| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| WalkerNinja |
Posted - 17 Nov 2006 : 15:54:51
One of the players in my game recently added a level of cleric. Shaundakul has been his patron, but he has never been overly religious, nor has he recieved any formal religious instruction (not that you necessarilly would in a faith as small and chaotic as Shaundakul's). He asked if there would be a problem with that. I told him no, that deities often make themselves known in dream visions. This week I wanted to let him know about the dream vision that he had last session, and I thought that I might let you all peruse it and give me your thoughts.
A little background. Davram (the character) was the child of Damaran refugee/immigrants making their way to Melvaunt across the Thar. His family didn't survive, but a ranger found him and took him to Phlan where he has been raised by the local inn keeper.
The original has italics where Shaundakul speaks, but I'm lazy and didn't format it that way here. I hope ya'll can still get the gist...
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On your first night away from home, utterly exhausted, and having recently defended yourself from the ravening wolves of the Northern Moonsea, you drift softly into a deep sleep. Your last waking thoughts are that you are certain to have your nightmares tonight, and that thought fills you with dread.
* * * * * *
You find yourself standing in the midst of your campsite, the holy rock standing to the North, your companions all gone. Across the fire, that now burns purple and gold stands a wolf. This wolf is unlike those mangy starved beasts that still adorn the ground. This wolf is majestic, large, and possesses the light of intelligence in its golden eyes.
Davram… you hear, though you realize that you have not heard with your ears. It is as if the sound welled up from with in you, resonating off of the very fibers of your being.
Davram… again the sound reverberates within you. You feel awake, alive, stimulated. Yet this is a dream… it must be. What else could it be?
Davram…your muscles tremble with the power of that sensation. That knowledge of self and your surroundings that flood you and fill you with awe. The wolf!
I know you. You were born in my house, in the open way. I do not speak of your physical birth. In that way, you will always belong to your mother. Your spirit, your destiny, was born on that day amidst the wild, when all of your family, save yourself, died. My house is the wild; the places between places, the open spaces. I live in the places where no man has set foot. You were born into my house.
Staring into the eyes of the wolf, you know that you are known. The wolf sees all of you, and knows you, and owns you. How terrible is the power of the wolf! How wonderful!
You were taken from my house, Davram (your name echoes in the chasm of your soul). You were raised by two who were worthy. But now, you have returned. Again, you are within my domain. You could have chosen to live in the city, but you have returned to your father, your true father, Shaun-dak-ul.
If the sound of your own name was like a rumbling, the name of Shaun-dak-ul rips through you like a storm, a rushing divine wind that is unknown and unknowable with neither beginning nor end. There is no ebb, no gust, only a constant and terrible wind. You feel as if it must tear you apart!
I knew that you would return to the places between places, to the open spaces. What I did not know was that you would bring with you companions. They will need guidance…THUNDER… they will need direction… THUNDER… they will need protection…THUNDER! They will need the Helping Hand. Embrace me, Davram. Heed your true father. I will guide you. You will guide them. I will help you. You will help them. In the open spaces… In the places between places…
…Shaun-dak-ul…
…The Rider on the Winds…
…The Helping Hand…
* * * * * *
The next morning, you awake, still tingling, still ringing at the presence of Shaundakul. In your hand, you find a wooden emblem suspended by a leather thong. The emblem shows a white bearded wanderer, strong of stature, riding on the winds. Silently you mouth the name.
… Shaun-dak-ul…
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| 5 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 17 Nov 2006 : 22:50:51
quote:
Originally posted by Dhomal
*see RoMD boxset - Wooly - link please!*
Dhomal
I can provide the link to the Wizards downloads page, but it won't do any good, in this situation. That's not one of the freebies. |
| Dhomal |
Posted - 17 Nov 2006 : 21:55:42
quote:
Originally posted by Victor_ograygor
Okay just want you to think of this. First if i am going to give some of my players visions, they get them from solars and other "right hand" powerfull creatures. Dont youse the gods them self´s....
Hello-
Well - since the whole thing is a dream-vision - there is no telling what agent of the god is actually delivering it. That is actually - somewhat a moot point.
However - if there were to be direct godly-interaction - I would say Shaundakul is one of the top 5 deities that might actually warrant such attention, especially since he is trying to attract more followers - and this is something he has done in the past. *see RoMD boxset - Wooly - link please!*
Dhomal |
| Victor_ograygor |
Posted - 17 Nov 2006 : 19:15:36
Okay just want you to think of this. First if i am going to give some of my players visions, they get them from solars and other "right hand" powerfull creatures. Dont youse the gods them self´s.... |
| dwarvenranger |
Posted - 17 Nov 2006 : 18:07:44
If I hear a whistlin noise comin from those cliffs we just checked out, and the boy heads that way, I'm going to crack his skull first. Sure I know I'll be jumpin high to hit that giants head, better yet I'll just take his feet out from under him first. |
| Dhomal |
Posted - 17 Nov 2006 : 17:55:23
Hello-
As a resident fan of Shaundakul's I'd like to say that I quite liked this!
Its obvious to me that you have done your homework, and included little elements that make it 'breathe' as if it were Shaundakul's own breath.
The only couple of things -
1) Was there a particular reason you chose the 'old man' symbol - as opposed to the Helping Hand symbol? I'm mainly curious - as the hand would be a more simple symbol.
2) What is the approximate date for the game? I assume it is not particularly close to the Windride - because that could have been interesting too.
One minor suggestion that might just add a little flavor - If the location where the PCs have decided to camp is near-ish any rocks or a cliff etc - you could have the other PCs awaken to a 'whistling noise' as the shifting wind blows through some area of rock nearby.... which would be appropriate for Shaundakul. :)
Very nice indeed!
Dhomal |
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