Re: Re: Kinslaying (another question)

From: John Hughes <john.hughes_at_...>
Date: Tue, 21 Sep 2004 11:06:16 +1000


Matt struggles with Harvar's offspring. Don't we all. :)

A lot of the answer depends on your own background here, so in working from my own campaign, let me preface everything by saying YGMV.

>My question is: does Harvar and Priya's blood link mean that they would
be guilty of kinslaying, should either of them succeed?

Harvar is Yelmalian of course, and the cultus in DP is largely unexplored territory in official circles. IMG, Yelmalians have their own (evolving) ethical and legal traditions, and while they share the Far Walker ethos, Aldachuri Yelmalians have been exposed to successive waves of Heartland influence and indoctrination. And Harvar is a Heartland extremist even by Aldachuri standards, he is trying to 'out-Yelm the Yelmies' .

  So by definition, Harvar hasn't had *any* illegitimate children. Mention that and you'll be getting a quick visit from the enforcers of the peace, who will cut out your tongue and brand you. By **definition** she's not his daughter ('unclean! unclean!'), and so there's no legal or ethical constraint.

  Of course, Harvar has suffered personal tragedy and loss. Burning Wind Women (a vingan vengeance band composed mainly of Amad widows) raided the Place of Bronze during the last days of the Righteous Wind and put many of Harvar's family and immediate kin to the blade. And just because he had to burn Alone in order to purify it.

  So there's going to be a lot of conflicting emotion surrounding Harvar's surviving kin, even a mere daughter.

  But she's a vingan! It couldn't be worse, could it?

  IMG Yelamalians increasingly conflate Vinga with Vinala, the Outcast, the Harlot, the Disobedient, who betrayed her husband and murdered her children. Vinala is the impure shadow that may lurk even in the purity of light. She's a big taboo.

So from Harvar's side, Ikinslaying won't be a ritual or legal issue. But as to it's emotional impact...

  From Priya's side? Similarly I would think. Harvar has killed so many among the clans, I'm sure rituals of cursing and outlawry removed him from kinship considerations years ago. But again, the internal and emotional struggles for her will be considerable.

  Kinstrife has always been the curse of the Far Walkers, and recent events have torn the clans asunder again and again. In times of civil war, kin slaying is common, and kinstrife has already rendered most clan governance and justice mechanisms useless. In one sense, this is the reason it was so easy for Harvar to triumph in the first place. But dealing with the emotional baggage, the scars, the hurt, the legacy of distrust and betrayal, and the attempt to make the clans work again for both Orlanthi, Elmali and Yelmalian: this is the biggest challenge for Priya and for many of her companions.

Cheers

John

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