> It occurred to me that we have a functional description of
> what the God Learners were able to accomplish, but not the reasons
> why. They, as men, where able to make mythological changes that
> previously people would have only associated with the acts of gods.
One point here is that no one had really tried to change the myths or the mythic landscape before the GL.
> There are plenty of possible ways in which the God Learners
> could understand the world to give them that ability.
An interesting phrase there is "could understand the world." I want to start by stressing that ?understand the world? could also be ?misunderstood the world.?
> One logical
> answer is that God Learners knew that the myths were made be men, not
> gods.
The myths were not made by men, they were made by gods. The retelling of them, the remembering of them, and the reexperiencing of them were done by men. But the gods did them.
> Or that all the gods were once men.
I don?t think the GL thought this. The original powers--the runes--which became the gods were not humans.
> Or that all men are like small gods.
This is partially true, but not entirely true. I think that the GL may have (at least later on) thought they were becoming to be like the gods.
> Or that the gods are real, but they never change their
> myths themselves and lack free will, all such changes are made by
> mortals (and anyone can learn how).
I do think that they learned this.
> Perhaps all these points of view
> are the same thing expressed differently.
I don?t think that is so.
> My disappointment with the God Learners secret in the second
> age book is not what it is - the God Learners are able to do exactly
> what I always presumed they could. The problem is how it is expressed
> - if it was expressed in terms of what they believe they know about
> the true nature of the gods, rather than what they can do to them, it
> would sound far more dramatic and heretical.
Please help us out and express it as such for us!
>> But I will point out another key to the GL Secret: Samin.
>> He's on page 40 of the _Middle Sea Empire_ book.
>> He's the one who gave them the so-called _RuneQuest Sight_. This
>> pseudo visionary perception is what keyed the GL into start doing what
>> they did.
>
> Samin doesn't give the RuneQuest Sight directly, rather some
> silly songs which ultimately lead to the discovery of the Five New
> Ways Gimoire. Presumably the RuneQuest Sight is one of the Five New
> Ways?
I believe so.
> But yes - Samin is awfully suspicious. A naughty little imp
> that just happens to lead the way to cosmic secrets. Associated with
> an unknown Old Old Lady (goddess?), and with a unique and astonishing
> magic item that just might be an Arkati device. I certainly have my
> ideas about this little rascal.
Share them!
> (and BTW - despite Greg here giving Samins appearance as pg
> 40, and the index saying he is on pg 42, he is actually on pg 41)
correct.
Issaries, Inc.
c/o Greg Stafford
1942 Channing Ave, #204
Berkeley, CA 94704 USA
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