Glorantha: Cult of Donandar 
Cult of Donandar
originally published in White Wolf #18

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 
  Donandar's Half-brothers 
  Other Notes 
Mythos and History
In the beginning existed only those perfect forms of energy which we call the 
Celestial Court. These mighty forces combined and recombined to create new 
beings. Harana Ilor, goddess of harmony and Larnste, god of change, coupled and 
produced a pair of twins to delight the universe.
The pair were Silonia, goddess of Dance, and Ralforisus, god of Music. These 
siblings were close, and between them grew new creatures, like and unlike either 
parent -- new beings in themselves.
Skovari was the first child of Dance and Music. He represents folk music. He 
lived in the Green Age, when everyone was equal and love was strong. He played 
among common folk, for everyone was common in those days. The world was young, 
sweet, and happy, like Skovari was, and people and gods sang and danced to his 
village tunes wherever he went.
Molamin is the second child of Dance and Music. He went to the Grand Imperial 
Palace of the Sun, and there he entertained all the nobles, including the 
Emperor of the Universe himself. Yelm played his harp with Molamin, but 
preferred the songs of the Celestial Choir. Molamin, though, became the favored 
musician among the aristocracy of the world. Skovari continued to play for the 
commoners, and Molamin became the god of courtly music and dance.
Drogarsi is the third child of Dance and Music. He was born in the Storm Age, 
and his favorite song is that of battle. He made songs and poems to stir men to 
courage, to brace them for battle, and to glorify their deeds afterwards. Thus 
he is the god of epic poetry, battle songs, military music, and war dances.
After their third child was born the parents, Silonia and Ralforisus, were 
separated in the Darkness. Ralforisus found and stayed with Tylenea, goddess of 
Illusion. They bore the child Donandar. The young god left his parents to wander 
the world with worshipers of his mother, the Puppeteers, and from them he 
learned the arts of entertaining and mastery of illusions, but with the fall of 
the Greater Darkness he left the traveling players to seek alone what part he 
could play in ending the cosmic disharmony of Chaos.
As he traveled, the mysterious force of the universe drew him toward his elder 
half-brothers. He came upon Skovari first, whose trust and love of the common 
people had caused him to be captured by a tribe that had turned to evil. 
Donandar freed Skovari, and they traveled together.
The pair then came across Molamin, trapped and caged by the forces of Kyger 
Litor . Donandar intervened with a gift of hymns to Kyger Litor so enchanting 
and so flattering that she not only freed Molamin but granted Donandar her 
eternal friendship.
Traveling on, the three came upon the White Goddess, Chalana Arroy, struggling 
to save the life of a god who lay beside a broken sword and a shattered trumpet. 
A horde of mindless things chewed away parts of the god even as Chalana Arroy 
tried to heal him. Donandar played entrancingly and the swarming monsters 
stopped eating to join in the solemn dance. Thus, he saved the life of the god, 
their last brother, Drogarsi, and won the gratitude of the White Goddess.
Thus Donandar became leader, and the other music brothers lent him their songs 
and spells. When Donandar stood against chaos he hurled it back with songs and 
dances as earthy and moving as Skovari's, as elegant and gracious as Molamin's, 
and as stormy and rousing as Drogarsi's. Blending all, making harmony from 
cacophony, was Donandar's own secret power. When the sun returned Donandar 
greeted it with a song of triumph.
Minstrels have many different philosophies and many different beliefs about the 
afterlife. The cult of Donandar emphasizes no particular belief. Their funeral 
customs are either those of the area they travel in, or else the corpse is 
buried beneath a road.
Donandar possesses the three runes of Harmony, Mobility, and Illusion.
Donandar's Half-brothers
Donandar's brothers are each associated with a different widespread deity. 
Donandar cultists can worship Donandar acceptably at shrines to any of his 
brother deities. This helps the small cult to spread itself over a wide area.
Skovari is the god of folk music and dance. Temples to Ernalda hold shrines to 
this deity.
Molamin is the embodiment of classic or courtly music and stately dance. Yelm 
temples have a small shrine to Molamin.
Drogarsi is the deity of war dancing and stirring martial music. Temples of 
Orlanth hold shrines to him.
Other Notes
Worship Services
Donandar's worship services are also performances, to which the public is 
invited for free. These services are used by the cultists to advertise the next 
days' performances and titillate the crowd's interest. The worship service may 
even be held during a parade, to attract attention for tomorrow's show.


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