Tcneseis

I meant that they are still alive. I think neither the God Learners nor Sheng Seleris changed them very much, but i may be wrong (see for instance, The Fortunate Succession). Yes, they seem basically similar, although the general approach is quite different.

Is it in Heroquest Glorantha? As a matter of fact, what about Dayzatar? I don't think Kralorela has tight connections with the Dara Happan Empire, notwithstanding what mythologies may imply, it's not always wise to draw inferences from it. What is believed true in the East may conflict with what is believed true in Peloria, even if both claim to know the truth. Is the solar tradition of Kralorela old? I think it is contemporary.

Is Nysaloran Illumination potentially or completely Chaotic? There is a great conflict between Arkat and Nysalor, which this version of illumination ignores. I don't understand the reasons for saying Arkat was illuminated. I thought that in Kralorela, where Dragons are worshiped, Illumination was taught by Metsyla, who is not the recommended Kralorelan option.

Perhaps if the creditor pays his debt (including some financial penalty), the Tax Demons will show clemency. I'm not sure. You could grab the throne then cancel your own debt. I have no idea who the Tax Demons obey in the empire, but in my opinion, some people are loyal enough to the Emperor, others are not. So the process could be a little more similar to how Khordavu gained the Princes of the Ten Tests' loyalty in the First Age.

The Guide calls them taxes. Can the satraps or the emperors pay such tributes-for-protection? That would mean they are trying to buy powerful enemies, but it's not the same thing.

Who is more powerful than the Emperor's temporal representative? Certainly, but in that case clan loyalties to a priest rather than to the Satrap may cause serious trouble in the Satrapy. Powerful temples like the Temple of the Reaching Moon or Hwarin Dalthippa are strategic. Their loyalty shouldn't be questionable. Both extend outside the areas controlled by Satraps. But the natives provide some of the resources needed to work the temples. Other, less powerful temples, can be managed from within a Satrapy. Non-Lunar temples can be required to pay taxes. Now, maybe the temples are not organised in economic networks and pay their taxes to different local rulers, but the empire may have an incentive to deal with these networks directly. Appius Luxius, who oversees the Lunar Provinces, has this type of relation with the Emperor. Maybe I've missed a reference somewhere.

If it's a question of power, it should be harder. Yes, I see.

I doubt that the Temples of the Reaching Moon pay any tax. Then you have cases like Etyries' cult. Isn't it rather individual merchants who should pay a tax on their profits to whatever authority is able to control them? Hwarin Dalthippa's cult brings many benefits and is a sacred duty, so I don't understand how secular powers would be able to levy tax on her temples.

Ok. Then the office of priest is conferred on the satrap, not by the Emperor, but by the Sylilan people. Is it necessary to convince a tributary king? In my opinion, Hwarin Dalthippa's cult should be exempted from taxes to the Provincial kings, though the Emperor may collect his cut of the tithes.

I don't know how strict this would be. Why would the temple owe any tribute to the Provincial kings?

Suppose the satrap is actually invested with a heavy religious burden, like this -- the Red Emperor rules Sylila, with the satrap as a representative. But otherwise the satrap is the Red Emperor. Now Hwarin Dalthippa is the Emperor's daughter. But the Red Emperor cannot be his own daughter's high priest, because she should worship him, not the other way round. So the satrap cannot either.

I think there are other ways to confirm a political marriage than to set up a priesthood. The groom could assume the military command of a friendly foreign troop in the bride's kingdom, for example. But there are many cases of magical religious alliances in Glorantha so I like this suggestion.

Probably better association is as hereditary temple/cult leaders. I see. The Hwarin Dalthippa cult is their main job in Sylila. I'm not sure I understand this very well. I don't think it's a major satrapal duty, but it makes sense that the relationships with the Provinces allow them to arrange marriages, though other cults are available.

The Sylilan emphasis on Odayla too, makes them different, but I understand that they have the same marriage customs. The satrap is not a native from Sylila but he is able to form alliances with royal dynasties in the Provinces. It's true King Pharandros was not really a typical Tarshite. Their families may be more like rich merchants than traditional Orlanthi nobles.

If as in Orlanthi culture land is held by virtue of the upper echelon's agreement, then Sylila and the Provinces cannot work together very well.