Re: Initiation

From: Julian Lord <julian.lord_at_...>
Date: Mon, 29 Jul 2002 13:47:50 +0200


Wulf :

> If I remember correctly, 'all' Heortling males are initiated by
> taking part in the I Fought We Won battle, 'all' females by
> witnessing the rebirth of Ernalda. Later, within two years I think,
> they are called to a specific deity. OK so far?
>
> First question - is that an Orlanthi 'all', or is it an every last one
> all?

It's an Orlanthi all : some are directly called or drawn to a specific deity, without having to go through the whole pre-initiation rigmarole (and, as the HW advance (and Orlanth dies, etc), this becomes much, much more frequent) ; some become Kolatings or Earth Witches (and other strange cults), hence not undergoing normal initiation ; then there are the Eurmali ; a minority leave home and join foreign cults ; there are strange hero bands with their own customs and rituals ; a tiny minority fail the (pre-)initiation tests ; an even tinier minority have adult powers even as children, and only go through the initiation rites as a mere formality ; etc.

> In short, is the 'initial initiation' generalised for all Heortlings,
> or does it vary according to your chosed deity?

Yes.

Julian Lord

Powered by hypermail