> The Pol Joni raise cattle which are not Pentan Beasts. I thought
> they were restricted to the Good Place because of this.
OK, the Second Age Pentans in Prax were all Pure Horse People. But the Praxians *today* meet Pentans *today* who herd cattle. They'll make the association, surely.
> However, there is no reason to suppose that blood is a definitive road
> to rule or Shah legitamacy.
I had assumed that the title "Shah" had some degree of odium attached to it in the early Empire after the overthrow of Carmanian rule, and would fall into disuse for that reason.
> IMO, the Shah of Carmania is any man who rules Carmania and calls himself
> Shah without being offed immediately :)
Magnificus, contrariwise, is only referred to as "Shah of Carmania" by his political enemies in the Dara Happan Senate. This looks like a slur rather than an encomium.
> Yes the Shahs took a pasting at the 4 Arrows, yes they lost a lot of
> power but I doubt that their rituals were expunged completely.
Which other overthrown Second Age empire had unique royal rituals which survived and are still used to this day by its enemies and successor states? The EWF? The Jrusteli God Learners? The House of Errinorru? So why the Carmanians?
> I believe that [Magnificus'] weaponry included a significant amount of
> Carmanian old ritual, as well as Lunar power.
I agree completely. But I do not think this included his recognition as Shah, or his embodiment of specifically Carmanian royal magical power. This, IMO, was snuffed out at the Four Arrows of Light, and has not returned.
> I also think that the manifestation of Carmanian magics at a specially
> selected point largely helped the Lunars defeat the Seleric warband and
> thus allowed Shengs defeat.
I agree completely. But I do not think these are those specific magics personal to the Shah of Carmania.
>> I don't think the Magi, the Satraps of Carmania, etc. would think [the >> Red Emperor] was the "top man" in their institutions -- rather, he'd be >> seen as the only person who can boss around (or intervene against) the >> Hierophant, the Governor of the West Reaches, or others.
> It depends on the period you are talking about.
Of course. And Magnificus was a uniquely Carmanian case, as you'll recognise.
> Their ultimate acceptance of the Lunar Way will be inescapable after
> Orlanth's forthcoming demise.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> ... after Orlanth is bound.
in all distributed versions of the scroll.
I shall report immediately to the Xaronea, for appropriate Penance.
:::: Email: <Nick_Brooke_at_compuserve.com>
Nick
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