Gods, spirits and other forms of worship
Local Tarsh Highland Gods
The Kingdom of Tarsh, like Sartar, generally worshipped the Storm Pantheon headed by Orlanth the Storm King and Ernalda the Earth Queen. With the ascendance of the Lunar Empire, the apparent vanquisher of Orlanth, the worship of other deities has increased. The biggest change has been the banning of the worship of Orlanth and deities too closely linked to him. The temples of Orlanth have been desecrated and destroyed with no apparent consequences. Most of the remaining gods and goddesses remain are a worshipped with varying degree of devotion but the open worship of Orlanth has ended.
In the Hydra Mountains and in the village of Rasanch these deities are some of those commonly worshipped and respected.
Ernalda is the Great Goddess without whom Gloranha and the world would not exist. She is ancient and is a fertility goddess of women, plants and crops. She is revered by Orlanthi, Esrolians, Pelorians and many others. She is the wife of Orlanth, the head of the Storm pantheon.
Orane the Steadwife is the wife of Durev and is sometimes called Orane the Weaver. She is worshipped by mothers and leaders of the household.
Durev is the Great Hetman, the first to have farming as a livelihood. He is worshipped by hetmen and farmers. He is married to Orane.
Pella the Potter is the goddess of pottery and lives near the kiln of Ernalda's stead. She is worshipped by potters and other crafts people.
Onstan the Carpenter is the carpenter god who makes buildings, boats and wagons amongst other things. He is worshipped by carpenters, wood workers and artisans.
Ordayla the hunting god, is the son of Varanorlanth, Orlanth the Hunter, and Velhara.
Skovara and Skovari the gods of entertainers and minstrels.
Gods of Glorantha
Orlanth is the Chief of the Storm Tribe, commanding the winds and the clouds. He destroyed the world by loosing the power of Death, and he created it anew by leading the Seven Lightbringers to liberate Life and Light from Death.
He is one of the Seven Lightbringers, and usually considered the chief of those deities. His worship is widespread. He is a dire foe of the Red Goddess of the Lunar Empire. His worship in banned within the Empire including the Kingdom of Tarsh.
His worshipers know of several incarnations of Orlanth, and when known as Orlanth Adventurous his skills as a poet, fighter, and lover are renowned. His Orlanth Thunderous aspect represents the power the god possesses over the natural elements of storm. As Orlanth Rex he is praised as the supreme King, and his worshipers strive to emulate his regal skills. He knows justice and leadership, fine rhetoric, and other skills needed to rule.
He is usually shown as a vigorous man of varying age, armed with the thunderbolt and other warrior’s weapons, and wearing a chieftain’s arm rings.
Ernalda is the Great Goddess without whom Gloranha and the world would not exist. She is ancient and is a fertility goddess of women, plants and crops. She is revered by Orlanthi, Esrolians, Pelorians and many others.
Flamal is the ‘Father of Seeds’ who was married to Ernalda the earth mother. He was killed and eaten by Zorak Zoran and the earth mother caused winter to come to the land. He was reborn when Time Began. Flamal is the father of the crop-and plant-goddesses.
Zorak Zoran is the troll god of Hate and the main war god of the Uz Pantheon. He is often depicted as an old three eyed troll holding a mace in one hand and making an incantation or gesture with the other.
Odayla is the Orlanthi hunters’ cult, supporting all types of hunters. It is most common in the less populated orlanthi regions, less so in farmland and virtually unknown in urban areas. It is very rare in Prax and around Pavis. The importance of the cult locally is determined by how much of the diet is provided by hunting. The High Holy Day is Winds Day, Harmony Week, Storm Season.
