We moderns have inherited monotheism’s assumption that apotheosis of mortals are cynical frauds. I see this often creep into people’s writing about Glorantha.
Let’s start with apotheosis of mortals in ancient history. Remember, deification wasn’t about omnipotence like in modern monotheism; ancient gods were flawed, interventionist beings with specific domains, so a deified ruler was seen as a specialized deity—perhaps of conquest, unity, or prosperity—added to the existing pantheon. And the deeds of these rulers were often as great as the deeds of legendary deified heroes.
For example, Alexander the Great’s deeds rivaled or even surpassed the mythic labors of Heracles, reinforcing beliefs in his divinity. Heracles was the quintessential hero—slaying monsters, completing twelve near-impossible labors, and ascending to godhood through superhuman strength and divine favor. Alexander’s achievements were seen in a similar light, interpreted as heroic feats that echoed or outdid Heracles’s, blending myth and reality in a way that fueled genuine belief in his divine status. Alexander’s ability to inspire loyalty, survive wounds that should have killed him, and push beyond mortal limits mirrored Heracles’s perseverance, convincing many he was more than human. Alexander’s personal belief likely blended genuine conviction, cultural conditioning, and strategic use of divine imagery.
This is even more true in Glorantha. The Red Emperor, regardless of the mortal origins of any Mask, IS divine. Sartar, despite his mortal origins, is a deity of the Orlanthi pantheon. And so on. Although there are certainly political calculus at play, it is also divine. These deified figures truly are bridges between the mortal and divine worlds, and are figures who have transcended mortality through their extraordinary deeds.