Re: Builders in Sartar

From: Alex Ferguson <abf_at_interzone.ucc.ie>
Date: Fri, 21 Mar 1997 20:35:41 GMT


Owen Jones wonders: How do Sartarites build roads?

> However, it was unclear to me whether or
> not these roads were produced by mighty magics, or by human hands (coupled
> with some lesser magic).

I think this is probably Intentional, and an appropriate instance of YGMV. I fact, I'd go so far as to say that such things are endemically so. I'll take as exemplars the rather differently flavoured suggestions of MOB and Jane W. in the Parthenogenesis discussion that (respectively) not even the whole populace of Trowjang could manage this without rather "mundane" assistance; and that Ernaldan acolytes quite regularly did so. Both could be simultaneously True, of course, but nevertheless indicating a rather different Scale of effect in each case.

> So, is there a cult of Sartar Mason based in Boldhome?

The HotB freeform focused quite a bit on this cult, though without an explicit Sartar Worship element. It fits, though, so I'd go with it.

My own guess is that the Masons are heavy on the ritual these days, and light on the obvious, showy magic. Equally though, they maintain the precedent, and mythic infrastructure for, something Spectacular if the situation arises, or some Sartar/Mostal Hero shows up. (Just supposing.)

> (the sacrifice of animals and/or people before major building projects
> certainly happened throughout Europe in ages past - many bridges have
> bodies interred under the piles).

Le Guin's _Left Hand of Darkness_ contains a scene of this sort (and is one of my favourites novels, to declare an interest). The King (!) (1) cements and grouts the keystone of an arch in place, with mortar slaked by animal blood. Of course, before they became Semi-Civilised Wusses(TM), it was human blood.

Slainte,
Alex.
- --

(1) OK, genderless/hermaphrodite monarch, if you must.


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