>IMO, magic in Glorantha should be like this: we should have the basic
>mechanics of magic (meaning that there can be several types of magic -
>like there are several types of circulatory systems).
Well, it isn't. Glorantha is a world in which religions realy do accurately describe the nature of the world. I'd be happy to debate real world theology with you some time, but in Glorantha that's just the way it is.
The game rules for magic in glorantha are an attempt to model the way magic works in Glorantha, just as the call of Cthulhu rules attempt to model the way things work in H.P. Lovecraft's fiction. CoC does not determine what can and cannot be done in a story set in H.P. Lovecraft's world. It's the other way around.
>Each culture would develop his own understanding of magic based on a
>given magic system (or combination of magic systems).
Their magical powers have grown out of their religious beliefs, not the other way around. This is _why_ the magic systems are so different.
If the magical philosophies in Glorantha are purely deduced from the powers that people have, why do people following different philosophies have different powers?
If you realy want to know more about the beliefs of gloranthans and how these are realted to each other, the best and only source available, beyond the published cult writeups and supplements, are real world treatments of the subject. The best source I can recommend is Karren Armstrong's "A History of God". It describes the history of middle eastern and western theology from biblical times to the present day and how the different traditions are related to each other. I guarantee that if you read even the first half of this book your understanding of Gloranthan theology will be improved beyond all recognition.
I know I've said this before, but it's the best answer I can honestly give.
Simon Hibbs
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