>Why is it essential that all of Garundyer's Iron Council must be new
>aquaintances, the people he knows for longer are more likely to have
>accompanied him on HeroQuests and thereby gaining their own share of
>power and glory.
You are treating Heroquests as simple adventures. Look at the rest of Gloranthan heroes and see how many have childhood buddies among their boon companions who partake in their quests? I can only think of Keener Than who has now become Sir Ethilrist's enemy.
>> Given that you wrote these notes to convey to us your impression
>> of Garundyer, the fact that your conception of him has Owain
>> acting somewhat unOrlanthi is independent of your presentation
>> style.
>It is an Orlanthi stereotype to say that all feuds never end - even
>in Icelandic sagas we have examples of Feuds, really viscious blood
>feuds, ending quite amiably (frex, "Thorstein Staff Struck").
And this has what to do with Owain's UnOrlanthi behaviour? All he does is make a sign of forgiveness and serves Garundyer ever afterwards as a Sword Thane.
>Garundyer is not meant, IMHO, to have internal problems of a major
>sort - I see Garundyer as being the perfect Orlanthi Hero welcome
>EVERYWHERE.
Why do you assume this? He's an Orlanthi Hero, not someone
welcome everywhere. As such a big guy, he's bound to have
some people envious of his success or who have a grudge
against him. He's not the King, so people aren't obliged to
be nice to him.
>Do people hate him? No! How can you hate the one man that
>symbolises your entire community - the community of Lankst
>itself!
I think King Kochalong has a far more valid claim to symbolizing Lankst. And given the nature of Orlanthi society, it is bound to be riven by factional disputes. For the Orlanthi to be united behind someone who isn't their King seems false to me and it would be a major cause of concern for the King of Lankst, whose claim to power rests not on the fact that he's well-loved but that he and his brothers can breath fire against his enemies. Already we've identified someone who could hate Garundyer.
>he stands for the Orlanthi of the entire of
>Lankst, his threats are mainly (though not wholly) external i.e.
>Hsunchen, Dragonewts and Otkorioni (curse, spit, curse).
I'm dubious about his hatred of the Otkorioni given that the latter manage to defeat Sentanos with Sigolf Cloudcrusher, a spirit liberated by Garundyer himself.
>Owains hatred was great, Garundyer actions and Owains forgiveness were
>exceptional, but for the greater good, and all Heroes are meant to be
>exceptional.
Saying the event was 'exceptional' does not excuse that what you have currently told us about it is pallidly unconvincing behaviour for Orlanthi. Why should Owain forgive Garundyer for "the greater good", a notion unheard of in Orlanthi society? "Greater Good? How many cattle is that worth?". Orlanthi are _proud_ and caving in unilaterally is a sign of weakness. Garundyer's depicted actions are not heroic as he is simply an object of Owain's unorlanthi act.
>> A more Orlanthi way would have Owain be one of Garundyer's companions
>> who dares to suggest that they retreat before an onslaught of Telmori.
>> Garundyer would then say "What? Without a scratch" and kneecap Owain
>> for his impertinence.
>A bit too cruel for the Orlanthi Hero I envisage.
Mercy is another virtue that Orlanth doesn't commend to his worshippers...
>> Garundyer is liked by Orlanthi because he acts according
>> to _their_ norms, not christian ones.
>He cares less about reputation, more about Lankst.
An major virtue of Orlanthi society is _honor_. If Garundyer does not care about that, then I find it difficult to see how Orlanthi can respect him.
>As a Hero he sees the Big Picture.
But the Lanksti hillmen can not see this big picture. If Garundyer starts acting weird, then they will distrust him. Acting for them means that he acts according to their expectations, _not_ diregard them on the pretext that he is acting for an invisible greater good of Lankst.
>> Garundyer
>> could have quite happily disobeyed pop in these circumstances
>> with little or no shame.
>He could have. But it is not neccessary that he does so - Garundyer
>could just as easily have respected his fathers decision.
Leaving him open to a charge of being a coward in later life. Surely such a great hero could have stood and saved his father back then? You do see now what happens if one starts ignoring the Orlanthi virtues?
>> Yet Garundyer is felt to be an epitome of an Orlanthi Hero while
>> he is still alive. Hence I do feel it appropiate for him to kill
>> the Telmori Shaman.
>I believe that it would be fallacious to have all acts and actions
>accomplished by Garundyer.
Why not? This is an article _about_ Garundyer. Argrath kills tax-collectors at a young age. Rastalulf is similarly precocious. Having him mollycoddled detracts from his prowess.
End of The Glorantha Digest V6 #577
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