The Lunar Empire Good or evil? from David Ketchin on 1996-05-21 (Glorantha Digest Vol 02)

From: David Ketchin <101331.3077_at_CompuServe.COM>
Date: 21 May 96 15:33:11 EDT

The Lunar Empire has been getting a lot of attention recently. In my opinion the Empire is neither good nor evil it is merely the only society which does not impose pre concieved ideas upon its citizenry. In concept the Empire embraces all beliefs and philosphies as they all contribute to the ongoing revelation of which the Red Goddess is the most recent embodiment. Freedom of thought however is a privelige not a right (in many ways the Empires best and worst attribues mirror the good old US of A).

Outspoken in its acceptance of personal freedom and philisophical freedom whilst supressing the aspects which it from its moral supremacy deems not fit for its citizenry.

Its Persecution of certain religions but acceptance of others. (persecutions of Church of Immortality, Orlanth, Thanatar, but acceptance of a vampiric neighbour state) purely due to expansionist expediency.

The underlying philosophy of Lunar society encourages individuals to empower themselves and their own ideals in an Darwinian fight for survival. Illumination is accepted and encouraged because it is a proven evolutionary philosphy which survives where more rigid beliefs cannot adapt. All sucessful Lunar Ideologies are based around self transformation because these are the only philosohies which can face and adapt and absorb those imported from client states/cultures.

The Empire is not weakened by expansion it is spiritually strengthened as it becomes a wider and more tolerant belief system where more citizens can find satisfying mytho/cultural roles which suit their personalities. Sure it also embodies some widely dangerous and sefl-destructive forces. These serve to fulfill the darker aspect of the human psyche and allow the constructive channeling of certain portions of society.

Given that this is true, Orlanth is not fighting for survival but merely Independance. When he 'dies' he will become another of the 'Healed' dieties. Presumably this would mean the rabid anti chaos sentiment transforming into a 'guardian against chaotic excesses' and the 'Orlanth Rex' ruler of the universe transforming into 'Orlanth lightbringer' whose sacrifice allowed the transforming light of the moon to bring a new age of peace.' This may also mean being married into the Lunar Pantheon as Loyal spouse to the goddess.

Orlanth and the Red Goddess have a lot in common. Both are transforming elemental dieties. Orlanth Killed Yelm and brought him back (completing the most important transformational cycle in Myth). The Red Goddess transforms Belief systems.