Argan Argar
The God of Surface Darkness
By Ian Thomson
Acknowledgements: Summarised from 'Troll Gods' (Avalon Hill 1989)
Additional material from Steve Martin's 'Drastic: Darkness', and from 'Hero
Wars' (Issaries Inc. 2000)
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Note! This is a fan contribution. The information may be
contradicted by official material.
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Argan Argar is a son of Xentha, the Lady of the Night, and an ancient god
born when the trolls fled to the surface to escape Yelm's brightness as it
invaded the Underworld. He was active during the Darkness, aiding any who
called on him, whether elves, humans or beast-folk, although he was always
most friendly to the trolls. In modern times Argan Argar is popular everywhere
in Glorantha where Darkness is friendly with the rest of the world, and the
followers of Argan Argar are skilled in promoting this friendship. The relatively
civilised nature of this god makes his cult acceptable to other deities and
non-trolls, and a useful intermediary between these other races and the powers
of Darkness.
Argan Argar performs many important functions for the trolls that are unavailable
to them through any other cults. Especially important are such 'civilised'
skills as communication, trade, and coinage. Troll Priests of Argan Argar
are required to act as advisors, interpreters and scribes for their tribal
leaders. In Kethaela (including Heortland) the Cult of Argan Argar is the
primary Troll Cult, although this is unusual as Kyger Litor the troll mother
is normally the most prominent. Human members of this cult may behave like
trolls, or they may be quite civilised and valued by their troll colleagues
as teachers in the ways of human behaviour.
| Entry Requirements: |
A non-troll candidate must be able to speak Darktongue at a skill of
12 or more. A troll candidate must speak a non-troll language at a skill
of 12 or more. |
| Mental Abilities: |
Orate, Mythology of Argan Argar, Speak (Language), Read/Write (Language),
Speak (Tradetalk), Evaluate, Troll Lore |
| Physical Abilities: |
Close Combat (Spear and Shield), Ranged Combat (Staff Sling), Craft (Mint
Coins) |
| Affinities: |
Communication (Act with Total Conviction, Hear the Meaning, Convey
the Meaning, Call/Command Message Spirit, Shout Down Opponent)
Trade (Sense Thief, Ward Marketplace, Lock Box, Make Safety Alarm,
Recognise Magical Value, Create Magical Charm)
Darkness (Walk in Shadows, Create Shadow, Repel Light, Obscure Tracks,
Call/Command Darkness Spirit, Cure Iron Burn*) (*Available only through the
'Only Old One' subcult) |
| Secret: |
Find the Opportunity (Automatically succeeds at a single final
action during any contest in which the character has used the
Communication affinity, even if a final action would normally not
be allowed.) |
| Worshippers: |
Troll Traders and Ambassadors (Also, many human troll-friends become
Initiates in the trader aspect in parts of Glorantha such as Heortland where
humans and trolls often interact peacefully, and even other races are not
unknown amongst his followers) |
| Other Side: |
Argan Argar promises his troll followers that they may join Xentha's
immortal procession of Darkness that sweeps across the surface world at night
and across the Underworld during the day. Argan Argar's Obsidian Palace is
situated in the Underworld, and the procession always halts a while here.
Non-troll worshippers may reside in the Palace and assist with the markets
held there, as may the best troll traders, who oversee the activities. There
are exits from the Obsidian Palace to the Underworld and the Darkness, and
Xentha's procession has many more exits into the realms of the gods. |
| Other Connections: |
The troll cults of Gorakiki and Xentha are particularly friendly with
Argan Argar, and the Xiola Umbar cult is also easily accepted. Issaries and
Argan Argar traders routinely seek out each other as friendly intermediaries
when trading between humans and trolls is undertaken. Lokarnos is not associated
with due to the ancient dispute between Darkness and Light. Etyries is
a common contact where trolls and Lunars have trading agreements. |
| Disadvantages: |
Except in parts of the world where Argan Argar is well-known amongst
humans, his non-troll worshippers are regarded as highly unusual and may
often be feared, or the subjects of uncharitable speculation. |
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