Innstafar: a Viking tradition for the Orlanth's Kin ?

From: Pi/R Pradal <Pradal.PiR_at_...>
Date: Thu, 05 Apr 2001 12:50:42 -0000

Hi,
(First, thanks for all this informations about illumination.)

Second, I read with attention the exchange of mail on Vikings longhouses and the parallelism which was made with traditionnal Orlanthi houses.
In these mails, I did not read a word about Innstafar, both pillars which supported the roof of Viking longhouses. These sacred pillars were carved out of wood and bearing the image of the Gods (Wotan, Thor, Tyr) or the ancestors of the clan and/or familly. They were placed on both sides of the hearth of the longhouse. When Viking left their longhouses (exiles or looks for new lands), they took with them the innstafars. Once arrived at destination, they threw them to the sea and built their new houses in the place where innstafar ran aground.

I think that it is a idea to keep this vikings tradition for Orlanthi. As Vikings innstafars, the innstafar of my Orlanthi campaign are bearing the image of Gods (such as Orlanth and Ernalda) or heroes / ancestors of the clan (example: to sartar).

But I am confronted with two small problems: 1-Which name for Orlanthi Innstafars ?
2-Orlanthis are not viking (no travels by sea), so how to use these pillars as did it the Vikings in the case of an exil for example ?

Do you have any idea ?

Thanks for all...
Best regards,
Pierre.

Pradal Pierre
Game Designer
ICQ#89029606-RiP