Nandandies Re: Real World Vingans

From: Toread DuDerysi <jakyer_at_R8Bx5ly8-c_-HpEbusA3cKXU22s5OrFFb72v2TCY1FVrHDLte7m-VAIWkNlyDIdM2Rc95>
Date: Wed, 04 Apr 2007 20:31:48 -0000

• In WorldofGlorantha_at_yahoogroups.com, Jane Williams <janewilliams20_at_...> wrote:
  >
  >
  > But what do respected elders do with their time? Not
  > just sit around being admired, I'm sure. And they're
  > farmers before they're warriors, in most cases:
  > they'll have craft skills of sorts as part of that,
  > ready to be developed.
  >
  > > and if they annot go off
  > > raiding and defending then they will remain home as
  > > guards and trainers.
  >
  > But if they're not physically up to that?
  

According to accounts of such societies (such as Seutonius or Tacitus), the barbarian elders spend their days instructing the youth to pass on their skills. There is more to being a man than holding a spear and raiding cattle, afterall. According to the Poetic Edda, they sit by the fire give advice - and only a fool ignores the wisdom issuing from the grisley bits by the fire.

And as always, the swords and spears need to be tended to, the the planting and mowing must be planned, the tales and myths must be passed down. Advice on winning a wife or beating a foe is always sought out as is advice on a heroquest - how did you do it, Grandpa? How is this different from the old granny by the fire? What does she do now that her gnarled hands can no longer thread a needle, weave a basket, or set a bone?

Jeff