>>>There are also ruling gods that do
>>>not have multiple rune levels (Godunya, for example).
Me>>I'll be suprised if this was true. As well as the Mandarins, there
>>are also the Exarchs and Governers and probably a number of parallel
>>positions like Court Eunuch and General..
> Court Eunuch, General, Governor - what makes you think these are
>distinct rune levels, rather than distinct cult/political positions? Would
>you say that, for example, Master of Apprentices is a separate rune level
>to Sage of Lhankor Mhy? Or 'Chief Priest' is a different rune level to
>'Priest'?
Simply because Eunuchs and Mandarins tend to have different career paths and do not intermix very well. One finds it difficult to imagine a Mandarin desiring a promotion to Court Eunuch. In historical China the Eunuchs tended to end up controlling the place and contact between the Emperor and the outside world. Their ranks tend to be lifelong eunuchs rather than a certain rank in the Imperial Civil Service. It is also improbable that the Mandarins have a clue what to do in military matters. And chief/high priests (Lunar and Xiola Umbar) and High Khans (Storm Bull) are considered to be seperate rune levels.
> Exarchs is slightly more troublesome. I am prepared to accept
>either that Exarchs are like Priests of Godunya, only more so
They have very distinct powers and regalia according to the Prosopaedia.
> I figured Mandarins where the social class to which the officials
>belonged, not a religious status itself.
The position is gained by sitting examinations in the Classics and Imperial Philosophy etc. Can we say 'convincing the examiners'?
>Its certainly possible IMO to be a
>Mandarin with no religious abilities whatsoever, or abilities unconnected
>to Godunya cult, though I think this would be frowned on.
Which would be a recipe for madness. A Mandarin with no religious abilities or abilities unconnected to the Godunya Cult would be the equivalent of a atheistic medieval bishop or a Lord Justice who did not swear allegiance to the crown.
Joseph Troxell:
[Shamans in Orlanthi society]
>I think they exist in the culture, but by nessecity are outside the cult of
>Orlanth. [...] Also, I don't see shamans fitting in with the
>culture. They don't farm; they spend 90% of their time chasing spirits.
>They survive by getting goods in barter for helping the locals.
'spend 90% of their time chasing spirits' is an arguement from the roolz. The Shaman fits into Orlanthi society because he or she performs tasks that they need done. There is no prohibition on Shamans farming and in Orlanthi society they probably do (An example of an Orlanthi Shaman might be an old lady who acts as a midwife and healer as well as letting you talk to your deceased rellies on the other side).
>I was wondering if anywhere there exists a long cult write up for Wachaza
>(and/or any of the other sea gods). As usual, GoG does a less than
>satisfactory job explaining a cult.
Two writeups exits for Magasta and Dormal exist in ToTRM#10.
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