The answer to this one depends on when you're talking about. According to
Plentonius, many folks worshipped Shargash during the Great Darkness. After
the dawn, S worship seemed centered on Alkoth, but Shargashi made up much of
the best of the imperial armies (the fanatical "Elevens"). Shargashi must
have accompanied Palangio on his Nysalorean-sponsored tour of Maniria;
probably another high point of worship.
Shargash was wargod for the empire until the high Dara Happan era - (around
800ST - wildly guessing here at work). After a particulary unpleasant
Alkothi romp through Darjiian, the Northern Dara Happans felt that Polaris
would be a more appropriate war god for their sophisticated empire. They
even tried to write the Destroyer out of the pantheon. (FS)
Alkoth was unimpressed, and Shargash and his "son" Alkor remained the patron deities of the city. During the EWF and Carmanian invasions, Alkoth was always the last to fall (and think it never did fall to the Carmanians). No doubt they worshipped S heavily then.
Dragonkill war: big reduction in number of surviving Shargash worshippers.
Rise of Lunar forces: At first Alkoth and Shargash worshippers oppose the Red Moon. Goddess' forces finally take Alkoth, 15 years after Jannisor's rebellion. Shargash worship now overshadowed by Polaris and Yanafel Tarnils.
1600ST - Shargash worship is still centered in (and likely confined to)
Alkoth. Perhaps a few special Shargashi units exist in the Red Army, useful
as shock troops or for home defense. My pet theory is that the empire's
tradition of gladitoral arenas began with Shargash worship; an urban army
needs training grounds and large areas for messy worship services
(Shargash's biggest myth is the destruction of the world). So Shargash may
now be invoked at coliseums throughout the Empire.
(Weren't the first lethal funeral games in DH held in honor of a very
warlike emperor?)
Given the Lunar overtones of peace, I think they are interested in seeing that Shargash worship remains low.
As for S's storm aspect - worship in DH is far more caste-oriented than among the Orlanthi. If a Lodrilli farmer wants to keep hail from damaging his fields, he doesn't dare try to propriate Shargash himself. He must go to the big ceremony held each season by a priest. Then again, maybe big storms don't often occur in DH - just lots of sunny days.
Anyone have other ideas?
Pam
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