Re: Teshnos in HW: Glorantha and HQ Voices

From: Santo Sengupta <s.santo.sengupta_at_la7p--ECdZOM0hq1ViplMAT4-JHQpqFU04Mqcfb4m_u28JUl-RN94P9r5hX>
Date: Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:06:08 -0500

On Wed, Jan 13, 2010 at 3:50 PM, Peter Metcalfe <metcalph_at_pI0F8FkKENL9lmsKbHD9tONYbb5lQVKsW-9JDVwyV0Fso3lp8PYNoT7lIoj2_CiWqgvSMUIZ3YFGYyCwDFyTWMr9IDb9yw.yahoo.invalid
> wrote:

>
>
> L C wrote:
> > You could make the argument that restitution is supposed to be directly
> > to the reborn soul. You killed me, so you provide for me until my new
> > adulthood. Or you too are killed, and your murder should weigh heavily
> > on how you reincarnate. But who is enforcing this? My family? Me, once I
> > have grown to adulthood and someone has determined my past life?
>
> I think the karmic debt is handled by the Zitrs who can read and
> inscribe the Flame-poems. When a Teshnan commits a crime, he incurs a
> stain on his life-flame (truly wicked flames burn black like the Atyari
> Black Fire) that can only be removed by a Zitr. However in doing so,
> the Zitr may decide upon appropriate restitution and writes that into
> the flame-poem so that a person may walk around with "Judgement: Must be
> trampled by an Elephant at the age of 43" or some such.
>
>

Namaste:
I agree with Zitrs being able to look into someone's Life Flame and view bits from their past lives. That being said, there are a few options to consider.

1. Only Zitrs can read Flame Poems. Considering how few Zitrs there are in contrast to the overall Teshnan population, the Zitrs are *very* busy people giving spiritual advice to the Flamed, and that one's past flames enter into one's life after intiation and once someone is well established enough to go see a Zitr. (Or have a wandering Zitr come to her.) I would venture that the Zitrs may even be able to see beyond a flame poem, and see snippets of someone's previous incarnations.
2. The Goddess Furalor, the Fifth Fiery Form, is the psychopomp of the Teshnans. She removes memories of your previous lives, and returns your flame into the world. It would follow then that her priesthood could have the ability to see the Flame Poem's (as they were inscribed by Endi Varo Furalor in the Pyre of Unending Judgement). This gives the priesthood of Furalor an even more important role in Teshnan society.
3. The Teachings of Chal contains a formulary with a spell that allows anyone with sufficient learning to see the Flame Poem. It's a fairly common past time to exchange Flame Poetry with others, and see if there are uncanny connections between strangers.

I can see how any/all of these options would be really fun to play in.  Teshnos is anything *but* a monoculture - regional variations would be the norm, IMHO.

-S. Santo Sengupta
"Aum Shanti Shanti Shantih."

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