Glorantha: Cult of Lanbril Cult of Lanbril originally published in Pavis: Threshold to Danger This document is Copyright © 1998 Issaries, Inc. It may be freely linked to, and one copy may be printed for personal use, but any other reproduction by photographic, electronic, or other methods of retrieval, is prohibited. Table of Contents Mythos and History Other Notes Mythos and History Lanbril was a son of Grandfather Mortal. In Godtime, humans came late among the other gods. While he claimed to be equal to the other gods, they rejected him as inferior because his father was killed by Death, the first sword. Lanbril was enraged, and the rage warped his soul. If the other gods held him to be inferior, let them so believe. He would excel, and the excellence would be his own, something to be cherished because of its very privacy. Lanbril studied the ways of deceit, and perfected the techniques of seeming not to be doing what he was indeed doing. When other gods worked with magic and power, he rejected these in favour of physical skill and covert manipulation. He cultivated Disorder, and worked to, attain the illusion that all was right until repair was impossible and he had made his escape. Through his mastery, he stole Rune spells belonging to the other gods, but despised some powerful spells as of no use to him. (It is speculated that the higher magics were too powerful for one who was practically a mortal human.) Lanbril did invent a magic of his own, to confound the pursuit of his victims, and to confuse those suspecting his presence. After a while, Lanbril's mad influence permeated the world. Some devout cultists go so far as to state that this influence inspired Eurmal to help Orlanth in stealing Death from Humakt. This story is rejected by most theologists. During the Darkness, Lanbril taught mortals to survive by skill and cunning, and by watching out for themselves first. In historical times, thieves and other self-seeking scum plague all communities, following Lanbril's path. Lanbril's gift is to help the guilty to avoid punishment, including death. Death is the final escape punishment will not follow a Lanbril cultist past the grave, and Lanbril will ensure that the soul gets back into circulation, someday. Lanbril encompasses the Runes of Mastery, as king of thieves and the exaltation of skill; of Disorder, practising his trade regardless of consequences for others; and of Illusion, masking facts which could lead to detection of crimes. Other Notes Thieve's Argot This secret language is taught to all Lanbril worshipers. A distinctive language, Argot contains common sounds from many different tongues; mutually intelligible dialects, similar in parts to the dominant regional tongue, exist in different cities. A character speaking Argot usually will sound like a particularly unintelligible member of the lower classes. Argot has a limited vocabulary and range or expression. Argot is unknown to most Gloranthans, including many peace keepers. Argot is taught at the cult temples for free. Each Holy Day that a character worships Lanbril at a regular temple service (once per season), he may learn 05% knowledge of Argot. Argot higher than this must be paid for by learning from a fellow cultist at the normal prices for learning a new language. It is not improvable by experience. Argot is used in most cult services, and for communication between cult members. It is used both as a universal language and to preserve secrecy. It is also used to write the occasional training texts and temple records. Alchemical Skills and Products Lanbril alchemists know some alchemical potions and substances (the exact ones varying by ring). These substances are often prepared as dusts and packed in parchment spills for hurling or in small tubes from which the dust is blown. Sometimes the compounds are liquids giving off potent vapours or acting through skin contact. A standard cloud of dust or vapour will fill 3 cubic meters before dissipating. The range will be no more than 3m. Some of the substances known are Thunder Lung Dust, Dust of Death, Visibility Dust, Scent-Stop Dust, Stink Dust, Sleep Powder/Sleep Venom, Smoke Bombs, and Flares. Non-Lanbril Thieves Not all thieves are Lanbril cult members. Many gods of Sartar and Prax have thieving abilities. Orlanth thieves follow the tradition of their god the Adventurer and often try especially daring malfeasances. Eurmal the trickster made the first theft, and many of his followers are also thieves. Eurmal thieves try to turn their crimes into exercises in the grotesque, and concentrate as much upon embarrassing their victim as on gaining wealth. Many thieves worship no gods at all on levels higher than lay member, depending on their own skill to prevent capture. But the Lanbril cult ignores fictional conflict, allowing the criminal to practice his trade with great objectivity. Also, the cult of Lanbril protects its thieves from cursory community detection. Other lands in the world claim similar gods to Lanbril under strange and exotic names. There are many thief gods, but perhaps all are disguises of Lanbril, King of Thieves! [ New Here? | Greg Sez! | Main Page | Product Listing | Coming Events | Cool Links ]
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