Orlanth symbolizes and forms the elemental Air; he is a foundation of the cosmic order. He is King of the Gods by right of his strength and deeds, and his virtues maintain the world. He is responsible for maintaining the cosmos. His cult provides guidelines for its members to follow in determining their activities about themselves, their society, the cosmos, and the great mystery of being. Participation in the cult of Orlanth makes a person a full citizen of the universe. As both the murderer of Yelm who plunged the world into darkness and the leader of the Lightbringers who revived the world, Orlanth is the God of Heroes, an untamed destroyer who nonetheless protects life and aids civilization. He destroys not to end the world but to make way for the new. Orlanth made the world what it is through his deeds and his cult is destined to play a central role in the Hero Wars.
A WiP by Agathe Pitié, also from the royal palace in Boldhome.
And this shows why Orlanth is just plain awesome. He doesn’t need to belittle other gods or take claim for deeds he didn’t do. What he did was awesome enough for a dozen other gods.
veryone, and I mean EVERYONE, wants Orlanth in their story. He’s the Johnny Cash or David Bowie of the Gloranthan gods. And what a career. A prodigy as a child, an adventurer as a young man, a Thunderous king in his prime, and KING Lightbringer at the end, he did it all and did it his way. Here’s to you Orlanth!
Agathe Pitié and I both have Maine Coons!
[On Orlanth being a Barbarian god] All that “barbarian” stuff is just Lunar insecurity and inadequacy. The Lunars needed to get Orlanth in their story to make it to the “A list”. Yelm, Ernalda, Magasta, even Kyger Litor has her Orlanth stories. Without King Lightbringer showing up – friend, enemy, lover, doesn’t matter what just as long as he is in the story – you are stuck in the Gloranthan minor leagues. We all know it – and so do the Lunars.