What My Father Told Me

A Personal View of Yelmalion Culture

by Mike Dawson

originally published in Shadows on the Borderlands

This document is Copyright © 1998 Issaries, Inc. It 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.

What My Father Told Me

Yelmalion culture in Prax is an isolated, xenophobic one, cut off from the mainstream of civilized society by the hostile Animal Nomad Nations. Other regions of Solar worship exist, but the Sun Dome settlements are nearly unique in their centering of leadership on the Yelmalio cult, rather than the noble classes associated with the more prestigious Yelm cult.

Who are you?

I am Tathhos Goldbrow, Light Son of Yelmalio and captain of the Sun Dome Templars. You may call me Honored Father in private; in public you will refer to me as Sir.

Honored Father, who are we?

We are the noble Glowbrow Family of Sun County. Because of the service rendered to the Sun Dome over six generations, we are a respected, wealthy household, held in high esteem by those whom we command. My Honored Father, his Honored Father, and theirs back three more generations were all Light Sons. Some were Light Servants as well. We have led the Templars in defense of Sun County, and we have led Templar mercenary units all across the valley for high pay and great glory.

Honored Father, what makes us great?

Service to the Sun Dome and obedience to the Divine Order of Yelm. We are blessed with the guidance of the Light Priests, who seek the favor of the Sky Gods, whose beneficence protects us from the sinful ways of barbarians. The Divine Order of Yelm has proven itself over the ages, preserving us in a hostile land. We are great when we further that Divine Order, and to do that we must emulate the life and teachings of Yelmalio, the son of the Sun.

Honored Father, what is the difference between men and women?

Men are superior to women in every way. Men are fashioned after the Sky Gods, and women after the Earth Gods. The Sky is above the Earth, and so men are above women. Women are a temptation away from the aesthetic concerns of the Pure Light, but also offer an opportunity to reunite Heaven and Earth, as when Yelm wedded Ernalda, the Earth Mother. This union is only proper within the sacred bond of marriage.

Women must be deferential to men, as Ernalda was to Yelm. If she is false to him, he may divorce her for another woman, as Yelm took Dendara at the Dawning.

Women must be deferential to men, caring for the children and maintaining the fertility of the earth through women's rituals to the Earth Goddesses. They must hide their limbs and faces when in the presence of non-relatives.

Some women are troublemakers, or from homes that do not properly control their women. They sometimes manage to enter the warlike women's cults. These are aberrant religions, but they have their place in the scheme of things. Or so I am told. The Star Maidens who follow Yelorna must remember that they are subservient to Yelmalio.

Honored Father, where do we live?

We live on the lands of the Glowbrow Family, in Sun County. We are in the First Militia District, the most prestigious part of the county. We have farms and ranches, and a manor house in the Sun Dome Yard.

Honored Father, how do we live?

The women of the county tend the Earth, assuring its fertility. The men of the family who are not Templars toil on that land, plowing, and tending the flocks of sheep and cattle. We fish and hunt when the farming is done. Men of the family who become Templars give a portion of the wages into the family coffers, and they also earn money or goods when their unit accepts a mercenary contract. The gifts and booty I received from participation in the Battle of Moonbroth allowed me to build a new wing on the Manor House and provided me with my own suit of armor.

All lands ultimately belong to the Sun Dome. Our family status depends on the continued exemplary service of our family. If we do not have a Light Son among us to take my place, our status and wealth will decrease, and you might have to take up the plow.

Honored Father, what is important in my life?

You have achieved moderately well for your age. Advancement is difficult when no major battles occur, but your placement as second officer of the Fisherman Militia Unit is not as bad as you might think. Korinder is a lazy fool, and I expect you will find a way to replace him soon enough. Just make sure you do it without offending his family.

Leadership of the 3rd Militia Unit is just the first step. Your ultimate goal must be to become a Light Son, like me and like your Honored Fathers before me. The honors of the Glowbrows walks with you.

You must prove yourself worthy of a wife, so that I can arrange a good marriage for you. A good dowry makes your life better and makes the family stronger.

In all things, seek to emulate Our Lord Yelmalio and your Honored Forbears.

Honored Father, who rules us?

Count Solanthos Ironpike is the Ruler of all Sun County. In his earlier years he was a great warrior and duelist. Now he leads us with stern wisdom and strong tactical ability. His wisdom and bravery is renowned. Some Light Son will succeed him as Count of the Sun Dome, and it will not be a son of Solanthos. Yelmalio has chosen to geas the Count with abstinence. Some other Light Son will prove himself the best in the County when Solanthos dies. I wonder who it will be?

Honored Father, what makes a man great?

Obedience to the Divine Order of the Sky. All greatness descends from the Throne of Yelm, Emperor of the Universe. Strive to emulate Yelmalio, our god, and you may achieve some measure of his greatness and the greatness that has graced your ancestors.

Honored Father, what is evil?

Chaos is evil. When the Rebel Gods upset the Rule of Yelm, their action destroyed the Divine Order that protected the world. With this protection missing and Yelm dead in the underworld, Chaos could seep into the world from the Void beyond. It destroyed the Mountain of Law, the perch that supported Yelm's throne. Chaos polluted the world, killing gods and men alike. All creatures join together to destroy chaos, even evil beings like trolls and other darkness demons.

Creatures of the dark, like trolls and dwarfs, are evil in their own way. The hideous troll god Zorak Zoran grievously wounded Yelmalio on the Hill of Gold and stole his Fire powers. Trolls steal livestock, eat babies, and hate the Light.

Honored Father, what is my lot in life?

You are lucky many times over. You were born a Yelmalion, and are part of an honorable and wealthy family. Such blessing grants you the opportunity to achieve what only the truly blessed may -- initiation into the inner Light of Yelmalio. Strive to become a Light Son so you may know this great honor.

With honor and glory accruing to you in that position, with a good wife and many strong children, you may hope to pass your years in this manor after I die. Perhaps you may rise to be Light Captain and lead a great cohort onto the field of battle for the glory of Yelmalio and Sun County. Maybe even a higher office awaits you.

Honored Father, how do we deal with others?

You must always defer to your superiors. This is the teaching of the Divine Order, and is not to be questioned. Wise superiors reward their followers as is correct in their eyes.

In matters not involving religion or the welfare of the Sun Dome, your family is most important. You can trust the members of your family to support you as long as you stay on the path of Yelmalio. With the help of kin, your progress through the cult can be greatly eased.

As the son of the Sun deferred to Yelm, you must obey the wishes of your elders in the family, as long as they do not contradict the Holy Word or your military duty.

Even Yelmalio depended on friendship to help him through the dark and difficult times. When times are good, show your friends how much you value them. Most of your friends will be from the cult, since strangers mock our achievements and are often greedy and without honor. Even so, Yelmalio befriended many strange beings in his journeys, and you may find a friend from outside our county.

Most strangers are enemies, either by design or because their ignorance makes them dangerous. While you are enjoined to speak Truth to others from Light cults, the inherent inferiority of everyone else means it makes little difference how you treat them.

You carry the honor of the Glowbrow family with you, and as a Templar, you represent the might and authority of Sun County and the Sun Dome itself. Carry yourself so no one forgets that.

Honored Father, who are our enemies?

The Animal Nomads are our enemies. All the tribes would like to sack the Dome and drive us into slavery and death. This is true even of the Sable Nation, though the Lunars make them behave for now. An occasional individual from the nomads proves himself trustworthy, but most are as sneaky as a weasel, as friendly as a rhino, and as greedy as a pig. You must even be careful in dealing with nomads who follow Yelmalio. They sometimes put their tribe ahead of the cult.

All creatures of Darkness are our enemies. This includes troll, trollkin, and all their demons. They steal from our farms and love to eat people. They are evil horrors.

Orlanthi speak of their honor, but their god showed his honor when he used the power of Death to murder Yelm, after the Emperor had won all fair contests. Orlanthi are always trouble, like the wild winds they worship.

Honored Father, who are our gods?

We worship Yelmalio, the son of the Sun. He is a god of soldiers, Truth, and Light. Our women worship Ernalda, Yelm's Wife. Some relatives and friends devote themselves to other gods of the Sky. Mahome and the other Low Fires protect our hearths.

Honored Father, what is there to do around here?

You must study the arts of war. Prove yourself as a soldier for the Sun Dome, rise in the ranks of the Templars, learn the magics offered by the Light Priests. When you have done these things, and mastered some, then the Priesthood will ask you if you wish to be a Light Son.

Other manly arts await you. Hawking is very popular, though you must ask permission to raise a sacred vrok hawk. Hunting is a worthwhile way to relax, and also may let you discover nomad bandits or broo infestations.

Everyone attends the festivals of the earth when we celebrate the joys of life. You will enjoy this more once you have a wife.


See also:

Cult of Yelmalio


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