Re: Herdmen was Cannibalism in Prax

From: David Cake <dave_at_sS9-ANIant-lQJfGCYvjrkBYc0gEGpfJa6eUZAZ5o4bMSdoGm6jaMHg0e6uyDS5-3twqqbP>
Date: Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:58:53 +0800

On 22/02/2012, at 3:59 PM, Peter Metcalfe wrote:

> On 2/22/2012 8:22 PM, David Cake wrote:

>> On 22/02/2012, at 12:19 PM, Peter Metcalfe wrote:
>> 

>
>>> The larger flaw in your theory is that the Cannibal Cult are in Prax
>>> while the Pendali are in Seshnela.
>> 	That flaw is only there if you didn't read the source you quoted yesterday
>> "The cannibal cult has been independently discovered across Glorantha. In many places where evil ghosts are powerful, these anthropophagic practices have arisen." (TORM #9)

>
> Evil Ghosts in Seshnela? I'm finding that hard to believe. I could
> accept independent invention in Dorastor or the Nargan, although I think
> any appearance of a cannibal cult in Dorastor is more likely to be
> brought there by visiting Praxians. But there's no real history of evil
> ghosts in Seshnela and thus I doubt the Pendali would have invented the
> cannibal cult by themselves.

        To be less pithily dismissive, and reply more seriously -- I think ghosts (evil or not) are pretty much a Gloranthan universal. All it takes is living sentient beings to die traumatically, and you have ghosts. We don't know of particular problems with ghosts in first age Seshnela, but that is probably because we don't know that much about First Age Seshnela. We know more about the Second Age, and there are a couple of areas plagued with ghosts in Karia and Lankst, a city actually ruled by a ghostly Parliament of the Dead in Fronela, etc. And I think such gatherings of angry ghosts were likely more common in the early first age, soon after the Darkness. Anywhere were such ghosts appear (scattered across pretty much all Gloranthan lands, at least all human ones), I think the intent of the quote is that more or less any shaman can independent discover the rites.

        Certainly some places (Dorastor and the Wastes among them) have more than their far share, and as a result the cannibal cult is a widely known cultural practice there rather than an obscure shamanic perversion. But certainly doesn't rule out the possibility of the practice rearing its bloody head any place with shamans.         

	Cheers
		David
	
           

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