Re: Re: What's a Keyword? Gender Issues

From: Jakob Pape <chaomancer_at_...>
Date: Wed, 17 Jan 2007 18:07:42 +0000

On 1/17/07, Bryan <bethexton_at_...> wrote:
>
>
> I always figured it was a mythic thing. Vinga used a spear because
> while nobody would give her a sword at first there were always spears
> kicking around--even the pig women might take one into the forest
> sometimes. That became her weapon, so all Vingans are trained in spear
> and shield combat. Many will also have the warrior keyword, and hence
> have other combat skills at least as good, but training with the spear
> is probably part of your time committed to the cult.
>
> Just another take on it.
>
> --Bryan

I had a similar thought - the spear is the basic fighter's weapon, rather than a professional warrior's. It's what the average man takes up to fight in the fyrd, and since Vinga takes the (usually male) role of a fighter for the clan, that's the mythically significant weapon for her. She fights, just like a man does, and so she uses the weapon that most men use to fight.

Obviously many Vingans take up other weapons too, but that (in my Glorantha, anyway) is why the spear is their ritual weapon.

-- 
Jakob Pape

"Sometimes subtlety comes in the form of large explosions and jammed open
airlock doors."