It comes much more easily. Thella, or perhaps her sister/other self the White Moon, goddess of dreams, actually sends a dream to the youth when he or she is ready. The youth need not do anything, the coming of the dream is a fact of life as natural as a girl's first menstruation.
This does imply that there might be crippled individuals who have never received a dream. In such case they never leave childhood and are seen as seriously ill, mentally and spiritually.
Dreams and the dreamworld are very central to East Islander culture and beliefs. For example they don't use spirit magic or sorcery but their own dream magic, where you use your magical force (MPs) to impose an aspect of your dream on reality.
Writing:
Michael again:
>For the hieratic type of script to evolve, i'd think literacy has to be
>widespread.
I don't think so. In ancient egypt, the hieratic form came first, used on tombs and other monuments. The cursive forms were later. And literacy was a rare skill in Egypt.
>I don't think every Lankhor Mhy is literate - a minority more likely.
Depends on where the temple in question is located. In Sartarite tribal lands the LMs are lawspeaker and might perhaps learn the laws orally, but in more 'civilized' areas I think all LMs can read and write.
Otherwise I agree with most of the views, especially that the Runes are not used for writing per se.
/Nils W
Powered by hypermail