Oliver D. Bernuetz's Regions of Glorantha - The Lunar Empire - Diapente - Lunar Goddess of Music

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Diapente is a Lunar deity of music.Like many Lunar deities she has two facets, the coarse entertainer and the refined explorer of the sublime. Diapentens seek to become one with the mystic music that the movement of the heavenly bodies create. They study planetary and Lunar activity and attempt to set it to music. They feel that all music is ultimately derived from the heavenly bodies, especially the sacred music of the spheres. This sound which few have ever heard is said to be caused by the movement of the Celestial Dome, the various planets, the Red Moon and the lozenge itself. It's every Diapenten's goal to understand and hear this music and thus achieve oneness with it.

Diapente, a follower of Hyraos the Harper was a young woman when the Red Goddess rose in the sky. She was struck by the beautiful sound the goddess made while rising into the sky (though she never did find another who heard what she did) and she spent her entire life wandering and studying music trying to recapture the sound. Finally on her deathbed, after she had attracted some followers, she finally found the sound. She dictated the melody to her greatest disciple Monimiliss of the Glass Harp and became one with the Music of the Spheres. This melody, the Rising Dance of the Goddess, is reserved for very special occasions and cannot be performed unless Great Sister or Moonson is present. Only the greatest of harpists (at least W4) can play the piece and it has only been performed a few times since her death.

Most of Diapente's followers first belong to other cults and at some point in their lives they too hear echoes of the divine music and wish to follow it. Most of them are drawn to follow in Diapente’s footsteps. Unless they are seasoned performers they are encouraged to work as simple street performer and work their way up towards an understanding of the Music of the Spheres. They appreciate and understand every other form of music but claim that the Music of the Spheres was incomplete until the Red Moon rose and the greatest followers of the movement say that there is still something missing before perfect harmony is achieved.

Relationships With Others: Diapentens strive to have friendly relationships with all others but they do tend to have a slightly superior air towards other musicians due to their conviction that they have a special calling other musicians don’t.  Members of the cult may be associated with Donander and as long as they have not concentrated their magic they may have either or both of the Left and Right Hand talents.

Diapentens have a special relationship with followers of Taraltara, the mystic Lunar goddess and often provide musical accompaniment for them when requested.

Entry Requirements: Called to join. Previous membership in some other musical religion is the norm but not a necessity.

Abilities: Devotee or Initiate of Diapente, Excellent Night Vision, Mathematics, Mythology of Diapente, Scan the Sky, Read Music, Write Music, Play Instrument.

Virtues: Curious, Studious, Wanderlust, Friendly, Open to Others, Musical

Affinities and Feats

Music (Soothing Sound, Irresistible Tune, Unforgettable Melody, Maddening Melody)
Movement (Musical Doorway, Stairway to Heaven, Moonbeam, Carefree Dance)

Secret: Become One with the Spheres. Unlike most cult secrets this one functions as a Great Secret and removes a player from the campaign. Achievers of this secret are not automatically removed but none have ever chosen to stay on Glorantha.

Other Side: Followers who fail to attain oneness with the Music of the Spheres go to the standard Lunar afterlife to wait rebirth.Those who attain oneness of course go on to a higher existence.

Divine Intervention?: Can a goddess who has passed beyond mortal ken provide divide intervention?  Apparently so since the normal rules apply. All successful requests for divine intervention are answered in the form of music.

Disadvantages: Subject to the Lunar Cycle.  For one some reason Diapentens are forbidden from singing.   The exact reason for this proscription is unknown.

This page last modified 2004

Last updated January 10, 2017

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Email me at bernuetz@mymts.net