[Glorantha] Earth Tribe discussions

[Donald R. Oddy]

In message <200612190126.22980.lc at lightcastle.net> LC writes:
>Lots of ideas bouncing around.
>
>> From: Simon Phipp <soltakss at yahoo.com>

>> Tarsh has a strong Earth tradition - look at the deities of the Tarsh
>> Exiles. Very traditional, centred on the Earth Tribe.
>
>With Maran having almost as much importance as Ernalda. I don't know 
>if there are any Maran the Queen cults, though, except maybe for the 
>whole business with becoming King of Dragon Pass.

I'm not sure Maran worshippers rule any clans or tribes in Tarsh. The
cult strikes me as more of a theocratic ruler of the Shaker Temple
than a chieftain or king. I can imagine Ernalda rules more often than
Orlanth though - she knows how to placitate her sister.

>> Various Pelorian cultures are also strong on the Earth Tribe - Pelanda 
>> for one, if I recall correctly.
>
>I'm really unclear about the Pelorian cults. I once thought it was all 
>Yelmic, all the time, but that seems not to be the case.

>From ILH1 many aren't even theistic. The Pelandan gods as described
could be part of any grouping and the only goddesses mentioned are
Erissa the healer and Orogeria the female hunter. Doesn't appear to
be strong on the Earth Tribe.

>> One question raised by (2): Who are the leadership goddesses of Esrolia?
>> The term "Grandmother" suggests Asrelia and Ty Kora Tek. Or is it Ernalda
>> the Queen? Or Imarja?
>
>A fine question. I suspect Ernalda the Queen is there for the Queens of the 
>Cities. I think you have to go with some kind of leadership cult for 
>Asrelia/Ty Kora Kek unless Imarja has something. Which could be possible. 
>Exactly what she is eludes me.  I long thought her basically a giant 
>landscape goddess like Kero Fin - a guardian under the HQ rules. But we know 
>Kero Fin has a cult as well and its secret is Sovreignty.  If Imarja works at 
>all like that then she could work as the source of the Grandmothers' 
>leadership magic.

Possibly Orendana is a subcult of Asrelia/Ty Kora Tek rather than Ernalda.

-- 
Donald Oddy
http://www.grove.demon.co.uk/