Here's a "nightmare scenario" that would IMO allow both. I only came up with this today, and none of the RMM materials were designed to allow this. So let's see if it flies:
Argenteus dies, and there's an interregnum. This could be "no worse than
usual" (e.g. some Dart War action, minor Proxy troubles, normal levels of
heroquesting, maybe lasting several seasons until everything's in place to
bring back Moonson); alternatively, it could be *awful* (Proxy Wars,
deliberate interference in the reincarnation, conspicuous deployment of
"other means," etc.).
But we can pass over that. The key thing is that, there are no parochial secession attempts *at this time*. (Everybody knows they wouldn't work, right? As Moonson is always singular, and always victorious, and is the same person behind every Mask, etc.). Everyone is focussed on identifying the new Mask of Moonson.
Again, for purposes of this scenario, it doesn't matter where the body of the new Mask comes from. It could have "just appeared (*bing*)"; it could emerge RMM-style from the cut-throat noble power-plays of the interregnum. Which method is followed becomes largely irrelevant, as you will see...
At the end of a seemingly-normal interregnum (RMM or SGU style, doesn't matter which), the Egi hold their final ritual to reintegrate Moonson. And *almost* everything goes perfectly. Except that those members of the Council of Egi (including some of the remaining Elder Egi from the Zero Wane) who *should* have been integrating Takenegi's Seventh Soul into the new Mask of Moonson, fail: they suffer, disappear or die horribly as the ritual reaches its climax.
"Moonson" is re-created, but has only *Six* Parts (or, he has a new Seventh
Part -- doesn't matter which for discussion purposes). Previously,
Takenegi's Seventh Soul has dominated his character. Now, it's not there.
Instead, the dominant part is his Antirius Soul: divine, Dara Happan,
archaic, patriarchal, and not remotely Lunar. (Though, of course, in the RMM
model he also acquires the scheming knowledge of a hugely successful Lunar
politician, which is handy). He passes the Ten Tests of Dara Happa with the
greatest of ease -- of course! -- and is enthroned. He is now the Emperor.
(But is he Red?)
The new Mask descends from the Red Moon in his Moon Barge, to the acclamation of the masses. Possibly there is some confusion ("He's wearing *golden* robes this time. Doesn't he usually wear the red and silver?" "And what happened to his warm ruddy glow?" -- "Shaddup!" / "Mind your own business" / "You don't know who's listening" / "It's only a Mask," etc.). But the people of the Empire are used to their ruler's singular oddities, and are prepared to treat this new Mask with caution until they work out what makes him tick.
Some of his initial acts provoke unrest in the Senate and elsewhere, though these are muted at first. ("In this Mask, Moonson is evidently indulging in a throwback to a more primitive, phallocratic behaviour pattern, involving extreme displays of patriarchal intolerance. It must be a lesson for us."). He might announce his intention of moving the Imperial Capital from Glamour back to Raibanth, start expelling women (including his Great Sister) from public life, overturn modern progressive laws in favour of antiquated traditions, et cetera.
Dara Happan traditionalists are overjoyed. ("Praise be to Moon-Sun," they cry). They now have *exactly* the kind of Emperor they always wanted: antique Yelmic virtue personified, with no time for all this "modern nonsense". Others are less pleased. Big Doubts start to circulate. ("I looked at him sideways, and saw that this Mask *doesn't* have Takenegi's Soul..." -- "Right: that's already high treason, heresy and thoughtcrime: don't make me add 'resisting arrest' to the charge sheet").
The new Mask does not manifest any Lunar powers, relying solely on his Solar Imperial inheritance. (In fact, he *cannot* manifest any Moon Powers: he doesn't have any: he isn't Moonson, remember?). He doesn't have the memories of Moonson's former incarnations. Eventually this can't be hidden any longer and the secret is out: this time around, the Emperor isn't Moonson.
Secessionist movements in the rest of the Empire, already provoked by the new Mask's Dara Happan intransigence, are inflamed by this revelation. "Sod this!" they cry, in Torang and Kitor and Jillaro alike. Rival rulers are established, with genuine popular enthusiasm. A Dara Happan Emperor ruling in the old style from Raibanth confronts a Paradisal Aviator in Rinliddi, a Carmanian Shah in Pelanda, a High King in the Provinces, and whatever other local challengers emerge.
All this time, our Lunar heroes embark on increasingly desperate (and doomed?) attempts to find out what went wrong. Should they strive to replace the Council of Egi and re-run their Ritual (against determined Imperial opposition)? Seek out Takenegi's Seventh Soul (is it imprisoned? destroyed? on holiday?)? Maybe even start a new Seven Mothers' Quest to reincarnate the Goddess, against the "Evil Empire" their homeland has become? Whose fault is all this? Is it all part of the Goddess's Divine Plan? Are we doing the best thing? Should we resist, or submit? Lots of questions, very hard to find answers. Much Game Fun.
Meanwhile in Dragon Pass, the Hero Wars continue to rage...
Now, it seems to me that this is (1) compatible with Greg's desire for Moonson's failure to return leading to a fragmented Lunar Empire, and (2) compatible with the Reaching Moon account of the mechanics behind the Red Emperor's reincarnation.
It is *not* necessary to specify whether the interregnum after Argenteus' death is a hard-fought Proxy War or an inevitable procession to the Ritual of the Egi, as this does not in any way affect the outcome (a "Mask" which is not Takenegi).
Nor is it necessary for anyone to be an "anti-Lunar traitor": everyone genuinely did their best to bring back Moonson, by whatever means, while the rebirth of secessionist sentiments occurs specifically because Moonson isn't there, and the new Emperor is acting in an un-Lunar way to the outlying regions of the Empire.
The point I'm trying to make is, I suppose, that the RMM account does *not*
mean that it's always possible to "create" a Red Emperor, or that the Red
Emperor is a fake, or that he isn't a singular and unique person (but just a
jumped-up noble). The fuckup described above would hit just as hard in
either model. All it needs is for Takenegi's Soul to be mysteriously
"unavailable" following the death of Argenteus.
Thoughts? Questions? Comments?
:::: Email: <mailto:Nick_Brooke_at_btinternet.com>
Nick
:::: Website: <http://www.btinternet.com/~Nick_Brooke/>
End of The Glorantha Digest V7 #621
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