Apocalypto/Runequest question

[yipwyg]

I was wondering what culture is the closest to the Mayan people. When I saw this movie it made me want to play a fighter type person again, and as an example of a runequest character I would like to mimic Jaguar Paw.

Thanks

 

[Voriof]

I was wondering what culture is the closest to the Mayan people. When I saw this movie it made me want to play a fighter type person again, and as an example of a runequest character I would like to mimic Jaguar Paw.

Thanks

The Caladralanders, according to some folks like Stewart. Sort of like Mayans with volcanoes to throw folks into. Me, I'm not so sure. Its possible some of the places along the Pamaltean coast might be Aztec like. Of course, there's always the Kingdom of Ignorance. I've always felt it was like an unholy cross between China and the Aztecs - and run by Trolls. But that's just me.



Jeff

 

[Stewart Stansfield]

The Caladralanders, according to some folks like Stewart. Sort of like Mayans with volcanoes to throw folks into. Me, I'm not so sure. Its possible some of the places along the Pamaltean coast might be Aztec like...

In my defence, I've never tried to paint the Caladralanders as a Mayan -- or indeed any Mesoamerican -- analogue, though I can understand why Jeff perhaps says the above!

[I have, however, drawn Aztec ducks...]

For me the concept of direct cultural analogues is anathema, and I find that some Gloranthaphiles take same a little too strongly for my own personal tastes. A lot of the "Mesoamerican Caladralanders" meme arises from past intimations and publications like Glorantha: Introduction to the Hero Wars, which does play upon some Mexica themes, not least Flowery Wars; and some people subsequently took these to heart. Though if you ask Peter, he'll say that Indiana and Jones and the Temple of Doom was more prevalent in his mind when writing the latter...

In fact, I'm so glad that the macuahuitl belongs to the Dragonewts (in the form of the klanth), and the blood-maize relationship to Hon Eel, or I'm sure they'd have been applied to the Caladralanders in popular thought before now.

In writing some stuff on Caladraland, I have been influenced, for example, by idolatrous practices among the highland Maya of Guatemala, their crater gods and certain rites. Though the most Mesoamerican influence is probably Caltiki, the Immortal Monster (1959)...

In general, though, I've stolen and mutilated ideas widely, from the Americas to the Aegean, Africa, India and beyond. I've always had the conceit that the myths in Glorantha are so rich that, if you try and build a culture from mythic 'first principles', you can be very succesful in providing something that is novel, individual and distinctly Gloranthan.

Mind you, looking at the subtitle of a cheapo Time-Life book on the Aztecs on my shelf... Reign of Blood and Splendour. Yeah, go on, I'll have a bit of that for Caladraland!

Cheerio,

Stu.

 

[Stewart Stansfield]

I was wondering what culture is the closest to the Mayan people. When I saw this movie it made me want to play a fighter type person again, and as an example of a runequest character I would like to mimic Jaguar Paw.

I've not seen Apocalypto yet, though will ASAP! One little thing I have done with Caladraland is play up the ceremonialised, ritual nature of combat. Through a variety of reasons, not least the imposing terrain and the enemies it harbours, Caladralanders practise an art of body-movement that is a somewhat savage, rural version of such urban disciplines as parkour and/or free-running.

If you imagine...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAMAr8y-Vtw

... or ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1ucNP74HV0

... performed amid misty vineclad forests, smouldering lava flows, gaping chasms, God Learner crystal plinths and ancient temples, then that's a pretty good idea of a Caladran warrior in action.

Cheerio,

Stu.