[Glorantha] Helering Bodies

[Donald R. Oddy]

In message <5.1.1.6.2.20060109234507.016eeb68 at pop.netspace.net.au> Stuart Laird writes:
>Hi,
>Fishing for opinions.
>Question from a player of a Heler worshiper.
>
>Q: Do/Can Heler worshipers physically change sex?
>
>How difficult is it if possible.

I'd make it a major HQ at the very least to affect their physical 
body. If the quest went wrong they could end up with both sets of 
sexual organs or neither. On the Heroplane they could change fairly
easily but it wouldn't affect the material world.

>How other sex do they get?
>Enough to fool Babester Gori? or Yelmalion Prigs?

If they actually did it, completely. I don't think this is common 
though. The cult is much more about men acting socially as women 
and women acting socially as men.

>EG
>Someone born male, but wants to have children with another man.

I'd add another HQ to get fertility after changing the body.

>Or wants to marry a non homosexual man.

This is a complex issue of what exactly the partner's attitudes
are. Merely the fact that the Helering was previously a man
could be an obstacle. Others might be content with an appearance 
of feminity. Something to explore in game.

>Can they change sex for the purposes, as Heler did.
>Or is that something too difficult for people to do anymore.


>IMG
>It is a major shapeshift that would likely require a Heroquest to 
>complete. 
>The character would return of the different sex, similar to, say, 
>some Grazer Tribe Shamans, who change sex upon becoming.

Do they? I thought most shamans were of ambiguous sexuality, not
that they physically changed sex.

>While not requiring the support of a Clan, support from close 
>family and friends would be necessary.

Certainly support from the bloodline for marriage - marriage is
a bloodline issue for Orlanthi. Changing sex is going to affect
that so they will be involved.

>Finding a Heler Godi who knew enough to carry it off is another 
>thing entirely.

Indeed.

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