Gagarth & Orlanth?

From: Martin Laurie <102541.3423_at_CompuServe.COM>
Date: 22 Aug 96 13:25:38 EDT


Recent conversations have led me to believe that Gargarth is a part of Orlanthi society as well as Praxian.

I remember the Questlines article discussing Harvar Ironfists Windwalking Gargarthi Thanes and this got me thinking.

(1). How does the Wild Hunter fit into Orlanthi society?

(2). Plainly he cannot fill a productive role so what the hell does he do?

(3). How did a Gargarthi become a Thane?

(4). Are their any magical differences between Praxian & Orlanthi Gargarthi?

Here are my thoughts:

Re (1). All societies produce their share of bad apples, the killers, the murderers, the raiders and the rapists. However, Orlanthi society actually manages to socialise many of these folk into useful roles. They get religion if you like. The brutally violent can join Urox, the cold hearted killers can join Humakt etc. Even the Orlanth cult itself has room in it for the twisted.

BUT there are going to be people who live within society but care little for it. Sociopaths who enjoy all the nice things they earn from living in the Clan structure but really don't care about it. This is where the Gargarthi come from.

They are the parasites of Orlanthi society. Gargarth is the collecter of lost souls and these folk count as that big time. The Wild Hunter is as wild and carefree as they are. He despises the society around him, fighting strangers and kin with equal pleasure and revelling in that freedom.

Re (2). As they are not productive they fulfill other roles. Primarily they are the bandits and brigands of Orlanti culture. Beyond even Outlawry, these folk don't want to settle, they just want to take. This is only feasible in times where there is considerable unrest and a relatively rich environment to support the bandits.

There is another kind of Gargarthi too, the one who is still in Orlanth but secretly worships the Wild Hunter, commits secret murder with a sick glee and twists all things without leaving his kin behind. These are rare IMO and often end up being dicovered, killed or made outlaw.

Re: (3). As for Gargarthi becoming Thanes, how is this possible? I think that it would take complicity from a Tribal King. The King would grant status and wealth to some Gargarthi in return for their "services" that his ordinary Thanes won't countinence. Plainly this has to be a very ruthless or depserate king but it happens. Harvar Ironfist plainly wanted to win and used any means at his disposal to do so. I think this has happened often in Orlanthi tribal and clan politics.

Re (4). I think that the Orlanthi Gargarthi don't create Wirvilishes but instead create some kind of Windwraith or can summon a restless spirit to their aid instead. Similar effect though.

Martin Laurie


Powered by hypermail