| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Razz |
Posted - 19 May 2007 : 23:00:30
I've always wondered why Anubis wasn't included in the Mulhorandi Pantheon. I know Ptah is missing, too, but at least the 2E book Powers and Pantheons explains he stayed behind after being contacted by Ao. But no mention of Anubis.
Suddenly, I saw this: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/mb/20050209a
I noticed the paragraph that highlights Anubis was initially a member but also stayed behind with the other deities instead of bringing an incarnation to Faerun.
My question is, then, is there any reason I shouldn't allow his church to continue flourishing in Mulhorand? With Anubis not being in the Realms, I guess Osiris would most likely be granting the clerics their magic and taking on Anubis's aspect. |
| 6 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Gray Richardson |
Posted - 21 May 2007 : 08:56:19
As I understand it Anubis did not enter the Realms with the other Mulan gods. He sent Nephthys in his place, along with a cadre of archons.
To the extent that Anubis had any kind of following among the Mulan that were captured as slaves by the Imaskari, he would not have been able to answer any of their prayers or grant his clergy spells. Because he did not send over a manifestation with the other gods, his worship would have been pretty powerless in the Realms, and would likely have died out long ago.
Not to mention that, back in the Great Wheel, Anubis did pretty much cast off his godhood and "ascend" to a new job, the guardian of the Dead Gods in that cosmology's Astral Plane. Not sure if he actually ascended to overgod status (divine rank 21 or higher) I think he might have. If I had any say in the matter, I would indeed stat Anubis as a divine rank 21 overgod (not that you can make stats for such entities).
So I would guess that Anubis does not have any kind of religion left in the Realms proper, although I suppose it is possible he might have some kind of cult. If he had any kind of clergy at all, it might be possible for Nephthys to grant spells for them using Anubis's name as an alias. Or if not maybe some other god has taken Anubis's name as an alias for himself. Hoar might. Jergal might. Kelemvor might. Cyric might even as well.
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| Razz |
Posted - 21 May 2007 : 03:03:15
Well, let's not forget that the clerics and scholars of Mulhorand obviously would've been knowledgable with texts concerning the Mulhorandi deities. I'm sure their history books would be littered with mentions of deities such as Ptah and Anubis.
It's more a matter of what if a cult following began to worship these "Lost Deities of Mulhorand"? I doubt Anubis or Ptah's presence is completely hidden, and I don't see why the churches in Mulhorand would want to hide their influence on their people in the long ago past. |
| Zanan |
Posted - 20 May 2007 : 09:47:02
Not that I have any background knowledge on that, but lately I was told that Anubis, as the guardian of the dead gods, watches over their essence in the Astral Plane. So that would be his primary role within Realmspace. Dunno whether one would need him on Toril though ... and obviously, if he never made it to the setting as such, no-one would know anyway. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 20 May 2007 : 02:18:42
Anubis, as the "Guardian of the Dead Gods", presents a unique case in terms of relations to the FR cosmology in 3e. As it is... I wouldn't think he'd have much purchase in the Realms nor with the Mulhorandi pantheon because we know Anubis "ascended" (by giving up his divinity) to his unique divine position before the Mulhorandi pantheon had properly established themselves in Faerun.
If there is a Realms Anubis, I think he/it would still be divorced from the actual conception of Anubis as in the core D&D cosmology... an Realmsian interpretation for the Great Tree could be just as applicable... and could have developed (or rather come to be) after the Mulhorandi pantheon gained influence in Realmspace.
Another possibility is... If the Mulhorandi pantheon came from elsewhere, and we know they still did, there's no reason some variation of Anubis didn't get dragged along as well. For example, Ptah never made it to the mainland of Toril, but was worshipped by Faerunian Spelljammers, and was instrumental in helping the Mulhorandi pantheon make their move. Anubis could have a very similar story.
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| Marquant Volker |
Posted - 20 May 2007 : 01:49:22
You can always make him appear it could give you some quest/event opportunities, perhaps you could link that with the upcoming "clash" between the Faerunian/Mulhorandi pantheon. |
| warlockco |
Posted - 20 May 2007 : 01:35:44
Ptah is in Realmspace, just not on Toril. As to Anubis, it is your campaign, so if you really want him there, you can have him, just might have to step him down to a Demigod in the Realms though. |
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