| Q: |
Any idea on how one goes about becoming a follower of entities like
the Engizi River or Chalk Man? |
| A: |
Itīs done the same way that someone joins any cult, or Practice.
However, you need to remember that the characteristic of a Landscape Entity
determines the way of worship. That is, it is not an Otherworld Entity, it is
absolutely linked with a part of the physical world (hence, landscape) and it
canīt go wandering around.
Since it has no Otherworld contact, it doesnīt work like a normal Otherworld
entity to be able to give Feats or whatever. Since it is linked to the landscape,
it is generally unsuited to be a Band Guardian. |
| Q: |
These are large,easily seen landscape features, but is it as easy as walking up
and making the right sacrifice? |
| A: |
In most cases people do not become followers of the Landscape entities. The
Landscape entities get occasional worship, when their particular properties
are needed. |
| Q: |
Or do you have to find an existing member in good standing to teach you the
secret handshake? |
| A: |
Many of these entities are part of the local Practices. The local shaman
(or priest, godi, etc.) would know the rituals. However, even they are usually not
members of the religons, just occasional participatns/leaders in the worship. |
| Q: |
Or do you have to find a leader of some sort (are there leaders for this
this sort of "hero band"? It wouldnt' seem obvious). |
| A: |
Almost no Landscape Entity becomes the Guardian of a Hero Band. They are
pretty different functions. A Guardian of a Hero Band has a priority obligation to
its members. The Landscape Entity has a priority obligation to be a hill, river or
whatever. |
| Q: |
From a character creation point of view, I guess it is as easy as saying
"George follows Chalk Man." |
| A: |
Can be done, but not by making Chalk Man a Guardian. Also, see below, there
are significent problems because this is a Local Entity. |
| Q: |
In play I assume the usual 1 HP cost applies, and there may be an ability test
of some sort for some of them (maybe the Engizi wants you to swim, maybe Chalk Man
wants you to get lucky). |
| A: |
Any entity that accepts worshippers wants your loyalty, your sacrifice and
your proper behavior. That is to say, your worship. |
| Q: |
Do you have to stay nearby to make regular sacrifices to stay part of such a
band? |
| A: |
Yes. As a rule. Yes. |
| Q: |
In other words, if George is a follower of Chalk Man, and he moves to Prax to
escape lunar pressure, can he still use Chalk Man's magic to fleece the lunar
soldiers with gambling sticks? Or maybe at first, but after a year he loses the
ability for not having been back to visit? |
| A: |
A year at the most. Probably sooner. The local nature of these entities means
that there is virtually no chance for a normal worhsipper to contact them. You
have to be in the Chalk Man Valley to sacrifice to it. You have to be at the
Engizi River to sacrifice to it. If you are out of touch with the entity, then you
canīt sacrifice to it.
Remember that one characteristic of the local Landscape entities is that they are
inhabiting a part of the physical world, juch as a person is. Only a person is
mobile, and the landscape is not. You canīt got to the Other Side to chat with
Chalk Man. He lives inside that hill over there. |
| Q: |
For that matter, is there any limit to the number of landscape guardians you
can follow? |
| A: |
This is actually a non-question, since most people do not "follow" these
entities. They make sacrifices on an occasional basis, for temporary gain. |
| Q: |
Obviously you can have multiple guardians in a general sense (like clan, war
band, and hero band), and of course iin terms of hero band most groups are somewhat
jealous of your time--if you are part of the Black Thorn Reavers they expect you
to be along pillaging and terrorizing, not always bowing out becuase you are busy
with the Happy Bunny Patting Society. |
| A: |
This is of course the general rule for Guardians of all sorts. But I want to
repeat, Landscape entites are poor Guardians. Most would, I think, absolutely
refuse to bind themselves as a Guardian. |
| Q: |
BUT, landscape guardians have "bands" that would seem less exclusive. |
| A: |
Here Iīll say it again: most of them do not have Bands because they
functionally different from Guardians. |
| Q: |
...presumably you may need particular virtues to join certain of them, but in
most cases it is just "I'm gifting you in return for your protection" without a
real philosophy behind it. So that those living in the area between the Creek and
the Chalk Man may sacrifice to both for their differing protections, and if they
meet Granny Vo in the wilderness to her too, and if there is an Ernalda hill near
them then gift it too.....potentially going to many landscape guardians. |
| A: |
Yep, ABSOLUTELY CORRECT. This is how people interact with their local
landscapes. But again, they do it WHEN NEEDED. It is certainly possible that they
need it all the time, but they still treat it (mechanically) the same way, of
making occasional sacrifices and then getting temporary benefits. |
| Q: |
Anyone have thoughts? |
| A: |
YGWV |
