> For me, the *personality traits** *associated with runes are culturally
> specific. The core power of the rune is unchanged.
>
Oh good. I was kinda worried about that. I really hoped this was the
case, because "this rune has this personality" seemed weird.
> I would say:
> The runes are essential building blocks, so the personality traits tend to
> be near-universal, since people react in the same manner to certain things,
>
This makes more sense to me. I think some runes are far more likely to
have common personality traits across cultures than others. Even then,
since I think any rune is likely to have a constellation of personality
traits associated with it (as we often see here) then it will be tough
to pull those out sometimes
> You can, but only for your local culture. You can not change the nature of
> Death--the termination of the connection that links the soul to material and
> spiritual worlds.
>
Right, which has little to do with the personality your culture assigns
to the rune or to the god(s) associated with that rune. Changing/Proving
the god is otherwise has all the normal issues with heroquesting as it
normally does, I would think.
> But if you wanted to set up a cult in artar where Death is joyously greeted
> with dances, feasts and general gaity not associated with it at this time,
> then you would have to establish the entire web of social, personal,
> practical, emotional, psychic and mystic reactions. You would have to PROVE
> it works to the participants by establishing the actual link, which is
> usually recognized in the game as the exchange of worship for magic.
>
Right. I see it unlikely that Orlanthi would find or accept this cult
easily. And if they did, I suspect it would end up with a different name
than Humakt.
I *really* doubt the Sartarites, who seem pretty big on "The Old Ways
are Right" getting behind this plan. (Of course, anything is possible.)
> How about that cult in Zoria that treats Death as a Lover, to be pursued and
> courted throughout one's life as the Great Lover. All other couplings and
> loves that one may experience, with their joys of quick release or life-long
> pleasurable mutual pair bonding, are but practice for the Extinction Orgasm.
> Not quite Humakt, eh? But the same Rune.
>
Right, and I could see Orlanthi accepting this (especially up in
Fronela, where they would encounter it). I doubt very much they ever
think of that as being Humakt though.
(Except somewhere there is probably a cult that thinks it IS Humakt, and
that secretly Humakti are all about joyful orgies among themselves and
not anyone else or something. *grin*)
LC
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