About the Young God - in Heortling-related texts he's mostly just given a side mention with regards to Heler. Heler knew the secrets of the Young God, who is a star in the middle of (what is now) the Celestial River, and that secret explains how Water managed to invade the Sky.
The Young God is also mentioned in the Glorious ReAscent of Yelm, though. Apparently it's a significant position in the Sun's movement across the Sky Dome, and there are stories about it that are some associated with Yelm and sometimes with Kargzant, which makes me think it probably could apply to some other sun deities as well.
Anyway, the story of the Young God as presented there deals with his journey through the different parts of the observable sky. He survives various humiliating incidents and tribulations - interestingly, including confronting and being overwhelmed by the River! This is because he is clearly associated with Fire, and Water is strong against Fire. No doubt the idea of water being able to subdue (though not destroy completely) the Sun is something that Helerings would be happy to mention to any Elmali acquaintances.
In any case, the story then goes on to mention some other perilous encounters and occasional respites that are associated with the changing of the seasons, which get colder and colder as the Young God grows weaker and more desperate. But in the end, he makes his way back to his Throne star (which is associated with the start of Spring) and is healed and renewed. So, I suppose it is a story about the immortality/inevitable resurrection of the Sun, a very popular Solar theme, of course. The Helering secret might be that the Sun is definitely weaker at some times and betrayed by its own fiery nature, even if it does reassert its strength later on (which probably corresponds to the forces of the Sky Gods rallying and pushing the forces of Water back from the Sky).
Or it might be a different take on the Spring and Summer, as Heler is strong then too. Once again, the Rain and the Sun vie for the same things...
That's just speculation, but I probably get more Illumination points anyway. :P
And I'm not sure what perspective could give a good answer about Aroka and Sshorga, to be frank. :) Except perhaps a dragonewt or wyrmfriend one.
Considering the interest of some of my players in matters draconic, maybe we'll end up finding an answer to that one ourselves.
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> Well, one of them is decidedly leaning towards Ereltharol the Black Ram, the other wants to be a healer, so I will direct him to Yuhurol the Golden Ram. Nice and non-overlapping. :)
> /// That'd make a nice Heler-dominated group, with a Ram Daimon wyter, horned helmets etc.
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> That aside, I've encountered a lot of very interesting if confusing information on Heler during my research since the previous posts.
> /// Heler is Water. Water is always confusing, changing, mixed with other things. It carries to mortals with the Water Rune : shifting if not shifty. "Staunch as Heler" is NOT a compliment, it's irony. Everyone knows Heler did it with Ernalda when Big O was away. Also, Heler is sometimes male and sometimes female...
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> For instance, isn't Aroka also the same as Sshorga?
> /// Of course it is. Our course it isn't. Give yourself +10 to your Illumination chances. You ask very direct, blunt questions which could literally blow the mind of the inquirer ! Do you want a neutral, GM-perspective answer or a gloranthan, subjective one ? And from which viewpoint then ?
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> They certainly appear very different, in any case, and from a mystical viewpoint it does make perfect sense that Orlanth had to free Heler from the Blue Dragon if Heler is a part of its watery body - though in any case, this would be one of those things the Orlanthi wouldn't know.
> /// Another +6 to Illumination. Heler might be part of Aroka, an important part in fact. Big O ripped / tore the dragon's heart out more than he freed its prisonner. Also don't forget Vadrus did the same to another dragon, long before that.
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> Also fascinating is the mention that Heler knows the secret of the Young God.
> /// I never knew much about the Young God. What can you tell us about Him ?
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> Isn't the Young God Yelm, at least in some versions? I wonder how it ties into water's ability to invade the Sky.
> /// Magasta tore away some of Yelm's secret when he was drowning in the Ocean after falling dead from the Heavens. Some say these secrets ARE Heler, Water in the Sky. I also suspect this ablity is strongly linked to Tides, and that both are facets of the same phenomenon.
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> As for the initiation itself, I'm thinking it might also involve Elmal at some point, to introduce the initiate to the rivalry. After all, that's one of the things they're supposed to carry away from it, as per the cult write-up. And there is the obvious option of having an actual Elmali initiate unwittingly end up in it, starting a more personal rivalry...
> /// That sounds promising.
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> I agree that the sub-cult initiation would be a good way to theme it. The Ereltharol escapes from Ui and fights Chaos, the Yuhurol is freed from Aroka and woos Esrola.
> /// That sounds very good. If I may, also add a Surprise in the Quest, after you've told the PCs what (normally) happens. For instance, some magnificent ewe tries to seduce away Black Ram for battle. And Yuhorol must fight something. I love to see scandalized players' faces, screaming THIS IS NOT WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN !!! and to answer: Well... yes. Still, it's happening. What are going to do about it ? Brings the best out of them.
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