RUNES: Harmony Moon Truth
I. Mythos and History
The Cult of Queen Deezola is part of the Lunar pantheon. She is known as the `Binder Within', and is one of the Seven Mothers. The `Binder Within' refers to her cult's current role as negotiators and interpreters on behalf of the various regions and prospective provinces of the Empire. Originally, it referred to her role within the Seven Mothers quest, using magic obtained through HeroQuesting to combine and enhance the group capability. In pictures Queen Deezola is shown as a middle-aged woman, seated with various healing and homely artifacts upon her lap. An ornate comb, crenellated and engraved with her special rune, decorates her hair in an ancient fashion. (Her special Rune is a circle with three lines coming out of each side, inside the Earth Rune.)
Deezola was a Queen of Rinliddi lands along the Arcos River in Dara Happa. The Arcos is the portion of the Poralistor River that extends into the Elf Sea. She was an Initiate of Erissa (the Pelorian equivalent of Chalana Arroy) and a Rune Level Cultist of Basekora, a Dara Happan earth goddess. In her early years she was famous as a healer and a patron of the nobility, as well as being quite a poet. The Rinliddi peoples were once bird worshippers, and their warriors of old rode demi-birds. Once, ages past, they grew so powerful as to rule all of Dara Happa, but eventually were crushed by the Horse Riders of Pent during the Great Darkness. The Rinliddi survived the Great Darkness to become loyal subjects of the Horse Emperors, although their bird religion was gradually replaced by mainstream Pelorian mythology. At this time (the years before 1220ST), Rinliddi was broken into small mistrusting City States, forced to band together against their common aggressors.
They were squashed between the brutal Bull Shahs of the Carmanian Empire to the west, and the increasingly hostile Char-Un horse barbarians to the east. These were regularly raiding the country in growing numbers. Things were slowly disintegrating for the Rinliddi, how much longer they could survive as a people was in question. They were reduced to guerrilla warfare in their own lands, and it seemed only a matter of time before the Carmanians marched in and simply took over by means of force. Despite not being a seasoned warrior, Deezola was already a HeroQuester, and amongst the Dara Happans there were many other heroes seeking a way to overthrow their oppressors. There had been many prophecies over the previous decade, mystics and starseers, forcrying the return of the Moon and the salvation of the Rinliddi, and more than one Hero was trying to release the Moon Goddess from the Underworld.
After a series of horrifying raids on her own lands, and desecration of several temples, Deezola risked attempting one of the major Basekora HeroQuests, repeating the time Basekora met the spider goddess Arachne Solara (called by the Pelorians Arachna Selena). Some say Deezola was involved in the Terminal Debate to contact Arachne Solara, but this was not so, there had been no organised worship of the spider goddess since the fall of the Empire of the Wyrms' Friends. The `Terminus Debate' was not reinstated until the time of Emperor Celestinus, who ruled 1558-1574. Deezola knew that the spider goddess held knowledge of all the Moons, and was determined to gain it from her. All we know for sure is that she succeeded, at least partially, because from that time forth she titled herself as a Priestess of Arachne Solara.
During the following months she became part of the Conspiracy that evolved into the Seven Mothers' Red Goddess Quest. Deezola's link with Arachne Solara was crucial to the success of the rebirth of the deity that became the Red Goddess. Whilst little is known about the individual motives of the Seven Mothers, Lunar legend gives them only the highest praise. (Other hints indicate that political expediency and a simple lust for power motivated at least two of the conspirators.) The leading members were Yanafal Tarnils, and Jalakeel the Witch, supported by Irripi Ontor and Deezola. They took with them a psychotic criminal Danfive Xarron, and an innocent orphan Teelo Norri. The seventh member of their group was known only as She Who Waits (SWW). In history SWW is sometimes mentioned as a Priestess of the Blue Moon, this is apocryphal, or possibly spread about to confuse her true identity by Jalakeel, who knew the secretive nature of the Blue Moon cult. Amongst other things, the group that became known as the Seven Mothers did evoke the powers of the Blue Moon, but SWW was an invocation of their group energy, linked to the powers of Arachne Solara, perhaps similar to Ginna Jar's relations with the Lightbringers' Quest.
Most details of the Red Goddess HeroQuest are unknown, or subject to history and its vagaries. Yanafal Tarnils organised the Quest to begin at a temple in the Dara Happan town of Torang, which his forces held. Fate was in their favour - time was rent open, and the Goddess appeared - embraced Danfive (the bridge) who pulled her through to possess the innocent body of Teelo Norri. Through SWW, the Spider's Protection was granted at the birth of the Red Goddess. The Goddess herself fed on the Mothers' emotions of arrogance, honour, innocence, truth, pride, anguish, and more. From this grew her power and ambition, and this led inevitably to war. More or less immediately the Goddess formed a rag tag army, and defeated a Carmanian raiding party of some force, at what became known as `First Victory'. This was at a battle on the Arcos River near Torang, and the Lunar Empire began, known initially as the "First Blessed Sultanate".
II. Cult Ecology
The cult of Deezola, like all Seven Mothers cults, has two branches. The standard Seven Mothers cult (protectors of the Empire's borderlands) is controlled by the Provincial Church lead by Icilius the Overholy, which in turn takes its orders from the Red Emperor. The Seven Mothers is Lunar-religion-lite for the barbarians and provincials. Cultists of the pure form have their allegiance with the Priesthood of Deezola within the heartlands of the Lunar Empire. Seven Mothers cultists who especially venerate Deezola, and may specialise in her spells, still take their orders from the Provincial Church, although some sub-groups of the Seven Mothers do create their own Temples when their numbers are high enough (such as the Temple to Yanafal of the Seven Mothers, at Alda-Chur.) All Seven Mothers cultists in Prax are under the command of Governor Sor-Eel in matters of security, and under the religious supervision of Icilius. Pure Deezola cultists who may visit Prax and Pavis on business or pleasure are under the religious and practical jurisdiction of the Deezola cult in the heartlands, although control of them could be taken by Sor-Eel in times of emergency. In such a case Deezolans would NOT expect to be used as cannon fodder, but rather as messengers, emergency medics, possibly arbitrators, or even commanders of small reconnaissance missions
The cult of Yanafal Tarnils controls the Red Army, and at its head is
Bellex Maximus. The prisons, penitentiaries, and some commando units
are run by the infamous cult of Danfive Xarron, led by Grand Master
Orsorkson. The other cults of the Seven Mothers have fallen in
influence due to the plans of the Red Goddess. The power of the
scribes that worship Irripi Ontor is being eclipsed by the Lunar
College of Magic. The most senior members of the cult of Jalakeel are
too insane to provide coherent leadership, and the cult is manipulated
by Marshal Feodr Volkhovos, who worships Annilla. The cult of Teelo
Norri is weak with a fragmented leadership. The Cult of Deezola alone
spans the middle ground, with a small but powerful leadership
(Principally High Priestess Luada Solon), and a few notable heroes and
champions that make up for the numerical lack of cult membership. It
has been rumored that the Priesthood of Deezola are part of a pacifist
conspiracy based around either the White Moon, or worship of Arachne
Solara, however neither Investigations nor Divinations have ever
uncovered any evidence of this. The cult's remaining power base is
helped by its traditional control of much of the Emperor's
agricultural trade. This role stems from Deezola's origins as an earth
cultist.
Worship of Deezola originated as an artistic revolutionary cult. Its founder striving to uphold and promote the integrity, honour and values of her heritage and lands. Having her cult's origin in the desire to make a strong and lasting peace, so that all could benefit from civilisation and the arts, Deezola valued poets, artistic nobles, and healers, and had a healthy respect for the earth, which supports all life. Misguidedly, she hoped that, after the initial forcing back of the invaders, the Red Goddess would stand as a leader for peace and fair arbitration. However, the motivations of the other Mothers brought a lust for power into the equation. Since the birth of the Goddess, the Cult of Deezola has remained predominantly responsible for negotiation and reconciliation along the Empire's borders.
III. The Cult in the World
Outside of the Empire, Deezola's cult is sometimes considered to be that of Chalana Arroy, healed of her pacifism in the face of absolute evil. This is a gross generalisation. Despite her connection with Erissa, Deezola's cult has from the very beginning been its own entity, only partly influenced in its development by the precepts of this healing goddess. The confusion tends to be reinforced because the cults of Erissa, Chalana Arroy and Deezola all currently have a significant presence in Peloria and maintain close friendly ties due to sharing some common principals.
In principal and in action, Deezola cultists of the Seven Mothers, and of the pure cult, tend to fill the roles of diplomats, arbitrators, interpreters, messengers between antagonistic parties, cultural envoys, and emergency battlefield medics rather than healers. In the healing realm, they are not worried so much about fixing things, more on preventative medicine. Deezola's connection with the earth stems from both her experience as a Basekora cultist and her HeroQuesting connection with Arachne Solara (sometimes worshipped ecstatically as the "Raw Power of Nature"). For cult members the earth connection is illustrated more in their values, and focus of worship, than in their roles. To cultists of Deezola the earth is their mystical mother, and must be respected. Because of this, earth cults are generally friendly with Deezolans.
The cult attracts an unusually high percentage of its members from the
lesser nobility. This is no doubt because of its stand as a civilised
and artistic cult, and because of the image of Deezola's followers as
being independent and cultured. A typical cultist would rather prevent
a fight than clean up the mess afterwards. They are peacemakers who
use their vocal skills to persuade aggressors to adapt an alternate
approach instead of violence. They will parley with anyone, even
Chaotics, although this last has proved the downfall of a Cult
Negotiator on more than one occasion. This may convey the impression
of a cult full of naive idealists. This is not the case. Whilst some
(mostly from the Seven Mothers branch) might fall into this trap, an
equal amount are hard headed cynics, used to dealing with
muscle-headed war mongers and blood hungry berserks. Most of course,
lie in the middle of this spectrum, desiring peace, but prepared to
advocate violence when no other form of expression will be respected.
When violence is considered necessary, a Deezola cultist will push for
swift and decisive action, followed by assistance and fairness for the
conquered. (This is in cases where the conquered are able to
appreciate such benevolence, i.e. not the survivors of a rampaging
band of insanely murderous scorpion folk!)
The cult members are taught proficiency in only shield and one weapon, although some disdain this in favour of defensive training only. Usually however, a cultist who is considering active service outside the Empire will choose a specialist weapon. They prefer not to fight, according to cult values, but when forced into combat prefer to end it as quickly and as favorably as possible. In their negotiations cultists of Deezola value highly their own integrity. If they make a promise they see it kept, and may even die trying to restore things, or give themselves up as hostage, if someone else breaks the Deezolan side of the bargain. Whilst the cult makes no official differentiation between genders, there is a slight predominance in numbers of female initiates over males, and a more marked predominance at higher levels, especially amongst the Priesthood.
IV. Initiates
This is primarily a cult for those who dislike violence and have strong principles of fairness and justice. Part of their oath of allegiance speaks of their goals of `maintaining and promoting peace', `fostering cordial relations with subject peoples', and `administering Lunar justice with total integrity'. However it is not a cult entirely of pacifists, and Deezolans on active duty come under the command of the Lunar Army. To join the cult one must pass tests in three out of the following: First Aid, Oratory, Bargain, Poetry (there ARE non-Deezola Poets), World Lore, Ride, and Read/Write own language. One must also convince the selection panel of one's high ideals and interest in promoting peace and cultural exchange. Providing this is achieved, one sacrifices a point of POW during the initiation ceremony. The Initiate will then go through several months of intensive cult training, during which no other activities may take place. From then on the Initiate must give 50% of time and income to the cult. One must be eligible in background (if not in skill level) to join the Lunar Army, in order to be admitted to the cult of Deezola. This does not mean they are members of the army, only that they may become so, either temporarily or for a full tour of duty.
Special Deezola Cult Skills
Lunar Laws - after initial training this skill starts at INT+3D4
Negotiate - communication skill, to show confrontational parties
common ground and appreciation of opposing viewpoints. After initial
training the skill starts at INT+POW%, however the game Storyteller
may impose penalties according to the intractability of the
protagonists. Poetry - after initial training the skill starts at POW%
Weapon training - If an Initiate so chooses they may forsake the
Poetry and instead take advanced weapon skills. This illustrates the
difference between those who plan always to prioritize the use of
spoken word, and those who imagine sometimes the spoken word will not
be enough. The additional percentage added to a chosen weapon is half
again of the current skill with a minimum raise equal to DEX, and a
maximum raise equal to DEX+STR. Such training is usually carried out
by a Yanafali weapons master.
The Cult Choice
If the Initiate wishes, they may choose to discard all weapon use in
favour of the power of reason and heartfelt expression (symbolised by
the choice between Poetry or Weapons Training). The actual oath of all
who are Initiated to this decision is: "I will never intentionally
harm an intelligent being, unless it needs restraining to prevent it
harming itself, and I will minimise the damage of any such action. I
will never kill an intelligent being. Any being I have incapacitated
comes under my protection. I will not allow any being under my
protection to be harmed." Taking this oath gives access to the single
Deezolan `Cult Gift', and such cultists will from then on carry no
weapon. Other Initiates take a similar oath, emphasizing ethical
behavior and the minimization of violence without the absolute
restriction on combat .
End of The Glorantha Digest V5 #650
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