Re: Nature spirits, nymphs, and the (theist) family farm.

From: Peter Metcalfe <metcalph_at_...>
Date: Thu, 18 Jan 2001 21:04:16 +1300


Bryan Thexton:

>If they are fought or tamed, are there specialists in this, with
>handy feats like "fight dryad" or "bind nature spirit to Ernalda" or
>something like that?

The local Earth Witch comes to mind. Normally I'd say "begone you black and midnight hags" to them but I must admit they have their uses.

>For that matter, even when you aren't converting things, how well do,
>for example, Odaylan hunters get along with forest dryads?

Dryads are usually only found in Elf Woods (i.e. Al_drya_). It's not as if every bunch of trees has a dryad associated with it.

>More broadly, how permissible is it for Orlanthi to traffic with
>spirits? Say you sieze an unused fetish. Do you destroy it, give it
>to the nearest Kolati to deal with, or use it yourself if you can
>figure out how?

Theists can use a fetish if it's not forbidden by their religion but integrating spirits is right out. Since Orlanthi tolerates animists within (or to be more exact: just outside) their society, they've no general problem with fetishes. Some Orlanthi cults may forbid the use of fetishes but I don't know which ones these might be.

>Would cutting a deal with local nature spirits be
>seen as wise and right, or as dangerous spiritual corruption?

I recall this came up in King of Dragon Pass but I can't remember how it ended. Our clan was more concerned that the girl was neglecting her Ernaldan duties than talking to the spirits...

--Peter Metcalfe

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