From: Argrath@aol.com
Date: Sat 14 May 1994 - 23:49:44 EEST
New topic: cleaning up the Yelmalio problems
In the Gloranthan present (1610-1625), the Sun Dome Temples of Dragon Pass and Prax have enthusiastically embraced the teachings of Monrogh (or Monrough) about their god, whom they now call Yelmalio. We know about them, and about the loyal Elmali. The elves of central Genertela clearly worship a god whom all agree is the same as Yelmalio, although the elves may have a different name for him. The elves do not have any reason to honor Monrogh, since they haven't made any changes to their mythology recently. Thus, elves don't have the Lantern spell. If you are an Elmal cultist, do me a favor and go and see if you can get admitted at an elf Yelmalio temple. Once you resolve that question, all the loose ends about elves will be tied up. However, there are other Yelmalio worshipers around who need more explaining.
According to the cults distribution chart in Cults of Prax, there are Yelmalians among the animal nomads. The Praxian Yelmalians fall into three groups: the Waha style, the Zebra style, and the Ostrich style. I ignore any 1% notations on the chart as being too small to be viable. (When Orogurri the Bison ruled Sun Dome, he brought all the Bison Yelmalians with him, and they never returned to the plains.) The Pol Joni part of the table is clearly outdated, and anyway all members have to worship Orlanthi cults. Maybe there are Pol Joni Elmali?
The Waha style Yelmalians live among the Impala and Sable tribes. Like almost all Praxians, they belong to a society in which shamanistic worship was predominant until recent times. Their ancestors worshiped Sun Hawk, the Praxian solar deity, and other spirits of light. These include Morning Star, Evening Star, and Oakfed. Many modern Yelmalians of the Impala and Sable tribes belong to Praxian spirit cults of light. Among those two tribes, light worshipers make up whole septs or even clans. (Women of those clans, however, still worship Eiritha.)
The Waha style Yelmalio cult is like the version in Sun County, with some exceptions. They do not honor Monrogh (or learn the Lantern spell). They let shamans belong to the cult. They have no Light Captains, Light Guards, Light Keepers, High Priests, or Light Sons. (Light Sons may ride no animal but horses, and Stephen Martin was right about the dual nature of cults with two rune levels.) They sometimes worship at the Sun Dome, but often do not. Their liturgy is in a Praxian style, and they call their god by a name in Praxian which I leave someone else to make up.
The Zebra Rider Yelmalians are closer to the Sun Dome model than the Waha style Yelmalians are. Zebra initiates of the cult mostly belong to certain families with ties to the Sun Dome. They have accepted Monrogh and his revelation. They honor Kuschile and Togtuvei, as they always have. They have no Light Captains, Light Guards, Light Keepers, or High Priests. Light Sons among them say, "Of course, zebras _are_ horses." They worship at the Sun Dome whenever they are nearby on holy days. Their liturgy is close to the Praxian Sun Dome's, and they now call their lord Yelmalio, though they used to use the Praxian name.
The Ostrich Riders have their own traditions, but the Sun Dome cult has influenced them. This influence has been greatest in the period since the Dragonkill War wiped out the tribe's ruling caste (whom modern Ostrich Riders believe to have been Yelm cultists). They do not know Monrogh or Kuschile, but do have a spirit named Veng, patron of riding. They do not have shamans in their cult, or join the Praxian spirit cults of light. They have Light Sons who do not follow the "horse or walk" rule. If pressed, they will insist that Ostriches are creatures of the Sun and therefore proper mounts. (Sun Domers distrust Ostrich Light Sons for this reason, and simply believe that they are breaking a geas.) The Ostrich riders have no Light Captains, Light Guides, Light Keepers, or High Priests. They have their own liturgy and their own name for Yelmalio, which I also leave to another to make up.
When foreigners ruled Sun Dome County, they brought their foreign ways with them. Thus, the original Sun cult was melded with Praxian Sun Hawk worship. However, most traces of this melding have disappeared. Scholars can find one clue in the fact that rural Sun Domers have wise women (shamans), whereas Dragon Pass Sun Domers do not suffer witches to live. The two Sun Dome temples have different liturgies, but this may be more due to long separation than to Praxian influence.
Harald, you want to tell people about Khelmal?
Yours,
Martin
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