subjective heroquesting

From: Owen Jones <oj_at_maths.anu.edu.au>
Date: Mon, 16 Jun 1997 11:51:02 +1000 (EST)

Two Humakti, Bjork from Ralios and Bjorn from Sartar, are on a joint heroquest (don't ask why), during which they meet Humakt. Orlanth is there, and is in trouble fighting some beast. Bjork thinks he should rush to Orlanth's aid as Humakt is Orlanth's kin. Bjorn sees the combat as ritualistic and will not interfere, honour being more important than kinship ties, which he knows Humakt severed. What does Humakt do?

My own feeling is that at this point either (i) Bjork or Bjorn converts: Bjork's belief may be the stronger, the observed effect of which is that Bjorn sees Humakt turning to aid his kinsman, and Bjorn then realises this is what he too must do, or (ii) their beliefs cannot be reconciled, and their heropaths diverge: Bjork rushes in to help, when he returns with Humakt he finds Bjorn gone, meanwhile Bjorn has remained at Humakt's side and watched Bjork rush off. The two may they combat each other later on the heroplane, or back in the mundane world, or may never see each other again.

Does this make me a subjectivist?

A question for Nils Weinander (and others), based on his YAHQS ideas. Suppose Bjorn does convert. His heroquest is supported by a sizeable clan back in the mundane world. When he returns does he (a) find they have shared his revelation (b) solomly declare his revelation and get torn to bits by the mob (c) realise they don't get it when their support leaves him while he's still in the heroplane?

Cheers

Owen Jones
Centre for Maths and its Applications, School of Math. Sciences Australian National University, ACT 0200 Ph +61 6 249 2897 (office) 249 4552 (direct) Fax +61 6 249 4675 Web page http://wwwmaths.anu.edu.au/~oj/

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