On 22/12/2011, at 5:08 PM, Jeff wrote:
>>> I am not sure we even used the word "Draugr" in Sartar: Kingdom of Heroes. I'm not sure it is a particularly Orlanthi word, especially since there are plenty of actual English words that mean the same thing ("ghost"). >> >> Try telling a Humakti that there is no difference between ghosts (including those cult members whose spirits continue their duty after death) and undead monsters.
It is not an artifact of the RQ rules system at all. It is an artifact of the English language. In English, a 'ghost' is any spirit of the dead that interacts with the living, and ghosts would be regarded as undead. In Glorantha, there is a big distinction between spirits of the dead and undead monsters, regardless of game system. So, I think your suggestion that 'ghost' is a good synonym for 'undead' is a poor one. Yes, this issue is further complicated by ghost having a specific meaning in RQ, but the RQ use is a reflection of the issue, not its origin. >> Orlanthi do, however, not consider spirits of the dead that have simply not gone on to the Courts of Silence to be Unlife. Many spirits of the dead that we might consider ghosts are not considered undead at all IMO.
Which is why 'ghost' is a poor choice of term for 'undead' monster, given its literal meaning is 'spirit of the dead'. Cheers David
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