[Glorantha] mirrors to patriarchal society

At 9:14 AM -0700 2/7/06, Greg Stafford wrote:
> > I would dismiss any argument that seeks to put a mirror up to
>> patriarchal society as, at best, satire.
>
>Great insight Jamie. The skewed perspecives bring about such silly
>things as the effeminate males of the kingdom, etc.

        I don't like to see fun ideas dismissed too easily, and even flawed ideas can usefully serve as grist for the mill. I think there are two interesting ways to look at such ideas, rather than simply dismissing them out of hand
1) rather than treating them as skewed patriarchal bias that has no place within Glorantha, treat them as skewed patriarchal bias from within Glorantha. It may not be true that the the males of Esrolia are effeminate, but I think its probably true that the males of surrounding Orlanthi lands think they are. 2) is there some underlying truth that feeds the lie? The males of Esrolia are in a very different social position. They will accept different social roles, and to many Orlanthi the changes will look like feminisation (though it won't to the Esrolians, obviously).

        Eg - there have been a lot of ideas floated about the Humakti in Esrolia, and how they differ. Many of them make the Humakti seem to be more 'effeminate' (for example, more fashion conscious and foppish). But its true that Humakti in a more warlike, more patriarchal, and perhaps most importantly far less urban society are going to be very different to those in Nochet. The idea that Saratarite Humakti tend to be professional soldiers and veterans, while Esrolian Humakti tend to be duellists, and if employed as warriors at all tending more towards ceremonial duties, and more concerned with individual social status, sounds perfectly reasonable.

	Cheers
		David