Eagle Talon

Wait! Was that a nysalorian riddle.

That place looks perfect for a Dara Happan religious center. The top would be reserved for rituals to Yelm and other sky gods taking place at the mid-day's sun.

This is in part one of the events of the Hero Wars. The Safelster region and the prophecy of the return of Arkat. What is very significant about Safelster is that it is made of a lot of different kingdoms who disagree on the main question. Every kingdom and sect of Arkat in that region believe they have the truth about Arkat and that others are all wrong. Arkat is the embodiment of "the ends justify the needs". Meaning so some sects may use chaos. Remember that Arkat is worshipped in all forms of his quest. From a Brithini warrior to a ZZ troll berserker. Now the good stuff in the Hero Wars is when Arkat returns. In 5 (or more) different persons. That's when the proverbial poop hits the fan.

Is Sheng Seleris considered a solar emperor? Can some like him be able to pass the 10 tests to become emperor of Dara Happa? After all the pent nomads are enemies of DH since before the dawn.

Personally I don't like the fact that we know the timeline and outcome of the Hero Wars. It's a little bit like starting a new novel that you already know the ending. Of course YGWV but I wish that I did not know what happened after 1627. Argrath becomes king of Dragon Pass and finally can rival the Red Emperor. Choose your side and let the games begin. The Monster Empire is a great example. I really like Solar and Lunar mythology and happenings (for better or worse). But to know that Peloria is going to get thrashed in the end is disappointing for me. However they're some positive points. One example is the Great Sister, daughter of Sedenya, and she likes to protect the little people so to speak. And the White Moon Movement offers great roleplaying hooks. I just wish certain locations in the present day 1625, like Pamaltela or Maniria, would get more attention than to concentrate on the Hero Wars from start to finish.

I have always been curious about the futur of the Lunar Way vs the Lunar empire. If I can quote some sources: Illumination is practiced within the Lunar Empire but the authorities prefer the more orthodox approach (while often called Illumination) of Sevening. And Illumination is monitored in the Empire by Examiners to prevent Occlusion. Sevening involves recognition of the All and how, as the Red Goddess teaches "We are all Us". Lunars are vulnerable to Occlusion; the false awareness that the Lunar is All.

Looks awesome. I’m always glad to see Elmal content.

I thought the Red Emperor as an entity took up the mantel of emperor of Dara Happa following the reign of Yelmgatha. There are different masks of the red emperor but in a way it is the same being. Does every masks of the red emperor need to take once more the 10 tests?

I hope you continue with your project of writing this book for the Jonstown compendium. Ralios has always been my favorite region of Glorantha. It is well documented and the hero wars provide tons of opportunities. Of course the return of Arkat is the main subject. As far as the many Arkats I believe Argin Terror has a role to play in this, perhaps as the chaotic version of Arkat. I gets really interesting when the Arkats flee to Ardinyar in Lankst for protection against Seshnela. Ardinyar is a great hero of Orlanthi Lankst and is allied with Otkorion who houses the Chariot of Lightning Sect. IMO the Orlanthi of Ralios are so much more interesting than those of Dragon Pass. The huge tribe of Lankst and the henotheists of Otkorion are awesome. The struggle between this alliance of Arkats and Orlanthi against the King of the West in Seshnela will probably be the main event! Ardinyar is latter hailed as the king of Ralios but the fate of the new Archons is not as clear. To finally unite Safelster and revive the Stygian Empire would be a great event.

The topic of the Many Suns is often mentioned. I’m not sure exactly what it means. Could you explain?

Those two seem to be the same god but but I'm really interested about Elmal in Orlanthi society. Yelmalio has been well documented in many sources but Elmal not as much. Do Elmal cultists behave differently than Yelmalions? As strict as Yelmalions or more Orlanthi-style? Perhaps there are no gifts and geases. What happened at the Hill of Gold? Orlanth battled and stole Yelmalio as an enemy. How is the myth different so that Elmal becomes the faithful thane? Does Elmal offer fire-based magic to his followers? I saw an old Elmal cult write-up and he seems a lot different than Yelmalio and his cult is more appealing.

I'm looking ahead in the hero wars but as for battles of Jar-Eel there is a mystery (or misunderstanding) about the battle of heroes. The iconic battle between Jar-Eel and Harrek finally happens. The result is Harrek killing Jar-Eel and left somewhat of a cripple from his wounds. However Jar-Eel is later comes back in the hero wars. What happened to her? Resurrected in a hero quest or perhaps Harrek fought another lunar hero instead? My sources are from King of Sartar so may be a little biased towards orlanthi.

I don't think heating the soil is the only purpose. There is one (or many) active volcano in Caladraland. This would be an ideal place for worship and to protect the land against enemies of the fire or earth pantheons. It also allows them to weaponize the environnement against invasion, or perhaps a flood in the later hero wars 🙂 . I'm not entirely certain about this but in think there are Mostali using the heat from the Vent as a tremendous power source.

That’s a good question. Any information on the Vadeli implications during the hero wars? Especially for the long run.

Since Belintar is a living god in the material world would that be considered a breach of the great compromise?

Wow it looks great. I especially like the Italian feel in the short clip. I gotta get me one of those Glamour dry gin bottles. Any plans on making a paper version?

I wonder if the different portions (similar to Dara Happan souls) of the Goddess represent different masks? As Rashorana she is the source of illumination (one incarnation being Nysalor) but as her future self she is Zatenera associated with the White Moon. Are all portions masks of Wakboth or should be considered different deities and/or masks?

Perhaps as part of the Illiteracy Age set to follow the Hero Wars. Imagine the chaos that would cause in an urban campaign set in a city like Nochet with lots of scholars and historians.

Thanks. I am particularly interested the Dara Happan version so I’m looking forward to see the write up in GoG. I’m curious about the cult’s relation to the one of Yanafal. Perhaps a friendly rivalry or a heated competition in the lunar ranks?

Does anyone knows if there is an existing cult write up for Pole Star? There are a couple of myths about him but not a ton of info. Being the general of heaven and commanding the Star Captains should make him an important deity. And not to mention it must be a popular warrior cult in solar and lunar armies.

I think it's a good thing that it is not about Dragon Pass once again. Gives the opportunity to roleplay in different locations and to start a different kind of campaign in an urban setting. With all the intrigue and decadence beneath the Red Moon.

I have read in some previous columns that Greg Stafford was planning on writing a Lunar book for the progress and an ending of the Hero Wars. A book that would be similar to King of Sartar but where the Lunars win the war either by conquest or alliances. Has there been a release or draft of this book? Or perhaps a high level view of the plot. Secondly, I would like to hear opinions or ideas on how this ending to the Hero Wars would unfold.

Thanks I'll be sure to grab the guide to Glamour it looks lovingly decadent. Life of Moonson is also a good source of info. I bet the Great Sister gets involved in aiding Arrolia during the hero wars. Or manipulates her brother to do so as mentioned in the Takenegi Steele of Boldhome.

I'm trying to figure out the role of the Great Sister in the Hero Wars. Not much is documented in the sources I read (mainly GtG and the Glorantha Sourcebook) except for the fact that she sacrifices the current mask of the Red Emperor Argentus in a ritual ceremony. Since her dedication is to the people before empire what role or actions will she takes when the empire starts to differ from the Lunar Way itself. Her relations with her brother the emperor is quite different since his goal is first to the empire and then the people. Pelorians will suffer greatly in the later hero wars (Sheng Seleris, great flood, Monster Empire) and the Great Sister must take actions during these trials to help her people. Any insights and theories would be greatly appreciated. (canon or personal opinions)

For me the most interesting exemple if illumination is Arkat. He is the perfect candidate for it since he transcended many cultures and cults and able to escape spirits of reprisal. However with fall of the stygian empire in the second age Arkat is worshipped buy a load of different sects and cults that include illuminates. Since every sect believes to be the ONLY true successor to Arkat I wonder how they feel about one another since they worship and follow different doctrines. Should they believe illuminates from other sects are wrong (perhaps even Nysalorian!) even if illumination gives them the ability to see the "big picture" so to speak?