Shargash Priests-Kings

From: Richard, Jeff <Jeff.Richard_at_metrokc.gov>
Date: Mon, 18 Aug 1997 17:00:09 -0700


Nick wrote:
>Can't we give Enclosure a brief honeymoon period before we start pseudo-
>Gregging it?? :-)

I find that particularly ironic since I think that the title of Red King and Green King came from Greg (is that right Pam?).

>I *liked* the Red King, Green King, [Black King] thing because it was so
>*obvious* that we were talking about the real rulers of the city: it had
>a kinda Gilgameshy, sacral kingy, Spartan dual monarchy, ancient worldy
>feel to it.

I for one like using titles like King or Sacred King far better than wiggy titles like High Priest or High Rune Lord-Priest. Frex, the title of a priest of Orlanth Rex is fairly easy - King. I generally hate the titles Rune Lord, Wind Lord, Death Lord and especially Storm Khan! It lacks that sense of "Gilgameshy, sacral kingy, Spartan dual monarchy, ancient worldy feel" that I love about Glorantha. In central Genertela, religion is thoroughly fused with society and secular leaders tend to be cultic figures as well. Might as well acknowledge that in cultic terminology.

>If we said "The Alkothi word for 'King' is 'fruitloop'", and that the city
>and cult were ruled by the Red and Green [and Black] 'fruitloops', I don't
>think it'd have the same effect on readers. Sometimes, explanation is more
>valuable than deliberate obscurantism.

Are you dabbling in Wittgenstein, Nick? That sort of semantic nonesense will corrode your mind and lead to something horrible. . . like illumination or worse.

Jeff


Powered by hypermail