Hero Wars
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Mythology of ErnaldaOriginally published in Runequest (3rd edition)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. Mythos and HistoryOnce the seas covered all. But the world grew, and Ga, Earth, emerged from the depths. Mountain peaks, plains, ridges, and hollows rose above the waves. Empress Earth joined the Celestial Court. Gata was born. She birthed twin daughters, Asrelia and Ty Kora Tek, who dwell deep inside the earth. Asrelia's daughters were Maran Gor and Ernalda, whose beauty and bounty brought life to the land. Many suitors vied for Ernalda's favors, and she gave them freely.From all the goddesses came Life. Flamal's spores and seeds spread everywhere during the Green Age, when everything was good. No drought or famine visited the land. Everyone lived in peace and plenty all their lives, which went on forever. Yelm came and inaugurated the Golden Age. He took Ernalda as queen. Later Orlanth came and vied mightily for her freedom. Finally, Orlanth won Ernalda and slew Yelm. During the ensuing Lesser Darkness Orlanth tried to protect her, but when he failed other gods fought for the privilege. As always, she favored those who protected her children. In the dread Great Darkness, when the final stillness descended, she slept alongside the other earth deities. Even in sleep she mothered Babeester Gor, guardian of the earth. Ernalda was one of many who aided Arachne Solara, and is a midwife of Time. The earth goddess was one of those who followed the sungod to Rebirth in Time. Even before she appeared, a young goddess went about the world with the promise of life, leaving a trail of flowers behind her. This was Voria, the Spring Maiden. When Yelm went to Hell, the good goddess Dendara, daughter of Empress Earth, followed, loyal unto death. She attempted to comfort her lord Yelm in the grisly underworld, expecting nothing in return. When Yelm returned in triumph, he spurned faithless Ernalda, taking humble Dendara for his new queen. The cult of Ernalda prospers in Glorantha. In Pamaltela, hers is the dominant religion, and all praise her gifts. Even in blasted Genertela she is an important deity, and her husbands are the kings of the world. In Peloria, during the First Age, her worship was replaced by that of Dendara, a similar goddess. After death, the faithful go to the Paradise under the earth where Ty Kora Tek tends them until rebirth. Like other earth cultists, their corpses are buried or otherwise given funerals customary to an area. Ernalda rules the Earth Rune, and is associated with Life. See also:Staves from the Storm PriestMythology of Maran Gor Mythology of Dorasta Mythology of Orlanth |
