[Glorantha] Reincarnation in Glorantha

[Santo Sengupta]

Antonio Álvarez del Cuvillo wrote:
> What cultures of Glorantha believe in reincarnation? I'm specially 
> concerned about lunars (I think it's very clear that they believe in 
> reincarnation), tarshites (humm... I think I have read something about 
> reincarnation in orlanthi background), voralans (I think voralans, 
> elves and trolls believe in that) and carmanians.
Reincarnation is widely accepted in many Eastern Gloranthan cultures.  
People live multiple lives, and unless they do something really bad or 
really good, will be given another chance at life.   The wicked are 
generally consigned to various Hells for periods of time, or, if they 
choose to follow the Antigods, probably are turned into one of those 
fallen races in a next life.   Many try to live by Mystic principles, 
and seek after Liberation, which will release them from the cycle of 
Reincarnation.   This is much easier said than done.

The Teshans take this to a magical extreme with their Life-Flame 
teachings, which makes its possible for their Priests and Zitrs to 
explicitly track people's past lives over the ages.

Vithelans spend some time in the Underworld, and are dealt apt 
punishments by Parloth Festastu, the Imprisoner of the Dead, until they 
are deemed worthy to return to the Mortal World.

Good Kralori become part of the Dragon Emperor, and can all ascend to 
the Summerland Heavens when the Emperor commits Utuma, but that hasn't 
happened in a while.  Bad Kralori are sent to Udam Begur, Arch Exarch of 
Hell, and are sent to the correct Hell to be purged of their sins. 

Also:
The Lunars also believe in Reincarnation.   After an afterlife on the 
Red Moon, worshipers are granted new bodies by the Goddess and returned 
to the Mortal World.   I would posit that vast majority of the time, 
previous lives are not remembered, nor considered all that important by 
the followers of Sedenya.   Heroes, of course, are the exception to the 
rule, and thus may need to discover who they once were to in order to 
progress spiritually and magically.

The Malkioni, I would think, would consider Reincarnation to be terribly 
Pagan and a horrible fate compared to Solace. 

-Santo
"Aum Shanti Shanti Shantih."