<< I'm of the opinion that Orlanth is much more open than many digesters
suppose...For example, I hold to the fact that Orlanth Adventurous membership
is open to "Any who hold breath in their lungs", as according to Cults of
Prax, approximately.>>
The question is whether all female OA initiates are in fact, members of the Vinga sub-cult. It seems to me that, in areas where Vinga is worshipped at all, they will be - otherwise just what is the role of her (associate/sub/neither of the above) cult? And do Vingans have different powers from their male OA counterparts? Certainly not many, IMO.
<< Ruric's female companion from the rules excerpts of RQ2 eventually becomes
a Wind Voice of Orlanth (presumably of the Adventurous subcult.)>>
In RQ2 terms, that's quite correct - its clear Ariella becomes a Wind Voice of OA. Under RQ3 rules however, there is no such thing, and she'd actually be a Storm Voice of OT following the write-ups in GoG and River of Cradles. The concept of priests of OA comes, as far as I understand it, from the old RQ2 practice of giving all cults both priests and rune lords. Presumably there were Storm Lords of OT in RQ2 as well.
I personally think the RQ3 version makes a lot more sense, and I'm sure its much closer to the way Greg views things, although I could be wrong...
At any rate, the basic point holds - it evidently is possible for a woman to join Orlanth Thunderous if she wants.
<<From an RQ3 POV, I personally feel that Orlanthi society wouldn't be that rigid, and that the Godis wouldn't care who would be brave enough to delve into the magical secrets of the Master of Storms, as long as their will were strong and hearts were pure.>>
The counter-argument would be that a man cannot become a priest of Ernalda - although they can be an acolyte. However, given that the RQ3 rules do mention restrictions against male Ernaldan priests and not any against female Orlanth ones it would seem that this counter-argument does not hold. And, of course, we do know that women can become 'priestesses' of Orlanth Rex, i.e. tribal Queens.
<< The CoP cult write-up mentions non-humans as being permitted to join.>>
More of a concession to the early style of gaming than anything else, I suspect. Non-humans probably can join, but I suspect its rather difficult, and there'd have to be a good reason to be adopted into an Orlanthi clan, town or whatever. I don't think OA exists in complete isolation from society, purely as a god of wandering adventurer bands, although I'll certainly concede that that's what's implies in RQ2.
<< For those that don't share that view, Kolat may also be be avilable for
those of Shamanic bent. I actually like the idea of Orlanthi Storm-Witches,
who worship the Great Lord of Storms in small groups and his brother, the
father of sylphs,dancing around fires smeared with woad.>>
I have to agree that female kolatings ought to exist in Orlanthi society. There's even a brief description of one at my web-page...
Forward the glorious Red Army!
Trotsky
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