Orlanthi

Orlanthi is a term used in Glorantha to describe a broad pan-tribal culture of primarily human peoples who inhabit Dragon Pass and the surrounding Heortland. They are united by their worship of Orlanth, the storm god, and by a common emphasis on kinship, oath, and ritual. Orlanthi society is organized around clans and lineages. Each clan is led by a chieftain or an elder council; political power is exercised through kinship networks, alliances, and ceremony rather than centralized bureaucracy. Honor, reciprocity, and the ability to uphold oaths are highly valued.

Religion forms the core of daily life. Orlanth is the principal deity, patron of storms and warriors, with Ernalda the earth goddess as his consort. The Orlanthi pantheon is rich with hero cults and many minor spirits; seasonal and life-cycle rites mark sowing, harvest, initiation, marriage, and death. Initiates may join various cults, conferring duties and protection.

Geography and people: The Dragon Pass region, including Heortland and the lands around Sartar, is their heartland. The Heortlings are among the largest subgroups; they include the Sartar and other lineages who trace descent from heroic ancestors.

History: The Orlanthi are a central culture in Glorantha’s myths and history, shaping kingdoms and resisting outside powers such as the Lunar Empire during various ages. In the era depicted by many works, they built kingdoms like Sartar, defined by strong ritual authority and heroic epic tradition.

Overall, the Orlanthi are portrayed as a durable, clan-based society with a deep ritual life, a vibrant oral tradition, and a central place in Glorantha’s political and mythic landscape.