>However, Somash is likely as stuck-up and stiff as is Praxian Yelmalio, if
>the reaction of Garusharp at Gio is any measure. (It does remind me of
>Biturian's mishap in Sun County...) If it were Solf, or possibly even
>Calyz, who inspired the Praxian Sun Domer cult, there might be use of
>Hazia in the rituals. With Somash, the repressive attitude seems correct
>to me.
You're confusing your own ideas of what is considered conservative moral behaviour with that of a radically different culture. We could say that all conservative cultures ban homosexuality and then look stupid when someone brings up Sparta. It's a faulty argument.
You're also muddling the waters between the conservatism of the Somash cult in Teshnos and Varthanis's morals in Prax. The way the cult is run in Teshnos had only a minor influence with how Varthanis decreed that the cult should be run.
And Solf can't be transmitted because he is not the Sun. Monrogh had the Vision of the Many Suns, remember?
>If I look at the likely relation between Somash and Solf, then the
>Somashi will likely try to outlaw the cultic practices of Solf. In
>Teshnos, they might just not have found the time to actually do it,
>yet...
Merely because they see it as repugnant does not mean that it will be banned. Who has managed to ban prostitution? The Cult of Solf is seen as a necessary evil by the Higher Orders as an example of What Happens To Bad People. He is the unfocused fire, the flame that burns without discipline. People who regularly partake of the vapours of his flames do not receive the Pure Visions of Heaven but are compelled to become gluttons, sexual deviants and drunkards through their gross hallucinations.
The Priesthood of Solf maintain many public houses in Teshnos to demonstrate to the faithful just how bad the Flames of Solf are for a certain donation. They believe that if you can percieve a certain error while in a Solf Vision and under the guidance of a Priest then you will be able to avoid the associated hell when you die. (The Higher Castes have no need of this for they are pure enough to see the Way to Heaven and can follow it directly after they die). Of course, people do need return trips to perfect their understanding of an error. However practice of Solfic rituals without the supervision of a Priest is a Wicked Deed and Offenders are punished severely. That way the Streets and Homes of Teshnos are safe and the people pious for all the depravity, er, solfic rituals takes place in a controlled environment.
>Since Yelmalio has no history as plow god to speak of, who takes that role
>in Sun County? Could this be where Solf crept in?
Whatever happened to Barntar, Son of Yelmalio and Ernalda?
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