> Add in that Common Magic religion in
> the case of Teshnos is a weird mix
> written that way because there are
> no workable mysticism rules and the
> "obvious" nature of common magic
> being weaker is harder to justify.
I agree with the one part of this statement - it is difficult to justify a theory that Common Magic as weaker than the three other systems, though in practice, it is generally true that it is so.
There is huge power in the Inner World - however the Inner World is much more dynamic than the Other Worlds and hence, for the most part, this huge power is much more diffuse/spread out among the inhabitants. In the Other Worlds, the power is generally statically concentrated in the Great Gods, Majestic Spirits, the Invisible God etc., but each of these have hordes of lesser followers. And this hierarchy can only be changed by inhabitants of the Inner World.
The story in your campaign could be about how one hero was able to concentrate on Common Magic and make it a source of vast personal potency.
However, I'll argue against several parts of the statement... :-)
1 - Wierd mixed up systems are likely to become more common as cultures further from the center are explored. Just wait and see what the Lunars are like - as already mentioned by RR, the Lunar otherworld is the moon and that otherworld grants access to all four HQ magic systems, occasionally all in one cult/religion.
2 - Mysticism is not what _anyone_ thinks it is(*) - there will _never_ be a workable set of mysticism rules.
Roughly paraphrasing Greg's description of mysticism (whether RW or
Gloranthan):
"This world is what we can see, hear, touch, taste, smell and feel.
The other world is those things that are but are not in this world.
The mystical is that which is neither in this world nor in the other
world."
By definition this is a paradox - which can only be resolved by deep
meditation, not something that farmers, merchants, warriors or
adventurers have much time for or, for that matter, much inclination
towards. And the resolution of the paradox is different for each
being that approaches the paradox.
My understanding is that the only interesting stories about mystics are about those that failed (can I mention Sheng Seleris...) and then, for a time, wield extra-ordinary power. But their power is understandable in the context of the 4 existing systems.
Except, maybe once in an age, when one mystic emerges from a lifetime of total withdrawal as the hero to resist the anti-gods. And even then, the interesting part of the story is about how the anti-gods destroy themselves as they are unable to control themselves and/or their powers when they meet the serenity of a true mystic.
Teshnos, Kralorela and the "mystical" East of Glorantha are certainly influenced by mystics and the path of the mystic is admired by most as the best, most pure, path to Transcendance. But, in the meantime, they have to feed their children, keep the village safe etc. And the best route to this is through one or a mix of the four existing HQ magic systems.
regards,
Charles
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