2009/8/5 John Machin <trithemius_at_KLqmU7zpVf7hKgy2XT6dVvmzruGWkhKI05K09UMd3R-ujQGHH_MiScdmvCOCcvHhKDsTfUjZZx9K5Bbqo2JnrzXo_ks.yahoo.invalid>
> 2009/8/4 Peter Metcalfe <metcalph_at_JcJBScpeH-kZPC6rNI9RIsuccB_5Jc_dLApJY_C13stRNdyq6d-NS3TQXnZqCkbHYN8Jx_jKSbg_6XrM7QbeGTU0EQ.yahoo.invalid>:
> > ILH-2 does imply this could be done but that's one of the issues that I
> > have with it.
>
> I sort of like it actually.
>
> I see that the theistic beings are transcendent entities that are
> comprehended by Gloranthan mortals to a varying degree mostly through
> their myths. The observer's personal experiences are mediated through
> and accessed via those myths. Myths, but their very nature, are
> mutable, interpretable, and flawed.
>
> Given this it makes very little sense, to me, to attempt to
> conclusively describe the theistic beings themselves through the use
> of runes, or any other descriptive taxonomy. It is far more useful, in
> terms of a capacity for (verisimilitudinal) accuracy and usefulness to
> people playing, exploring, or writing within a specific cultural
> context to explore the theistic beings as they appear in that
> culture's myths and - by extension - it's cults.
>
> I've become a lot more interested in the runes attributed to theistic
> beings in the myths of a particular cult, rather than the runes that
> they "actually" have. This approach allows me to have cults of Orlanth
> the Rebellious Murderer (Storm, Death, Disorder) that are worshipped
> by traitorous folk in Dara Happa; illegal societies of peasants who
> worship Lodril's suppressed Fire; and a plethora of exciting cults
> based on intepretations of local culture-heroes.
>
> Hammering down the ineffable has a dubious return for me, the
> confusion and paradox of Glorantha is part of it's appeal I reckon!
> Focussing the descriptive lens on the fallible, but practical, cults
> that interact mythologically with theistic beings seems to offer more
> potential for shared creation and more of the delightful inconsistency
> and unpredictability that - I think - characterises Gloranthan writing
> and represents one of its key strengths.
>
> --
> John Machin
> "Nothing is more beautiful than to know the All."
> - Athanasius Kircher, 'The Great Art of Knowledge'.
>
--
John Machin
"Nothing is more beautiful than to know the All."
- Athanasius Kircher, 'The Great Art of Knowledge'.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Powered by hypermail