Re: Tarsh's old religion

From: Graeme P. Bell <mac_logo_at_...>
Date: Thu, 27 May 2004 00:09:16 -0000

Tarsh was founded by Arim the Pauper after the Lunar Empire conquered the Kingdom of Holay. The Orlanthi (Alakoring not Heortling) refugees fled South, past the Deathline and enacted a number of desperate mythological pacts in order not to be slaughtered by the dragons that they expected (Beast Kings, Grazers and even Dragons were involved). The Wedding of Arim to the Priestess of Sorana Tor (in an arduous, but not unpleasant Orlanthi courtship) sealed the creation of the Kingdom of Tarsh. Most definitely and thoroughly Orlanthi, but *not* Heortling.

Fast forward 40+ years and the Lunar Empire looks at Tarsh with a more cunning eye. Seduction both literal and theological occur. Orlanth gets dumped by Ernalda, The King of Tarsh marries the Lunar princess/hero/priestess Hon-Eel and dies under slightly (ok, completely) suspicious circumstances and Lo!

Tarsh is now Lunar, with Lunar heirs to the throne. Anyone who objects get kicked off the good land and banished to the harsh slopes of Kero Fin. Orlanth is now persona non grata, but Ernalda is Lunarised. Traditional Orlanthi gods come under pressure from their Dara Happan counterparts and much stress is felt by all loyal children of Tarsh at the Solarisation of their culture. Some embrace it and prosper, some don't and suffer.

The exiled rebels on Kero Fin still maintain their true Tarsh credentials, but even the (Heortling) Sartari ain't very keen on their methods. They're not nice folks. Sorana Tor is definitely lacking in "nice".

The best sources are King of Sartar (which is what I just bastardised above and is currently out of print) and the Unspoken Word books ("Tarsh in Flames" - out of print - and "Under Wintertop's Shadow" which must be pretty close to OOP too).

It's just one of those areas were Glorantha has accumulated detail over the decades. Yup, Tarsh was Orlanthi, now it's Lunar, but much of it still has a Stormy character.

Cheers

Graeme

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