> I would draw attention to what happened once Gbaji "got inside" Kyger Litor. Instead of creating some further deception or an "enlightening" revelation, he tore her up. Korasting, the biological source of Uz, was mortally wounded by the presence of light.
[...]
> I would argue that that change Is the Curse of Kin - illumination manifested as physical and spiritual Damage, rather than "altered awareness."
Great Boztakang, I have a vague memory of versions of Night and Day that specify that after Gbaji was finished there were uzko and enlo and another portion of the previously undifferentiated darkness horde became the Kitori or some other tribe of darkness men.
So among other things, this version of the story explained how some of uz stopped being trolls altogether. Does this beat any of your drums?
If so, maybe the modern uzko herself is not even the original race birthed out of Korasting's burnt womb, but another and subtler humiliation: those who best conform to the original kyger rarely breed true, while those who successfully adapt to the hurtplace (through illumination or other "alterations of awareness") simply stop being trolls. If awareness can "change," you were never a true troll in the first place. If awareness is "damaged," you are no longer a troll.
PRE-BoNaD = UZ
POS-BoNaD = uzko / enlo / shadow-men
There are precedents for true trolls dying out in regions of Glorantha and "trollish men" (or "hot trolls" or other bylines) occupying that territory afterward.
And sure, a "trollish man" or "half-troll" can become more or less trollish with time and effort. Hendrik himself emerged from the Shadows once long ago. They say the tuskers were people. Of course there was already a ritual in place to welcome Arkat.
(Are Arkati trolls illuminated or just weird?)
> In parting, though, I'd like to mention the example of "Mistress the Last" from Dorastor. If ever there was a troll who ought to be illuminated, it would be her, and yet, she is trapped in Dorastor by a promise she made to Kyger Litor, which she refuses to break. Which strikes me as singularly "non-illuminated" behavior. Being uzuz, her example may well not apply to lesser uzko, but it always struck me as interesting.
I was thinking about Her and wondering whether Her Mistressness (and maybe the weird affiliated gift and geas) might be what She has *instead of* illumination. Can Mistressness can be attained via HeroQuest and not just born?
Is Craigspider an experimental HeroQuester or just a very powerful magician who sometimes experiments to break the Curse?
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