[Glorantha] 2nd Age Teshnos thoughts

Namaste All:

I've been following the discussion of the Glorantha: The Second Age with some interest. I acquired the PDF book over the weekend, and have been slowly digesting it. All in all, I was quite pleased with it, despite a few inconsistencies with previous publications that Mr. Metcalfe so nicely enumerated. I for one hope the Mongoose Glorantha line does well, and we can see more regional 2nd Age source material published in the future.

My current campaign is currently in Verenela, and as such the Teshnan bits of the work were of great interest to me. In my Glorantha, I always made references to the 2nd Age seem rather reminiscent of the British Colonial period of India, and
G:tSA seems to go along with that theme. It's more of an early East Indian Trading Company feel - Port Cities basically "leased" from the local Evening Caste under some duress. I could see some point in the late 2nd Age where the relationships between the God-Learners and the Teshnans become a lot more adversarial. Melib, or the Duchy of Eest, could attempt an invasion of sorts, and that would certainly change things.

I had also envisioned that Teshnos being involved in a power struggle between the MSE and the Eastern Sea Empires. However with the defection of the Haragalans to the God Learner cause, this becomes less likely. However, MGHV, and I've been making references to the Golden Empire of Mokato all the time. Perhaps the "defection" of the Haragalans is a scheme masterminded by "Smarter Than You" Lumoxovaran?

It is sad they fail to mention Fuel cults, or Mystic Bara Shal, God/dess of What. However, these nature of Teshnan culture as potrayed in the G:tSA easily allows these to be inserted. The Half Gods (who, I note, are all Goddesses) of Water, Air, Earth, and Darkness would be considered Fuel Cults, by 3rd Age teachings.

The Pentapartite dynasty is quite interesting. The other Fire Mystics are quite fun, and I've been having an good time thinking about how each of them fell. Sankusa is particularly interesting, and I think in my campaign I will have them be one of the "fallen lineages" - bloodily co-opted by the Seleran Empire. Jrudai's wealth could be sacked by foreigners over the ages. Elat's relationship to the Aldryami may be victim to the ongoing Leaf Wars.

Zon, however, is of the most interest to me. from G:tSA, p.59:
"He tells us behind the fire there is a mask, behind the mask there is a
soul, and behind the soul, there is us."

Where have we heard *that* mantra before?

Perhaps its just me, but the Ivory Mask lineage smacks of Lunarism. Which of course would explain why it is no longer in existence in the 3rd Age, as Sheng Seleris would have taken personal interest in the secrets of this lineage.

The Parable is interesting. Demoness Makbonella is another new addition, and I'm sure that the God Learners among us would rush to equate her with Malia. I had hoped that Sekever would make an appeareance in the Teshnan material, but the fact that the Anti-Dragon Empress's true gender is finally acknowledged in the Kraloreli Cultural section made me quite happy.

More thoughts soon to follow.
-Santo
"Aum Shanti Shanti Shantih."
Received on Mon 30 Oct 2006 - 17:53:11 EET