Orlanthi Thieves

From: JeffJErwin <JeffJErwin_at_aol.com>
Date: Wed, 11 Mar 1998 08:23:02 EST


Some discussion of Orlanthi thievery in Saird has been going on (I may have missed some). But if one turns to the Orlanth cult, it is noticeable that O Adventurous definitely supports thievery against other tribes/non-Orlanthi. Thus such groups might have a religious focus, with members reenacting parts from Orlanth's youth, i.e. Orlanth, Yinkin, young Storm Gods, Eurmal-- the upshot is that the criminal organization, like the old Chinese Tongs, might actually have deep religious roots. It's obvious that the Lunar authorities would interpret it this way, which is one of the reasons Orlanth is banned. Ironically, the old community cults might suffer a degeneration into predatory groups, having been deprived of the 'mature' Thunderous and Rex subcults. But, the cult remains idealistically a bandit/protection group, refraining from violence against tribesfolk. I doubt if it would become regimented or venal (i.e. slavers, drug-smugglers, murder for hire) without chaotic corruption. Perhaps... the Yakuza as a model? The Yakuza after all were partly formed to serve as guardians against the violence of Samurai for the townsfolk. In some regions of the Empire, local officials might actually cooperate with the Orlanth cult to keep crime low, with the understanding that pious Yelm or Lunar lords wouldn't be allowed around certain parts of town.

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