Certain clans in Sartar claim Barntar as an important cultural figure
as part of their clan's identity. "We are descendents of Barntar" or
"In the dawning, Barntar came to our aid and taught us how to farm".
These clans will have at least a shrine to Barntar, many of the clans' annual rituals and day to day activities will involve Barntar. Everyone involved in these activities will be supporting the religion even if they are not active members. A greater than average number of clan members will be active in the Barntar religion at all levels.
Barntar's myths in these clans will be more extensive, will emphasise his distinct personality and reflect the clan's world-view. In this way the myths may appear to contradict other clan's Barntar Myths. But this difference will tend not to be divisive, rather a clearer and more extensive expression of the mythic truths of Barntar.
2) Member of the Orlanth Pantheon
All clans will at least recognise Barntar and he will appear in their
myths. At certain festivals a member of Barntar will be one of a
number of potential candidates to take the place of "Farming Teacher"
"Plow Man" etc. in their rituals.
An individual farmer within these clans is far more likely to be an Orlanth worshipper, and as such will likely join an available farming sub-cult.
A farmer with an interest in myths or religion may find himself drawn to the Barntar Cult, and available avenues would be either locally through Orlanth, by exploration or establishment of Barntar as a sub-cult of Orlanth (or more literally a common sub cult of Orlanth and Barntar with a name like Barntar Orlanthson); or by travelling to the nearest Barntar worship site in another clan and actively partaking in their rituals or joining their cult and enacting their mysteries.
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For the literal minded it is reasonable to assume that emphasis of the
relevant sub-cult, during the Lunar occupation, was a way of escaping
closer scrutiny. But, to my mind this reference is just a Gloranthan
metaphor standing for "During the occupation many good Orlanthi's kept
their heads down and concentrated on their familial duties, but they
never forgot their duties to Orlanth and in their hearts and through
covert action they supported the struggle".
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Jamie
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