One True Myth?

From: Joerg Baumgartner <joe_at_toppoint.de>
Date: Wed, 10 Jun 98 19:54 MET DST


A bit of high-flying speculation, feel free to flame away...

Richard Develyn replying to David Dunham:
>> Even creative heroquesting probably doesn't create a new myth, it
>> creates a new quest.

>When is a new myth created?

One possible answer would be: "never". No new myths are created, only hitherto unknown (versions of) myths may be discovered.

>Once a myth _is_ created, is there a force within the myth itself (or
>within the hero plane) which tries to keep it true to the original
>event. That's my entire driving force on this thread.

Yes. Now, all myths spring from the limitless potential, and are experienced quite close to it (i.e. on the "outer planes" of Glorantha). The Void isn't about Chaos and Undoing, but of potential. (Only the Void within Creation works as destructive entropy...)

So, if there is a myth about A winning over B, there is probably as well a myth of B winning over A, both having a draw, both avoiding conflict, or any other thing you can imagine. Usually one of these versions applies to (a certain part and culture of) Glorantha.

>If you try to re-enact a myth and get it wrong, do you know you have?

Usually yes. You get hurt in the wrong places, worse than expected, etc.

>Can you find out, through more and more re-enacments, through trial and
>error, without referring to any other records, what the right version of
>the myth is?

The one which follows the version known to your people.


Powered by hypermail