> > That makes me wonder--In Yelmist understanding, the sun died and
>returned,
> > and this mythic event is replayed every night (with the sun dying
>and going
> > to Hell at sunset, and rising from the dead at dawn).
As Greg keeps reminding us, mythology is the art of meaning. Stories of Elmal in the Darkness are as much pointers to meanings about Elmal and his reality as stories about him. Devotees live out these myths on many different levels in order to embody and emulate the many subtle truths and powers of their god. Remember too that Heortling myth is diverse and multi-stranded, and often differs from clan to clan in the details and the emphasis.
Most Heortlings will tell you that Elmal is a Fire God who pledged service to the Storm Tribe, and was the Cold Light that shone in the Darkness. As the gods died one by one before the armies of Chaos and Dark, slept deep in the Earth or died to follow Orlanth on his Lightbringers Quest, Elmal and Vinga especially guarded the steads of the gods and their human descendants. Elmal held his torch high against the dark - though some call it his spear or his shield or his face. He assisted and defended other beings, and they assisted him, including Vinga and the Sheep of Luck. He finally retreated to the upper slopes of Kero Finn, among the very last of the living. His last ember became dark, and he joined all the gods in the Underworld to hold the net of the Compromise. When Orlanth returned in triumph at the Dawn, his first act was to blow upon the ember of Elmal on Kero Fiinn, so that his fire glowed anew. Or perhaps he passed the torch or spear, that is how some clans tell the tale.
In my own campaign, Elmal ranges far from the stead each evening to fight the armies of Darkness. The blood from his wounds often paints the dawn and dusk skies red. He ranges far, but always returns to defend the stead.
Cheers
John
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