Thanks! I was hoping someone more au fait with the latest works would be able to lend a hand at this.
> I don't see why the Pelandans should worship Lodrilio when Lodril himself is
> just as appropiate.
Lodril is probably worshipped under his most recent Pelandan name of "Turos" (Ent. p.44ff), and its local variants, rather than being called Lodril (Dara Happan, prob. name used by DH Lunar officials in the West Reaches), or the older names, TersuAsuDalo/KaCharal (Ent p.12) or ViTersu/ViSaruDaran (Ent. pp.14ff) or DiDalaDaran (Ent. p.37), let alone the Spearmen or Shapers, ViSarta and Vogestes. Though ALL of these would still be cultic titles and found (and worshipped) in different parts of Pelanda. I am *NOT* trying to start a discussion about this!!!
Western Peloria is practically the home of the Lodril cult (he's a lot bigger there than in Dara Happa, as you can tell from the number of local names he might have), though it was the Dara Happans who defined his name for the God Learners), so I agree it'd be astonishing if the peasants didn't worship him Big Time.
> YarGan actually worships Erstoro, who appears to be the same dude as
GanEstoro/
> Ganesatarus.
It makes sense for this god of an oppressive overlord to become the later definition of Evil. I'm fairly convinced by this chain of connections (and also like your Innsmouth Blues).
> The chief god of the Spolites (and Lord of the Lie) is Ganesatarus.
That would truly be a monstrous heresy for any Lunar-era Spolite to confess to: directly comparable to Satanism. Ganesatarus, Lord of Evil, Father of Lies, may once have been worshipped by Spolites, but there's No Way they could continue to do this while remaining within Carmanian society.
In other words, *obviously* some of the Spolite noble houses are Ganesatarus worshippers, just as (in a mediaeval Christian campaign) some of the noblemen you met would be Satanists. But it ain't public knowledge, just blackest rumour. And not something you could allude to within hearing distance of any Spolites, either: "Oh, so you're from Spol! Didn't your ancestors worship the Dark Lord of the Flies, Master of Abominations..." <thwack!> <splat!>
(In the interests of clarity, our interlocutor has continued speaking for longer than would in fact be possible when insulting a noble Carmanian of any class. They have a *very* fine sense of their own dignity, and react swiftly and mercilessly when it is impugned).
> Rather than Dayzatar, I would have [viziers worship] Zrethus (imported by the
> Carmanians). Dayzatar is very aloof and difficult to worship for
run-of-the-mill
> Vizers IMO. They would find it much easier to become a Magi and worship
Idovanus
> instead.
It's *very* hard to become a Magus: I think in part it's not your choice (though it may in part be determined by the astrological portents when you were born, rather than hereditary?). There are few Magi in Carmania. That said, I'm happy to accept your suggestion (and that some modern viziers would worship other deities): as I said, my list was just proposals, so whether you call the Dayzatar-like cult of astrology and celestial purity etc. "Zretheus" or "Buserian" or whatever, I'll be happy.
I know Irrippi Ontor was an astrologer (from the Seleric Verses), hence my interest.
Carmanian Law: this could be inquisitorial for the lower orders, but dualist/adversarial for disputes between the nobility, perhaps?
Lunar Law: trial by a jury of peers may be a privilege enjoyed by Citizens alone, even in the Heartlands. We've all seen summary trials by Lunar magistrates in our games, I imagine, though this could well be Provincial vs. Heartlands, as Peter suggests.
On Citizen Foreigner status, I realise I was overdoing things. The Satraps (Carmanian "Counts") only have to worry about being held accountable by the Governor (Palamtales) if they infringe the rights of a Lunar Citizen, not one of the local Citizen Foreigners. Terrible mistakes can be made: look at Saint Paul for the best example!
On other notes, I'm not sure I believe in a "King of the Trader Princes", at least not one the other Trader Princes would recognise (i.e. this may be self-proclaimed and ignored by others). And I've met wild woodland Wenelians with boars-tusk moustaches, and recognise others in books about the Classical and Dark Age Germanic tribes. Tacitus' "Germania" is a good source, as is Lindsey Davies' "The Iron Hand of Mars" or John James's "Votan".
While I'm waffling, I'll second Pope Jim's recommendation of James Branch Cabell's "Figures of Earth" -- a wonderful book, and a true eye-opener if you want to see how Western (or indeed any) heroquesting might work.
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