Re: A little Elmal question

From: Peter Larsen <peterl_at_...>
Date: Tue, 9 Jul 2002 08:45:25 -0500


At 11:07 AM +0000 7/9/02, simon_hibbs2 wrote:
>My particular belief about Elmal is that when Orlanth kills the king
>of the fire tribe, the fire in Elmal goes out leaving only his
>light. (I think we know there was a light in the sky during the
>great darkness from troll myths). Orlanth knows that without it's
>heat the sun is weakened and travells to the underworld to atone,
>and finds the torch which represents the fire of the sun. He returns
>it to Elmal, but in accepting it back Elmal must also accompany it
>to the underworld every night. Because Elmal was a light in the
>darkness there is always a light in the night sky, which is
>Lightfore, perhaps Elmal's shield?

        I haven't been following this thread too closely, but, if memory serves me right, in the KoDP Elmal myth, Elmal and Orlanth trade shields before Orlanth begins the Lightbringers' Quest. Maybe this is how Elmal got to hell -- Orlanth carried a key part of the Sun with him to the Land of the Dead. The shields no doubt represent something -- Orlanth's rulership (although he leaves his crown/torc with Elmal, too, I think)? and Elmal's --loyalty? fire powers? some of his "sun-ness" (useful to raise the Evil Sun Emperor, I suppose)?, justice? Anyway, part of Elmal does go to hell, but Elmal remains alive until the Dawn.

Peter Larsen

Powered by hypermail