Date: Tue, 9 Mar 1999 15:53:41 EST
From: "Rip Van Wormer
Reply-To: The GREYtalk Discussion List
In a message dated 3/8/99 9:17:10 PM Eastern Standard Time,
RVEST@IUSMAIL.IUS.INDIANA.EDU writes:
> it would be better to view the afterlife in the context of pantheons
I don't know how important pantheons are in the Flanaess. In regions dominated by one ethnicity, like (the Duchy of) Urnst, the Tilvanot, and Tenh, I would say very, but in other areas a variety of pantheons might be mixed in unusual ways. Basically, each region would have a different mix of beliefs, and you're right to assume that only one or two of the local deities would preside over death.
> Nerull - The Reaper not only squelches the fire of life, he also judges the dead sends them to their
> punishment/ reward
Nerull rewards people? I still say that Allitur is a better choice for judge of the Flan.
> Istus - I see the Bakluni as believing more along the lines of reincarnation is a lot like the big goddess-figures of the Near East: Astarte, Ianna, etc. In really ancient days, the dead of those people were sent to generic Sheol-style underworlds, but by Roman times the place was filled with
astrology cults from Persia (the Magi), and reward-punishment afterlives influenced by Mithraism. I'm not quite sure what was going through the heads of the devotees of Cybele, but it probably had something to do with promised immortality.
The doctrine of transmigration of the soul came to Greece and Rome from India via Egypt (if you trust Herodotus). It could possibly fit into Baklunish society, as an undercurrent if nothing else.
> Rao - I see him as shepherding the souls of good in his "Peace & Serenity" aspect. If he is Flan > (again, I don't recall), he rules the GH "Elysian Fields"
Incabulos is "common" (to most areas). Rao is Flan, but I think the Elysian fields fit better with Pelor, unless Pelor pulls his faithful into the sun.
> If Rao IS Flan, then Pelor really has no need to be involved in the business of Death.
I'd rather that Rao and Pelor aren't worshipped in the same regions; their portfolios overlap too much. It's much neater if Rao is common to the Flan tribes of the West, and the Pelor/Nerull dichotomy limited to the east and north. The exception would of course be high-traffic central areas like Greyhawk and Dyvers where many ethnicities mingle, and recent introductions
like the Raostafari (grin) paladins in the southern Great Kingdom.
Do you think chaotic gods would defer to Wee Jas? I understood they didn't get along.
> Akwamon - Len Lakofka's sea - god. See Procan. (Anyone notice how much this guy's name >sounds like that of a DC comic's character?)
Sitting on a park bench. Eyeing little girls with bad intent. Snot dripping from his nose. Greasy fingers smearing shabby clothes. Hey Akwamon!
Akwamon, my friend, don't go away I need thee. You poor old sod, you see it's only me...
and so on.
The others are fine.
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