>> When I suggested that in thinking of pantheon initiation that a
>>distinction might be possible between open and initiatory cults, it was
>>precisely because I thought that part of the problem in describing the
>>communal nature of pantheon "initiation" and finding a place for the many
>>minor divinities that in the current rules seem to get lost in the
>>shuffle (frex, the tie of temple size and available divine magic to
>>quantified initiates) resulted from following too closely this model, and
>>that the idea of having an open, less structured version of religious
>>life, largely calendrical, might make it easier to organize and describe
>>such things. <<
I concur that the limiting of available divine magic due to temple size
rule may have been for game balance. In an =8Cinitiate to pantheon=B9 cultur=
e
the magical backing for the spells should be there.
But, even though the potential magical backing is there, it does not mean
that the spells are available for teaching. While a person is initiated
into the pantheon, the the current thinking on pantheon initiation has gone
with the (IMO correct) assumption that =8Cpriesthood/runelords=B9 would stil=
l
be for specific dieties.
The fewer those initiated into the deeper secrets, the fewer there are: 1) available for teaching, 2 ) who are able to teach or even carry out certain ritual secrets, 3) the busier those few doing =8Cresearch=B9 into deeper cultic secrets, and making them unavailable for teaching.
IF the =8Cpantheon community=B9 requires a certain effect from that =B3minor=
=B2
member, the community might be able to give the magical backing necessary
to perform a ritual or obtain, hitherto unknown to them, cult knowledge,
but it=B9s unlikely to do so simply at the request of _any_ individual.
My summary is that the game mechanic of limiting spells could remain, but for a completely different Gloranthan mythic reason.
Going onto a slight tangent:-
If there was an initiate of a deity in an area where the pantheon was strong enough, but no acolyte/priests of the diety, it follows that the rest of the community - with priests of associated religions and shared heroquest paths to help - could turn that worthy initiate into a acolyte/priest.
Of course, this still does not explain the most burning question on my mind. How on Glorantha did Ralzakarks=B9 CA healears become initiated and then full priests? Perhaps an illuminated Chalana Arroy healer ( with an escort of lunar bodyguards) managed to wander by or did Ralzakark perform a heorquest ?
And I=B9m not arguing that Chalana Arroy wouldn=B9t accept them because they were broos (frex the wild broo healer of the Rockwoods) so long as they had the burning desire to heal. Still, I do think its rather illuminating er enlightened of CA to accept the worship of broos. Maybe she=B9s been hanging out around Yelm a bit too long :)
Mark Smylie also writes
>> is it my imagination, or is the fiction around here getting better all
>>the time? <<
I applaud the effort of the writers.
Brian
fantome_at_ozemail.com.au <SPACE RESERVED FOR RENT>
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