Thus I'd suggest that _not_ purposely maiming your own body would be just the kind of thing covered by the High Vows of all major Malkioni sects (with the exception of the Stygian ones, of course). And if not placed under the umbrella vows, I'd suggest allowing the following vow:
ABJURE FROM SELF-MUTILATION (1 point of presense, 2 if you've never had a piercing or tattoo)
Which brings up a second topic. How widespread are these practices in Glorantha and where did they come from in the first place? My theory is that tattooing originated with the Dragonnewts, who are well known for the practice. It was adapted by the human residents of Dragon Pass and spread by the members of the Council of Friends and became truely widespread in the Second Age under the EWF. Kraloreleans developed the practice independantly from their own contact with the Dragonnewts, and they (and especially their sailors and traders during non-isolationist periods) spread it throughout the East. In Genertela, the practice is now commonplace in the East, Pent, Prax, and Maniria. It is also seen among the barbarians of Ralios and Peloria. It is considered a sin against nature in most parts of the West, as well as in Dara Happa, where it is associated with the savage Storm-worshippers who live in the South. Lately the practice has started to catch on with the jaded children of nobility of the Lunar Empire, but it's still not wide-spread.
The origins of piercing are obvious. Little bits of metal stuck in the body are kind of interesting to look at with regular senses, but when groping around in the dark or using sonar... wow. Very cool. Troll use of piercing developed before their emergence to the surface world, and has been part of their culture ever since. The tough hide of trolls makes them especially well adapted to enduring this painful process and it's a rare troll who does sport at least a septum piercing and a half-dozen earrings. Piercing of the nipples and sexual organs is a common part of most Troll marriage ceremonies. Though optional for the females, it's required of the males and is the trollish equivalent of a wedding ringin.
Piercing first became widespread in human circles in the Empire of the
Only Old One. While more... discerning in the placement of their
piercings, most humans in Maniria have at least pierced their ears.
Pierced noses are also common. The colonists who settled Dragon Pass
(both the first and second waves) were mostly from lands dominated by
the OOO, and also adopted the custom. It too was spread by the EWF
throughout Genertela. Pamaltelan humans picked up the custom from the
Jungle trolls and sailors from their coastal kingdoms have spread it
lozenge-wide. Piercing is common in Maniria, Peloria (again, except
Dara Happa), Pent, the Kingdom of Ignorance, Ralios (where it become
popular during the Stygian Empire), and most of Pamaltela. Lunar
legionaires have recently taken to piercing their nipples to show their
bravery (This was a common practice in the Roman Empire). Piercing is
rare in Kralorelea, where it's seen it as a trollish custom. Sun
Domers also shun the practice for it's Trollish taint and it is looked
down upon by the Dara Happans. Most Malkioni think it's a revoltingly
foul practice, right up there with worshipping gods, tapping, and
drinking coffee.
Ritual scarification may have also been developed by trolls, as it suits their senses better than tattooing, but research into the history of this practice, as well as the origins of branding (Lodrili? Praxian Men-and-a-half? Caladra and Aurelion? Praxian Animal Nomads?) is still on-going. (Suggestions welcome)
As for non-human races, Dwarves would of course shun all such practices. "If Mostal had meant for us to have body modifications, he would have included them as factory standards." Plus, why would any dwarf want to _stand out_ from his co-workers. As noted, tattooing is widespread among dragonnewts. Piercing is unheard of (you can't take it with you). Elves practice their own body-modifications, including pruning and splicing, but those are the subject of a seperate article.
For game purposes, this would make it difficult for Western sorcerers to cast spells like Armor Enchantment and Strengthening Enchantment. But wasting POW on such spells seems inherently selfish to me, anyway. Such matrixes never survive the death of the owner and can't be passed on to your Church or heirs. So why bother? And besides, isn't it better to spend the same point of POW on gaining the patronage of a Saint, or taking another vow to increase your presense?
Just some food for thought. (I know, I know. I've got too much time on my hands.)
Robert
End of Glorantha Digest V2 #459
WWW material at http://hops.wharton.upenn.edu/~loren/rolegame.html
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