From: Colin Watson (watson@computing-science.aberdeen.ac.uk)
Date: Thu 14 Apr 1994 - 19:36:47 EEST
I don't buy this. Ok, so a freethinking individual chooses not to tow the
cultural line - does that make them a Bad Person? I don't think so. (Certainly
not in the real world; tho there might be some argument for this in
Glorantha's non-evolutionary, mythic setting: Conform or suffer the fate of
the GodLearners?)
Besides, sorcery is hard work. If you want to further selfish, power-gaining
ends then the easy way is to join an established Lunar/Solar cult and get
upwardly mobile. I think corrupt cultists are much more common than evil
sorcerers.
Someone choosing sorcery *against* the cultural norm is likely to need
stronger motivations that personal worldly gain IMHO.
>Second, the exceptions to this, wizards from the sorcery-using culture of the
>Carmanians, are Bad Guys anyway, because the Carmanians in general
>are not very nice people.
>Third, Lunar sorcerers tend to be dabblers in Chaos.
Ok, *some* experiment with Chaos; and maybe a few of those are unprofessional enough to be influenced by it to their detriment. Such cases are likely to be publicised 'cos it makes for a good story. But in general I think Chaos- tainted sorcerers would be in the minority. They're smart enough to know the risks.
>The end result: the stereotypic
>Lunar sorcerer is a friendless, cold-blooded, sociopath using
>unnatural chaos powers. I suspect most Lunars dislike these guys, let
>alone Theyalans.
This may be true, but I don't believe the stereotype you depict would be as common as you imply.
___
CW.
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