Vulcan in the Penhaligon Trilogy - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Vulcan in the Penhaligon Trilogy

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
zombiegleemax
Mar 15, 2005 3:17:56 Well, last week we were discussing a topic about which immortals are known and followed in Thyatis over the Mystara Italian Boards, and our friend the Devil Swine (Verro Diabolico) said that the Penhaligon Trilogy introduced a god of smithcraft in Karameikos called Vulcan.
Unfortunately he didn't read any of the books of the trilogy, so we're stuck with third-hand informations.

Can some of you who read the Penhaligon trilogy tell me how Vulcan is portrayed, what his portfolio is or might be, and where he's worshipped?? I would like to understand if this is the "Thyatian" name for Kagyar or for some other immortal (Wayland?)...
#2
havard
Mar 15, 2005 3:37:22
Can some of you who read the Penhaligon trilogy tell me how Vulcan is portrayed, what his portfolio is or might be, and where he's worshipped?? I would like to understand if this is the "Thyatian" name for Kagyar or for some other immortal (Wayland?)...

Vulcan is the immortal who created the sword Wyrmsblight, and later reforges it into Peace. There is very little information about him in the novels, only a short conversation between him and the main character Jo. From what I gather, he can not be Kagyar or Thor, since both those immortals also appear in the novels. He seems to be a patron of weapon smithing, so I'd go with Wayland or the 12 Craftsmen. Halav is another possibility, but since the novels are set in Karameikos, I'd have thought Jo would have made the connection if that were the case. Also IIRC, Jo and Flinn are Thyatians, and probably wouldn't wield a sword created by a Traladaran immortal.

Håvard
#3
verro_diabolico
Mar 15, 2005 4:28:04 Vulcan and Wayland are two gods frequently compared even in the RW mythology.
#4
zombiegleemax
Mar 15, 2005 4:34:32 OKay Haavard, that's a nice summary of the thing.
Now what I would like to know is: is Vulcan a "known" immortal in Karameikos? Where was the sword Wyrmblight forged? Was it forged in the northlands and later brought to Karameikos or was it forged right there for a specific pourpose? I'm trying to understand how and why Wayland could be known in Karameikos as Vulcan and if he could be also known in Thyatis under that name, so give me your impressions...
#5
havard
Mar 15, 2005 4:47:25
OKay Haavard, that's a nice summary of the thing.
Now what I would like to know is: is Vulcan a "known" immortal in Karameikos? Where was the sword Wyrmblight forged? Was it forged in the northlands and later brought to Karameikos or was it forged right there for a specific pourpose? I'm trying to understand how and why Wayland could be known in Karameikos as Vulcan and if he could be also known in Thyatis under that name, so give me your impressions...

I cant remember the exact reference right now, but I got the impression that Vulcan was known in Karameikos, or at least to Jo, who grew up in Specularum. It is unknown where Wyrmblight was forged, but I would guess this happened on an outer plane, because this is where it later is reforged. This all appears to Jo in a dream-like experience so things are a bit vague. Wyrmblight was forged with the purpose of killing the green dragon Verdilith, who may or may not be the same as Argos, although I liked the idea of Verdilith being a lackey of Argos. Verdilith had made a pact with Alphaks so this might be why Vulcan got involved aswell. It is unclear where Flinn got the sword; probably on one of his many adventures, but most likely within the borders of Karameikos.

My only reason for suggesting Wayland as an identity for Vulcan is the role as sword smith, which is filled by both. I'd suggest that the Karameikans do not know that the two are the same. IMO, Vulcan is likely an imported immortal from the Thyatian pantheon, especially considering the name.

Håvard
#6
zombiegleemax
Mar 15, 2005 5:28:48 Yes then, it must be the rightful conclusion: Vulcan is the THyatian name for Wayland. The Thyatians then imported his faith in Karameikos.

Now another interesting question: how come then in the Church of Karameikos we find Kagyar as patron of artisans and smiths instead of Vulcan, if you think that Jowett was a former member of the Church of Thyatis (where Vulcan was supposedly worshipped)?
Wouldn't it be more logical to have Vulcan instead of Kagyar inside the Church of Karameikos?
#7
hihama
Mar 15, 2005 5:40:48 Maybe Kagyar was taken instead of Vulcan because of the dwarven community in Karameikos. Maybe Jowett to have a patron for both dwarves and elves in his church. I know that there are not so many dwarves in the area that there are elves, but anyway.

Harri
#8
verro_diabolico
Mar 15, 2005 6:01:44
how come then in the Church of Karameikos we find Kagyar as patron of artisans and smiths instead of Vulcan, if you think that Jowett was a former member of the Church of Thyatis (where Vulcan was supposedly worshipped)?

Simple... 'cause the list of Immortals in Dragon Magazine is wrong! Wrong! Wrong! :P (Do you know what I mean...)
#9
havard
Mar 15, 2005 6:39:49
Now another interesting question: how come then in the Church of Karameikos we find Kagyar as patron of artisans and smiths instead of Vulcan, if you think that Jowett was a former member of the Church of Thyatis (where Vulcan was supposedly worshipped)?
Wouldn't it be more logical to have Vulcan instead of Kagyar inside the Church of Karameikos?

I'm guessing Vulcan is considered a minor Immortal. The ones listed in Drm were the ones Jowett considered the most important ones, but he also allows worship of other Thyatian Immortals.

If the story about Wyrmblight is taken into account, Vulcan could become more important in the future though!

Håvard
#10
culture20
Mar 15, 2005 17:29:31 Vulcan could also have been a Titan in service to Kagyar. He would seem like an Immortal to a mortal.
#11
Hugin
Mar 15, 2005 17:32:41
Vulcan could also have been a Titan in service to Kagyar. He would seem like an Immortal to a mortal.

I like that idea! We need more figures of power that are not Immortals. The bards surely do not sing of only the Immortals. :D

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 zombiegleemax Mar 15, 2005 3:17:56	Well, last week we were discussing a topic about which immortals are known and followed in Thyatis over the Mystara Italian Boards, and our friend the Devil Swine (Verro Diabolico) said that the Penhaligon Trilogy introduced a god of smithcraft in Karameikos called Vulcan. Unfortunately he didn't read any of the books of the trilogy, so we're stuck with third-hand informations. Can some of you who read the Penhaligon trilogy tell me how Vulcan is portrayed, what his portfolio is or might be, and where he's worshipped?? I would like to understand if this is the "Thyatian" name for Kagyar or for some other immortal (Wayland?)...
#2 havard Mar 15, 2005 3:37:22	Can some of you who read the Penhaligon trilogy tell me how Vulcan is portrayed, what his portfolio is or might be, and where he's worshipped?? I would like to understand if this is the "Thyatian" name for Kagyar or for some other immortal (Wayland?)... Vulcan is the immortal who created the sword Wyrmsblight, and later reforges it into Peace. There is very little information about him in the novels, only a short conversation between him and the main character Jo. From what I gather, he can not be Kagyar or Thor, since both those immortals also appear in the novels. He seems to be a patron of weapon smithing, so I'd go with Wayland or the 12 Craftsmen. Halav is another possibility, but since the novels are set in Karameikos, I'd have thought Jo would have made the connection if that were the case. Also IIRC, Jo and Flinn are Thyatians, and probably wouldn't wield a sword created by a Traladaran immortal. Håvard
#3 verro_diabolico Mar 15, 2005 4:28:04	Vulcan and Wayland are two gods frequently compared even in the RW mythology.
#4 zombiegleemax Mar 15, 2005 4:34:32	OKay Haavard, that's a nice summary of the thing. Now what I would like to know is: is Vulcan a "known" immortal in Karameikos? Where was the sword Wyrmblight forged? Was it forged in the northlands and later brought to Karameikos or was it forged right there for a specific pourpose? I'm trying to understand how and why Wayland could be known in Karameikos as Vulcan and if he could be also known in Thyatis under that name, so give me your impressions...
#5 havard Mar 15, 2005 4:47:25	OKay Haavard, that's a nice summary of the thing. Now what I would like to know is: is Vulcan a "known" immortal in Karameikos? Where was the sword Wyrmblight forged? Was it forged in the northlands and later brought to Karameikos or was it forged right there for a specific pourpose? I'm trying to understand how and why Wayland could be known in Karameikos as Vulcan and if he could be also known in Thyatis under that name, so give me your impressions... I cant remember the exact reference right now, but I got the impression that Vulcan was known in Karameikos, or at least to Jo, who grew up in Specularum. It is unknown where Wyrmblight was forged, but I would guess this happened on an outer plane, because this is where it later is reforged. This all appears to Jo in a dream-like experience so things are a bit vague. Wyrmblight was forged with the purpose of killing the green dragon Verdilith, who may or may not be the same as Argos, although I liked the idea of Verdilith being a lackey of Argos. Verdilith had made a pact with Alphaks so this might be why Vulcan got involved aswell. It is unclear where Flinn got the sword; probably on one of his many adventures, but most likely within the borders of Karameikos. My only reason for suggesting Wayland as an identity for Vulcan is the role as sword smith, which is filled by both. I'd suggest that the Karameikans do not know that the two are the same. IMO, Vulcan is likely an imported immortal from the Thyatian pantheon, especially considering the name. Håvard
#6 zombiegleemax Mar 15, 2005 5:28:48	Yes then, it must be the rightful conclusion: Vulcan is the THyatian name for Wayland. The Thyatians then imported his faith in Karameikos. Now another interesting question: how come then in the Church of Karameikos we find Kagyar as patron of artisans and smiths instead of Vulcan, if you think that Jowett was a former member of the Church of Thyatis (where Vulcan was supposedly worshipped)? Wouldn't it be more logical to have Vulcan instead of Kagyar inside the Church of Karameikos?
#7 hihama Mar 15, 2005 5:40:48	Maybe Kagyar was taken instead of Vulcan because of the dwarven community in Karameikos. Maybe Jowett to have a patron for both dwarves and elves in his church. I know that there are not so many dwarves in the area that there are elves, but anyway. Harri
#8 verro_diabolico Mar 15, 2005 6:01:44	how come then in the Church of Karameikos we find Kagyar as patron of artisans and smiths instead of Vulcan, if you think that Jowett was a former member of the Church of Thyatis (where Vulcan was supposedly worshipped)? Simple... 'cause the list of Immortals in Dragon Magazine is wrong! Wrong! Wrong! :P (Do you know what I mean...)
#9 havard Mar 15, 2005 6:39:49	Now another interesting question: how come then in the Church of Karameikos we find Kagyar as patron of artisans and smiths instead of Vulcan, if you think that Jowett was a former member of the Church of Thyatis (where Vulcan was supposedly worshipped)? Wouldn't it be more logical to have Vulcan instead of Kagyar inside the Church of Karameikos? I'm guessing Vulcan is considered a minor Immortal. The ones listed in Drm were the ones Jowett considered the most important ones, but he also allows worship of other Thyatian Immortals. If the story about Wyrmblight is taken into account, Vulcan could become more important in the future though! Håvard
#10 culture20 Mar 15, 2005 17:29:31	Vulcan could also have been a Titan in service to Kagyar. He would seem like an Immortal to a mortal.
#11 Hugin Mar 15, 2005 17:32:41	Vulcan could also have been a Titan in service to Kagyar. He would seem like an Immortal to a mortal. I like that idea! We need more figures of power that are not Immortals. The bards surely do not sing of only the Immortals. :D