The Goddesses of the Earth: a Glorantha Seminar write-up from Continuum Convention, July 2018

[PhilHibbs]

https://www.chaosium.com/blogthe-goddesses-of-the-earth-a-glorantha-seminar-writeup-from-continuum-convention-july-2018

Also posted on the Glorantha forum: 

 

Edited July 29, 2018 by PhilHibbs

[styopa]

Interesting article, particularly good job pointing out how an important "non-adventuring" cult can nevertheless play a major role in an adventuring party.

One tangential question immediately occurred to me however: are we collectively assuming then that the *astonishing* increase in fecundity and infant survival thus provided by Ernalda and parallel deities/magics (compared to IRL bronze/iron age societies analogous to our Gloranthan faves) is then offset by what?  Monster predation?  Just a higher level of violence?

I'm picturing a Glorantha figuratively hip-deep in bodies - particularly children - as the urban/rural populations put forth in the Guide would suggest that adult populations are nevertheless close to that of historical iron age societies.

So...tons of pregnancies happening, babies surviving infancy...but historical population numbers.  That would suggest a great winnowning going on between infancy and adulthood.

Or I guess it just occurred to me, are we assuming that magical birthcontrol would be used by iron-age women to the same degree that we see in educated western modern women?

[jeffjerwin]

2 hours ago, styopa said:

Or I guess it just occurred to me, are we assuming that magical birthcontrol would be used by iron-age women to the same degree that we see in educated western modern women?

This. Effective birth control is a secret Earth power, just not spoken of to men...

[jajagappa]

5 hours ago, styopa said:

That would suggest a great winnowning going on between infancy and adulthood.

Malia, other hostile spirits, chaotic raiders, trolls & trollkin, tusk riders.  Lots of options.