Malkion

[dougiepunk]

So why, in MRQ 2e Glorantha - the Second Age, has the long term cannon of Malkion being the prophet of the Invisible God been mangled so that the Invisible God is now termed Malkion, and his prophet is now himself, in human form (called confusingly "Old Malkion")?

Not only is this confusing in itself. but it also contradicts a vast amount of established Gloranthan lore and (as I understand it) Greg's still current views. To what purpose? Was it thought that readers were too dim to grok the concept that the god of the Malkioni is not called Malkion (or what)?

Dougie.

 

[PhilHibbs]

I don't see this being mangled - I think it's always been understood that Malkion is the physical manifestation of the Invisible God, and that the final incarnation of Malkion ("Old Malkion" in G:TSA) is possibly identifiable with Grandfather Mortal.

 

[Loz]

Its not been mangled.

Have you read 'The Middle Sea Empire' (Stafford Library Vol VIII - available from Drivethru and Moon Design)? That book formed the foundation document for the God Learner descriptions in both 2e GtSA and 2e Cults of the Glorantha. In there, Malkion, in the God Time, IS the Invisible God and termed Elmalkion, or 'Old Malkion' before he became the mortal prophet that you're referring to, and which is the traditional (but necessarily the only, or even the correct - if there can be such a thing) human view.

The simplistic version of events is that there were 5 'Actions' during which creation was formed and shaped. Elmalkion lived in the 5th action when the runes rebelled and tried to seize creation for themselves. Elmalkion absorbed this rebellion and relinquished immortality becoming (although its not precisely clear) just 'Malkion' in the process. Therefore Malkion, Elmalkion and the Invisible God are all part of the same being: think 'father, son and holy ghost'. In fact the Invisible God demonstrates different aspects during each of the Five Actions, so is far more than just a trinity.

'The Middle Sea Empire' represents the current thinking and representation of Malkioni. It will form the core of 'The Abiding Book'; however, it is a challenging piece of work as its written from various Malkioni standpoints - and, as with all Gloranthan mythology there is no one, single, objective truth. :?

 

[dougiepunk]

Hi, sorry, was a little drunk when I posted so I apologise for the tone. No, I haven't read Middle Sea Empire and therefore stand corrected. Er, carry on the good work...

.

 

[Nickbergquist]

I may not be a Gloranthaphile, but man I love the posts about its lore!