RE: BatBlat Bait

From: Jeff Richard <richj_at_...>
Date: Wed, 26 May 2004 10:28:32 -0700


Increasingly, I do not believe that the BatBlat required any bait. From the Orlanthi POV, I am now pretty sure that they are drawing upon the Battle of the Verge (see,
http://www.heroquest-rpg.com/new/battle_verge.html). Broyan and the defenders formed a Last Stand Ring and performed the Summons of Evil. Evil came in the form of the Bat, and, just as Vargast killed Lokomayadon, the defenders managed to kill the mortal form of the Bat and badly damage the Lunar Army (although at great cost to themselves).  

However, in the Battle of the Verge myth, Vargast and the defenders were killed by Palangio - a companion (rival) of Lokomayadon. The defenders (at least the members of the Last Stand Ring) know this and following the BatBlat, try to figure out a way out of their doom. Unbeknownst the defenders, Tatius knows the Palangio myth as well and seeks to use it (and many other myths, prophesies, obscure astrological formations, etc) to kill Orlanth (and not just the Last Stand Defenders).  

From the Orlanthi POV, Whitewall involves core Orlanthi myths and magics. One way of looking at the siege is that Broyan is initiating a generation of Orlanthi heroes (just as Vargast helped to initiate Harmast Barefoot). Folk like King Broyan, Kallyr Starbrow, Orngerin Thundercape and Gyffur Ulfsson become heroes at the Last Stand of the Orlanthi.  

Despite the presence of heavy magic and moments of great mythic significance, all the usual sorts of things that afflict Orlanthi life have to be dealt with at Whitewall. King Broyan is badly injured and does not awaken after the BatBlat for weeks. Tribal hatreds and political ambitions threaten the Last Stand Defenders' unity. Lunar spies, sympathizers and agents threaten the Last Stand Defenders from within. And so on. At some point, King Broyan recovers and unity is regained under the Last King (a very Vingkotling view of the world).  

We've spent a lot of time looking at the events leading up to the BatBlat. In the last couple of weeks, the Whitewall list has slowed down a lot. That's ok - let's use this as an opportunity to look at the big Whitewall story and think about what happens after the BatBlat. From the Orlanthi POV, and from the Lunar POV.  

Jeff

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