Re: So what's SOLACE to a rokari ?

From: Jeff <richaje_at_VASD5CphY1LEv6fp_qm_YAxPSq6xkO75tCpqcWG7OFtuBvf4byRWcFu6p79e76H5M_7X>
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2011 17:54:21 -0000


> The various magical and liturgical practises are bound to vary from sect to sect... and from caste to caste.

Yes. The latter is particularly important.

We as gamers and writers tend to focus on the aspects of Malkioni philosophy that allow their magicians to manipulate the Runes and perform sorcery - ie the intellectual stuff.

In most Malkioni sects that is the reserve for a small group of specialists. Wizards in the case of Brithini and Rokari; wizards and Men of All in the case of the various Hrestoli sects; and sorcerers of many ilks in the case of some sects in Ralios, Maniria, and elsewhere. These specialists are intellectuals and approach the otherworld in a very intellectual manner.

The other castes participate in some of these intellectual endeavors by aiding the specialists in their rituals (while not gaining any direct magic themselves). For example in Seshnela, each caste is taught by readers their "script" from abridged bits of the Sharp Abiding Book - that way, they can aid their wizards in performing the great spells that bless the king, protect the armies, curse the trolls, and bind the Eranaschula into service. With the Combinatoric Formulae, these wizards can cast spells of frightful power - assuming the lower castes are taught correctly how to aid them.

However, that is the stuff of interest to wizards and certainly not the only way known to celebrate Divine Thought or the Great Intellect. Most know of the lyrical songs and chants that praise the many names of Malkion and/or verses from the Abiding Books widely performed throughout Seshnela and beyond. Some versions include costumes, musical instruments, incense, and dance and can take many hours to perform. At least one version omits the singing completely and consists purely of complex musical arrangements. Other versions recite the caste-appropriate readings in lyrical poetry.

More colorful are the Pomona Whirlers who seek Joy of the Heart through music and repetitive dance. Even the oppresed Dromal farmers in Seshnela have their own colorful celebrations, like wild celebration of the destruction of the Ice common in the Castle Coast settlements - that usually end up as drunken orgies or brawls depending on the general mood.

Jeff            

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