Re: Religious ranking?

From: donald_at_...
Date: Wed, 05 Jan 2005 13:09:01 GMT


In message <crgmrp+9b24_at_...> "Jane Williams" writes:
>
>Back in RQ days, there was a rule that initiates did what Rune Lords
>told them. Is there any such rule, social convention, or anything
>else, that defines the relationship between an initiate and a Devotee?
>
>I'd assume that if the two people are already in a common social
>structure, then the rules of that structure define their
>relationship. But if a devotee of Cult X walks into a bar (campsite,
>fight, whatever) where there are initiates of Cult X present, will
>they recognise him as having some sort of authority over them, or
>not? Will they even know he's a devotee without proof, unless he's
>famous?
>
>Now suppose they're all at a holy site of Cult X - same answer, or
>not? Think of those temples in Sartar that are jointly used by
>several tribes - would a Devotee at one of those be able to give
>orders to Initiates from other tribes? To what extent would their non-
>cult social/political position affect this?

Even in RQII days there were exceptions to this rule and there was a much more standardised cult structure then.

I think it's probably still the case for organised cults such as Yelmalio, Humakt, Yarnfal Tarnils and similar. For many it'll be cult matters only - an Issaries devotee will have authority over decisions about trading matters, an Uroxi devotee will be able to call initiates to join him fighting chaos. Following those orders isn't always obligatory but not doing so will generally damage the initiates relationship with the cult.

As for recognition I think devotees will be easily recognised by anyone familiar with the cult. Tattoos for Heortlings, badges and other insignia for Lunars, heraldic motifs for westerners. This does allow someone to pretend to be members of a cult they're not but it's a risky business both magically and from the real members who don't take kindly to such things.

-- 
Donald Oddy
http://www.grove.demon.co.uk/

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