Polaris, Jannisor, Tobacco in Prax

From: Carlson, Pam <carlsonp_at_wdni.com>
Date: Sat, 13 Jul 1996 13:50:00 -0700


I see Polaris as one of the most universal sky dieties. He is contacted by Praxians, Imtherians, Grazers, Dara Happans, and even Orlanthi fighting the Lunars! Each culture likely emphasizes different aspects of him, but the aspects of farsight, navigation at night, grace of movement, and holding out against adversity are universal. I'm sure Yuthuppa venerates him because he is at the center of the sky, and he may be their war god. I do agree that Yuthuppa doean't have _much_ of a wargod - they tend to roll over pretty quickly.

In the DH/Lunar empires, Polaris serves as a logistical and tactical wargod. He gives the ability to survey the battlefield before a battle, the ability to find enemies, and to move and coordinate their own troops well. IMHO, these are fantastic military advantages, but they have to be combined with more hard hitting wargods to be effective. No problem in an empire of 100+ deities.


> Martin King and I have been thinking of him [Jannisor] as the
great Lodrili
hero - master of earth powers, leading a rebellion against the bad emperor,
attended by a demon servant. Which is not to deny the posible Khelmal/Elmal
element entirely.

I love it - _everybody_ claims Jannisor as "theirs"! Probably very true in Peloria, as well.


Dominic - nice application of anthopology to Glorantha with the tobacco discussion.

Last January, Neil and I travelled w/ Greg through the outback for a bit, and discussed Prax in relation.
Greg thought that Prax wasn't as arid as the Australian outback - maybe the Wastes, but not where most of the tribes live. (And we were near Alice Springs - a relatively moist area ofthe outback!) Apparently, the red dirt and alien plants (to us North Americans) does look a bit like some areas on the Red Moon. The 45C heat and stinging sunshine be like the conditions on face She presents to Yelm....

I didn't know tobacco could grow in the desert. Sure - put some in Prax.

Pam


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