You ask, we answer. We've got a change in format this time. Three Questions and Answers, and new writers. We are expanding our latitude to cover more ground. We are presenting here answers from some of the Gloranthan Experts, whose tasks includes answering these. Greg Stafford will continue to review their answers. Q&A is a Question and Answer opportunity for Glorantha fans to ask questions directly to Greg Stafford, the creator of Glorantha, and others. He will arbitrarily choose one or more submitted question each month and answer it.
Caveat: We're going to use many inappropriate terms herein, like "species" or maybe even "gravity," both of which are concepts essentially outside of Gloranthan consciousness. These inappropriate vocabulary usages here should not imply that use of these concepts occurs within Glorantha.
Greg Sez is an ongoing column of material made available by Greg Stafford, creator of Glorantha. Other columns of Greg Sez include:
Feel free to e-mail a question for consideration in a future column.
Question One From NICK BROOKE. Answer copyright ©1998 by Issaries, Inc. This page may be freely linked to, and one copy may be printed for personal use, but any other reproduction by photographic, electronic, or other methods of retrieval, is prohibited.
Q: Martin Laurie's recent Q&A about the Red Emperor's parties mentioned: "Before the death of Takengi the Emperor was centered upon his Yelmic souls, as befits one who rules in the way of a Dara Happan."
But the best widely-available overview of the Lunar Empire and Dara Happa, in the Genertela Book, says that in the First Wane of Lunar history, "the patriarchal Dara Happans resisted integration by the feminist Lunars, resulting in political and religious conflict. The Tripolis revolted. From 1270 to 1285 war raged in the Oslir valley, but eventually the cities fell to the Red Moon. The government which had united the cities was exterminated and the Dara Happan lands divided among several Lunar states."
This strongly suggests that the Red Emperor did not rule in the way of a Dara Happan emperor, given that one of his first major actions was the dismemberment of the ancient DH empire and its replacement with a new government and a new array of "Lunar" successor states.
Can you clarify this, please.
A: Happily. I cite here from the best not-so-widely available overview of the Empire, The Fortunate Succession.
The government of Dara Happa has been reorganized several times since the Dawn. The despotic rule of the Jenarong dynasty was replaced by a more collective administration of Khordavu (26th Emperor). Erzanestyu (35th) instituted a Senate to advise the emperor (though it was subsequently gutted of its powers and significance). Dismesiod (48th) hanged protesters to his rule and instituted the New Witnesses, with new offices and positions. Sarenesh (57th) incorporated many Carmanian practices, only to have them brutally purged by Karsdevan (59th). Other examples exist. All of those were Rulers of Dara Happa, and "ruled in the way of Dara Happa." Takenegi's changes were no more radical than most of those cited here.
Takenegi's continuation is also indicated by the fact that he was enthroned using the ancient rites, and followed the ancient customs upon that enthronement. He even underwent the Eleventh Test to prove he was the true emperor.
Furthermore, Takenegi spent the first century or so proving that he was still the proper Solar-type Emperor. He underwent the complete ceremonies as Lord of the Four Quarters, and then went on to perform others.
Question Two from GREG STAFFORD. Answer copyright ©1998 by Issaries, Inc. This page may be freely linked to, and one copy may be printed for personal use, but any other reproduction by photographic, electronic, or other methods of retrieval, is prohibited.
Q: "Who were the famous Sairdite kings of war who fought against the EWF?"
Answer provided by HARALD SMITH.
A:
Henjark Dogsbreath [ca.921-925] who first rose against the dragons and slew the Heart of Gold.
Madasharesh Paraham Verenmars [960-991] the greatest of the kings. Verenmars rescued the Dog Father from the Lost Pack. He slew the ManDragon of the Riverjoin Palace [at the conjunction of the Oslir and the Aryela rivers] and bound it to the Net of Jajagappa. He gained the Divine Cup of Vingkot. He fashioned the Ring of Saird and woke BarDom at its heart. He gained the friendship of Holaya, the Red Woman, but married the Earth Queen. At last, he fought and slew the Shadow of the Golden Dragon.
Dumacaresh Heelbiter [991-1001] who entered the Dragon's Bowels to unleash the Nightmare Run and the Darkwind Raid, bringing fears to the Above and Beyonds.
Hagikarvesh the Rabid [1001-1012] who slew the Little Wyrms and the Dragonclaw Spectres, but was cursed by the Magi.
Pilavaresh Bonecrusher [1012-1033] who broke the backs of both the Black Eel and the Red Wyrm and crushed the Brother Dragon.
Ashaloresh Marroweater [1033-1059] who slew the Soul-tongued Dragon.
Verrogors Blackdog [1059-1075] who seized the Dragonwall only to be betrayed by the Sylilans. When he returned he slew the Crimson Horned Dragon.
Suzaraug the Warhound [1075-1092] who slew the Dragon Ram and let loose the Dogs of War.
Wyrmskull [1092-1108] who captured the mind of the Seven-banded Wyrm and slew the Inhuman King twice.
Sharvenatars the Summoner [1108-1120] who summoned the True Golden Horde. He called forth the Dog Fathers and the Rising Stallions. He carried the Net of Jajagappa. He slew the Dragon Emperor and tore him apart in the Dragonkill. Because he was a descendant and true servant of Jajagappa that god came and cast his net into the maw of the dragon to preserve him from oblivion.
Dorshenab Lost Howl [1120-1124] who carried the Dog Standard from Dragon Pass and created the prophecies of Saird.
Question Three from DAVID DUNHAM. Answer copyright ©1998 by Issaries, Inc. This page may be freely linked to, and one copy may be printed for personal use, but any other reproduction by photographic, electronic, or other methods of retrieval, is prohibited.
Q: Which were the dragons that the Saird Kings conquered?
Answer provided by HARALD SMITH.
A: The dragons were these:
The Heart of Gold which lurked in a golden tower in Mirin's Cross.
The ManDragon, the unholy one, who lurked within the Palace of Two Calming Waters at the Riverjoin.
The Shadow of the Golden Dragon which dwelt in Dara Happa.
The Dragon's Bowels which opened into Hell.
The Little Wyrms and the Dragonclaw Spectres, monstrous creations of the EWF which swarmed across the land.
The Onyx Eel and the Ruby Wyrm, foul corruptions of the once mighty rivers the Black Eel and the Red Wyrm.
The Brother Dragon which ever followed its masters like a dog.
The Soul-tongued Dragon which was never seen itself, but ever accompanied by its dream-spawn.
The Crimson Horned Dragon which rose up from the Aggar highlands.
The Dragon Ram, brought north by its servants to attack the great cities.
The Seven-banded Wyrm aided by the warriors of the seven parts.
The Dragon Emperor, the ultimate and foulest creation of the EWF which sought to rule all the world.