Is Octavian making a huge mistake [spoilers for First Lord's Fury]

Question

At the end of First Lord's Fury, Octavian asks Alera (basically a manifestation of the spirits of the land) how to change the way furycrafting works. Specifically, he asks for two changes:

1. That one be able to increase one's furycrafting strength via will and practice, instead of being strongly controlled by birth

2. That the other races of Carna -- Icemen, Marat, Canem -- be able to develop conscious crafting

I get point 1, this is a pretty decent egalitarian move. But point two strikes me as ... counterproductive in a number of ways. Furycrafting was one of humanity's key levelers against these other races which are stronger and longer-lived than humans. I understand that he wants to make friends with the other peoples of Carna, but isn't this a bit much?

Especially the Canem; they can live for centuries, now they can increase their furycrafting strength over all that time. Octavian may have created our new wolf-sorceror overlords here.

What am I overlooking here? What is the benefit of point 2 besides weakening Alerans relative to other races?

Answer 1

No—in fact, this move is both fair and exceedingly shrewd

First of all, it’s easy to see why someone would want to make such a move on purely egalitarian grounds. Why not grant the same opportunities to each species, to whatever extent possible? That very principle is the foundation of many modern societies. Tavi can’t make humans live as long as the Canim, but he can at least give everyone an even playing field as far as furycrafting is concerned.

Besides, I see no reason to conclude from the text that someone’s furycrafting can continue growing without bound for centuries. There’s probably still a limit; it’s just that now everyone can theoretically reach it.

Finally, I think it’s implied that, until the vord invasion, the Canim really did always have the numbers to conquer Alera, but simply didn’t do it due to internal reasons. Their continent was enormous and had huge cities. So what else is new, even if the Canim can become more powerful?

But there are certainly very practical reasons to support such a plan.

Quid Pro Quo

Tavi believes that if the various races of Carna share what they know with each other, all will benefit. He believes that the Canim have something to give humans, as the Marat did.

“I cannot say the same,” Alera responded. “For which I find myself… somewhat grateful. It would be awkward.” She inhaled slowly, then nodded. “Are you sure you wish to continue on the path you have begun?”

“Well. You say I introduced you to Kitai, without realizing it, because of our bond. That’s why you can speak to her.”

“Indeed.”

“Then you should trust me. Interaction with the other Marat will be just as rewarding, on some level. As it will with the Canim. And the Icemen are already watercrafting, whether they realize it or not. It’s hardly any change at all.”

He’s probably right, too: the Canim and Icemen have their own sorcery, which the humans can benefit from learning. As with trade in the real world, though some may suffer, and certainly some will benefit disproportionately, there’s generally a net benefit to both parties. And links with the Marat offer their own possibilities.

Who wants to die?

The Vord are going to come to Alera. As Alera herself says:

“You have a century and a half, by my estimation. Perhaps two. And then the Canean vord queen will come for you.”

Tavi nodded. “Then I’ll make us ready. Or get us part of the way there, at least.”

The Canem vord queen won’t have the furycrafting prowess of her counterpart, but she’ll have numbers beyond anything Alera has seen before. The Canem continent and its resources were enormous.

When an existential threat is knocking on your door, do you want more furycrafters, or fewer? It’s what is colloquially called “a no-brainer.”

Besides, if the humans give their sorcery to the Canim and others, they buy goodwill, and (in keeping with the above points), are more likely to be granted the Canim and Icemen and Marat’s secrets.

And then everyone wins. Or at least doesn’t get assimilated by the vord. And honestly, that’s what they’re aiming for at this point.

Answer 2

Tavi's strategy is trying to create a stronger Alera. There are two components you should consider, the past, and the future -

• Holding furycrafting for Aleran humans only did not keep Alera unified or strong. The kingdom was already falling apart quite well with humans - specifically, certain families - having the reins of ultimate power. The lack of change and lack of any dire threat once the bulk of the continent was secure let multiple High Lords ambitions fester until Kalare cracked the nation. If that hadn't happened, Alera might have stood against the Vord without losing over half their cities and countless lives. Tavi needs to redistribute the power of furycrafting, or the Aleran nation will simply repeat old patterns.

• He needs Alerans to have enemies - in the Canim fashion - or they won't learn. Tavi's greatest strength is learning and adapting - and recruiting - his enemies. It's something the Canim truly appreciate, an enemy that is strong enough to beat you but honors and respects you. This is just what the Canim bring to the table of ideas - the Marat and Icemen have plenty to teach Alerans too. What Tavi is doing is applying his method of learning to the entire nation. Alerans under this new system will be working side-by-side - and competing - with races that will force humans to learn from them or be left behind. Alerans need to relearn skill, like Tavi did, not just power... and now skill is power.

All of this is for the inevitable return of the Vord. The Canea Vord will eventually come, and will have the resources of a much larger continent to draw from. This is how Tavi has beaten every enemy bigger than him to date - endure, outhink, outmaneuver, conquer. Learn and apply every possible advantage, even from your enemies. He is just trying to apply the conditions that taught him this to his new alliance.