Re: In Defence Of A Goddess

From: Jimbruce <john.hughes_at_KduzXYcNTKRKUn6Zua3_RFewqCJRqkVUSDeknQE2m6CaL-qCjxcn-46FiFPUt-EI>
Date: Sat, 12 May 2007 22:56:05 -0000


Tim awakens:

> I don't think it's a coincidence, or a conspiracy, but a natural
> result of the way that Glorantha develops.

I agree.
>
> So, I think, Greg's new revalations on Vinga come not because he
> wants to piss of John, or because he wants to "reclaim" her for
> himself, but because initially he was not particularly interested in
> Vinga, he knew she must exist, and that was enough.

Greg and I developed the ST write-up together. We thought plenty. Those of you who know our individual styles can probably pick the originating material, though the integration was far more than simple cut and paste.

The current fracas has ensued because of the way it was communicated (situation normal), the total disregard for players and for official Glorantha (situation normal), the fact that the 'revelation' evoked just about every sexist and mythogynist myth you could think of, that it was totally blind to the male side of Storm mythology *and* the underlying values of Heortling society, that it suggested enforced sexuality for a player-character cult. I hasn't helped that subsequent discussions have revealed that Jeff's view of the cult consists only of a distorted Chief/warband 'view from the hall': he seems to have no idea of the Ernaldan/clan view from the hearth or the fact that Vinga is a gateway cult for many Heortling leaders and specialists.

So I think the real issues lie elsewhere: in the base 70s adolescent boys-own mythology of the Heortlings and in the more recent universal Heortling essentialism and fucked up cult structures. And as others have noted in the past, Greg does "deep mythic discoveries", but he also tends to agree with however he was talking too last.

Greg tries hard. I try hard. Jeff tries hard. Hence, total confusion.

Jeff has spoken. I have vented, and will speak in a reasonably polite and systematic way elsewhere. Greg, wisely, has remained silent for now. I'm sure we will hear from him in course, and we willall then be in a position to extract the true value from the latest discussions.

And here's me saying I was done with Vinga, for now, on this list. Bugger. I need some good german beer. And its only nine oclock in the morning ...

Jimbo            

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