Wizzing.

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From: Alex Ferguson (alex@dcs.gla.ac.uk)
Date: Mon 25 Apr 1994 - 17:31:37 EEST


Simon Manning:
> Alex Finally writes in X-RQ-ID: 3588

Give me Strength. ;-)

> I am sure that the
> Lunars are seen as the biggest group of heretics known to the Malkioni, even
> more so than your neighbours!.

Just how upset are you likely to get at heretics 2000 miles away, across impassable terrain, at Late Dark Age movement rates, when all you know about the finer points of their theology has been filtered through any number of intervening unwashed barbarians? The Seshnegi (say) have enough things to worry about as things stand, I think.

> Without wishing to push the analogy too far, if
> the Malkioni heresies are analogous to the Catholic/Orthodox/Protestant/...
> split, then the Malkioni/Lunar split I see as akin to medieval
> Christianity/Islam.

But it isn't a `split' at all: the two evolved quite separately. This is convergent evolution, not divergence. The Lunar spoutings about the Creator are clearly intended to make Lunar thinking more acceptable to Malkioni, not less, while of course seeking to absorb or supplant such beliefs.

Clearly no Malkioni sect is mad keen on _any_ bunch of pagans; but on the other hand, why should they be more upset at pagans who acknowledge the truth of their own beliefs (broadly) [the Lunars], than ones who think they are completely deluded? [The Orlanthi, and most other theists]

> While I am on the issue of the RG and the Creator, and having just received my

> copy of GRoY, does she claim to have knowledge of Vezkarvez?

Depends whom you ask, I suspect. And who's doing the asking, come to that. "Whatever you say, Mr Sun Lord, sir." Probably "Yes" on the whole. But the Lunars have a pretty flexible approach in their attitude to other faiths, so long as they aren't wholely compatible.

> If so, how do the
> Solar cultists of the Empire view her claims to such knowledge?

Variously as a deep, affirming spiritual insight, and as ample reason to pile some more Lunar Blasphemers on the Fire come the Dara Happan revolution.

Sandy uses uncharacteristic verb phrases:
> Pam Carlson sensibly comments:
> >It strikes me that people mainly fear sorcerers because they
> >represent frightening power with no discernable alliegence or
> >control.

> I think this is very true, especially for theists. Also let's
> consider that the average sorcerers found living near theists are the
> rejects and outcasts of the Malkioni community. Wizards who are
> integrated into society aren't out in the hinterlands lurking in
> spooky Dark Towers.

If a theist met an "integrated" Wizard, he would still regard him highly suspiciously, though. Not just because of the bad rep of his renegage pals, but also because he would have no prima facia guarantee even that he obeys the commandments of the Invisible God. With a theist priest, one at least (generally) knows where they stand, as it were: if they were hopelessly apostate or heretical, they wouldn't be able to perform their duties, or produce effective magic.

Alex.

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