[Glorantha] Re: Zoria

[Simon Phipp]

Malk Williams:

>>What is there to say
>>about Zoria, and where can I find out about the place? 

Trotsky:
  >
> An article I wrote about the city is coming to a Tradetalk near you, at 
> some point, probably :) Not that it's been declared canonical, of course.
   
  Part of the ill-fated Tradetalk that never saw the light of day, I assume.
  
Malk Williams:
  > So what sort of reputation does Zoria have in the world outside? I imagine
> its reputation is fairly specific in the surrounding area (or areas if there
> are more than one), but is it the sort of place that is spoken of in hushed
> whispers far-a-field? Orlanthi carls drooling misty eyed into their beer,
> exchanging rumours of what the Zorian women can do for a man, else cursing
> them as foul temptresses that can steal a warrior's wits with just a glance
> perhaps... or Esrolian matriarchs either speaking of them with begrudging
> admiration or lofty scorn - those Zorians: no better than they should be if
> you ask me...

  It's the sort of place you might want to visit, but not to live there.
   
  I think that they are legendary or mythical places to Ulerians, sort-of like a Shangrila that they'd always want to go to, but never quite got the chance. The reality, of course, would be very different.
   
  As to what people might think about it, that all depends on the culture. Most places are just too far away or have never heard of it. Those who have participated in Uleria's rites might have heard about it, but not realised its importance. Even if they have heard about it, they'd probably misinterpret it a just a City of Free Love and that's all. Of course, there's more to it than that.
   
  As to the places nearby, most people would tend to leave it alone. It tends to suck people in and not let them go, so people go there and vanish. The Dara Happans would talk about it being a hotbed of lust, an immoral place. Lodrilites would probably not think much of it as they get their orgies at home. Westerners seem to have stiicks up their backsides most of the time, so they'd probably not like it much. Even the northern barbarians would have stories about people going in and never coming back, so they'd keep on trying to go in and come back.
   
  Personally, I think it is a city somewhere on the Godplane, or maybe the Heroplane, with different manifestations in the normal world. It would be inhabited by Ulerians, Love Nymphs, Shanasses and so on. It may even have a darker side, with incubi and succubi infiltrating it. Getting there might be easy or difficult. Perhaps you need to walk up to the gates and be let in. Perhaps you need to find it as it is a Vanishing City.
   
  Imagine a place where everyone loves you, where everyone is nice, where you continually give and recieve love. The air is continually filled with love songs and everyone is happy. People sit and talk all day about their loves, past and present, even when they talk about lost loves and cry, they cry happily. There is no sorrow, no pain, no loss, except for the sorrow of love given and lost, no pain except a heart that is continually broken, no loss except the loss of one's self.
   
  No, I wouldn't like to live there.
  
> Do they speak of it in Prax or even Pent? Or is it just an unusual city,
> that is known of only as a curiosity to Lhankor Mhy or Irippi Ontor scholars
> beyond its own environs?

  I think that some Sages might wistfully dream of going there, of staying for a while, just to study the place, you understand. But very few go there.
   
  > You see what I'm driving at?
> 
> Technicolour Dreams -

  You dirty little boy! No go and put those boxing gloves on .....  :-)
   
  See Ya
   
  Simon