Prosopaedia

Who's Who Among Gloranthan Gods and Goddesses

originally published in Gods of Glorantha

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.

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Table of Contents

Earth Witch Earthmaker East Isles Gods Ehilm Eiritha
Elder Gods Empress Earth Ernalda Etyries Eurmal
the Exarchs

Earth Witch

Elf, Hsunchen, and Pamalt pantheons -- grandmother earth, an Old God

This elderly goddess does for the gods what the old woman who lives just outside town does for a village. She makes potions, blesses things, sends spirits, and preserves the old lore for those who need it. She sometimes has other names.

She is rendered as an elderly woman of the local race, decorated with a necklace and belt of charms, and holding forward a jar, gourd, or other container.

Earthmaker

Hsunchen and Praxian pantheons -- the Great Spirit

This entity lives beyond the realm of normal spirits and gods, being omnipotent and all-encompassing. He made the world and all things in it. He can be reached only through diligent effort and the magics of the Horned God. Earthmaker is never shown in pictures or sand paintings.

East Isles Gods

Eastern pantheon -- insular gods

see
Araganthosas, Comb and Braid, Hobimarong, Lumavoxoran, Saliligor, Two-Headed Dragon and Kindly Swan

Each of the East Isles has its own special god, who is worshiped by that island's residents. Each god is unique, and over a thousand are known though only a few are covered in this text.

Ehilm [EE-hilm]

Malkioni pantheon -- the sun, a false god

Ehilm is the name by which westerners personify the sun. Their fairy tales describe a powerful being who gained the knowledge to create the solar powers. He refused to share his secrets and used them for selfish ends and was, thus, condemned to a life without Solace.

Ehilm is sometimes pictured in western manuscripts as a golden-armored knight bearing arms which show a yellow sun displayed on a white field.

Eiritha [igh-REE-thuh]

Praxian and Yelm pantheons -- herd mother

This is the cow-mother. She is the source of fecundity and rich milk for all hoofed and horned creatures. Every farmer or herder calls her by whatever local animal he favors.

Eiritha is usually shown as a larger-than-life version of the popular local animal. Sometimes, especially among the Praxians, she is shown as a human-headed version of the beast, or as a beast-headed woman.

For more information on Eiritha, see the Cult of Eiritha.

Elder Gods

Dwarf, Elf, and Yelm pantheons

see
Glorantha, Grower, Maker

This is a collective term for a group of ancient deities, all of surpassing power, and all of whom are only vaguely understood by modern folk.

Empress Earth

Yelm pantheons -- Celestial Court goddess of elemental earth

This goddess is the personification of the broad and bountiful earth, third-born of the elements. While she lay upon the Great Ocean she meditated upon the forms and powers within herself and bore a great number of children, often without the aid of a partner. So rich was the Empress that life teems within and upon her.

Ernalda [er-NAHL-duh]

Orlanth pantheon -- earth mother

The bountiful mother of life is the source of all sustenance. Reverence for her should stem from every living creature. Plants and animals, both wild and domestic, are her children. She is fruitful and generous. Even trolls are said to love her, because she is so good to rob.

She is usually depicted as a happy matron, typically with a bunch of keys at her belt, a basket overflowing with edible fruits and meats hangs from one hand, and with the seven Orlanthi wedding bracelets encircling her arm.

For more information on Ernalda, see the Cult of Ernalda.

Etyries [he-TEER-eez]

Lunar pantheon -- messenger of the Goddess

Several humans became demigods and filled roles in the Lunar pantheon. One of these was the frustrated daughter of a southern merchant who went to hear the word of the Red Goddess. She listened well, learned what the goddess meant, and worked her way to become Etyries, goddess of merchants, messengers, and heralds. In becoming a goddess, Etyries usurped spells and skills possessed by other deities.

She is usually pictured as a wide-eyed woman thrusting a balance scales forward in her right hand, and clutching a sacred urn to her breast with her left.

Eurmal [YUR-mahl]

Orlanth pantheon -- the trickster, one of the Lightbringers

see also Trickster

This troublemaker is a jester and a fool, but armed with divine energy and power. His tricks change the world, his pranks create or destroy. Sometimes his jokes are harmless, such as when he attended an important banquet and made all the gods' clothing transparent. Eurmal can be helpful, as illustrated when he distracted the gate guards of Hell so that the Lightbringers could slip by. Often he is malicious, as when he ate all of the flying raccoon babies. He is as often the butt of jokes as he is the prankster.

Eurmal is a self-indulgent buffoon. Eating, drinking, and fornicating are his favored activities; thievery and callousness are his entertainments. Every sensible deity throws this bum out of his pantheon if he can, and every sensible human throws any worshiper out of his house. Only Orlanth can (sometimes) control him.

Eurmal is usually shown provocatively dressed and impishly grinning, often with sharp teeth. With one hand he holds a leather bag of tricks while he makes an obscene gesture with the other.

the Exarchs [EKS-arks]

Eastern pantheon -- masters of the cosmic mystery

The exarchs, also termed Lesser Dragon Kings, are a band of divine functionaries who govern the territories of the Kralorelan empire. Each exarch rules one province and, though a mortal man, is worshiped by the common people. The exarchs themselves worship the current emperor. Through the worship provided by their subjects the exarchs attain great spiritual mastery with which to serve their people.

The exarchs garb themselves in elaborate regalia for public appearances. Each dominion of the Kralorelan Empire has its own distinctive fashion for the decoration of its exarch.


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