>Surely the function of godi is something along the lines of forming a
>bridge between their god and their people?
That is a generalized statement, but if you look at the actual work done it
takes a slightly different perspective: they lead sacrifices. They do the
"Hantrafl work" of facilitating transmission of sacrifices to the gods, and
of bringing the cosmic unity back to the people through the annual cycle of
ceremonies, and of introducing new people into the world (initiation into
adulthood.)
>For god talkers of
>majority gods (Orlanth and Ernalda in particular, Elmal and even
>Redalda occasionally) the biggest part of their bridge function is
>indeed bringing "the people" to the pantheon, since most people in
>their clan deal with the pantheon through their god.
In a typical Orlanthi ceremony the primary participants in the rite are
normal people fulfilling the sacred roles. The godi make the sacrifrices
and lead the rites, but do not have to be the primary participants.
Certainly the liklihood is that an Issaries initiate will play an Issaries
part (for instance), and that may be the godar but night not if a better
candidate exists for that task.
>For godi of more specialized deities I would think that this is a
>lesser portion of their function. Presumably the prime function of a
>god-talker of, for example, Issaries is to be a bridge between the
>people and Issaries. Certainly Issaries is part of of the Storm
>Tribe, and this is important, but I'd think that his god-talkers
>would be more focussed on helping the people understand Issaries and
>bringing Issaries blessings to the people.
Certainly these specialists exist. However, the normal godi are the
generalists. They are, primarily, the leaders of the sacrifice.
The difference in the godi position and a priest position is that the godi
are generalists.
>> BUT I think that every Orlanthi godi has varying commitments and
>puts his
>> attention (HPs) into whichever of those that he wants. Certainly the
>> majority of people do what everyone does. And just as certainly, the
>> characters in your story scenario are exceptions (both players and
>Narrator
>> characters.)
>
>Does this imply that you'd expect that a god-talker would choose
>between initiate to Orlanth and Ernalda, initiate to Orlanth
>Adventurous and initiate to Finnovan?
It implies that everyone has the same general stats and that a godi will choose which (fi any) to concentrate upon. This is a matter of personal choice. No one can make you do anything.
>Of course, for Elmal those may not vary much from the usual, after
>all there was a time when he had to stand in for most everything.
>Now, if an Odaylan ends up leading things they get really
>weird....*grin*
Such is the atter of stories and MGF.
>Thank you very much for your feedback, as always it has helped me
>understand a little more about the Heortlings.
You are welcome.
Powered by hypermail