Cult of Arran, Pt 1

From: rhwolfe1_at_ix.netcom.com
Date: Mon, 10 Aug 1998 19:45:29 -0500 (CDT)


Since RQ is dead, I suppose I should throw out all my old crap based on those archaic, out-dated rules. :) Before it all hits the ashcan of history, I thought I'd stick some of it up here (the typed up bits anyway). Here's a cult I made about fifteen years ago. It's obviously God Learner B.S. now, but what the hell.

ARRAN THE PROTECTOR I. MYTHOS AND HISTORY

  1. BEFORE TIME
When Death first appeared, there was no defense against it. In the Great Darkness, many Gods and many more mortals died and no one could prevent it. Chalana Arroy tried to heal the wounds of Death, but could no stop the wounds from occuring. So she sought out Humakt, the God of Death, to find a way to protect against his Sword. She seduced him to find his secrets, but for nought, for Eurmal had stolen Death away. Disappointed, she left Humakt and continued to try to cure the wounds inflicted by Death. But her efforts were more successful than she knew, for she soon she gave birth to Arran the Protector.

        Arran was raised with his brother, Arroin. Together they helped their mother in her tasks, but Arran, the son of the Death god, had not talent for the healing arts. It was not until Malia obtained Death that Arran showed his true power. Malia struck at Chalana Arroy, but Arran lept in front of Death and took the blow. He remained unharmed. It was the First Parry.

        During the Great Darkness, Arran taught men how to defend themselves. He invented armor, the shield, and the fortress. He created the skill of parry and the spells of Parry, Protection, and Shield. He gave his gifts freely to all who sought him out, striving to slow the spread of Death.

        Arran gave his first shield, the famous Shield of Arran, to Ernalda to protect her from her foes. Ernalda in turn gave it to Orlanth, and Arran has never reclaimed it.

        During the Lightbringer's Quest, Arran stayed behind to protect Orlanth's stead and guard the path home.

        Arran recognized the Great Compromise of Time and acknowledges the kingship of Orlanth.         

B. SINCE TIME         Arran was named the Protector by the Gods. He guards the road to Hell against the second coming of the Devil and his powers keep battles from becoming bloodbaths. He also serves as an inspiration to all those who protect the helpless. Finally, and most importantly, Arran still tries to Shield his mother and brother from the forces of Chaos.

        Though Arran's cult is relatively small, the Shield God is worshiped throughout Glorantha. He is especially popular among watchmen and guards. Since his cult discourages aggression, he is less popular among warriors than Humakt, Yanafal Tarnils, or Shargash, but some still worship him nonetheless. Like his father, Arran encourages honor and truth among his worshippers.

        Chalana Arroy temples usually have a msall shrine to Arran attached to them, frequently in an outside courtyard of adjacent building. Officially, the Chalana Arroy cult is supposed to discourage this, since the Arrani are not pacifists, but in practicality, Arrani Watchmen are a welcome precense at most Chalana Arroy ceremonies.

C. LIFE AFTER DEATH         Arran's cult promises that there is life after Death, but does not tell what it will be like. The concern of Arran is preventing Death, not worrying about what comes after.

        Cultists are usually buried with their shields, but practices vary with location.

D. RUNIC ASSOCIATION         Arran shares his mother's Rune of Life. Like Humakt, he is associated with Truth. Finally, Arran is associated with Stasis, reflecting his preserving nature.

II. NATURE OF THE CULT         Arran's power varies by region. In places with old, established civilizations, or in areas where life is difficult, Arran is a popular God. He has many temples in Maniria, Ralios and Fronela, as well as Fonrit in Pamaltela. The center of his power is the Temple of the Living Shield in Ralios, where Arran saved Chalana Arroy from Death.

        In the Lunar Empire, Arran has been replaced by Danfive Xaron. The barbarians of Prax scorn his worship because of his connections with Stasis. However, Arran was a friend to Pavis, and he is still worshipped in Mani's Fort and Real City, in the Rubble.

        Arran dislikes all death Gods but his father, Humakt, with whom he has an uneasy friendship. Arran particularly dislikes violent and bloodthirsty  dieties like Zorak Zoran, Storm Bull, and Shargash. Arran is friendly with the Lightbringers and associated with his mother, Chalana Arroy, and his friend, Pavis.

        Most gods are not openly hostile to Arran, even those Arran does not like, for few dieties do not appreciate his protective magic. The single exception to this seems to be Wachaza, who was cursed by Arran for some foul crime committed during Godtime. Wachaza and his worshippers are thus forever prevented from aquiring Shield or Protection. They generally murder Arran worshippers on sight.

III. ORGANIZATION

  1. INTER-TEMPLE
        Nominally, all Arran shrines and the cult's few temples are supposed to be under the direct control of the Temple of the Living Shield in Ralios, but due to distance and poor communication, bands of worshippers are usually fairly autonomous.

B. INTRA-TEMPLE         The Arrani cultic structure is modelled after that of the Humakti. The senior Protector, the Chief of the Watch, is the head of the temple. Beneath the Chief there can be up to ten other Protectors, who are called Watch Captains. Each Watch Captain commands up to ten senior initiates, called Sentinals. They, in turn, command bands of junior initiates called Watchmen.

        At least, that's how it's supposed to work. In reality, it's a rare band of Arrani that can even muster a few dozen initiates, let alone the thousand necessary for a complete hierarchy. True temples are found only in the largest cities.

        Pavis once had a full temple to Arran, the famous Watchhouse on Heortland Yard, but it was destroyed by the Troll Invaders.

C. CENTERS OF POWER AND HOLY PLACES         The great holy place and center of power of the Arrani is the Temple of the Living Shield in Safelster. The Shield of Arran is also considered a holy center of this religion, but it is in the possession of Orlanth on the Hero Plane.

D. HOLY DAYS         The High Holy Day of Arran, on Godday of Stasis Week in Storm Season, commemorates the manifestation of his power and the rescue of Chalana Arroy. In addition, cultists observe each Godday of Stasis Week as a minor Holy Day.


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