[Rq-rules] *** JUNK MAIL ***Re: culturally specific divine spells ?

[Simon Phipp]

Clive Wickens:

> Imagine a Roman legionary from the early days of the empire  - his weapon is the Gladius, a form of > shortsword. He Prays to Mars god of war and receives True ( sword ). Later on he finds himself in 
> the forests of the barbaric north, unarmed he grabs a longsword/broadsword. Now will his version of > True ( sword ) going to work with this unknown sword from an unknown culture ?

There is a Gloranthan precedent that Humakt Truesword does not work on Scimitars and Lunar Truesword works on any swords including Scimitars.

> In other words when he gets True ( sword ) is he getting True ( sharp pointing bladed thing for killing 
> enemies ) or is he getting True ( gladius/shortsword ) ?

Since Mars is the God of War, he would be able to grant Truesword for any type of sword, not just the Gladius. If Roman Auxilliaries from Germania worshipped Mars then his spell would work on their swords quite well. If the spell was granted by a minor legionary deity, however, then I'd say it probablt wouldn't work for all types of sword. 

Perhaps you have to capture the sword, take it back to an altar of Mars and consecrate it as one of the weapons that Mars blesses. That way you get the best of both worlds, limited spell effects and a way for PCs to make the spell better and more useful.
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