Assorted Topics

From: peter metcalfe <metcalph_at_voyager.co.nz>
Date: Wed, 3 Dec 1997 21:06:21 +1300 (NZDT)


Erik Nolander:

>In the MoLaD/Pharaoh discussion some weeks ago, there were several
>references to the tournaments and rituals the Pharaoh has to go through
>while on the Heroplane. Are these described somewhere? Does anyone know
>anything more about them?

Nothing exists officially although there has been plenty of speculation. The upcoming Book of Belintar may present more definitive information. A set of rituals that has been proposed is that the Pharoah re-enacts the deeds that brought him mastery over each of the sixths - thus he breaks the bank of Casino Town, rises from the dead after being slain in the year son rituals, impales the Only Old One on an iron sword etc.

Del Jones:

>One of my players is interested in the Lunar deity of
>Yanafal Tarnils, hoping that this is a 'Lunarified'
>Humakt type cult.

No published cult writeup exists although I have seen a partially complete ToTRM version printed in Red and Black - - no prizes for guessing whose printer it came from. In its basic cult form, Yanafal does resemble a lunarized version of Humakt but there are important differences.

  1. Associated cults: Yanafal has a wide range of associated cults (Danfive Xaron, Moonson, Urvairinus, Daxdarius etc) and subcults. Humakt on the other hand is a loner in that he has sod-all associated cults.
  2. Yanafal can be resurrected but has one-use Sever Spirit. Personally I think that they can gain reusable Sever Spirit but the requirements to do so are much tougher than merely being a rune lord.
  3. Yanafal's initiates are usually the officers in the Red Army and provide some uniformity amidst the bewildening number of forces that serve the Lunar Empire (such as the Stonewall Hoplites, the Thunder Delta Slingers, the Char-un, the Carmanian Hazars and even native furthest tribesmen).
  4. The Yanafali have to do a lot of tasks (as part of their cult activities) such as worshipping their standards, drilling their troops, attending seminars, filling out requisition forms, commandeering stuff from the natives etc.

Lastly, if your player blanches at the thought of joining the Red Army (with a 25 year tour of duty) even as an officer then an alternative exists. He can join the cult of the Seven Mothers and worship Yanafal from within there. This will probably mark him as a hick provincial for life in Imperial Eyes but he is more likely to be involved in special duties involving the Provincial Church.

Sandy Petersen:

> And IMO, the tales of Pure Telmori in the Dorastor Pack are a
>vile lie -- a sham intended to fool hapless adventurers into thinking
>that there are "good guys" somewhere within Dorastor.

What are you talking about?!? Surely Razalkark is good, isn't he?

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