I don't want to pretend to know RW politics....but I feel ambivalent feeling when I meet such, comparing RW source to that of Fantasy, especially about modern source. laughable or sorrowful....?
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HeroQuest-RPG/message/19675
Ian Cooper:
<<My conception of the Esrolian warriors is that they are defensive
not offensive (sort of like the Japanese Defence Forces) as
befits 'another way' nation.>>
I disagree about this identification to contemporary modern source, though no intent to be offensive. Older Sources is much safer for no one remember how it really was.
<<In fact Japan may have some utility when thinking about Esrolia - a
formerly militaristic nation that, following a crushing defeat,
adopted a peaceful constitution.>>
I don't think Japan is more militaristic than any kind of Europeans States before World Wars, but again, I don't want to pretend to know History of Europe than you. Of course, I agree in a sense of Japan's contact to "outer world" has tended to be bloody and sanguinus....but always it is temporary condition, until industrial age.
But Peace is internal, more constant condition, (Japan was generally peaceful for 300 years before europeans tried to start contact again.) As europeans, asians knew that only fools want war and army. (If I were Greg, Eurmal is Great God. Foolishness: 10w10..... )
About Heortling in Glorantha, I assume they always hold swords and fight each other, for they know only by that turbulent condition they can avoid Stagnant Oppressive Rule of Emperor and pollution of Lokamayanism, they believe wyrd of themselves and fight evil for their own freedom. but again, it is Fantasy World and not RW.
<< That is pretty much what happened
to the Esrolians following the disastrous Helm and Sword War
carnage among the Heortlings. [And no I am not suggesting that
there are Japanese elements in Esrolian culture,>>
In limited to Geographical condition, Esrolia is not similar to Japan, and I think Esrolian leaders are far wiser than any of RW japanese leaders.....
<< more pointing at
the similar shift in attitude based on a traumatic past experience].>>
If you hinted Atomic Bombs, it is not the reason for the current condition of Japan Defensive Force. At least not openly.
<<Of course with troubles on their borders I think the Esrolians need
to hire mercenaries (after all we know that the Exiles, Grazers, and
Black Horse Troop hire out soldiers - the Empire is surely not their
only market...) when they want to field military forces.>>
Japan doesn't have tradition to hire foreign mercenary, for we don't feel enough reliability for it. We are xenophobics throughout history.
Anyway, Glorantha is fantasy world similar to ancient RW, and its people were extremely narrow-minded and xenophobias, generally hostile to outsiders. But don't think it is preferable condition of modern RW! (Though I sometimes feel difficult to find difference in many of RW pathetic facts....)
If you think Mysterious, Enigmatic being is fascinating, and want silly sample for Japan to use for Vormain or such, or just want to know how to mislead people to misunderstanding, see this site. http://www.no-cool.com/TJ/index.html
But don't think those writings are true. We sometimes enjoy to be misunderstood as you sometimes feel to me when I wrote about Western culture, I think we can play bloodthirsty, warlike characters in game as matured adults feeling irony.
(About art, I know sometimes artists have no concern to moral codes and enjoy Eurmal's foolishness, and entertainment is usually amoral. (Ursula Le Guin has strong opinion against such.)
Sincerely
TI
http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/gthursby/taoism/ttcstan3.htm
<<5. WITHOUT INTENTION
Nature acts without intent,
so cannot be described
as acting with benevolence,
nor malevolence to any thing.
In this respect, the Tao is just the same,
though in reality it should be said
that nature follows the rule of Tao.
Therefore, even when he seems to act
in manner kind or benevolent,
the sage is not acting with such intent,
for in conscious matters such as these,
he is amoral and indifferent.
The sage retains tranquility,
and is not by speech or thought disturbed,
and even less by action which is contrived.
His actions are spontaneous,
as are his deeds towards his fellow men.
By this means he is empty of desire,
and his energy is not drained from him. >>
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End of Glorantha Digest
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