Thinking Long Term

Shala’s presence had made something wonderful possible for Esperia: thinking long term.

Does that sound insignificant?

The Espers were not creatures naturally inclined to think across long periods of time, spanning decades or even centuries.

But one thing was clear to the Seven Shapes: if they were finally going to create a civilization united in peace, harmony, and equality for all, they needed to think long term.

Why?

The discovery of Aether, the life source of Esperia, had also helped the Espers understand that the use of magic could not continue at such a frantic pace without causing major consequences in a future that was actually quite near, even if it seemed distant within the span of a single life.

Indeed, every use of magic consumed a little of this Aether, and it did not renew itself as quickly as it was being consumed.

On a finite planet with finite resources, it was therefore necessary to plan together, starting now, what kind of environment future generations would have the right to live in.

For the choices of the past influence the present, and the choices of the present influence the future.

Shala understood the gravity of this moment for Esperia. She had seen other similar civilizations across the Universes she was able to observe.

“Will the Seven Shapes succeed in spreading the importance of thinking long term?… The future of generations yet to come will surely depend on it…”


Our latest tales

  • A Magnificent Humanity?

    A Magnificent Humanity?

    Cha Cha, our little platypus companion, gazed once again into the magic mirror at this unknown civilization, which nevertheless had many things in common with that of the Espers. This civilization called itself “magnificent.” But as Cha Cha became more interested in their planet, their history, and their evolution, “magnificent” was not really the word…

    Read more

  • I Can, Therefore I Think

    I Can, Therefore I Think

    Faya, the Shape of Willpower, was well known for never mincing her words and often saying aloud what everyone else was only thinking. Like the other Shapes, she had begun applying the principles of One Daily Tale to develop her own StarDust. She therefore had to develop her Water element, connected to Wisdom, and, to…

    Read more

  • Adapting to an Ageing Population

    Adapting to an Ageing Population

    The use of magic had greatly improved access to healthcare and had, as a result, significantly extended the life expectancy of the Espers in a remarkably short time. The downside was that the Espers did not seem to have considered the consequences such an achievement would bring. The massive increase in population was indeed creating…

    Read more

  • Doing Your Best

    Doing Your Best

    Even though the Seven Shapes had become symbols that helped the Espers develop their StarDust, none of them was perfect. Each had her own strengths and weaknesses, yet each did her best every day to strengthen her qualities and overcome her shortcomings. Eklea, the Shape of Awareness, who seemed to see the world differently from…

    Read more

  • Trust as a Fundamental Value

    Trust as a Fundamental Value

    Gurumin, the Shape of Empathy, had been entrusted with the extremely complex task of becoming the symbol of a peaceful society, regardless of the element. Until now, the Espers of each element had seen others as potential threats. It therefore seemed obvious that a shift in paradigm regarding the trust placed in others was essential.…

    Read more

  • Choices and Priorities

    Choices and Priorities

    The end of the Chaos War had nevertheless, despite the ecological and civilizational devastation it had caused, brought with it perhaps, at last, the solutions needed to build a society living in harmony with nature and at peace. Vati, the Shape of Wisdom, then spoke. “When the Eclipse cast a veil over the StarDust that…

    Read more

  • Personal Balance for Harmony with Others

    Personal Balance for Harmony with Others

    Balance, represented by Atma, the Shape of Balance, one of the Seven Shapes who had devoted herself to rebuilding Esperia in harmony with nature, as well as among the Espers of the Five elements, now held a special place within Esper civilization. The Seven Shapes had indeed come to understand that balance had to lie…

    Read more

  • Everything in Its Own Time

    Everything in Its Own Time

    The aftermath of the Chaos War on Esperia no longer resembled what it once had been. The use of magic was now subject to restrictions, which had profoundly changed the course of things: there was far less urgency, and far more contemplation of the present moment. Something that had long been forgotten during the period…

    Read more