bryan_thx wrote:
>
>
> Well, from what I've read so far (I don't have KOH yet), the runes are
> gained at first initiation, at least for Heortlings (initiation as a
> lay member). That is, you don't grow up with those runes....oh, maybe
> they are implicitly there, probably adults look at some kids and are
> certain of what runes they will gain. BUT the runes don't manifest
> themselves, or become available for magic, until initiation.
>
Also a valid interpretation. (And again, it remains possible that this
view of the runes and magic from them is Sartarite only, or Orlanthi
only, or all Theist-heavy cultures.) I can definitely see an argument of
"awakening the runes" is part of initiation. If the runes are
fundamentally limiting as well (to personality, to your magic, etc.)
then there is something to be said for other cultures NOT having
"awakened runes". That pulls it right back into the classic tradeoff
most of magic in Glorantha seems to have - to get more powerful you have
to sacrifice some flexibility. So while a Theist initated to a Darkness
God and having their Darkness rune awakened is forced to be cold,
mysterious, and secretive, a sorcerer can master a darkness grimoire
with no such limitation.
LC