> I don't believe there was anything like a re-formulation of
> Stygianism or a period where it was "rudimentary".
Well, the God Learners had invaded Arkat's home turf, stolen and twisted his secrets, shattered the United Church of Stygia and then hunted down known and suspected Arkati to steal more secrets.
> Much doctrine had been preserved by Secret Societies
IMO all fragmentary.
> whereas the vast majority of peasants and townies would have
> still been Stygian (and penalized for it).
> Sir Ethilrist, who fought for the God Learners and against
> them at various times during the Imperial Age, has a shrine
> to Arkat in Muse Roost.
IIRC, Ethilrist fought both for and against the Stygian Empire, too, so his personal knowledge of Arkat secrets might stem from the Real Thing. Not that he seems to have proselytized his creed.
>>I think it is agreed that the Trader Princes cared little for >>religious matters but a lot for lucrative trade.
> This has never been my impression as their religious secrets (ie
> worship of issaries, secret Arkati magics) are one of the reasons
> why they are so successful in ruling the Wenelian tribes.
They're from Safelster or riverine Ralios, so you assume they have to have been Stygian.
I really really doubt that the God Learners would have tolerated vile Stygianism of these dimensions throughout the Second Age. Unlike Rokari inquisition, the God Learners (thought they) could analyze what kind of magic had been done in a given region.
Yes, some secret groups (more likely bloodlines) will have clung to a Stygian secret or two. During the enthusiastic overthrow of the God Learners by crusader-descended lords in 1050, new Stygian communities formed when Stygians dared to come out. The Kingdom of Jorstland might even have formed some loose frame for a new Stygian church.
But the general effect of the God Learner rule in Ralios might be compared to the consequences of Cromwell's laws to indigenous Irish culture. After getting rid of these laws, what was remembered of the old culture was put together again, and did form an impressive body of traditions, but hardly the same way as before, and taking some time reforming.
> Hence when they do show up in the Holy Country, their stygian
> mysteries would have some impact on the Hendreiki.
So here we have a group of Stygians freely teaching their mysteries? How God Learnerish...
In case of Issaries in his trader aspect, I doubt much Stygianism is required. Trade secrets aren't traded away (ever traded for a spell trading?).
Their influence on the Heortlanders - Orlanthi and Aeolian alike - was bringing the concept of chivalry and similar Malkioni virtues, sold by master salesmen and miraculously failing to sell the downsides (to Theyalan palate), like rigidity in the caste system and suppression of serfs.
End of The Glorantha Digest V7 #291
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