Among the regimented lives of the plantoid peoples, the status of Auvli has long stood as an object of fascination. Originating as a discrete category in the iron age but with social roots dating back long before, Auvli refers to both a constellation of qualities relating to freedom and fetterlessness and the people who exemplify them. Originally shaped by cultural and religious factors, Auvli has undergone a variety of evolutions since its initial emergence, and in the contemporary era has inspired many themes, trends, and tropes that dominate media and the social world. True to its nature, however, the basic core of what is considered "Auvli" remains unchanged by the millenia.
Overview: Auvli is divided into two principal aspects; the attributes that it is associated with, and the social identity that is applied to people who demonstrate such qualities. While the former is highly consistent, the latter has historically not been so well-defined, with individuals of many different social standings or even expressed traits being considered Auvli.
Qualities: As a quality, Auvli refers to a certain sense of independence, bravery, self-sufficiency, innocence, separation from social norms, sexlessness, and self-existence. Auvli is not considered to be a sum of parts or an emergent phenomenon from the conjunction of such factors; rather, it is a trait of its own, transcending its "constituents." Because of this, not everything that has such qualities is considered Auvli. The main tying thread of Auvli is independent existence. The Auvli is not bound by anything, and its courageous and adventurous aspects are interpreted in this light. Despite Auvli being identified through more sensible or mundane ways, as opposed to the liberation of an ascetic, their underlying independence is still more cosmical. This also ties into the innocence or naivete of the Auvli, with such qualities being enabled by the very ability to care for oneself, with helplessness being viewed as something that takes a being away from such primordial glory. Though reproduction is not related to social factors or relationships very much in most plantoid societies, the Auvli partakes of an even keener sort of asexuality. This is because reproduction inherently implies fault or inability in the parent, and the need for an attenuated form of immortality. It is also related to the more general taboo against derivation present in some of the most widespread plantoid religions.
Social Category: In regards to people, Auvli has never been an institutionalized role, though it has greatly influenced how a great many roles are viewed. The role of Auvli was originally related to that of religious mendicants, but quickly took on a more explicitly secular role, with the free man, the explorer, and the mercenary being traditional examples of it among the ancients. With the progression of time, Auvli has become associated more with "lively eccentrics," and boyish, hero-type figures who operate independently. Certain types of celebrities or figures in daring professions are more commonly considered to be firmly Auvli. Apart from archetypal images, normal people can also be considered Auvli. The prototypical Auvli is socially unaware, courageous, not tied to groups or family, asexual, possessed of a certain charisma, and male. Needless to say, rarely does any one person meet all of the criteria, but the baseline is still used as a judging point.
Apart from individuals, Auvli has also influenced ideals of social relationships. The master-apprentice relationship is often associated with it, as are strong peer relationships. Auvli has in many ways formed the prototypical model for how personal connections should be ideally, and is treated in a quasi-sacred manner due to its unattainability in normal life.
Religious Factors: While Auvli has long stood as a secular category, it has still related to religions over the years. One of the most widespread developments in plantoid theology is the abhorrence of concepts of creation. The most widespread religion, Janei, holds that derivation is directly contradictory to divinity, and that it indeed does not exist. Solar and lunar religions are less strong on this topic, especially given the latter's emphasis on cycles, but they still retain an emphasis on eternalistic animism that precludes any form of actual beginning (or end). These attitudes dovetail with the self-sufficiency and independence of the Auvli, and were significant factors in shaping the archetype as a whole. They also tie into the sexlessness of Auvli; instead of two incomplete beings joining to form progeny, a single being contains all potentialities in itself. This uncreated quality is seen as truly divine as opposed to the attenuated divinity associated with sexual symbolism. In more esoteric circles, Auvli is associated with bachelor-gods and autoerotic magic.
Impact on Culture: Auvli has affected culture not only in the role itself, but also in the sorts of attitudes and dispositions that it has spread. It has long been speculated that Auvli has served as a social venting-mechanism, an outlet for hope or longing amid otherwise stifling societies. Auvli arose when most societies were still clan-based, aristocratic, or totalitarian, and the image of the Auvli may have gained appeal due to the constraints during such times. Governments have historically had a complicated relationship with the archetype. In the period right after its emergence, Auvli was associated both with soldiers signing up for glory as well as mercenaries who owed no loyalty to either side. Auvli individuals have been valued for their dedication and lack of attention to family or group concerns, but have also been viewed with suspicion due to lacking political sympathies, foregoing reproduction, and standing against social cohesion. Even in the contemporary era Auvli is viewed as an ideal that is impossible in practice, and is promoted more as a social opium for those who are not able to compete in the meritocratic oligarchy that characterizes society.
Despite its inability to completely integrate into society, Auvli has still influenced society in a multitude of minute ways. The formation of relationships based upon reproduction is not completely widespread in most plantoid societies, and parents are often platonic partners with one another. The Union's work ethic and highly formal communication patterns, intended to make life as efficient as possible for all, reflect how the private life and time of the individual is considered to be hallowed in spite of such apparently collectivistic tendencies. Auvli attitudes also make themselves known in more explicit forms among militaries and interplanetary navies. In media, exaggerated Auvli figures are a common trope, and the status is ironically fetishized. Many children aspire to live up to the image of Auvli in storybooks, and some actually succeed in that endeavour. Many parents implement a curious mix of detached and protecting parenting styles, hoping that their offspring will develop their independence while remaining uncorrupted by the world.