I think Mastakos has two main aspects (or subcults, Blank Cult fans); Charioteer and Runner. Charioteer covers the obvious function, but has become somewhat redundant with the decline in the use of chariots among the Orlanthi. Only in a few areas (the Volsaxi; the Dunhumesque East Wilds of Ralios) is this aspect any more developed than the generic cult in GoG. Drivers of more mundane vehicles, such as wagons and carts, rarely bother with Mastakos, usually preferring more tradeoriented cults (Issaries, or sometimes Lokarnos in Solarised areas such as Tarsh).
The Runner subcult is populated mainly by professional messengers, many the thanes of clan chieftains and tribal kings. Messages are frequently carried by foot, especially over rough ground, though the cult also uses horses, and relays of horses, for long jouneys along roads. The most urgent messages of all are carried by Runners using Guided Teleportation, through an extensive, if somewhat haphazard, network of sacred sites associated with Mastakos shrines in temples to Orlanth. This cult has somewhat more, and more specialised, magic than GoG, though due to the modest numbers of worshippers, temples larger than shrines are not usually seen.
The cult receives informal worship from all wishing a speedy journey
for themselves or their loved ones.
(In some areas, Mastakos Runner is unknown, or is much less important
than Charioteer. The myth of the Healing of Mastakos is typically
told much less often in these parts.)
Alex.
End of Glorantha Digest V1 #116
Powered by hypermail