Re: Arachne Solara

From: owner-glorantha_at_hops.wharton.upenn.edu
Date: Wed, 1 Mar 1995 10:51:21 -0500


> Does anyone have any
> suggestions on how to present an AS priestess? Has anyone ever done a full
> cult writeup, or have any suggestions on Divine spells or whatnot? Any and
> all help would be greatly appreciated.

I think Arachne Solara is the most mysterious, unknowable goddess in Glorantha, so priestesses would fall into two catagories, 1) Those who worship the goddess but recieve no tangible benefits (or benefits so negligible they can be dismissed by other cults, 2) Those in true communion with the goddess who are strange and potent, and whose abilities and magic should not be codified.

in the 1st case I would reccomend worship of AS to be combined with worship of any other god involved in the compromise, Ie as a side-line. The worship of AS is expressed in mystecism or a philosophical construct, and not in rune spells and group worship ceremonies. AS priestesses might be a necessary part of the holy season ceremones and the priestess powers might simply be being able to focus the effects of the other participants (which is potent in a non-game effecting way).

In the 2nd case, I see AS as being in a unique position vis a vie the compromise. As its creator/agent she is most able to influence the world, but must at all times keep her influence hidded. Her "priestesses" would be hidden agents, seeing that the goddesses will and plans are carried out. Her plans are mysterious and obscure, all 2 year olds born to Orlanthi chieftens in sea season must die, Lokor Thunderthumbs must be given a sacred scroll, whatever. The priestess/agent would often not know _why_ actions are necessary.

AS is not a goddess I would accuse of being "good", her morality is unknown, her goals are unknown, her machinations are more varied and subtle than Krashts. (I have always seen Krasht as the chaos analog to the spider/schemer/manipulator aspect of AS).

AS is my goddess of the conspiracy theorist, why did the Red Goddess rise again, who organised the 7mothers (AS). What was the orignal motivating/facilitating force behind Nysalor's creation (AS) behind Arkat's (AS), behind the destruction of the gods described in KoS (AS) etc...

Yours in paranoia,

George Winter
GAWINTER_at_aol.com


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