What Gods Know

From: Kmnellist_at_aol.com
Date: Sun, 21 Nov 1999 07:47:43 EST


In a message dated 11/20/99 4:28:38PM, GAZZA writes:

<< How much do gods know about their worshippers? Are the requirements
 to become an initiate (and then a priest or rune lord) enforced by  the god itself, or just by the cult heirarchy?>>

I make it almost entirely a cult thing, not a god thing. Priests are the ones who set the rules, summon spirits of reprisal and other stuff like that in accordance to what they think is right. I agree that Rune Levels, having closer contact with a god, have their requirements enforced by the god in most cases.  

 <<For example, suppose we have a Thanatari cultist who doesn't (for  various reasons) much like Orlanth. Would it be possible for him  to become an initiate of Orlanth? And later a Wind Lord, so that he  could (eg) go on various Orlanthi Heroquests and deliberately fail  them badly?>>

The Orlanth cult would presumably perform Divinations before initiating any old person. The Divination would then directly question a god. I would also make the initiation ritual something where this sort of thing might become apparent.  

<< This sort of thing is presumably fine for Illuminates, but what
 about the non-Illuminated? Must a prospective initiate fool the  god, or simply the priest?>>

I'd still make it the Priest, but remembering that the Priest has the gods help in specific circumstances, especially the initiation ritual.

Keith N


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