Glorantha: Spirit Cults in Glorantha 
Spirit Cults in Glorantha
by Greg Stafford
originally published in Tales of the Reaching Moon #14
 
Drifting about the spirit plane of Glorantha are lost spirits of great power: 
exiled gods, the ghosts of heroes, and similar beings. A shaman can sometimes 
contact one of these spirits, and form an alliance of mutual benefit. Such 
alliances are called spirit cults.
Spirit cults are not an uncommon Gloranthan phenomenon. Though spirit cults have 
similarities to ordinary cults, temporary membership in most spirit cults is 
rarely frowned on by any religion. Thus, the storm-worshipers of Enkloso 
frequently call upon the darkness demon Revillo without offending Orlanth.
Everywhere that spirit magic is popular, people can contact one or more special 
spirits and provide it with worship in return for knowledge of special magic. 
Spirit cults are less common in civilized areas, for the spirits themselves are 
weaker here. Many spirits, especially malignant ones, have been driven into the 
wilderness. Magic lands such as Kimos or Prax have many powerful spirit cults.
The shaman must first contact the spirit. Usually a shaman must cast a special 
summon spell specific to the spirit (hence Summon Frog Woman, Summon 
Snake-Eater, etc.). These spirits are usually local, and can only be contacted 
in their own native area. The spirit of Raven, for instance, may only be 
summoned in the Wastelands and Pent. The Traveling Stone must be contacted at 
the stone itself in Dragon Pass. The Snake-Eater's minions can only be obtained 
at the Wheeled Tower in Kimos. Sometimes a focus of power (an idol, relic, or 
holy object) is also required. In most lands, such holy objects are often held 
by long-established pseudo-cults or shamanic traditions. Thus, it is rare that 
an independent shaman in Prax can contact Oakfed, for the pieces of charred wood 
required to contact him are monopolized by the shamans who run his 
semi-permanent cult.
Once the spirit is contacted, it manifests itself at the site, where the shaman 
should have assembled his followers. All present now participate in a special 
worship ceremony, which sets up a link between the spirit and its new 
worshipers. Some spirits may require additional restrictions of its worshipers 
-- for instance, Frog Woman requires her worshipers to follow special rituals 
when killing amphibians!
The spirit can grant no benefits to its followers until it has been worshiped. 
At least once a season, a worship service must be held in which each of the 
spirit's vowed worshipers dedicate themselves to it. Otherwise, the link with 
the spirit is broken, and the whole process must be begun again.
As long as the spirit is being successfully worshiped once a season, the shaman 
and worshipers can sacrifice for the spirit's single spell, thus gaining divine 
magic. The spell learned is specific to the spirit. It is sometimes unique such 
as Frog Woman's Leap spell, but sometimes is a more common spell, such as the 
Ruby Tree's Warding. 
A rare spirit knows more than one Rune spell. Even these spirits can normally 
grant only their main Rune spell to worshipers. During some seasons, the 
worshipers can sacrifice for the spirit's other special spells. In Prax, these 
Great Spirits include only Malia, Oakfed, Wild Hunter, and Zola Fel.
Sometimes a shaman can contact an actual minor deity, who possesses the common 
Rune spells. During rare seasons, the worshipers will be able to sacrifice for 
the spirit's common Rune spells. Such spirits are minor gods, and probably 
worshiped as true deities somewhere on Glorantha. Almost all such spirits 
require special actions on the part of their worshipers.
When a shaman contacts a god using this method, the god acts as does any other 
spirit. Such worship is usually considered false and heretical by the god's 
"true" initiates.
In Prax most shamans are members of the Waha cult. Thus, most shamans who 
contact the spirits will have access to the common Divine spells of Extension 
and Spellteaching (for Waha spells), in addition to some special Waha magics.

