>I have been a bit wondering about the consequences when some one in
>rokari society breaks his caste taboos. For example if a peasant is
>carrying a sword which is a taboo for his caste, will this lead into
>some concrete consequences? Like bad harvest etc. Or is it only that
>if the peasant get's caught by officials, he then will face the
>consequences like paying heavy fines etc.?
>
>In our own world peasants were not allowed to carry swords because
>the rebellions the peasants have caused through the history. But how
>is this in Glorantha? Does this kind of an action really angers the
>Invisible God, or is it just a rule made by the church to avoid
>possible peasant uprisings? Do the peasants of Seshnela respect this
>rule and is it sacred for them so that they don't even think about
>carrying a sword or thinking hiding swords to some woods waiting for
>bad times?
Apart from the points already mentioned I'd suggest that a peasant could not afford to acquire a sword legitimately. Either in the real world or Glorantha. They are expensive to make, need careful storage and require training to use properly.
So the taboo is a reflection of the practicalities. A pitchfork or grain flail makes a much better weapon for a peasant than a sword.
-- Donald Oddy http://www.grove.demon.co.uk/
Powered by hypermail