Memorandum on Eastern World of Glorantha
This Memorundum is Only Outline, and still involves possibility of
many
conjecture and errors without
proof. (For example, I cannot say I understand
the correspondence of each
cycles of Vithela and Gods Age of Dara Happa, and
Heortling.)
This
Rough Report about Gloranthan East is firstly written by Zebraface aka
Terra Incognita known by glorantha-digesters. Mr. Tadaaki Kakegawa aka
(Yel-) Malion
greatly
helped with revealing many materials (and leaking Secrets of GTA
members
(sigh)) and edited Website Article for illuminating Japanese
Glorantha
Fans.
Zebraface owes full responsibility for translating original Japanese Version into
English Version and influence that will cause, he translates it
just before
Interview with Greg Stafford because he thinks he can show it as
a Gift.
Cultural Spheres
As you know, Eastern World can be divided into several spheres, and
one Shared common
View of the World and
Culture, Cultures which hold bigger locality are
combined into One category.
Partition appeared below is rough, and each
parts can be divided into smaller
areas. Mysticism is common, but approaches
to this concept colour the
Locality.
Once, Gloranthan Central World was a Sole One Great Continent which
was
surrounded by circulating Ring-flowed River (aka Sramake
for God Learners),
and there was Great Mountaintop standing in the Center of the Continent
called Imadsalash by Vithelan Mythology, called Spike by
Godlearners. There
was Mountain Chains crossed the Continent from North to
South. After many
submergences by Catastrophies, Lands have split into many parts. Remnants
of
the great mountain chains became ShanShan Mountains (Sensan mountains,
by
Vithelan Pronunciation) and many streams flew in and
became Oceans and Seas.
Human
Races
Vithela
The Land originated Kralorelans (yellow-skinned
people) at Ancient Period.
(There is the Land of Gate of Dawn Theyela further to more East.) It insists
on
itself as the Center of Whole of Eastern World, and it
possesses the
mythology keeping up this doctrine. (That is Greg Stafford's
recent Works
(2000).) But these Mythology are that of Very Ancient Times and
God Age, so
it will rouse scepticism how the modern 17 C Gloranthans of Near
Area would
be familiar with that. (This situation is similar to that of GROY
and
Entekosiad in Pelorian Trilogy) This Land is closer to Hero
Plane-Otherside,
and very magically instilled. So this sphere is not for
mortal humans to
live.
Eastern Archipelago Empire
The Isles which gained Overwhelming Naval Force and Heroes have ruled
over
Near Oceans such as Empire of Hero Jesolo and Chulen Alliance in First
Age,
Golden Mokatan Empire of Second Age, Commonwealth of Halagara in Third
Age. In these
islands, Waking Magicians and Dream Magic have set territory as the sect
of
Mysticism though
Vithelan Mythology avoided as magic of Antigod Avanapdur.
But Mythological
System to Vithelan High Gods have not been lost even if it
is in the
condition of Weakness. (Theism to each of petty Islandish Deities
are
considered relatively harmless by dominant but minor influence of
Mystical
Idealism.)
Vormain
Because of their isolation policy, their (notorious both for Real Gloranthan
Residents near of the Islands and
RW Glorantha Fans) Color Magic, features
of Culture and outlook of the World
are almost unknown for most Glorantha
Residents of Near Areas. But Mysticism Sect have been handed down from
Ancient Age keeps Influence such as that of Sage Nenduren. (Enrono was
a
famous Local Mystic Name) We can easily guess
their Warrior Class (Samurai)
as Strong Power in their
Society.
Valkarist Malkionism
One Malkioni Sect which has
held influence in Northwest Area (South of
Vormain) of Eastern Isles. They
are derived from Western Cultural Sphere of
Sorcery, so from the point of view of Easterners, naturally they are under
the
influence of
Antigods.
The Zone of Nexus between Genertelan Continent and
Vithela
Kralorela
In Kralori Empire, Dragon Magic thrives and it is a Heretical Sect
from the
point of view of Vithelans. by the Vithelan
sense of value, Kralori have
caused Originality of World View by making Centralized System of control,
combination of mandarinic Draconic Magic and
Mysticism. But from the point
of view of Kralori, even other Vithelan Nations
abandoned draconic truth,
they have only kept Ancient orthodox Teaching. (We
cannot say which side is
right or wrong.) And reverence to successive Dragon
Emperors, theistic
worship to the sort of Pelorian Dendara, Gorgorma, Yelm
(though they were
called by other kralori names) show development different
from that of
Vithelans.
Teshnos
This country should be
categorized to another linguistic group area
different from various
kralorelan yellow stock derived from Vithela. Many
Residents who have unique
ethnicity have lived (Nota Bene: "Loper" lived in
Melib Island, they rode
animal which possesses teleportation? ability
bestowed by Blue Moon Worship.
Linguistically, odd residents of Teleos have
connected to Teshnans.) and they have many mythologies which don't share
the
eastern mystical view. (FREX, City
of Glass, Sword of Artmal) Worship to
heavenly bodies and sacred fire keep
strong influence and have similarity to
Pelorian Religion. Sect of Mysticism
is relatively weaker (or absorbed to
other traditions such like idea of reincarnation) than these concepts.
But
there are still many shared myths,
invasion of Antigod Sekever can be fit
into these
cases.
Other Intelligent Races
Hsunchen
(Shapechanger Human)
Ratuki (Shark People) lived in Island Tamanjary
which located between
Vormain and Valkaro Isles. But it was sunk by an attack of Waertagi in
First
Age. Today they have earned living by piracy. People of
Orca (Latin: killer
whale) reveres Thrunhin Dah to gain Power surpassing over
merfolk Zabdamar.
In the zone of ShanShan Mountain, many shapechanger races have lived, they
were exploited by Godlearnish New Dragon Ring against
Kralorelans in Second
Age. Myth of legendary Dragon-Hsunchen (In this
Kralorelan Heretical theory,
Dragon Emperors were brought from this race.)
was utilized by them. IMHO,
they used the mythological pedigree originated
from Dragon Hykim (Hsunchens
call it Korgatsu), Ancestor of All
Animals.
Elf (Aldryami)
Generally speaking, elves exist
where the forest and trees can be found
such as Teshnan Fethlon. They
relatively hold their attitude to human by
friendly, or at least neutral
disregarding. Culturally, AFAIK they show no
difference to the elven kingdoms
of other areas.
Keet
Race of Half-Bird. They have
humanoid-style hands instead of wings. They
are closely related to Genertelan
Duck (Durulz). (But many species of non
intelligent birds are corresponded to
various Keet Species more than Duck
and Durulz.) They lived in the
southeastern Continent of Togaro Ocean, but
it was sunk by the antagonistic Sea Gods. There is a Great Epic which
describes their Exodus. They are fond
of Dream Magic.
Zabdamar Merfolk
This merfolk
race has unique origin different from other piscoi and cetoi
merfolks. "Missing Land" carries the mythology which explains
why they take
Goddess Harantara the master of Sea Kahar as their great-mother. They warred
against Kralorelan Orca Shapechangers. (Please read about head of Hsunchens
for this
contradiction.)
Dragonewt
They inhabit Isle of Wonder (Hum Chang) in Kralorela, and in one
Isle of East
Sea. Perhaps they are all barbarian
Dragonewts and have no inhuman king, but
IMO, they may have some connection
to Kralori Draconic Society.
Races of
Antigods
Andin
Evil Demon Humanoid Race, their king is
Antigod Bandan.
Ede
Dwarvish Small Humanoid.
(Evil)
Erseenes
Evil Specters. Their leader is Antigoddess Arlu. (Mother of Oorsu
Sara)
Iradgenderi
Shapechanger Race.
Their Master is Antigod Avanapdur.
Dwarf
(Mostali)
Dwarves seem to be avoided in Vithelan Mythology as a race of
Western
Logician, in other words, a faction of Antigods. Babadi is the
Vithelan Name
for Octamonist Diamond Mountain
Mostali.
Churenpurese
A Fallen Angel Race fell from heaven by the war of Herespur. They
hate the
World for recalling lost
things.
Mysticism Note
Teachers and
Disciples
Mystics receive training by their teachers. The Tree of their
school
connections is very important for understanding Eastern Mythology. Ooduren
is
their First Founder in Vithelan Mithology, but Kralori, Vormaino and
Teshnan
perhaps don't believe that.
Divine Races also founded such
connections as:
Ooduren / Korudel Star Generator, three Vithelan
Mystic,
Vith / Antigod Dogsalu,
Govemeranen / Wargod Enevar,
Ven Forn /
Kendaramin Polestar.
In God Age, three Sages contested each of their
supremacy against others
for understanding Status of Ooduren, their names are
Nenduren, Larn
Hasamador (Buddhism?) and Mashunasan (Tantric Yogism?). (Don't
confuse them
with Three Sages of Mokatan Empire.) Among them, most important
in Vithelan
Mythology is Mashunasan. He liquidated World Demon Lord Oorsu
Sara with his
Jerema Madoon aka Liberation Bolt. (It is personified
principle, not God.
(Please don't ask me the meaning of these words!)), and he saw through
the
deceit of Avanapdur and expelled him to Dream World. And
by his force of
mercy, Dream Magic became significant by his Oren Parond.
(Dream Magicians
call it Thella.)
Some Important Mystics existed in
other Areas, but they are all disciples
of the Three Sages from the point of
view of Vithela. This category includes
NyangMao (Jainism?) of Kralorela,
Kerendek of Keets, Enrono of Vormain, Chal
of Teshnos. And Kralorelan
Emperors (Lama-Buddhism?) can also be included in
a broad
sense.
Gods and Antigods
Mysticism is method to unify students to Eternal and Indestructible
from
Illusion beyond Time and
Space (which is called in Vithelan as Atrilith
(Perfection?) and Durapdur, or
DuraPradur (Transcendence?)) by meditation
and other measures. Gods who
against this Goal are called Antigods. (But
they often gain Stronger Force than Gods for it in material world.) In
Vithelan
mythology, some existence gave up
ther status of Antigods for becoming a
disciple to a admirable mysticism
teacher or forced to do so, (and this
process is reversible as in the cases of Oorsu Sara and Sheng Seleris.)
But in mythology, their homeland are usually
positioned in Northland (I think this
has similarity to Tolkien's
Silmarillion), Westernland (more precisely,
beyond ShanShan Mountain) or
Hell. Sea Gods are often regarded as Antigods by
Landfolks.
Dream Magic
This idea is coming from the Tales of the Reaching Moon #17 and so
on fanzines.
(It is not Idea of Greg Stafford.)
It conceives Shadow World just backing
the reverse of material world, and
AFAIK if these magicians drew out too
much energies from shadows, they will
take a risk to be absorbed by Shadows.
The Style of Magic is similar to that
of Spirit Magic, but it is stronger
than that, and it is not available except
Area of Eastern Isles.
Marshal Arts
Contempt to
Flesh have often appeared in RW Fundamentalistic Religions. In
Glorantha, One
Sect of Mysticism, Darja Danad adopted the theory which
suggests
reinforcement of Body will intensify spirit, too. He preached the
Worship of
Kabalt, God of Liberation Bolt. (IMHO, that is a sort of effect
of
Japanimation or HongKong Movie which is perceived as Spiritual Missile.)
And
in the process of history, division to Mysticism among Animism, Theism
and
Sorcery toward Dissolution as Status of Harmony (or Eclectical). (In
fragment
of Mythology, Korudel adopted Spirit Worship and made Star
World.)
And it is not difficult to guess that Gods have also adopted
Discipline of
Marshal Arts, but such worship to the sort of Gods contains to
that of
Antigods...(Akorgat and Herespur.) IMO, this idea is come from that
Flesh is
easier to target of Depravity than Spirit.
Makeup of
Gods
As Nysalor in First Age and Zistor in Second Age of Genertela,
sometimes
Ancient Eastern World have tried to makeup Genesis of Gods.
(Avanapdur,
etc...) They are all in a some sense, a factor which collapses
the Balance
of Cosmos. (And they are all
destroyed.)
Cycles
These Cycles are all concluded by a great
war, triumph of justice and
mysticism and defeat of Antigods. Even though
evil temporalily thrives, this
is providence of the world, so called Miracle Rescue.
Creation Cycle
Ten High Gods (Godlearners identified
them with Orlanthi Celestial Courts
and Dara Happan Glorantay.) was born. A gamble of a sea (anti-)goddess
and a land
goddess created Seas and Islands. Evil
Dragon Dogsalu was defeated by the
magical conch shell of Vith (For God
Learners, Aether), and wedded with
Goddess Yothenara, Govemeranen (For God
Learners, Yelm) was given birth by
this connection. By Godlearner Difinition,
this Age is from Creation to
Green Age.
High God
Cycle
Rule of Vith. Antigods plotted to rule over the World, and they
had Robber
Goddess Sedsaru steal the magical Conch Shell. For their misusing
of it,
City of God fell before their Army, and Vith escaped to Heaven.
Enevar, born
from mind of Vith, practised asceticism under tutelage of Sage Govmeranen
(though
he was a member of Antigod Family...) was taught the
weakpoint of the Leader
of Antigod, Keltari. Antigods became anxious his
power, they tried to
defend them by making Ditch into Sea, Lands into Isles.
Anyway their effort
was useless. Golden Age.
God
Cycle
Rule of Govmeranen. Goddess Arlu gave birth to World Demon Lord
Oorsu Sara,
and he ruled Three World. (Heaven, Underworld and Surface) Oorsu
Sara
temporalily submitted by Sage Nenduren, but Demon Lord found a magical
mask
and destroyed his teacher by that magic. At last it was Liberation Bolt
(Jerema Madoon) of
Mashnasan that killed him. And Nexus of Kralorela, Vormain and
Teshnos was
cut off by Sea gods, and Emperor Osdero = Metsyla who ruled these
Area was
drowned.
Demigod Cycle
For Godlearners, Storm
Age and Great Darkness? After War of Oorsu Sara,
Demigods those who were
children of Elemental Gods gathered and made hunt of
remaining Antigods. This
is called "Happy Conquest". But Remained Servants
of Oorsu Sara Tali struck
back, for their New Master Avanapdur secretly
helped them. That is "Atrocity War". Dream God Avanapdur made
from Human ignorant
desires let Sky Tyrant Akorgat conquer Sky World, Master of Huan Too Sekever
attack
Kralorela through his servant
Demigod Herespur. Black Sun rose to Sky World
and city Churenpur fell from
Sky, Imadsalash exploded. Avanapdur deceived
people for he put up a job as he
defeated them in his homeland. Mashunasan
could see through his deception, and expelled him from Mundane World to
Dream World.
(Maybe that incident could be identified to Cosmic Compromise of Orlanthi
for the
Impact?) And lands of Worshippers of
Avanapdur sank under the wave.
Human Cycle
Before 0 ST
Grey Age? Janadi the Engulfer (Once he was a servant of Oorsu Sara
(IMHO
Similar to connection
of Morgoth and Sauron), but dismembered by Darja Danad
in War of Bolt of
Atrocity War.) He got new body made by Human (Maybe
Creation of Nysalor and
Rufelza are imitation of this act?) and fought
against Heroes in this Age again.
In Kralorela, Sekever was taught Marshal Arts from Herespur,
and attacked
Teshnos and Vormain. After Banishment of Avanapdur by
Mashunasan, Martial
Artists, disciples of Darja Danad started to counterattack. This is "Austerity
War".
Sekever was killed by Kralorelan Emperor Vayobi.
Eventually,
Janadi was destroyed in the North Homeland of Antigods, Sortum.
Survived
Antigods escaped to Western World beyond the World Mountain.
(Demonlord
Bandan and Goddess Arlu divided among themselves....)
(I still confuse the division between Cycles like that of Demigod Cycle
and Human Cycle for there is some intentional confusion among other areas
of Empire,
so maybe you should shift or switch these incidents to appropriate place.)
First
Age
Pamaltelan Sea Antigod Debaday was once an enemy of Keet, and he
fought
against profligate Sea Hero Jesolo and was killed. Waertagi and Empire
of
Jesolo were friendly in this age and held a trade communication. In
Kralorela, emperor Yanoor ruled and experienced Sunstop.
Second Age
Reign of Isle Mokato and her three Sages (Eranth Eyoon, Serd Marnad, Reha
Manari).
End of prosperity of Mokatan Empire was concluded
by the loyal submission to their Island God Hobimarong.
Sage ShangHsa used the mystery of Reincarnation, birthed to EWF as hero
Jerem, and
Seshnela as Gilam de Estau, in this process he corrupted and
became Worst
Antigod. For this consequence, Kralorela and Teshnos were
temporalily conquered by Godlearners and New (or False) Dragon Ring. But
they were
finally to fall
before the counterattack of Natives. And ocean traffic was
closed by the Closing. Though small ship could be used among in the small
island
Easterners.
Third Age
A chieftain of Pentan Nomad, named Sheng
Seleris was seduced by Evil God
Zolathi under the mystical-torture of Kralori and converted to the status
of Antigod.
He for a short while built a Great Empire
including Kralorela and Dara Happa
in Genertela. But he was defeated by
Western Red Moonies.
And by recent Opening of Dormal, Haragala rose as
Great Naval Power and by
guide of their Island God Lumavoxoran.
See Mythological Maps in Issaries Site.
End of Memorundum.
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