From: S.Phillips (gkca16@udcf.gla.ac.uk)
Date: Mon 18 Apr 1994 - 14:24:00 EEST
Hi from Sam Phillips!
Yep. I'm still around listening in when I can. My Sartar campaign coming on splendidly. My brave Orlanthis due to be finally initiated very soon. If only then can steal back their horses and ride home..
DDUNHAM pondered
>Another linguistic problem: the word "thane." In Pagan Shore, thane is
>essentially a clan chieftain. In the Orlanth writeup in Heroes I.4, anyone
>in the Orlanth Rex subcult (which includes tribal council members on
>council business) is called thane. But in King of Sartar, the rank is
>broadly defined to any sort of leadership role: heads of household, godi,
>leading merchants, and members of the clan council [243] (does this mean
>the Trickster member is automatically a thane?). And it's listed as an
>occupation [246].
>And of course there's Elmal the Loyal Thane, obviously this third meaning.
>So Greg not only Gregged Yelmalio, he Gregged Orlanth Rex.
>Has anyone dealt with this in their Orlanthi campaigns?
In my Orlanthi campaign I have gone for all of these. ie the title "Thane" is both an official title and at the same time a term of reverence. I would suspect for instance that a one time Thane who no longer "officially" deserves the title would continue to be called by it as long as they commanded a certain respect. ie they weren't thrown of the council for wrong-doings.
Similarly a rich and successful Orlanthi may well be referred to as (or mistakingly assumed to be) a Thane even if they do not hold an official position. Often, I suspect it would also be a good way to butter someone up eg:-
"Surely a great *Thane*, such as yourself, can recognise a fine beast - a healthy riding animal.... Only one Ernaldan owner!.."
"How much? for a pair of riding boots? But *Thane* I am a poor man, unlike yourself. surely a man of your standing can afford a *little* kindness to those less blessed by the Gods.."
etc
Similarly, Branbrig the fool - In hiding, on all but the most official holy days for fear that the cold hearted women folk (who greatly outnumber the men in our clan and do not share the male passion for a 'good' joke) will do away with him at the first opportunity, *is officially* a Thane. But as, even before he went into hiding, he was normally drunk in a gutter or causing great offence about the place he would only ever be begrudgingly called "Thane" on the most formal of occasions and *probably only* by men. An example was in one of our recent scenarios when Branbrig was neccessary to perform an important heroquest with the eldest children of the clan. (Sort of the *daft* leading the *dafter* or visa versa ;-) After a successful quest, Branbrig (still dressed as a wet-nurse, complete with leather false breasts) sat breifly at the head table with the other Thanes for the celebration dinner. He sculked off before any harm could befall him.
Cheers! Sam x
Not Scotland but Sartar.
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