difference between the devotees of different gods -- the adventure-oriented ones (Humakt, the Orlanth-warrior types, Lhankor Mhy, etc) mostly require complete support and fit Ian Cooper's model "devotees are a drain on the clan's resources." >>
James Hawkins:
>>I'd have thought that soldiers and scholars would
require support regardless of their status as
devotees.
This is part of my problem with the 'a devotee does not require any time requirements if they worship a diety appropriate to their job argument'. Nearly everyone in Glorantha worships a god appropriate to their job. Therefore by implication nearly everyone can be a devotee, without support from the community. People who require support for their jobs or not. It would be in a clan's interest for everyone to be a devotee because the magic benefits are so good (access to feats), especially as it does not require anything from you apart from doing your job. Clans with 100% adult devotees soon follow.
That does not fit with my conception of Orlanthi culture where initiation, not devotion is the norm (and there is a suggestion that in areas like Dara Happa Communal worhsip, not initiation is the norm). YGMV. Now I can appreciate the argument that devotion is a matter of calling not time as a limitation argument instead. It is another way of explaining the lesser numberof devotees than the reasons outlined in HW or TR. I would still feel 20% was excessive, but I leave estimates of numbers called by god to the adherents of this rationale.
However I personally prefer the devotion takes 60% of your time argument (i.e 30% more thatn the average member of society who is an initiate) as a limitation, and devotees must be supported as outlined in Hero Wars and Thunder Rebels. I would not use it to prevent player hero devotees, but to demonstrate to players that their access to such magic makes them exceptional and create obligations to their community.
Ian Cooper
"They were seven in all, and therewithal both sides rushed into the fight. Thorarin slew a house-carle of Thorbiorn's, and Alfgeir another, and there fell also a housecarle of Thorarin's; but no weapons would bite on Odd Katlason. Now the goodwife Aud calls out on her women to part them, and they cast clothes over the weapons." The Story Of The Ere-Dwellers Chapter 18
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