Re: How prevalent is magic?

From: Stephen Tempest <glorantha_at_...>
Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2012 01:50:37 +0000


michaelL <michaelalewis25_at_...> writes:

>I thought devotees must spend a majority of their time to worshiping their god and most likely not be able to support themselves alone?

An important thing to bear in mind: in Glorantha, a devotee is not necessarily the same thing as a priest.

A priest is the one who leads worship services, sacrifices to the gods, maintains the clan shrines. He might have powerful magic, but he might equally well just be an initiate. In many clans, the priest will be part-time; he's a farmer or merchant or whatever the rest of the time. The Orlanthi call them 'god-talkers', since their job is talking to (and on behalf of) the gods.

A devotee is a living embodiment of his god. His every action is an act of worship through example, because he emulates his god in everything he does. This close identification allows him in return to channel his god's power into feats of magic.

To use a an analogy to Christianity in our own world, a priest is your ordinary parish minister or priest; a devotee is someone like Mother Teresa or St Francis of Assisi. Although in Glorantha, miracles are verifiable and repeatable.

Stephen            

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