> It's here in the muck, that the real fight between the ideologies takes
> place. Sod all that High Fantasy guff ! It's the women who count, the
> Earth worshippers. What's best for the babies, and the land? Which man
> is best for the farm, and the babies? Mucky versions of the LBQ, the
> HoG, and Orlanth vs. Aroka, among other myths, are the foundation for
> Lodril/Barntar conflict. Who gets the girl? Who gets the field?
While I admit this goddess-centered POV is admirable, I think women in Glorantha tend to consider the cultural farmer/male fertility god as pretty much the only acceptable husband. Rather than ramble on about cultural perceptions, here are real life testimonies from Gloranthan women:
Theya Two Mothers, Priestess of Ernalda (Sartar): "We know of Lodril. He is a brother of the Goddess, one of the old Earth Tribe. He is one of the ancient giants that tormented young Orlanth. Lodril is lazy and cruel - he even allowed his own sister to languish as a thrall in the hall of the Emperor. He would not make a fit husband for any woman."
Kailili Urd-Turiat, Priestess of Oria (Kostaddi): "We know of Orlanth. A mewling young god, born of strife, he is a rebel and a raider. He is the raping demon of the southern barbarians. His son Barntar makes a lame attempt at wooing the Earth, but his plow is too small and his manners are atrocious. Those two could never support a proper society."
("Next week - Esrolia, Land of Multiple Husbands!")
Well, they could do the "Orlanth Slays Daga" heroquest...
> Ernalda is courted by the Lodril peasant, and his secret knowledge of the
Sun.
Have you read Entekosiad? Lodril's secret knowledge is Heat, and the Fire Within, the Life Force, the devoted lover of the goddess, and the guardian of the gates to the worst hells. The Sun is Brightface, a very different sort of deity...
>And the peasant himself is tempted to switch cults and learn the secrets
for
> himself.
Jeff Richard laid out some very good reasons why Lodril and Barntar worship is mutually exclusive, based on soil types and plow technology. (THough I recall an argument that the River of Cradels has soil much like the Oslir basin, so the Lodrilli are having good success there.)
More importantly, Lodril and Barntar represent VERY different cultures. Barntari tend to be Theyalans, fiercely individualistic, steeped in a proud tradition of stormy action and saving-the-world heroquests. Lodrilli tend to be Pelorians, highly communal, steeped in an ancient philosphy of resolute acceptance of a cyclical existence, springing from the underworld to begin anew.
Pam
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