Geases

From: Jane Williams <jane_at_williams.nildram.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1998 19:49:44 +0100


MOB and I have always disagreed over this one, and I doubt if it's going to change now. But let's try.

> After all, if I had the geas "never eat Brussel Sprouts", it's something I'd have no
trouble abiding by, because (to me) the idea of eating a sprout is unnatural and unclean.

That's because you're a spoilt product of the C20 Western World. (Me too, before you take that as a insult). If the only thing available for dinner for the next month is sprouts, you're in trouble. And if someone puts sprouts in the stew and doesn't tell you, you're in trouble. (Of course, if they *never* tell you, maybe you're safe?)

> The idea behind a geas is that by denying something dear to you, you become
closer to your god.
No. The idea behind a geas is that you become closer to your god. If that happens to involve living on porridge, or going into battle with no armour, that's an unfortunate side-effect.

And remember, you can still break a geas. Unknowingly is the easy method. Having two opposing geases is the classic (accept all food offered/eat no dog meat, wasn't it, for Cuchulain?) Or just grabbing at a chance for survival: grabbing the nearest weapon to save your life and realising too late that you really shouldn't have done that: eating a bird because you're starving.

Onward to the Unarmoured Left Leg:
> If you're right-handed (and Sun Domer culture being as proscriptive as it is you
>WILL be right-handed) your left leg will be the one nearest the enemy in combat

True. And it'll be completely hidden behind that huge shield that's covering you from nose to toes. What's the matter with you, don't trust the shield wall? It's unbreakable as long as no-one starts dodging :)

Though I still think the Hill of Gold reasoning is far better. This isn't about practicality, it's about myths.

> Actually I wonder if there isn't a remedial class in every Sun Domer barracks to
> beat the cack-handedness out of any recruit who tries to face the wrong way
> during drill. Such unfortunates would doubtless be looked on with suspicion as
> well as derision

I really must get on and write up the Secret History Part II (assuming none of the rest of the creative team are going to have a turn). Here's a couple of hints. 1) Dragonnewts are left-handed.
2) Sun County has Belvani as ambi-dextrous.

Jane Williams jane_at_williams.nildram.co.uk http://homepages.nildram.co.uk/~janewill/gloranth/


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