RE: Re: OrenDanae Rites

From: Matthew Cole <matthew.cole_at_XKRG44399C2TYGyjyJSbsguP2Ntk2XCglbanfY6GHEZzTLYYh0_8bI_R7LHueoD>
Date: Thu, 12 Mar 2009 17:27:20 -0000


Brilliant! Cheers.

We used the Earth Ring writeup in Barbarian Adventures and thence determined that the clan had a queen. It's a nice aspect of the campaign.

-----Original Message-----
From: WorldofGlorantha_at_yahoogroups.com [mailto:WorldofGlorantha_at_yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Jeff Richard Sent: 12 March 2009 16:52
To: WorldofGlorantha_at_yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: OrenDanae Rites

> >"In a few clans, an Ernalda priestess may also be acclaimed chief
> >through what are called Orendanae Rites."
>
> Thunder Rebels Pg. 200 - the Ernaldan subcult Orendana the Queen.
>
> What the actual rites are hasn't been published and probably vary from
> clan to clan. Same as for the Orlanth subcult of Dar.
>
> I would speculate there is more emphasis on fertility, consensus and
> mothering the clan with Orendana than with Dar. At the same time the
> objective is the same - choosing and endorsing a leader.
> There are probably some ritual elements which relate to the clan's wyter.

The Orendara/Orendanae Rites makes Ernalda, and not Orlanth, the god of the clan's leadership. It is quite rare amongst the Sartarites (so rare that it does not have a subcult writeup in the Sartar Book), but very common in Esrolia. Here's an Esrolian myth about Orendara:

The Births of Orendara
Once Orlanth challenged the right of Ernalda to command her subjects. "Only men can rule," he said.
"There is always another way," said Ernalda, and went off alone. Alone in the bush, she meditated upon the power of conception, and in that manner became pregnant. She gave birth to a beautiful daughter who she named Orendara. On her neck shone a bright torque. People call her the "Virgin-Conceived Queen."
When she was named Orendar rose and went to where some people were discussing what to do. They were arguing, and several of the men were already brandishing weapons at each other. Orendara went among the women and spoke to them, and then them to the center of the assembly circle. "There is always another way,' she said, "And I will tell you what they are."
Even the men were impressed and listened, and afterwards they also agreed that Orendara was not only as good a leader as Orlanth, but that she also had more right to rule than he did, for she was pure sovereignty, born pure of the goddess of Creation, while Orlanth was only Her bed-husband. After that the wise people had Queens, not kings. Orendara was killed during the Gods War and buried in the Dead Point, in Esrolia. The goose women went to the grave and performed the proper meditation, and Orendara was born again. Thus the Grandmothers kept their people together, even in hiding, during the evil times.

Jeff


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