<TI Note1> |
<<TI Note1: After Greg Stafford wrote Pelorian Trilogy, he induced many new things
on Dara Happa. A mythology about Stars and Stargazers. Babylonian - like
Religion and Style should be considered...but I think I can try to conciliate
it and Greg's writing. But please note my preference to esoteric matter
and mysticism bend greatly to Gnosticism of Near East before Islam.
My
obscure image about Yuthuppa
http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~BLUEMAGI/SimcityDHYuthuppa.htm
See also Greg's squabbling about Star Towers and Solar Towers in Supplement
Con of Tokyo. He said if its map should be officialized, you should add
many Star Towers around the city aside from Original Buildings.>>
Reference: Glorious ReAscent of Yelm:
p. 54 Scepter of Order
p.79 Celestionomy
p.83 The Young God
See also my site http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~BLUEMAGI/lightfore.htm
p.84 The Star Time and Stargazers
p.85 Yuthuppan Star Story Towers>>
Reference: GROY
P.2
Yuthuppan Copper Ledger
(It is perhaps one of original text of GROY for Plentonius, of course it
was already scattered and lost in Yelmgatha's Era.)>>
So I like to identify this city with a city on a artificial lake, like
Tenochititolan or Venice, but I know you have another and more confirmed
Idea. But Glorantha: Introduction to Hero Wars p. 106 teaches "This
form was maintained even after the city of Yuthuppa was divided by the
Oslir River's change of course in the Dawn Age." (though there is
a possibility that the Author confused Raibanth with Yuthuppa) GROY seems
no mention about the Flood which sunk or division by the attack of Water.>>
|
Yuthuppa
Follow the Light
Theocrisas
slowly poled the gondola along the quay. When fastening the rope
he made out
a school of Light-Fish in the canal's troubled water, with
bright, iridescent
colors. The fine air carried the sweet fragrances of
Aldrya's precious woods,
close by the pier he had climbed up. With pounding
heart, he raised his eyes
to the lofty circular platforms that towered in
the middle of the city. He
knew that up there, in the Sacred Acropolis near
the Golden Torch of Yuthu,
Helena was burning after his body. He still could
not understand how her
noble husband could neglect her, she who was Uleria's
equal in beauty as in
erotic games. |
Foundation and History of Yuthuppa
|
When Yuthu was born from Yelm and River Goddess Oslir's adulterous union,
Polestar God Polaris offered to foster the young bright-futured god. But
Ernalda wouldn't hear it that way and, jealous of that childbirth, refused
to bring up Yuthu. Thus it was decided that Polaris would give the infant
god the teachings of Divine Life. <TI Note2>
|
<<TI Note2: Perhaps as you already know, "Yuthu" means God and Yuthuppa
means God Ship in Dara Happan Language. (See last of this writing of Jerome
Blondel's note for "the Ship". I don't know where you caught
such idea.) I don't know such set is suitable for Anaxial, Buserian or
One of Dayzatar's servant (Lightfore?)
|
Gorgorma, Ernalda's dread sister, stood up for her and threatened to attempt
against the child's life. But Oslir's beloved child was protected by her
mighty foster-father who rose him on top of a hill close by the Oslir River's
bank, where three Imperial Griffins lived. They agreed to take charge of
the Yuthu's upbringing. So that his life be protected, Oslir flowed out
of her curse and in a time she dug myriad canals around the future city,
thus embracing Yuthu with her protective arms. <TI Note3>
|
<<TI Note3: I prefer attributing Phoenix (or some kind of Bird, Vrimak) on Yuthuppa
to doning same as Griffin (it was called Galgarenge in GROY and Anaxial
Roster), please see GS's note about Six Chips of Yelm. In my idea, Griffin
is a Guardian of Raibanth as it was the Guardians of RW Persepolis.>>
|
The city was finally built, and called Yuthuppa in honor of Yuthu. Three
high circular platforms were raised to the glory of the Sun Disk. Yuthu,
with help from the Griffins, mastered the deepest secrets of Light and
Fire. When he was successful, Yuthu decided to make that emblems of Light
that would drive away any aggression from Gorgorma. Those were the first
Sacred Torches. Ever since, the Cult of Yuthu has held the secret of the
famous torches of Yuthuppa, which remain alight during a week and water
does not extinguish. <TI Note4>
|
<<TI Note4: I don't know the term of "Acropolis" is suitable for the New
Setting...but if you use this term as a place inside of Greek City states
for their citizens, I can say that the earlier stage of Babylonian City
States also administrated by Populace inside of City Wall, before they
began to makeup Great Scale Kingdoms.>>
|
During the Gods War, Yuthu fiercely struggled against the trolls. The city
fell several times, but the Acropolis never fell to darkness hands. In
230 ST, after the Battle of Argentium Thri'ile, Yuthuppa was freed from
the Pent nomads by the Yelmic forces who founded the empire of Dara Happa.
The whole First Age was a time of unequated prosperity for Yuthuppa.
On the other hand, the Second Age was less favourable. Pentan raids started
again, and in several occasions they managed to take the city. But the
most important event was when the Tripolis fell to the eager hands of the
EWF.
The Yelmic cults had to bow down in front of the powerful Dragon magic.
Only after the Dragonkill Battle in 1100, which ended the empire, did Yuthuppa
breathe again. (It should be noted that, for one of History's many tricks,
Yelmites were the main victims of the Dragonkill War, being the spearhead
of the attack against the Dragons).<TI Note5>
|
<<TI Note5: There is no description about Carmania Empire (it was written before
King of Sartar?)>>
|
During the Third Age, Yuthuppa recovered from its wounds and thrived again.
Of course the rise of the Lunar Empire was the most important event for
Yuthuppa. Like the rest of the Tripolis at the very beginning, Yuthuppa
welcomed the Red Goddess favourably. Thus, in the XIIIe century, Yuthu,
with advice from his brother, allowed the Red Goddess to enter the city.
Then Yuthuppa became an ally of the new empire. But during the First Wane,
as the emperor tried to establish a true theocracy, the three Yelmic cities
rose up. The rebellion was broken in 1285 (1/38) by the Lunar forces. Yuthuppa
became a full city of the empire. They anyway recognized the predominance
of the Solar Pantheon deities, and the Yuthuppans continued to worship
their blazing gods.
During the Third Wane, Yuthuppa was the scene for the first battle between
Sheng Seleris' Pent nomads and the Lunars in 1375 (3/20). The city fell
in nomad hands, but they did not raze it out of respect for Yelm. Only
in the early Fourth Wane was Yuthuppa freed by Yara Aranis. The city slowly
recovered again, welcoming defeated former nomads. <TI Note6>
|
<<TI Note6: I cannot agree with it, Kargzanite and Sheng Seleris worshipped their
Kargzant with their own way, not by corrupted civilization (though one
of them at least tried to become DH emperor by Ten Tests as Hirenmadori
and Hyaloring in FS. And Martin Laurie said there are some Jenarong Cults
thrive in this city (I guess Kalikos, Jenarong and Vuranostum can be added
in this list.) ) War with Sheng Seleris (3/20) and Retreating Army from
Dara Happa (4/54) can explain the reason why this city was so Pelandan
(Greek-) Styled in your set.
First Battle (3/20)
http://www.glorantha.com/library/history/hle-3wane.html#nomad-invasion
Slaughter
in Yuthuppa (4/54)
http://www.glorantha.com/library/history/hle-4wane.html#battle-kitor
IMHO, Nomads try to set free their family while under the Siege of Lunars,
and resorted to a scorched earth policy. And IMO Magnificus or Artifex
Restoration induced many Pelandan Architectures.>>
|
During the Fifth and Sixth Wanes, the city found back some of its former
glory, but to the cost of an increasingly heterogeneous populace.
|
|
Overview
|
Yuthuppa is the third city of the Tripolis, Lunar Empire's most densely
urbanized area. The three great cities, Alkoth, Raibanth and Yuthuppa,
used
to be the glorious capitals of the Dara Happan Empire. Today they form
the urban core of Solar culture. <TI Note7>
|
<<TI Note7: And maybe strangely sounds, it is the newest city of Tripolis if Yuthubars
isn't former Yuthuppa because it was founded after the Flood. Jerome thinks
it was Senthoros.
Jerome's saying about the Ark and Yuthuppa: (It's true. The authors didn't
know that, but when they devised Yuthuppa as a several-tiered city built
on a hill, they were so close to the truth. Anaxial's Ship is not an actual
ship, it's a flying (or floating) ziggurat, very UFO-like... (I also think
that later during the Sky Wars there was an UFO crash in the east and Buserian
was the only survivor. When he came to Yuthuppa with the nomads, he taught
the locals their true origins and how to properly contact the Star People.)>> |
Yuthuppa shelters some 30,000 souls within its walls. From an economic
perspective it is an important city of the Lunar Empire, for it controls
all trade to the north of the Empire. Yuthuppa also collects trade goods
from the Eastern nomads and the Northern guardians of First Blessed. Its
religious importance is foremost, for Yuthuppa is the city where the Fire
and Light cults are the most commonly worshipped by people. The priests
of Yelm hold religious and political power and may take decision without
asking any advice to the Red Goddess. Yuthuppa is thus considered as a
holy city by Yelmites and Yelmalions in Glorantha, et its power is embodied
by the City Cult of Yuthu, who created the Sacred Torches. <TI Note8>
|
<<TI Note8: Yuthuppa has 80,000 (more than 75,000 of Raibanth) in Martin Laurie's
setting of ILE. So it must be the city should be enlarged or endure much
overpopulation of your calculation if you accept his set. My friend taught
me a indian city overclowded inside narrow area, maybe it would fell to
uncomfortable, I think it can be status quo of these people inside of a
radius of 4 km of a Circle in the beautiful map.>>
|
Politics and Administration
|
The government of Yuthuppa could almost be compared with a theocracy if
paradoxically the Lunars had not got involved into it. The city is ruled
by the Hierophant, High Priest of Yelm and Holy Priest of Yuthu, whose
noble lineage dates back to Yuthu himself. All decisional power concerning
the city is in his hands. Two councils assist him in his task: a Private
Council and a Public Council. The Private Council consists in the Hierodules,
all Priests of Yelm the Elder descended from the most noble families in
Yuthuppa. The Public Council is much larger. It consists in the following:
<TI Note9> |
<<TI Note9: I think in this point, I think Yuthu can be identified with Anaxial. And I think the High Priest was called the Captain of the Ship...though perfectly IMHO, and I think Yuthuppans revere Vrimak Aspect of Yelm, because Dayzatar bestowed BIRD (soul?) to humanity and Rinliddi is close to Yuthuppa.>>
|
E The High Priest of Yuthu; leader for the city's religious business.
He leads the sacred ceremonies, heads the Torch Guild, empowers new Priests
of Yuthu, and above all takes care of the relations with the other cults.
The High Priest is a pivotal point in relations between the Lunars and
the Yelmites. Current High Priest Bhono is very active and popular, because
of his splendid sung ceremonies that strengthen the Yuthuppans' morale.
<TI Note10>
|
<<TI Note10: I think you can identify him with Doje (Governor) of Venice while ceremony to Oslir River if you tolerate my idea, only suggestion. Maybe priests of Vrimak from Rinliddi surround him and raise pigeons as their guardian spirits as Anaxial do.>>
|
E The Satrap of First Blessed. His office at the Council is honorary and
his taking part in the Council's daily decisions is remote for he is fully
busy with his own Satrapy's administration. It must be noted that his palace
is in the Public Quarter, among the buildings that hold his administration.
The Satrap willfully delegates his power to his "religious advisor",
that is the Red Goddess initiate whose duty is to oversee his job. This
allows the Satrap to get rid of that man, and as an initiate of the Red
Goddess (Three Crowns aspect) is a very powerful person, he may influence
the Council.
<TI Note11>
|
<<TI Note11: Current Satrap of First Blessed is Taran Il family.>>
|
E The Optimatus. He stands for traders, craftsmen, guildmembers and the rest of the city too. The current Optimatus is very concerned with the creeping poverty and anarchy which threaten the downtown. He hurries other council members to take decisions with respect to this matter. He is supported by the populace and customers of the noble houses, but clashes with the Private Council's hostility.
E The Priest of Polaris, finally, gives advice as to the city's religious
and military life. The current Priest fears a new invasion from Pent and
thus would like to set up a general conscription.
The Hierophant relies on and must listen to both Councils, but he eventually
gets the final word. He is assisted by a body of city servants chosen among
the Priests and worthy Initiates of Yuthu. Usually they are noblemen but
many Lunars hold those administrative ranks which are sneezed at by the
young Yelmic nobility, interested in less altruistic pleasures. Thus, even
if the city is ruled by a Yelmite, it is administered by Lunars.
<TI Note12>
|
<<TI Note12: I think Buserian Cult and its monopoly to knowledge (to writing) before
Dawn still survive in this age and got political power though they normally
retain neutral to ordinal affairs, and guilds and facilities by the School
of Buserium were identified with a sort of City Gods rather than Anaxial,
of course IMHO.>> |
Those city servants' duties are to collect and manage the city taxes, to
keep records of the births and deaths, and to take care of the dead's cremation
after the seven days' traditional mourning. Once in the season, they distribute
food to the poor and to the customers of noble houses. They control the
sale, the making and prices of guild-produced goods. They direct the Scatophagi
(canal cleaners), protect the Sacred Peacocks and care for all gardens
throughout the city. Finally, they take care of law affairs. They are divided
in corps, each one taking care of one of the afore-mentioned tasks. There
are a Tax Office building, a Funeral Office building, etc..<TI Note13>
|
<<TI Note13: Thank you for your concern. (Though you don't need to go with over estimation
as I (I think Yuthuppans feed the dead to birds as Zoroastrians...)>> |
The city police is ensured by the Carmina Pax and is controlled by the
Satrap of First Blessed. The Carmina Pax of Yuthuppa is not overly corrupt
and fiercely struggles against all thieves in the city. It also represses
the paupers' riots. Lately, a peaceful White Moon demonstration was violently
repressed in the Bronze and Public Quarters.
<TI Note14> |
<<TI Note14: I think inter security is dominated by Polaris Cult at least in Yuthuppa,
as the Star controls the routine of Sky World and Celestial Bodies except
some bodies.>>
|
Law
|
The legal system of Yuthuppa mixes the Yelmic and Lunar systems. Cases
between individuals are run in conformity with the Lunar model. Each participant
may have a lawyer and the dispute is settled by a council of judges who
follow Lunar laws. Lawyers are independent and in Yuthuppa, the judges
depend on the council and not the Satrap as in the rest of the empire.
However, crimes and offences are punished according to Yelmic tradition:
for a theft a hand cut off, for a rape sex cut off, an armed attack two
hands cut off, a murder head cut off.
Offences (trampling a peacock, disturbing a garden, urinating on a public
building) are subject to a suppression of citizenship. The Yelmites thus
have very stern etiquette. Originally non-noble people had to prostrate
themselves in front of a nobleman, otherwise he could have them killed
on the spot. With the stream of time and under Lunar influence, this practice
changed. Commoners must still bow down but any breach of this etiquette
only means temporary loss of citizenship (Permanent loss is in case of
repetition). Yuthuppa has banned all weapons or armours from inside its
walls. Any warlike instrument has to be stored in a depot with a cloak-room
system. Only Yelmite and Pelorian nobles, as well as military and the Carmina
Pax, are not subject to that rule. Any breach of that law means loss of
citizenship and more importantly exhibition at the pillory on the public
plaza for a week. Godday is Holy Day, and nobody may work.
<TI Note15>
|
<<TI Note15: I agree with Yuthuppan revere some kind of birds overall, but maybe Peacocks are more suitable to more warm (southern) Dara Happa....? But in Oslir, there are Crocodiles, so I cannot deny your idea.>>
|
Cults in Yuthuppa
Yuthuppa is one of the most religious cities of old
Dara Happa. Light and
Fire gods are predominant here, although they still do
not outshine the Red
Goddess. |
Sky and Fire
Gods |
|
Yelm
Yelm gets worship from most of the Yuthuppans. His main temple is located
in the Acropolis and dominates all others. Hundreds of shrines dot the
city, built by devout worshippers. They are often shaped as a small circular
temple with columns supporting a dome and low-reliefs showing Godtime scenes.
Sometimes they are adorned with ex-votos and many offerings are left inside
the shrine. <TI Note16>
|
<<TI Note16: I think Yelm is worshipped in different style from Raibanth as Alkothians revere him as an aspect of their Shargash. As I mentioned at the head of this letter, I think some Rinliddian style was induced in this city. IMG, at the center of this city, the Great Tower (I called it Cathedral but it should be renamed to some babylonian style...E-Temen-Anki?) is as a Symbol of Yuthuppa and remained as a Center of worship to Intellectual Yelm (Vrimak?), Dayzatar and Young God (Who is Yelm who goes the opposite of Sphere of Yelm = Lightfore.) I don't think Yelmic Temple were built with Greek Style. But I don't have another idea.>>
|
Yelmalio
Yelmalio is mostly worshipped by the soldiers and mercenaries who dwell
in Silver Quarter, near the barracks and military harbour. This god has
two temples in the city, one at the Acropolis and the other at the barracks
of the Heavenly Spear Phalanx. <TI Note17>
|
<<TI Note17: There is no Yelmalio Worship in Gregged Dara Happa. I don't think he is worshipped in Dara Happa even as in the name of Deyseneras. See Martin Laurie's History of Imperial Army report: originally from Yuthuppa regiments are Prow Riders (Anaxial) and Star Captains (Polaris), Commet Seers. (I think their daimons are Starseers.) I can add Vanyoramet and Young God if you want esoteric flavour.>>
|
Polaris
(Truth Fire Harmony)
As Yuthu's patron, Polaris is quite broadly worshipped in the city. His
worshippers honor him as the king of Heavens, master of Celestial Harmony,
rather than general of the celestial forces. Only officers worship the
latter aspect of Polaris, especially through the cults of the Star Captains
who protect the city. The Temple of Polaris is located above the Oslir
River, and forms the fifth branch of the star which is formed by the city
wall's shape. <TI Note18> |
<<TI Note18: I like this idea.>>
|
Lokarnos
Lokarnos, god of trade in the Yelmic Pantheon, plays a very important role
in Yuthuppa. The cult regulates most activities in the city. They strike
the Yuthuppan coins and even the gold wheels of the Satrapy. They also
regulate the traders' and crafters' guilds.
His temple is located in Azure Quarter and not the Acropolis, for this
god is of common origin. Shrines can be found in the bazaar, and important
deals are struck there. A special temple is located in the Public Quarter
and is in charge of coining.
|
|
Dayzatar
This god is only worshipped by the most fanatical Yelmites. There is only
one temple dedicated to Dayzatar, on the Acropolis, and it looks more like
a monastery than a normal temple.<TI Note19>
|
<<TI Note19: IMG, many Dayzatarian Mystics stayed before Sheng Invasion inside of Central Tower and watched over the mundane lives with their inhuman perception. But Sheng Seleris destroyed their residence and the Mystics went somewhere Sheng could never find, after that Lunars tried to call back former inhabitants inside of the "Cathdral" but failed, and today there is only minor class of Mystics live inside the Cathedral. I don't know well about the role of Ouranians in DH, but I think her cult and its virgin priestesses also holds some power inside of City Wall, maybe as Mystic Cult, or defenders of Women Right. >>
|
Yuthu
(Light Mastery Harmony)
Torch God and City
God.
Yuthu is one of Yelm's three twin sons who form the Tripolis of Dara Happa:
Alkoth, Raibanth and Yuthuppa. Established in that city founded thanks
to Polaris, Yuthu was quickly successful in mastering Fire and Light powers
under the wise guidance of his Griffin teachers. He used his knowledge
to create his masterpiece: the Golden Torches that allowed him to fight
against Oslir and his other foes. His main temple is on the Acropolis,
and some 150 shrines are scattered throughout town.
<TI Note20> |
<<TI Note20: This setting is Gregged and Yuthu was not twin brother of other three cities any more, but I think I can replace it to Buserian Cult. because Buserian is also a son of Yelm and brother of Murharzarm (Raibamus?) and Shargash. Though there is some difficulty to the setting between ordinary City Gods and a sort of Lhankor Mhy Cult in RQ setting, HW can make good loophole for it. It is only suggestion. But I think one of his subcult rules this city. I think their good administrators are named after Starseers who helped starved people with Star Lores. And IMO they held some anachronistic subcults surviving from Ancient time with Gomengaust-style on each Star story towers..>>
|
Initiation
The candidate must be a citizen of Yuthuppa (that is, born in the city,
inscribed on the city records by his father or tutor, a citizen himself
or having been in the city for more than five years), and must sacrifice
a point of POW.
Note: Yuthu's divine magic can only be used inside the city, as well as
that of his associate cults.
Spirit Magic: Light, Ignition, Lightwall, Repair,
Farsee.
Initiates must sacrifice Power once every three years in order to receive
the divine spell Golden Torch. If the initiate does not follow that rule,
he loses his status and thus cannot gain divine magic from Yuthu.
Priesthood
The candidate must be a citizen and son of a citizen, and must be able
to speak and write Pelorian and Firespeech at 90%. Becoming a Priest of
Yuthu is more of a political business rather than religious career. But
the candidate must have sacrificed at least five times for the Golden Torch
spell.
Common Divine Magic: Excommunication, Mindlink, Sanctify, Ward, Worship
Yuthu, Divination, Extension Special Divine Magic: City Harmony, Golden
Torch
Golden Torch
By touch,
special duration, nonstackable, reusable
That spell allows to create, from a golden torch made by Yuthu's guild, a special flame that will burn the torch during a whole week, with the range of a lantern and making the flame resistant to any lack of oxygen. Only a Dispel Magic could put it out.
Associate Cult: Yelm provides Command Griffin, Fight Disease and
Shield.
<TI Note21> |
<<TI Note21: it should be changed to Command Vrok spell. IMO.>>
|
Dendara
Dendara is mostly worshipped by Yelmite wives in the city. Her cult is
very widespread in poor quarters where she protects the rejects. Her temple
is inside that of Yelm. Every home has an altar, usually in the women's
quarters, where a flame continually burns and where offerings are given
to the generous goddess. It is said that certain women who persist in defending
their rights worship dread Gorgorma in secret societies.
<TI Note22> |
<<TI Note22: Dendara lost the attribute of her earth element of old setting and became
Planet Goddess in GROY, IMO there are many earth Goddesses' Cult aside
from that of Dendaran, at least Thilla and Oria, and Pera should be mentioned.
If I can decide, I will add Entekos though she is a sort of foreign goddess.>>
|
Uleria
Uleria is one of the most popular goddesses in the city. She worshipped
in all of her shapes. Her temple is in the Acropolis and annexes have been
built in every quarter of the city. It must be noted that the winning team
of the Gold Ring Tournament has free access to the Uleria temples for a
season. This is due to the sacred Ulerian prostitutes' special role as
game referees.<TI Note23> |
<<TI Note23: Uleria should be outlawed if rigid Yelmites or Antirius Overseer camethis
city, because Uleria became Evil Goddess, the corpse of Love of Glorantay
in God's Wall. But prostitution is oldest job for human society. Other
jobs were perhaps taken by other less troublesome women cults.>>
|
Yelorna
The star goddess is the only refuge for women who refuse the Yelmic system.
The cult is relatively weak but maintains an elite cavalry unit. Her temple
is on the Acropolis.<TI Note24>
|
<<TI Note24: There is no woman warrior cult in Yuthuppa, IMO. If you must want similar
cult in Yuthuppa it should be Lunar Cult though Yelorna Cult is hostile
to Lunars in other land.>>
|
Lunar Pantheon |
|
The Red Goddess
She is worshipped by a major part of the population, but very few of her
worshippers are initiates. There are some two hundred initiates of the
Red Goddess, a hundred and five of which belong to the Examiner subcult.
Lay members merely lay offerings at the foot of the altars that dot the
city, and follow the processions on holy days. Her temple is located on
the Acropolis. Only the most patriotic of Yelmite nobles do not pay homage
to that woman who became a goddess during Time, and to her half-Light powers.
<TI Note25>
|
<<TI Note25: I think Zaytenera and Verithurusa Cult are in Yuthuppa. because she was daughters of Yelm and sometimes identified with the Planet of Dayzatar if Lunars can overcome the opinion of traditionalists.>>
|
The Seven Mothers
Only the subcults of Deezola, Irripi Ontor, Teelo Nori, Yanafal Tarnils
and Danfive Xaron are fully worshipped in Yuthuppa. Two cults play an important
role: Irripi Ontor is in care of the young citizens' education, and Teelo
Nori cares for the poor with efficiency.
<TI Note26> |
<<TI Note26: I think there is a sort of religious priority for this city, because
Duke Yanafal and Irripi began to revolt against Bull Shah in this city.
Maybe many pilgrimage find a starting point for their journey to Torang.>>
|
Etyries
Unlike what could be thought, the cult of Etyries is not in competition
with Lokarnos. The two cults walk hand in hand. Etyries fulfils the same
functions as Lokarnos in the city. Their temples are party-walled. The
Etyries cult of Yuthuppa has a special body of initiates called Heralds
of the Flame. They are in charge of special announcements made by the Satrap
of First Blessed or the Hierophant of Yuthuppa. They always carry a sacred
Torch of Yuthuppa.
|
|
Hon-Eel the Artess
Hon-Eel is only worshipped by peasantry who come and sell their goods in
Yuthuppa. In such a major city, there is no room for a grain goddess. But
the Yuthuppans do not forget that she is also the goddess of arts. Her
temple is on the Acropolis.
<TI Note27> |
<<TI Note27: If HonEel did same as in Raibanth, she is revered as an Architect, too.
IMG.>>
|
Yara Aranis
The Yuthuppans have often suffered from attacks of Pent nomads, and even
since the nomads' defeat, they continue to fear such invasion. Thus they
worship terrible horse-eating goddess Yara Aranis. It must be noted that
Yuthuppans with Pent origins (they are numerous) worship that deity to
protect themselves against her, and offer her propitiatory sacrifices of
horses. Her temple is located on the Acropolis and merely consist in a
circular line of columns (cf. Gods of Glorantha cover).
<TI Note28> |
<<TI Note28: I think they also revered some Bird Gods of Rinliddi as guardians against
Horse Nomads.>>
|
Nysalor
Nysalor/Gbaji, god of Illumination, is only worshipped by initiates of
the Red Goddess within the city. He remains a respected god, especially
by the most mystic citizens.
<TI Note29>
|
<<TI Note29: In FS, there are many Esoteric and Aestetic cult were induced in Gregged
Dara Happa, I can choose some such like Jernotian Mystics or Rashorana
aside from Orthodox "Order of Day"s. Maybe some White Moonies
and Arkat Devilites in Dark Area?>>
|
Other
Deities
|
|
Thief Gods
As every city, Yuthuppa has its share of thieves. But because of the strength
of the Yuthu cult and the harshness of Yelmic law, thieves are rarer than
elsewhere. Most hide in Copper or Bronze Quarters. Two thief gods are known,
Lanbril and the Gold Grafters.
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Donandar
The god of music and dance is present in the city but only worshipped by
actors, for dancers prefer Hon-Eel or Polaris's wife. His temple is near
the arena in Brass Quarter.
<TI Note30> |
<<TI Note30: Perhaps Hyraos and Molamin should be listed here, as Chalana is replaced
by Erissa though I cannot find significant difference.>>
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Humakt
A few irreductible Humakti exist in Yuthuppa. They are very few and worship
their god's morbid aspect. They are only tolerated within the city, for
the Yelmalions persecute them. Their half-illicit temple is in Copper Quarter
near the harbour.
<TI Note 31> |
<<TI Note31: Perhaps Carmanians.>>
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Chaos Gods
Only two Chaos gods were successful in "settling" the city. They
are very weak and very actively fought against. But because of their extremely
secretive nature, they managed to cause a couple of major stirs. The Satrap's
uncle converted to Krarsht and was put to death in 1619 when it was discovered.
The two Chaos cults are those of Krarsht and Thanatar. The temples' locations
are unknown, of course. |
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Peacocks
Those winged creatures are sacred birds in Light cults. They are free to
wander about the city and must not be disturbed for any pretext. Thus a
peacock which spreads its tail may block a bridge for dozens of minutes
and nobody has the right to kick it away. In such occasion, the fatalistic
Yuthuppans sit down and wait.
<TI Note32> |
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<<TI Note32: Perhaps more cold area suited birds?>>
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Heliocanths
Rich Light sons call them heliocanths but most people simply call them Light-fish. Those strange fish are the bounty of a quest by Yuthu. In order to thank Oslir for her love and protection, he took his torch, armour and shield and left the city to go down to Hell. He came back wounded but carried a transparent ball holding thousands of small luminous eggs. After a long ritual, the ball was shattered above the river. Millions of phosphorescent larvae were scattered into the river and sealed the agreement made with Oslir. This way heliocanths were introduced in Yuthuppa. Males constantly emit a red-orange light which turns to white as the fish gets older. Females only light during the mating season (Sea Season). In early Fire Season, the waters of Yuthuppa are illuminated by billions of larvae. Young fish become mature in late Earth Season. Heliocanths are sacred fish and no one may harm them. Anyway everyone says they taste horrible. They are used as raw material in the industry of sacred torches. Heliocanths are also called "scato's friends" because of the help they bring to scatophagi. One of the commonest uses of Light-fish is what is called "poor man's torch": catch a heliocanth and carry it in a jar fixed at the end of a short pole. This practice is more and more common but people who are caught doing it are beaten by the authorities. |
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Flight
above a Griffins' Nest
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The Acropolis
Please follow me, sir, a
woman said to me, dressed in clothes I had never
seen before in our poor
quarter. This day I joined my half-sister, priestess
of Uleria. And after so
many years, I think back of this place with wrung
heart.
|
The Acropolis is the most beautiful and high of Yuthuppa's platforms. It
overholds the city and all inhabitants can see the huge statues who guard
it. In a circle, you can see Yelm's imposing statue first, majestically
sitting on his throne, sheeted in fine gold and glittering with a thousand
sparkles. He holds in his left hand an gold-spangled orb of bright blue
lapis lazuli which symbolizes the Sky and Stars. With his right hand, he
holds the traditional Yelmic spear. Behind Yelm's statue is that, more
modest, of Yuthu, rising a cup at
arms' end as if for an incantation. That
cup reflects the brilliance of
Yelm's statue, and it can be seen twenty
kilometers away. All around, various
associate gods have been honored, such
as Aldrya or Yelmalio, and their
statues have been raised at the feet of
those of Yelm and
Yuthu.
<TI Note33> |
<<TI Note33: IMO the names of gods should be replaced, Yuthu to Anaxial or Buserian,
Aldrya to some God's Wall Divinity (Erenbaya? or Yarm Wood in Glorious
Reascent of Yelm?) and Yelmalio should be replaced to some other god as
I mentioned above.)
|
Gardens, fountains and staircases wind between the temples, harbouring
all kinds of birds, especially the sacred peacocks. The Acropolis is the
temple district, and its population mostly consists in Yelmic and Lunar
priests and priestesses, as well as apprentices. Lunar priestesses have
the peculiarity that they are bald. Finally, the Acropolis harbours a nest
of Griffins, who play a special role in the city, of which they are protectors
and guardians. They personally attend all of Yuthu and Yelm's sacred ceremonies,
and are the official referees of the Gold Ring games and Lunar games which
take place in the arena.
<TI Note34>
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<<TI Note34: I think in this place, the Tower (Cathedral?) exists. See above where Vuranostum found the High Tower.>>
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The Gold Quarter
What would I not have given to live in Gold Quarter? I can remember the
quietness, a haven of silence and
peace, and beautiful gardens.
|
The Gold Quarter holds great palaces disposed in a strict order. All streets
are strictly connected. Everything is at its place, stern but beautiful.
Palaces have gardens, and cheerful and shaded fountains in their courtyards.
Men are richly dressed, though women wear long gown that cover their body
from their neck to their ankles. This is partly due to Yelmic modesty and
puritanism.
Finally, there reigns in the Gold Quarter a quiet and contemplative atmosphere.
The nobles are extremely polite and spend their time talking about arts
and philosophy, or organizing feasts and religious ceremonies. On certain
evenings, the most decadent may go to down town and keep low company. But
most of them live as complete recluses on their platform and most often
are ignorant of what goes on in lower districts. |
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The Silver Quarter
It was less beautiful
but noisy, and much more lively. But still I could
perceive a wealth, lesser
than that of the Gold Quarter but way greater than
ours.
|
The Silver Quarter has several styles of habitations. Actually the population
consists in different people and different professions. Lunar nobles live
under the great domes of their Pent-styled palaces, or in beautiful Pelorian
domus with atrium, peristyle, and a pluvium roof that retains rainwater.
Pentan nobles live according to their customs, dwelling in great, richly
adorned palaces. Their women only rarely go out and hide their face behind
a veil. The few wealthy Yelmite merchants somewhat live in the Lunar manner,
but remain polite and quiet. Finally the Silver Quarter has huge, blooming
public gardens, which add some more charm to that heterogeneous place.
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The
Military Harbour
That walled harbour is separated from the rest of the city and holds the
galleys which carry troops or escort merchant ships, as well as the barracks
and stables of the military. It's in those barracks that Yuthu's Heavenly
Spear hoplites dwell.
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The Canals
At river-level, downtown is cut with canals furrowed with gondolas. It's
a colourful and delightful place, as some houses are directly open to the
waters. Such is my district, but you can't always see the marvellous Light-fish
of Yuthuppa because of the garbage that people throw away in the water. |
In the downtown districts, houses are crammed together and form small packs
divided by the canals. Streets are often narrow and tortuous in poor quarters,
and innumerable stone or wooden bridges span the canals. Gondolas adorned
according to their owner's wealth are cheap and fast transport, especially
since some houses are only accessible though the canals. By nightfall (provided
night ever falls upon Yuthuppa) the Light-fish give the often-murky canal
waters a glowing transparency, an mysterious, glimmering charm that makes
the boat-hook seem lighter in the gondolier's hand. The gondoliers' sweet
and quiet songs rise in the shadows and slip along the canals. In order
to try and keep the canals clean, a cleaning service has been established:
its servants are called scatophagi, and they scratch, clean and purge the
canals. No need to mention the scatophagi most often work in the wealthiest
districts.
A legend is told about the canals: the legend has it that many houses sank
beneath the river a very long time ago, and many wealth could still be
found there. Numerous crazy people have dived, but among those who came
back, no one ever brought anything back.
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The Public Quarter
There my wife and me go and pay our tax
every year. The area is constantly
bustling with activity. The grand plaza is
the place for most sacred feasts,
and we like to have a walk
there.
|
The Public quarter is the quarter for entertaining as well as political
and economical dealing. There, tax are paid before being returned to the
satrap of Yuthuppa. Many students can be seen, who belong to various colleges.
A great library allows the literate to document themselves.
Wealthy people may go the therms, public baths where they meet to relax
and talk about business. The elder meet at the forum, a small square behind
the Satrap's palace, where many minor trials take place. They stay there
for hours, just listening or telling the most recent rumors in town. As
in every city, public quarter has a grand plaza where festivites take place.
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The Bronze and Brass Quarters
I played Golden Ring and
it was fantastic. Never had I took part in such a
game. Can you understand,
Hitania? It was so great.. Here we have nothing,
there they managed to find
entertainments, they know how to live their life
better than we
do. |
Those quarters are quite humble and noisy. Often you can hear hags yelling
at each other because they want to hang their clothes on the same string,
or because one of them was too noisy during the night. Housing are seven-storied
buildings where every kind of people meet each other. Tiredness, caused
by lack of sleep, makes people irritable. Early in the morning, girls take
baskets of goods and food down to the shops at the ground floor.
Later in the day, many crafts come and get supplies. There again, people
are not sparing of yells and insults. The canals can be narrow and few
gondolas can stop at the same place. The various crafts are thus demanded
to leave quickly. The people of this district usually are small traders
or worksmen working at the bazaar or serving in noble houses. Usually they
are clients of a noble house of Yuthuppa: they work for a house which,
in return, offer them protection and food.
Those quarters are mostly residential and harbour the two city gaming grounds.
The first one is a rectangular stadium which serves as a ground for the
sacred Golden Ring game. Two teams face each other, trying to get a ball
through a fixed gold ring. The ball is made of thin bronze and copper lamellas.
Players must strike the ball with their forearms and thighs, and, for that
purpose, they wear cnemides and vambraces. The ball must never hit the
ground, which is covered with a blue powder that symbolizes Oslir's attacks.
The losing team captain is ritually drowned in the city canals. He symbolizes
the traitor who served Oslir during the founding of Yuthuppa.
The second gaming ground lies in the Brass Quarter. It is a traditional
Lunar-built arena where chariot races and gladiator and animal fights take
place once in a season. Many plays and operas are played here.
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The Bazaar
You know, Hiliana, anything can
be found here. You do not know, but I saw.
Galleys bring beautiful fabrics
from remote places, amulets, and many
colourful and beautiful things. All is
colourful over there, and if we were
rich, we could adorn our little
house. |
This is the quarter for crafts and auctions, a hustling place where everyone
exerts oneself to get through one's point of view, quite often by trying
to shout louder than one's interlocutor. Any foods, spirits, clothes, jewelry,
perfumes, carpets, torches and so on that a fanatical Issaries' crazed
brain could dream of can be found here. When a trader gets blocked up at
home by a sacred peacock spreading its tail, they usually have a very bad
day. "The sacred bird condescended to halt in front of my humble house,
I am so honoured," they piously think.
In the bazaar, similar crafts are grouped in the same shopping streets.
Thus there are Tailors' Street, Butchers' Bridge, etc. Each trade is organized
in a guild that watches over the interests of craftsmen and tradesmen.
These guilds also set prices, bridle unfair competition, and care for their
dead members' cremation. The most powerful guild is that of the Golden
Torch, Yuthu's sacred torches. All of its members are part of the cult
and know the secret of those torches that link divine magic and the Light-Fish.
|
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The Copper Quarter
"Stop Thief! Stp Thief!" Alas, I am back to my house which by
some miracle
is still standing. Upon my coming, Hiliana said to me: "You
good-for-nothing
scum, they've stolen our today's dinner again. What are the
children eating?
We don't have a lunar left." |
The Copper Quarter is the poor's quarter. Houses are little more than filthy
tumbledown ruins. Thieves thrive and beggars in rags moan all day and night.
There is little or no sleep here. People pray gods that don't exist and
cry for thieves even though they don't own anything. It's a miserable district,
full of poverty and sorrow. Young children quickly learn how to steal,
they don't know well how to speak, and certainly not read. The grown-ups
let them run wild during the day, as they go and tend the fields that surround
the city.
This is the darkest quarter, partly because of the garbage the poor throw
in the water. Such is the filth that the scatophagi dare not go there and
do they work. Dark, dirty, sorrowful and hopeless is that quarter, much
like its denizens who are the rejects of society even though they provide
most of the city's working power. Only the Lunars' arrival allowed some
the destitute to escape to wealthier quarters. Others less favoured grouped
themselves in secret, very violent movements advocating the destruction
of the ruthless Yelmic order. They are called noctanarks by the authorities
and are hunted down by the Carmina Pax. Finally, others more or less secretly
worship the White Moon, the moon of peace, and don't hesitate to demonstrate
under the mad prophets' guidance.
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Azure Quarter
It's a beautiful site, the
beauty of which can even be disgusting because of
the so many useless riches
that are hoarded here. Yet I'm sure we could
sleep well if we could live
there. But we are here, Hitania, and I'm fed up
with seeing gold shining
everywhere except in our home.
|
The Azure Quarter is mostly residential and harbours the wealthiest merchants,
noble gentlemen of the robe, or successful state officials. It consists
in rich manors and palaces which try to copy the quiet beauty of the golden
platforms. But most often, dwellings are too heavily adorned and the hoarded
wealth is ludicrous. Denizens of this quarter often are proud go-getters
who scorn poorer citizens and lead a very worldly social life.They commonly
indulge in night-long orgies, using various drugs that are normally reserved
for priests. They are keen on the pleasures of Uleria's cult. The priests
of Yelm consider them as a real danger for the city, a much more insidious
danger than other citizens' demonstrations.
|
|
- I'm going away, dear.
- But why are you going away? Where are you going? You are forgetting your three children who need you.
- I must go. I could visit the whole city, from the wealthiest quarters
to the poorest. We are so poor... Do you believe that they up-town cannot
sleep? Sure they can. They've got potions for this, and most expensive
ones. Here I cannot sleep or live. A kind of decadent madness is ruling
this city. Up-town they live in wealth, down-town we live in poverty and
filth among thieves. I'm sorry, Hitania, I'm leaving. Come with me if you
wish.
- No, I am too old.
- Then stay here. Farewell, I do prefer an austere life in the wild rather than a decadent city life. I'm going to Hunger Plateau.
|
Thus did our storyteller go, leaving his weeping wife in downtown Yuthuppa, the mad city... |
|
Note on Sleep
Yuthuppa is constantly lit by the Red Goddess's light, by Yuthu's Golden
Torch, by the Light-Fish and the Golden Torches. Thus there is almost no
night. Citizens have big sleep problems. Shutters are common, but not enough.
The Yuthuppa have long found a good means to get some sleep. They brew
a sleeping potion with the feathers of a black Darkness bird which can
be hunted in a forest to the north of the city. An infusion of those feathers
allows them to find refreshing sleep. Of course that potion is quite expensive,
and is revered to an elite.
The black bird traces back his descent to one of the birds in Yelmalio's
court. When trolls and darkness came to the surface world, he was so scared
he evacuated on his god. Yelmalio was angry at his cowardice: he fired
him away and cursed him. So the bird found refuge in the darkness and served
it. After the dawn, when day came back after every night, the bird understood
the nature of his curse. At night, he must serve Light worshippers by helping
them to forget the beauty of the Sun's radiance. His feathers have the
power to induce sleep, which Yuthuppans didn't know before the Great Darkness.
Since then, the bird has been hunted and systematically plucked to allow
some people to find rest. The constant light that reigns over Yuthuppa
inspired a Yelmalion pilgrim from Prax to say that the city was a picture
of the Golden Age, but after a week's visit he cried that it was borne
on the madness of the winds of Light.
<TI Note35>
|
<<TI Note35: I think this phenomenon is also come from the diffused
reflections of outside city
mist and lake, natural lens over Star towers but
this idea is perfectly from
my too over-excess imagination.>>
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E Pluribus
Unum
|
<TI Note36>
|
<<TI Note36: Please think about Hill of Herustana and Anaxial's Ark. Though I don't think any remnants of ordinary ship survive from Golden Age, I don't want to limit the possibility of true Artifact. I think Hill of Herustana is now somewhere of the city outskirts. Maybe it is similar that we find the part of Noah's Ark over Ararat!
As for the Setting of French Broo Yuthuppa, it was built over the hill,
as much as Minas Tirith (Sorry, but I cannot find appropriate RW parallel
such scale of city over a hill now.) On the contrary, I chose Osgiliath
for Yuthuppa. While Minas Tirith is easy to defend, Osgiliath is convenient
for traffic and trade.
And I noticed the much image of RW Babylon's Wonder: The Hanging Gardens of Babel http://ce.eng.usf.edu/pharos/wonders/gardens.html
Though it was artificial construct and much less smaller than that of the
City itself, maybe for the Authors' image, such "City in the Sky"
is very beautiful to abandon. While I should consider about Greg's writings
for Starstory Towers.
Mesopotamia
http://www.mesopotamia.co.uk/menu.html
Virtual
Babel
http://www.cwd.co.uk/babel/index2.htm
Gallery
of Babel
http://www.hope.edu/bandstra/RTOT/CH1/CH1_BAB.HTM
>> |
<Martin Laurie's Comment about Yuthuppa/ Date: Thu, 18 Apr 2002 13:30:33
EDT , Glorantha Digest> |
Yelmalio would never have been worshipped in Yuthuppa.
The primary deities of Yuthuppa are of the Yelmic pantheon, which includes
Yelm in all his aspects, sub-cults and herocults as well as specific local
deities, like the city god and a major cult centre for Anaxial. The
city is also a major river port and capital of Esvuthil (which is split
politically between two Satrapies, but has significant cultural integrity).
Oslira and Dendara are of course worshipped and Rinliddi deities have also a strong influence. Jenarongi deities are well represented in the city and in some cases have full affinities where they are mere sub-cults of herocults elsewhere in the Empire. The Yuthuppans have a tradition of horsemanship as well as naval ability and are divided by family line, some claiming ancestory from Anaxial and other from Jenarong and his ilk.
Lunar culture is growing but perhaps 10% of the population. There
is a growing Rufelzan poor quarter and several local lunar heroic deities
as is common anywhere in the Empire that felt the brunt of Sheng.
Yuthuppa is also home to many mystical or mystery cults or groups from
the Yelmic or Dayzatari tradition. All sorts of oddity can be found
gazing at the stars. And of course, Buserian is utterly dominant
academically here. Efforts by Irripi Ontor to annex many of the ancient
scrolls will be met by militant brown robes in full intellectual riot mode.
Population: Around 80,000
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