, but blamed for their lack of focus. Etc.
The same goes for "invisible" diseases. For example, a Yevat suffering with rheumatisms will only be seen as somebody complaining about about "inexistant" pain and thus, wanting to attract attention. "How can you feel pain if there is no wound? Stop whining!"
All of this causes the Yevat society to be what we would call "ableist" in our modern language. Yevatem simply don't understand that some might have problems that others don't. Why wouldn't the FATHER and Bothea give the same chances to all? Yevatem with real problems and handicaps also often die young due to the lack of help, and thus it doesn't help spreading awareness on Bothea.
"Sahatar ve ostvalaik, ve hal tukat uefi." (If you fall, you can only stand up.)
Why is medicine badly seenYevatem believe that the ability to heal is directly related to the state of one's soul. There are two reasons for this:
First, they believe that if a Yevat is deserving of the FATHER (any Yevat soul being a piece of His), then He'll make sure that he survives to keep gathering experience to feed His knowledge. The primordial entity wanting Yevatem to gather knowledge for the primordial soul would, for sure, make anything possible so Yevatem all survive as long as possible. If someone dies, then it means that the FATHER must have wanted it. Perhaps it was judged that the Yevat had nothing else to learn in this life, and must go to another, new life, to explore new aspects. Secondly, they believe that a "healthy soul" will always try to have a body matching in its appearance and thus, will heal the wounds - plus that it'll have the "energy" to do it. Caring for the soul would then, according to Yevatem's beliefs, heal all the rest; as the soul would be at the source of the flesh status and appearance. Scars would be the way the soul shows somebody's past, marking one's flesh with the proof of a previous mistake that didn't kill, but taught a valuable lesson. |
For mental sufferings and other invisible diseases, a Yevat will be considered as responsible to "fix their soul," so the diseases, problems, handicaps, differences or pains can naturally be fixed afterwards. If the soul is in a good state, then all the rest should follow. If on the contrary, one didn't care enough for his soul and inner balance, then problems would follow. Yevatem believe that people at peace and with a "healthy soul" (the definition of a "healthy soul" can vary according to people and regions) will also regenerate wounds faster.
This all lead to a society problem: trying to care for another Yevat's wound would be like to say that his soul is weak, and not worthy of the FATHER. "Why do you care for Ney's cut? Do you think that he's not strong enough in his soul to cure all by himself? Do you think he's a child?"
As a result, caring for other's bruises, wounds, diseases, etc. is often seen as an offense. It's like telling somebody in the face that they're worthless. Because of this, doctors and healers remain very rare on Bothea.
A borah, healer, that would want to cure or to help somebody, might also be badly seen by others because of how intimate the act is in their society. "Are you trying to inappropriately touch my partner?" To cure someone else's wound will be seen as a tender, if not an enamored move. Trying to cure people they don't know make healers pass for touch-starved people, when they're not blatantly offensant.
In short, it could be summarized by:
"If you are equal to me, then I believe in you to heal by the grace of the Primordial soul."
"If you are not equal to me (if you have no Primordial soul caring for you,) then you are weaker, and in that case it's normal that somebody cares for you instead."
Thankfully, this phylosophy is starting to spark debates, and some isolated people start to rebel against it. They're not enough to have a powerful voice at the moment, but this might change in the future.
If being a doctor is badly seen, it's often not enough to make of a healer a valis, however. Although it depends on the region, but it's rarely condemned, just badly seen.
This all lead to a society problem: trying to care for another Yevat's wound would be like to say that his soul is weak, and not worthy of the FATHER. "Why do you care for Ney's cut? Do you think that he's not strong enough in his soul to cure all by himself? Do you think he's a child?"
As a result, caring for other's bruises, wounds, diseases, etc. is often seen as an offense. It's like telling somebody in the face that they're worthless. Because of this, doctors and healers remain very rare on Bothea.
A borah, healer, that would want to cure or to help somebody, might also be badly seen by others because of how intimate the act is in their society. "Are you trying to inappropriately touch my partner?" To cure someone else's wound will be seen as a tender, if not an enamored move. Trying to cure people they don't know make healers pass for touch-starved people, when they're not blatantly offensant.
In short, it could be summarized by:
"If you are equal to me, then I believe in you to heal by the grace of the Primordial soul."
"If you are not equal to me (if you have no Primordial soul caring for you,) then you are weaker, and in that case it's normal that somebody cares for you instead."
Thankfully, this phylosophy is starting to spark debates, and some isolated people start to rebel against it. They're not enough to have a powerful voice at the moment, but this might change in the future.
If being a doctor is badly seen, it's often not enough to make of a healer a valis, however. Although it depends on the region, but it's rarely condemned, just badly seen.
Exceptions
Some Yevatem may be sick, and still be spared from other's ableism:
- Blind and deaf Yevatem are quite recognized, because it's easy to understand that they indeed have a problem. They're called "muanierbejlej" (one who cannot see) and "munatbejlej" (one who cannot hear.) They're considered as "being tested," "in a trial," or "gathering the strangest experiences" for the FATHER's soul. Sometimes, others will adapt to them, and even adapt the town to them, but it's not always the case. - Yevatem who lost limbs are considered as not careful enough (sometimes even as idiots,) but now that they're in such a state, they're considered as handicaped. There is no word for handicap, but they'll often be given jobs that they can do according to their capacities, and are still accepted. Prosthesis will even be attempted to help them (so they remain helpful to the community,) and this will not be considered as "medicine" but as "craft," so it's fully accepted (the Yevat is not being touched or attented to directly, but is being gifted an object.) - Children in the Yevat language is said "deyevat," which means "unfinished Yevat." It's not pejorative, but it's a way to say that as they're not fully grown; it's because the piece of soul they have from the FATHER isn't complete yet. Since they don't have full souls, they can't be expected to heal properly not to be spiritually balanced, so it's always considered as acceptable for parents to care for their children. (Only the parents or close family though.) - In some regions, autism and alike are not understood, but recognized. They'll call it "munohebejlej" (the one who doesn't understand because of a disease) and might simply live with the fact that some are built differently. It's however not spread worldwide yet. - Sometimes, lovers will privately care for their wounded or handicaped partner(s). They'll always do it in intimacy, and after making sure that they consent to it. |
Animals such as pets or mounts are also spared from the ableism. While many Yevatem will let their animal die of natural causes (diseases included,) many others love to care for their pets and mounts (especially if these are part of their job.) It's not rare, nor badly seen, to put bandages on animals to help them heal. Animals are considered as weaker and, not posessing any soul but being part of Bothea, they can't naturally heal as well as Yevatem. Many breeders and pet owners can be seen applying bandages on their animals, or controlling their diet, etc.
The case of Niviktem, Varveleilem, and Oyevatem varies according to Yevatem's personal beliefs. - It's unknown for Yevatem if Niviktem have a Primordial soul or not. When asked, Niviktem don't really understand the question, and might simply answer that they have their entity named "Elandrisse" (written "E Landrys" in Yevat) back in their realm. It's up to Yevatem to decide if they consider it a soul or not, and thus, how they consider Niviktem. In a case, they'll act with the small beings just like they do with other Yevatem, in another they'll see them more as affectionate companions or pets who can be cared for because they would be more fragile. - The Varveleil's status (if they're a primordial soul and thus, brothers, or rather animals on Bothea) is highly disputed. Yevatem will follow their own beliefs about how to consider the dragons. - Oyevatem being largely a threat more than anything else, and being even tougher than Yevatem, the occasion to have to heal one will rarely, if not almost never happen. But if it does, then the concerned Yevat will only apply his personal beliefs. |
Finally, the region of the Arch is one big exception. Having lived cut off the rest of the world for cycles, they developped their own beliefs and habits about care and healers. They're especially known to consider Varveleilem as "brothers/sisters in soul," and yet they can be seen healing a dragon's wounds without shame. They're also usually much more tactile and shameless, and don't mind touching others or somebody's wound. It gives them the reputation of being immature, childish, and inappropriate, which isn't helped by their "partygoers" general behavior. However, even with such barriers falling off for them, they never really developped their medicine, prefering to develop their arts and culture. (It's them who invented martial arts and theater! They can't have everything, after all.)
Alternatives
A Yevat can't always just sit until the pain passes. Sometimes, diseases such as the Ovskrud one hit communities hard, sometimes one have lost too much blood to care for oneself, sometimes a wound gets infected, sometimes diseases remain unknown and untreated, because widely misunderstood (such as cancer, Parkinson, etc.) These occurences remain very rare, but they still sometimes happen, and causes a great distress to close ones. If a lot of Yevatem often die of such causes, some rare people try to seek borahem or other solutions in spite of how badly seen it is.
Accepted forms of healing
As said previously, Yevatem believe that "if the soul is healthy, then the body will follow." They often mistake the psychological state with the "soul's state," meaning that they think if somebody is happy, safe, and balanced, then this person will heal from everything. It's partially true, since the ability to heal is directly linked to the quality of life, but it's limited. Following this statement, the methods used by Yevatem to "cure people" is to "make them feel better." It will mostly pass through: - Hearing someone singing (their hearing is sensitive, and it soothes them) - Seeing a noheyoa (kind of therapists) and gets one's ego boosted, and/or be psychologically soothed. Noheyoa's role is not to be underestimated, and so many Yevatem rely on them to feel better that some say the society would collapse if they weren't there. - Chewing on some painkilling roots (which tends to be hallucinogenic if consumed in high doses) and/or applying the chewed roots directly on a wound to calm the pain. - If a scent of blood directly threatens a Yevat, then he can be seen applying leaf bandages to a wound to cover his tracks until he's safe. - Receiving massages, with bare hands, heated rocks, or even oils; but they're more often reserved for Velilyevatem or close one for it already starts to fel too intimate for Yevatem. These are however only what could be considered as "palliative care" in our world. It soothes, but doesn't heal. |
Some creative regions
Mostly underground (maybe because these regions are colonies who want independance from the surface,) some regions are more creative than others, and develop unique soothing methods. In the High tides haven and The pleasant waters, which is a mostly swamp-like area, folks here have developped a form of "cure by loss of blood." They use local leeches to "purify" one's blood by having it extracted, so the body can naturally renew it with a new and clean blood. It would "exctract" the diseases and other illnesses from the body. The effects of such cure aren't proved, but at this point, it's mostly cultural. In the Misty cave, Yevatem here have developped a "cure by heat." They built a lot of basins and pools above their never-shutting forges. The water in these basins are hot, sometimes even steamy, and they take bathes in these hot waters. Yevatem usually pant to reduce their temperature, but these bathes are so hot and moist that is makes them sweat a little. They believe that toxins and other bad things are then removed from the body through this way. The Heart is also an interesting part of the world. Having copied part of the Arch's martial arts to craft powerful Velilyevat soldiers, one could say that they lead military-wise. But these winged warriors in shiny armors wouldn't be complete without a precise knowledge about self-care! While it's for them still badly seen to care for someone else's wound, they think that nothing prohibit them to teach how to better take care of one's own wound. Each of these warriors are taught clever ways to handle with the pain, to the point that the best of them can completely ignore wounds. They're also taught special methods, such as how to sew their own wounds so it stops bleeding much faster, and they may appear as not hurt to other's eyes. They can be badly injured, and come back an hour after as if nothing happened to them. Such knowledge is however reserved for the elite of these winged fighters, and the Heart jealously keep it hidden from the rest of the world. |
Prohibited cures
Everything that hurts a Yevat's beliefs, or which is seen as too intimate, will tend to be badly seen. These are often called "prohibited cures," even if those who practice them are not made valis for it (not everywhere, at least.) However, most of those who practice them are often asked "to leave or to cease," excluding them from a lot of communities.
Witches
"Witches" (who can be any gender, regardless of the word's initial connotation) are Yevatem who found a special interest in herbs, roots, plants in general, and mushrooms. They test and study their effects on the body and the mind, and often develop their knowledge to the point that they can create "potions" and poultices. They're often hermits who don't hide the fact that they can cure things, and can be consulted at any time, for a price. A lot of them also specialize into other alternate "soul-reading" powers, such as trying to guess one's future in bones or tarot cards, but it's not always the case.
They're often considered as weird and unstable, and consulting one is often badly seen by others.
Everything that hurts a Yevat's beliefs, or which is seen as too intimate, will tend to be badly seen. These are often called "prohibited cures," even if those who practice them are not made valis for it (not everywhere, at least.) However, most of those who practice them are often asked "to leave or to cease," excluding them from a lot of communities.
Witches
"Witches" (who can be any gender, regardless of the word's initial connotation) are Yevatem who found a special interest in herbs, roots, plants in general, and mushrooms. They test and study their effects on the body and the mind, and often develop their knowledge to the point that they can create "potions" and poultices. They're often hermits who don't hide the fact that they can cure things, and can be consulted at any time, for a price. A lot of them also specialize into other alternate "soul-reading" powers, such as trying to guess one's future in bones or tarot cards, but it's not always the case.
They're often considered as weird and unstable, and consulting one is often badly seen by others.
Doctors
Doctors or healers, borahem. Some rare souls on Bothea who could access the precious knowledge of the largest cities could see this: libraries often have folders of prohibited knowledge, shared with none but the most eminent (or lucky) souls. These parchments gather a lot of highly valuable knowledge, such as: - diseases rarely spoken of - numerous notions of a Yevat anatomy with drawings and schemes, including the organs and bones - records of things found inside of bodies (such as cancerous tumors, to remain safe for work) and their consequences on the flesh - notes on plants, mushrooms and their effects (stolen from witches) - notes on how some diseases have been cured in the past, but with no guarantee that the methods would work again - notes and schemes on Yevatem and Velilyevatem who had unique traits and powers - etc. |
Such notes and schemes are considered as prohibited knowledge for the way they've been acquired. Most most time, this information has been obtained against Yevatem's beliefs and values. For example, the shemes showing the inside of a Yevat's body must have been acquired by mutilating a dead person to see how it was made inside. Other notes have simply been stolen from other cities. All this data obtained illegally is reserved for the elite only, who are asked to remain silent about what they've seen so as to void the people's wrath. Even the name of the researchers who obtained such data is often erased from the parchments, to protect them.
Some people who could access this knowledge however decide to share it, and to become healers. They know for a fact that the soul can't do everything, and want to spread the world. They're often constantly moving on Bothea, both to seek more knowledge and to find people who are desperate to heal from something.
Special powers
Some Yevatem or Velilyevatem naturally have healing powers. Some's voice really seem to heal, while some other can apply their hands on a wound to close it in seconds without a scar.
Yevatem with such powers most often hide it not to be feared and made valis.
Velilyevatem with such powers are often deified and venerated. They tend to be visited by people who can't heal to accomplish miracles.
Some people who could access this knowledge however decide to share it, and to become healers. They know for a fact that the soul can't do everything, and want to spread the world. They're often constantly moving on Bothea, both to seek more knowledge and to find people who are desperate to heal from something.
Special powers
Some Yevatem or Velilyevatem naturally have healing powers. Some's voice really seem to heal, while some other can apply their hands on a wound to close it in seconds without a scar.
Yevatem with such powers most often hide it not to be feared and made valis.
Velilyevatem with such powers are often deified and venerated. They tend to be visited by people who can't heal to accomplish miracles.
Conclusion
There aren't many healers on Bothea, for they are not loved or welcomed. But, who knows? The more the knowledge and awareness spread, the more chances there are that Yevatem change their mind about it!
There aren't many healers on Bothea, for they are not loved or welcomed. But, who knows? The more the knowledge and awareness spread, the more chances there are that Yevatem change their mind about it!