Prosopaedia

Who's Who Among Gloranthan Gods and Goddesses

originally published in Gods of Glorantha

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.

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Table of Contents

Cacodemon Caladra & Aurelion Celestial Court Chalana Arroy City Gods
Comb & Braid Creator Cronisper the Wise

Cacodemon [KAK-oe-DEE-mun]

Chaos pantheon -- chaos gods of anarchy, murder, and ogres

A cacodemon is a demonic remnant of the Devil, left over when Wakboth was smashed by the Block, a massive slab of truestone, in Prax. These beings more resemble huge monsters than demigods, but are the center of a loosely organized cult. They occasionally appear in person to aid or menace their few cultists. No more than a score of cacodemons are proven to exist worldwide, and only one ever appears at a time.

A cacodemon is usually about twelve feet tall, winged, clawed, and tailed. Sooty dirt begrimes his thorny skin. He is accompanied by a stench of sulfur and carrion, and various other chaotic details.

For more information on Cacodemon, see the Cult of Cacodemon.

Caladra & Aurelion [kah-LAD-ruh, ah-REL-ee-ahn]

Orlanth pantheon -- volcano twins

The cult of Caladra and Aurelion is an example of a successful God Learner experiment. The God Learners took two independent cults with variant views of the universe and interlinked them to create a third, stronger religion. This religion still dominates portions of the Holy Country.

Caladra and Aurelion are gods of volcanic fertility and harmony. Twins and diamonds are sacred to this cult, and they burn raw oil in their sacred lamps.

Caladra is always shown as a fiery, orange-skinned woman, and Aurelion as a handsome, black-skinned man.

Celestial Court

Yelm pantheon

see
Glorantha, Acos, Uleria, Larnste, Orenoar, Harana Ilor, Tylenea, Kargan Tor, Ratslaff, Dame Darkness, Sir Sea, Empress Earth, Lord Light

The Celestial Court was an assembly of specific deities who ruled the universe between its creation and the Gods War. Two types of deities were recognized within this assembly; the Powers and the Elemental Rulers. The Celestial Court was destroyed with the coming of chaos.

The Powers of the Court were: Acos, God of Law and Upholder of the Cosmos; Uleria, Goddess of Love; Larnste the Shaper, Lord of Change and Growth; Orenoar, Mistress of Truth; Harana Ilor, Goddess of Harmony and Peace; Tylenea, Mistress of Masks; Kargan Tor, God of War and Courage; and Ratslaff, Dupe of Disorder.

The Elemental Rulers of the Court were: Dame Darkness, order and pattern within shadow; Sir Sea, source of the waters; Empress Earth, broad and bountiful; Lord Light, the bright and fiery aether; and King Storm (Umath), an Elemental Ruler often not considered to be part of the court.

The Celestial Court is usually pictured all together in court upon a stylized representation the Spike itself.

Chalana Arroy [chah-LAH-nuh a-ROY]

Orlanth and Yelm pantheons -- the healer, one of the Lightbringers

This merciful goddess is both a Lightbringer and a member of Yelm's household. She knows how to heal all diseases and wounds, and even healed the sun and the world after the Great Darkness. Her worship is widespread, for everyone desires her blessings. During plague or famine she is even more popular.

She is usually rendered as a tall lithe woman, gentle and serene, dressed in a white gown. Her arms are open in a gesture of friendship and her hands are flexed into gestures to bless or cast healing spells.

For more information on Chalana Arroy, see the Cult of Chalana Arroy.

City Gods

Eastern, Lunar, Orlanth, Yelm pantheons

Most cities have their own protective spirits. Citizens worship their city's spirit to keep it strong and healthy, for it is the soul of the city.

The city god is usually represented by an idol fashioned as a typical wealthy native of the region. If the area is of mixed ethnicity, the idol is usually shown as a member of the current ruling class.

For an example of a City God, see the Cult of Pavis.

Comb & Braid

Eastern pantheon -- East Isles god of barbers and the island of Rathmorasomangon

This exotic deity's worshipers believe that properly grooming one's hair is an act of sacred import which can reveal mystical secrets. They know both how to regrow hair on a bald head and to destroy unwanted hair permanently. Their island of Rathmorasomangon is desolate, a wondrous contrast to the gorgeous coiffures of the inhabitants.

Comb and Braid is portrayed as a grossly hairy being whose shaggy locks cover his torso, head, and face, leaving only his limbs relatively bare. He wields a comb, scissors, brush, and mirror in his four hands in a ludicrously aggressive fashion. His priests usually wear the sacred comb thrust into their headdress.

Creator

Lunar and Malkioni pantheons -maker of the universe

see also
Invisible God

The Creator is the prime mover of the universe who created it and set its natural forces into motion. Creator is believed to have completed his work and gone far away, reachable now primarily through intermediaries (either shamans or saints). He is never pictured.

Cronisper the Wise [KRRON-is-per]

Pamalt pantheon -- Grandfather Sky, an Old God

Cronisper is companion to Yanmorla and the Earth Witch, and advisor to Pamalt. His beard encircles Pamalt's holy mountain and his staff supports the sky dome. He knows the name and secret power of every being on Glorantha, but only shares his wisdom with madmen and gods.

Cronisper is rendered in sand as a thin old man with a pointed head, clutching a large staff topped by a sphere. His beard descends in a spiral about the staff.


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