But perhaps also because Moonson had a 'good death', or otherwise returned so speedily in such grand form that he swept all before him. Manifesting Powers and Portents _before_ the egi-ritual type stuff (though not the full panoply), thus making the preliminary nonsense largely a formality.
> I certainly don't think
> that *every* interregnum sees civil wars and conspiracies emerging into
> daylight. IMO the Proxy Wars were the worst case so far: but the next one
> will be the *real* biggie, of course.
I'd imagine so.
> >> In passing the various Tests, the Emperor is re-integrated.
>
> > I think I disagree with this one; I think the re-integration is
> > substantially done in the Egi ritual,
>
> Agreed. I am conscious that I have somewhat "blurred" the Egi Ritual, the
> Ritual of Rejuvenation, and the Ten Tests in my account. (And probably some
> others as well). This whole area could do with more development, I agree.
Indeed: don't reproach yourself for blurring them, they was mighty blurry to begin with...
> My opinion is, however, that there are tests, challenges or conditions which
> the claimant(s) must meet *before* they get Moonson's Bits integrated into
> themselves. If nobody can cross these hurdles, hey, it means Moonson isn't
> ready to come back just yet.
Indeed so; we're just quibbling about 'sequencing', as it were. But I think there's also some scope for Bit-Integration earyish in the process, even if you eventually _fail_. (Didn't get the right bits, or enough of the bits, or otherwise did it wrong, obviously.) Thus there's scope for Early Signs of the True Moonson -- and great big red herrings, too.
> > I have to agree with Martin here: the being _does_ exist separate from
> > the role(s), at least in some vague sense. It's a sense vague enough
> > not to detain us greatly, mind you.
>
> Oh, I agree that Takenegi's Great Self and the Mantle of Antirius etc.
> *exist* throughout the interregnum. It's just *Moonson* who doesn't. Not
> until the new Mask emerges through the Ritual of the Egi (and/or of
> Rejuvenation, which may be the same thing).
I was thinking more of the situation before the 'original TakenEgi' _became_ Emperor (of any sort), so the condition is _possible_, even if it's _never_ recurred since (as seems likely).
> But there's plenty of room for abortion-debate-like quibbling about the
> precise moment at which Moonson is (or isn't) Moonson. My take is that in an
> interregnum he *isn't*
De facto this is the case, though not absolutely necessarily. (I can't think why he'd _want_ to 'become himself', _without_ completing becoming Emperor, but it would at least appear not to be completely impossible. (In a sense he doesn't have to 'become' Emperor, of course, he already _is_, as soon as he's 'himself again', but there's an established practice for the formalities of this being 'officialised'.))
> at least not until after the Egi have done their
> funky thing, even if he is already imbued with Potent Parts and Proxy Powers
> (etc.) before that.
Yes, definitely; I think this is what I'd consider the 'defining' moment, even if it's not '100% reliable', as I earlier suggested. (i.e., at this point it's possible to have a 'real Moonson', not recognised as and fully imbued with the powers of being Emperor -- or a 'reasonable Emperor fascimile', who will (by definition...) fail the tests of Emperorship, due to his bogosity.) (I refer readers to the argument about 'bogus asylum seekers', in These Islands which justifies draconian powers to be used again same, on the grounds that the 'bogus' percentage is so high, 'bogus' being defined as those that had the powers used against them successfully...)
To wit, a 'correct' and 'valid' ritual of the Egi defines his 'reintegration', but it's only completely reliable with the benefit of Hind Sight, albeit it's a darn sight more reliable as a test after, than before.
Cheers,
Alex.
End of The Glorantha Digest V7 #618
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