Fod-Ariam: the Red Sage of Glamour

	Reaching Moon Megacorp's Life of Moonson Fod-Ariam The Red Sage of Glamour	Age: 60 Career: Scholar and Geographer Religion: Irrippi Ontor Culture: Dara Happan Disposition: studious, obsessive
Return to Home Page Gloranthan Folk Tales Gloranthan Songbook Moonie Madness Life of Moonson Carmanian Sources Malkioni Scriptures	You were born in the ancient city of Yuthuppa, City of Wisdom. The astrologers of Yuthuppa dedicate their lives to understanding the heavens. Deeming this work already substantially complete, you have devoted your life to fathoming the mysteries of the surface world. As a result of your years of study, you are Glorantha's foremost cartographer and geographer. Your knowledge stretches far beyond the bounds of the Lunar Empire: you are familiar with lands and peoples that other agencies of the Empire have never given the slightest consideration. Thus does pure Knowledge outstrip force of arms and the reach of government! Though usually cloistered within the Lunar Academy, you maintain an interest in the outside world. You are keen some day to go on a field-trip, visiting the far-flung lands of the Empire to see for yourself the wonders you have depicted on your maps and described in countless well-received geographical works. On the other hand, "all roads lead to Glamour" (as has often been said - though your Road Atlas of the Empire somewhat disproves this adage). This New Year Festival should be bringing visitors from far-off Arrolia, Erigia, Eol, Dragon Pass and the distant Redlands to Glamour. You are keen to speak with all such visitors: under cover of researching about their homelands and provinces, you can impress them with your vast knowledge, and perhaps obtain invitations to visit and perform further researches on the ground. As the Chief Academician, you are responsible for imparting knowledge to those who seek it (and are willing to pay!). Let people know that your archives contain the answers to any questions of historic, scientific, religious, or geographical interest. In exchange for their fees, you can research the answers and further the spread of Truth and Knowledge. As you may imagine, your private life has been somewhat lacking. You have made up for this by constructing elaborate fantasies around the figure of Jar-Eel the Razoress. Following your recent sixtieth birthday, you are now in your prime (as any Dara Happan would know), and feel ready to act upon these if the opportunity should presents itself. Or, alternatively, to make opportunities...	Background The Dara Happan Tripolis You are descended from the priestly dynasties of the antediluvian Dara Happan Tripolis. This state was founded by the Sun-God, Imperial Yelm, and has a continuous history stretching back over a hundred thousand years. The ancient ways of knowledge and ritual are innate in you, and you won't let anybody forget it - especially not the parvenu commoners who now think to direct the religious energies of the Empire! Naturally, these new-fangled Lunars (whose religion is scarcely four hundred years old) depend on the accumulated wisdom and institutions of old Dara Happa. By displaying your adherence to the ancestral traditions, you prove yourself worthy to participate in the mystical life of Empire. All civilised values ultimately stem from the ways of the Sun-God. Moonson himself is the Dara Happan Emperor, having passed the Ten Tests which justify him in the eyes of Yelm. The Cult of Irrippi Ontor You are a devotee of Irrippi Ontor, Lunar God of Learning. Irrippi Ontor was one of the Seven Mothers, and his cult embraces the scholars, teachers and literati of the Empire. "Knowledge is Power," said Irrippi Ontor, and his worshippers also include many magicians and sorcerers from the Lunar College of Magic. The followers of Irrippi Ontor are learned men, known to one another as Red Sages. They are the undisputed masters of all branches of knowledge: tutors, professors, researchers and authors. You are the High Priest of the Cult of Irrippi Ontor. The Lunar Academy You have followed a career, not in the flashy, high-profile field of the Lunar College of Magic, but in the more studious and refined surroundings of the Lunar Academy. Academicians immerse themselves in all fields of Lunar knowledge, striving to improve the lore of the Empire, and to improve the Empire through their lore. The libraries of the Lunar Academy contain the fruits of these researches: here can be found all True Knowledge that has been gathered by the scholars and sages of the Empire. Your own specialist field has been geography: you are widely known as the finest cartographer and savant of the age. Your colleagues recently chose you to hold the rank of Chief Academician of the Lunar Academy. Your title Red Sage of Glamour is in fact the title of your prestigious University Chair which is financed by Great Sister herself.
	The Silver Quill This is a prestigious literary award, worth 10 influence to the winner. No categories are prescribed: past prizes have gone to poetry, fiction, historical and scientific works. Several entries have been submitted so far: you are to organise the contest, and are one of the judges. The Little Red Book: anonymous. Only you (and she!) know that this is the collected early works of Jar-Eel the Razoress, written when she served in the Temple of Truth. You intend to publish it yourself during the New Year rituals, to demonstrate your reverence for this heroine. The Story of Our Red Goddess, called Rufelza: a pamphlet produced by Great Sister, of no literary worth. Its orthodoxy, however, is beyond question, and it might be prudent to award it the Silver Quill - you have heard Great Sister can be irascible and easily takes offence. The Purple Book of Poems: by Commodus the Fair, Governor of the Redlands. This is a trivial work of light-weight amorous verse, with no particular merits. On the other hand, the author is a scion of the powerful Assiday clan of Raibanth, a noble Dara Happan family. The Seleric Verses: by Krishnan Varlee. This novel is more condemned (for blasphemy, obscenity, and sundry other crimes) than read; its author has 'disappeared', and cannot be found. You hear from fellows of the Academy that it is actually a rather good book. Reminisces of Paulis Longvale: This autobiographical work has not, strictly speaking, been published, though you have read a draft manuscript. You feel the young author should have the confidence to place it before a wider audience, though tarted up somewhat and with a snappier title: "Cults of Terror," perhaps? Over the Moon of Madness: by Keisha Eye of the Blind, high priest of Jakaleel. A rather disorganised but disturbing work which explores the nature of madness and the concept that this state is to be desired since it brings one closer to the Red Goddess. Mad! The ceremonial awarding of the Silver Quill is on the timetable. Before this time, you must decide which works are valid entries to the contest: they need not be entered by their authors, but you must have a copy in your hands. A panel of three judges awards the prize: these are yourself, Senator Geilbonus, and a third (as yet undetermined) judge. You are responsible for recruiting the third judge, who should ideally be a prominent religious or scholarly figure. Explain that the job involves no real work, and will give them a PR 1 Office. Each of the judges will receive 2 influence on making the award, if the ceremony is deemed suitably impressive by a Director. If nobody turns up to see, less influence will be gained.
	Objectives Personal Court Jar-Eel the Razoress. Impress her with your fervent admiration, and thereby win her heart. Create a literary controversy in order to heighten popular interest in the Silver Quill prize. Acquire a copy of the notorious Seleric Verses, a novel banned for its blasphemous content. Propose a senatorial private motion in praise Jar-eel and her epic battle with Dranz Goloi in Pent. Travel the world! Well, perhaps not during these Sacred Time celebrations, but there was talk of a new prototype Moonboat that could travel to stars in minutes! Career Award the Silver Quill to the most noteworthy literary work of the year. You will need to find a third Judge for the contest, and obtain a copy of every work that is entered. Discuss the far-off lands and outlying regions of the Empire with their governors and inhabitants, to increase your knowledge of geography. Arrange formal visits ("field-trips") with the rulers of such places: the more distant, the better. Obtain the rights to publish any new authors' manuscripts. Fight against the outrageous censorship of books and scrolls practised by the Danfive Xaron cult. Only the temple of knowledge should carry out this task. You need 15 influence from the Budget to pay for your University Chair. You must pay this to the CPS Director before at the beginning of Windsday. Put in your claim to Great Sister before the Presidium decides on the Budget. Religious Add to the libraries of the Lunar Academy by acquiring any new or unusual documents which come to light. Hold lofty discourse on learned topics with the intellectual elite of the Empire. Carry out research in the libraries of the Lunar Academy, in exchange for the appropriate fees.	Who You Know Personal Acquaintances Appius Luxius, Provincial Overseer: he has set you a number of rather interesting missing person puzzles over the last few years. He has paid you to find the descendants of four men who were alive some seventy years ago. One of the answers you gave him was the Tysor-genisti clan (an ancient house from Karasal which used to rule the sultanate until the Nights of Horror in 5/43 and has since fallen on bad times). The last answer, which he is seeking to get from you this week, is the Eel-ariash clan (who now rule the Darjiin sultanate and who include in their numbers Jar-eel). You expect at least two influence from him for your services. Great Sister, Daughter of the Red Moon: each year she finances your University Chair as Red Sage of Glamour. You are very grateful to her. Jar-Eel the Razoress: Although the superheroine is not yet, strictly speaking, a personal acquaintance of yours, the warmth of your feeling for her leaves you in no doubt that she will eventually come to reciprocate. As Irrippi Ontor said, in one of his Cyclical Maxims, "For every action there is an equal and contra-cyclical reaction." Through your Career Didius Copernicus: the Dean of the Lunar College of Magic has concentrated on so-called "practical magic" rather than the deeper insights of the Lord of Knowledge. You feel an irresistible urge to show off your superior understanding and reveal him as a facile showman. Through your Religion Paulis Longvale: this young Senator seems destined to become one of the great authors of the Eighth Wane: his first work, a treatise on the Advantages of Barbarism and Ignorance, won critical acclaim (and the Silver Quill) and won him a reputation for incisive wit and cutting sarcasm. Some years ago, you discovered notes of his experiences in Dorastor in the library, and feel that they have considerable literary merit. You have asked him to write a narrative account of his experiences on the frontier. He has coyly resisted your overtures, but you are determined to keep up the pressure. Through your Culture Geilbonus: the Speaker of the Imperial Senate is a Dara Happan like yourself. He is also one of the judges of the Silver Quill literary award. You have great respect for the Senator, and do not wish to show him up in public, though it is apparent he does not take this role very seriously.
	Other Knowledge The Court of the Silver Gate is a council of Satraps of the Empire. It meets infrequently, and can have great influence in determining the course of the Empire's destiny. The members of the Court of the Silver Gate are: Gul-Taran, Satrap of First Blessed Haroun al-Rastari, Satrap of Karasal Moonson, Satrap of Silver Shadow Makkrit-Oor, Satrap of Darjiin Raffha Khan, Satrap of Kostaddi Var-Eel, Satrap of Oronin Prince Pardidas, Satrap of Sylila Queen Penelori, Satrap of Oraya The Satrap of Doblian will have a place on the council, when one is appointed. The Empty Conquest of the Thrice Blessed. The Twice Blessed, as they used to be known, were once ruled by the Kingdom of Karasal. They pledged friendship to the Red Goddess when she liberated them. Many studied in the Empire's Magical Schools, sharing their knowledge of the standing stones which dot Peloria. In the Second Wane, the shameful "Salt-diamond incident" led to the expulsion of the Twice Blessed from south of the Poralistor river. 26 years later, further trouble led to the Empire sending in General Parg Ilisi who raped the land and its inhabitants for ten years. When the Emperor found out, he conceded the Treaty of Eol, by which reparations were made and the folk granted full Imperial protection. In return the Twice Blessed embraced the Lunar Way and changed their name to Thrice Blessed. The Icebreakers are enchanted vessels which carry the Kalikos Icebreaker missions across the White Sea to face the ice demons of Valind's Glacier and keep the Lunar Heartlands fertile and free of bad weather. The Moonsword Cult is a special sub-cult of Yanafal Tarnils for military heroes of the Empire. Candidates must be recommended by Jar-eel. Those who are accepted are given their steel Moonsword by Moonson himself. The Crimson Bat is a monstrous Chaotic demon, the Empire's ultimate deterrent. Once unleashed, it devours all who oppose it, a terrifying weapon of atrocity which has greatly aided the peace-making efforts of the Red Army. The Chief Feeder of the Crimson Bat controls this demon, taking orders from the Director of the Field School of the Lunar College of Magic. The White Moon is a teaching which has grown up from nowhere in recent years. It holds that it was never the intention of the Red Goddess to create an enduring Empire. The Empire was a means to an end, to confront those states which violently opposed the Lunar Way to allow the liberation of their peoples. Since the days of the First Wane, the Empire has become a self-serving structure, its expansion never matching the speed at which the Lunar Way first spread. The White Moon Cult holds that the Red Moon is not yet perfect. The Empire must wither away. Then, and only then, will the Lunar Way be able to spread throughout Glorantha and the Moon shine White in the Air. From a fringe, harmless teaching, the cult has spread. Its devotees refuse to pay taxes or serve in the militia. They have now taken to attacks on Imperial Monopolies, tax collectors and so forth. The Imperial Revenue Service collects, counts and oversees the taxes due to the Red Emperor. Most taxes are collected directly from the Sultans, Provincial Governors, and Monopolists. The service is supplemented by a force of spies and informers who report on abuses of tax. The feared Tax Assessors are inspectors who check on the information used for tax assessments and who investigate abuses of the system. In certain circumstances they can recommend the use of the feared Tax Demons against dangerous tax dodgers. The Sultans and Governors normally farm out the collection of taxes to Tax Farmers (who usually take a cut of the taxes they collect). Some forms of taxation are farmed out directly by the IRS. The Emperor's Spoken Word functions as an internal security organisation, essentially operating within the political and military spheres of the Lunar Empire. The basic aim of the Spoken Word is to enhance the security of the Emperor. However, within the current organisation, the definition of what must be done to protect the Emperor allows a wide scope which includes internal and external espionage and investigation. The Spoken Word is forbidden to investigate the State Church. Also, there is great rivalry, and some degree of overlap, with the Blue Army (military intelligence) and the Danfive Xaron cult (the religious and social watchdog of the Empire).	Secrets Reclusive author Paulis Longvale, author of the ironic book Advantages of Barbarism and Ignorance, is himself a barbarian, coming from the land of Talastar. Fod-Ariam is secretly in love with Jar-eel. Fod-Ariam will be leading the judging of the Silver Quill literary competition, though he hasn't read all of the books yet. Appius Luxius has been getting you to investigate the descendants of people alive 70 years ago! The Imperial Treasury and the Monster Coliseum are crucial locations in the defence of Glamour. Special Items Map of the Lunar Empire: You see this map as your masterpiece. It has been drawn after numerous Moonboat trips high above the empire. Map of the Underworld: a Second Age map of the underworld, out of date but of some interest. Silver Quill Prize: a rather tasteless golden scroll tied with a silver ribbon. Why couldn't they find a silver quill?
	Reaching Moon Megacorp's Life of Moonson was written by Nick Brooke, Chris Gidlow,David Hall and Kevin Jacklin, with Rick Meints and MOB. The lead author for Fod-Ariam was Nick Brooke. Glorantha, HeroQuest, Hero Wars, and Issaries are trademarks of Issaries, Inc. The contents of this page are copyright by Nick Brooke , 2001; any material derived from Greg Stafford's world of Glorantha is also copyright by Greg Stafford. Glorantha is the creation of Greg Stafford, and is used with his permission.