Ian Cooper wrote:
>
> Benedict Adamson wrote:
> > I'd argue strongly that Ernalda invented wergild (or rather,
> prompted
> > Orlanth to declare it). 'There is always another way.'
>
> Possible - but Heort is an important cultural hero, he must have done
> something and I'm trying to figure out what. Besides IFWW and
> Darkness Survival we are told that he brought back the Lawstaff which
> implies to me a role as a lawgiver. Weregild just seemed appropriate
> as a reaction to the feud of the Sword and Helm war as one of the
> things he law code may have included.
Ernalda (who was quietly dead at the time) would have probably pled forgiveness and peace. Heort, a creature of a much nastier era, allowed that a blood-price is the gift one needs to repay for "wrongs" done (or at least damages).
And yes, the S&H war and the Hidden Kings and their canibalistic deeds probably loomed large -- I'd think at least.
> We could compromise and suggest that Orlanth and Ernalda may have
> originated the laws but have Heort (Moses like) returning after a
> quest to give them to the Vingkotlings who have decimated themselves
> in the Helm and Sword war. AFAIK this fits with existing evidence.
> Sure I'll be told if I am way off base here :-)
This is a good compromise -- Heort bringing laws that manifested the intent of Orlanth and Ernalda's words? Something like that.
At this point, btw, there were no Vinkotlings left -- only scattered survivors. Heort brought them all together and rebuilt things - social and magical. W ithout his decision to sacrifice to Orlanth, we might not have had a successful Lightbringer Quest...
Jeff
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