From: CULLEN O'NEILL (cullen.oneill@thuemmel.com)
Date: Thu 30 Jun 1994 - 17:30:58 EEST
Martin/Argrath in X-RQ-ID: 4827
M> pilgrimage be a common variety of mini-heroquest, or RuneQuest
If we assume that a spell is not held by the local temple then a pilgrimage would be an utterly natural form for getting rune magic to take.
M> Re: Indian castes M> I don't know of any good detailed source, Cullen; do you live close M> to a university? Actually, a decent public library
Thanks anyway, I was just wondering if you could recommend a really GOOD book, ah well.
C>>This fits in nicely with my conception of initiation (RD&EG)... The C>>idea is that getting Rune Spells is essentially the result of a minor C>>heroquest (that is what you're proposing right?)... B> B> Yeah, that is exactly what I mean. But I am not certain if the HQ is B> real or implied (or if the two ideas can be separated). I like the
I think some combination of visions and ritual reenactment of a myth in which the God uses the power would be likely.
B> BTW, what is "RD&EG"?
Running, Ducking and (Evil) Grinning. This is in regards the endless initiation debate (especially between Alex and Joerg) which happened just a short time ago. Just for the record my views on initiation are very RQ2esque.
B> I like the idea that the more powerful spells imply a certain risk. B> I mean, if you tie yourself close enough to the Death rune that you B> can kill another person...well, that should have some side B> effect/risk. But, on the other hand, this is opening a whole new can B> of worms...
Yes, it is, isn't it. Well, reserving it for the grossly powerful spells makes it a small can at least.
C>> For regaining the spell, some sort of mental reliving of the quest C>> might be in order? B> B> What is worship beside comtemplating the aspects of your god? You B> can just chose which aspects (i.e. spells) you wish to relive.
This is the point where I said, Yeah! each spell has a mythical usage. Now thinking up all those myths is a BIG can! ;^)
B> Sure, sure, throw facts at me. Jeez, what a pedant! :-)
Don't you just hate it when somebody does that? ;^)
B> Since Western culture has not been at all developed (wouldn't a B> few nice myths of Malkion be nice?), we (the playing public) are B> just filling in the copious gaps with something familiar.
Oh, wouldn't that be nice. As is we don't even know if Hrestol died at all (heat failure, crucifixion, etc...). Really, the west is impossible to play at this point without being sure of immense, and I mean really massive, Gregification.
B> Meanwhile in Fronela and Safelster, Michelle is alive and well. And, B> again, to make my bias clear, I don't like to Rokari much (hey, Greg B> can hate Mostali, I can hate Rokari).
Until we have a mythology, I don't much like the West. And reading over everything I have on the West, I came to the conclusion that we just don't have enough clues to make even a good guess at what the myths of the West might be.
?>Paul Reilly?
P>> the God Learners obviously pondered, and came up with answer "Not P>> real, just exploitable heroquest paths". B> B> scientist, the "god" is just the paths. In Glorantha I have no B> trouble with them both being right. Particle or a wave, you make the B> call!!
I agree that it depends on your point of view. The god does have a lot
of knowledge and seems to communicate, but he is locked into a pattern
of
behavior and so isn't exactly 'alive' in the usual sense of adapting to
change. The only way a god/cult can adapt to change is by having a hero
change the legends. Who is a hero? Someone who changes the legends ;^)
G> Are you entirely sure about this? I've recently been reading Homo G> Hierachicus by (name already forgotten), which is an analysis of G> the Indian caste system. The author makes the point that hierarchical
Could you give your opinion of this book (was it worthwhile?). I'd appreciate it, and there was at least one other person who was also interested in Hindu culture (especially the details of caste).
PS: That is, worthwhile to the interested amateur, who wants to learn more, so as to apply it to Gloranthan and other RPG settings.
J> I think Devin's point was that no matter how much you ascribe J> different beliefs to other cultures, you are still assuming that you J> know what it means to _hold_a_belief_, and that this psychological J> mechanism remains the same throughout the ages. Which may very well J> be true, who knows? It's at any rate not _a_priori_ ridiculous as a J> methodological assumption.
But the real point of contention was: are Gloranthans more devoted than Medieval people. I say not, Devin disagreed. `nuf said.
J> My thoughts on this are still a bit unclear, but if we accept this J> gregging "runequesting" can't be a general Gloranthan term, it would J> be confined to those areas where rune cults are worshipped. But on J> the other hand, do all Gloranthan cultures speak of "heroquesting"?
Entering into the spirit realm. Going to see the Gods. Having a Holiday on the Heroplane. Call it what you like, I'm more interested in making getting runespells a non-downtime operation. This makes being an initiate more interesting, and lends color to the otherwise dull: "OK, I get back and give 10% letsee 24 lunars to the temple and sack 1 POW for Heal Wound (or whatever)."
Cullen
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