Glorantha: Cult of Xiola Umbar Cult of Xiola Umbar originally published in Troll Gods 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. Table of Contents Mythos and History Other Notes Mythos and History The goddess Xiola Umbar is of unnamed parentage, though she is definitely a deity of darkness. She is always referred to as the sister of Zorak Zoran. Their association has been long and constant, and early (pre-Lesser Dark) prayers mention them together if they are mentioned at all. The earliest tales of her healing and life-giving aspect occurred even before Death entered the world. At this ancient time, Zorak Zoran was labelled her "shadow" -- even in the lightless underworld. She aided Dehore, the Dark One, to become the Dehori, the many shades. She aided at the birth of Styx and Zaramaka, becoming midwife to the waters of the world. In the Gods War, Zorak Zoran grew in strength, personality, and power, and Xiola Umbar followed in his footsteps, undoing some of the troubles that Zorak Zoran created. She opposed him only once, when she saved the goblin race, but she never helped any true foe of the troll wargod. When chaos came, Xiola Umbar stood by her brother, healing and aiding him to keep him fit, even at her own expense. No sacrifice was too great to save the world from chaos, and with her aid the wargod prevailed. During the Greater Darkness, only the mighty or the lucky survived. Among creatures of darkness, the mighty followed Zorak Zoran; the lucky chose Xiola Umbar. She became protectress of the weak and friend to the helpless. When the Great Compromise was made, the gods of darkness were powerful and controlled much of the world. In Dragon Pass, Charmilla, eldest daughter of Xiola Umbar, sat upon the First Council and helped lead the scattered peoples from panic back into the world. Xiola Umbar was popular then, but when troubles began anew, her savage brother more suited the needs of the people at that time. Her worship persists in the world, and she is even worshiped by some people who normally favor gods of storm or light, but who still want divine aid and comfort when the storm falls quiet and the sun goes into hiding. Xiola Umbar has always been most popular among trolls. Her midwifery skills make her a favorite of Kyger Litor, and her talents in healing make her a friend to fighters. When the trollkin curse swept the race, the Xiola Umbar extended her protection of weaklings by helping the misbegotten kin to survive the anger and embarrassment of their parents, preserving that puny race. The cult of Xiola Umbar teaches that all things have a soul which lives on after death. The cult promises that priests will have a favored place in the cycle of rebirth when they are reborn, and that initiates will be born again with little pain. The cult of Xiola Umbar has no special burial requirements, usually eating their dead, like all trolls. Xiola Umbar is associated with the Runes of Darkness, Harmony, and Fertility. Other Notes Troll Attitudes Trolls in general despise Xiola Umbar for her protective attitude towards the weak and toward trollkin, but all love her healing abilities and respect her defensive spells. A priestess must always be present at any game of Trollball, but the cult never sponsors teams. See also: Tales of the Night Hag [ New Here? | Greg Sez! | Main Page | Product Listing | Coming Events | Cool Links ]
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