| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Charles Phipps |
Posted - 11 Apr 2006 : 21:52:01
Tell which god was more effective in his portrayal of the power of evil and which might have made a better antagonist |
| 9 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 12 Apr 2006 : 15:09:19
When Bane was gone from the realms... I admit it, I missed him. For a few years I was on a kick of "bring Bane Back". Then I heard more about Xvim's movements near Tethyr. I was intrigued. For once I was seeing a priest of a tyrant god with some idea of military strategy. Then I saw Fzoul turning to him. I was actually getting to a point where I really liked Xvim and saw he was a valid replacement. Then came the split in the zhentarim, which made things interesting. Then Bane came back. I truly don't know how to feel with that. Of course, that he looks kind of demonic now makes me wonder who is really at the wheel. In fact, I think it'd be interesting if the current "Bane" is actually Xvim trying to steal the name and to his own surprise the real Bane is coming back as a challenger. Perhaps the two agree to take out Cyric entirely and split the portfolios between them.... along with the aid of the vestige of Leira who reclaims her portfolio of illusions and lies. |
| Charles Phipps |
Posted - 12 Apr 2006 : 07:35:38
Xvim wasn't a bad deity and frankly I think that he was at least extremely THOROUGH about eliminating the problem of his father. The Banefog is one of the most badass displays of divine power out there.
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| The Sage |
Posted - 12 Apr 2006 : 07:11:51
Read Cloak & Dagger and Faiths & Avatars for more about Xvim.
I would've liked to have seen Xvim developed more after Bane's death. I would've also liked to have seen some alternative conflict brew between the clergies of Cyric and Xvim -- a kind of "deity succession war" so to speak -- a carry-on from Xvim's taking of his father's former portfolios from Cyric. Xvim had every ambition to replace the power of his father, thus I would have liked to have seen him someday rise to a point where he could be a suitable challenge to the now tiresome concept deity that is Cyric.
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| Charles Phipps |
Posted - 12 Apr 2006 : 05:58:01
Xvim is a character that has shown up repeatedly in our games, primarily because of the opportunity to kill the Demigod in the Halls of the High King adventure by Ed Greenwood.
I don't honestly know much about Xvim other than his name is a lot harder to pronounce and frankly I keep feeling he got the short end of the stick when it comes to his portrayal in Forgotten Realms. Cyric was allowed to have the lion's portion of everything right up until the end frankly.
Cyric is a God that I enjoy even if I feel he was essentially lavishly supported in Forgotten Realms at the expense of other deities.
I do think Bane felt far more mythic though. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 12 Apr 2006 : 03:28:25
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
It's hardly an effective comparison. Bane simply had longer to portray his power and position than Xvim ever had the chance to in a similar capacity.
Having said that though... I think Xvim would've made the better antagonist. He wasn't as direct and "obvious" as Bane -- "Bane with style" as I recall Wooly and I once said  .
Indeed. We didn't get to see nearly enough of Iyachtu Xvim... But what little we did see convinced me he had more style than Bane.
Perhaps it's due to poor writing, or maybe I've just focused on the wrong stuff, but to me, Bane is just a "Ooh, fear me! I'm eeevviilll!"-type. Iyachtu Xvim did evil stuff, too, but he was more classy about it. He had style. And for me, that's far more interesting than just raw menace. That's why I like Jarlaxle, too -- it's all about his style. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 12 Apr 2006 : 02:03:14
It's hardly an effective comparison. Bane simply had longer to portray his power and position than Xvim ever had the chance to in a similar capacity.
Having said that though... I think Xvim would've made the better antagonist. He wasn't as direct and "obvious" as Bane -- "Bane with style" as I recall Wooly and I once said .
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| Shadovar |
Posted - 12 Apr 2006 : 01:24:16
Bane would be the more likely answer though I think there isn't much difference between his son and him. Both are reckless and cunning, fairly subtle but they both are not farsighted enough to gain success for their work.
Bane had been once a mortal, and became a god for some centuries or more, hence he knows mortals fair enough to use the knowledge for his purpose and as a god, he should had learned a fair amount of patience so he could be the better antagonist and since he is a greater power in the Pantheon, his word can be spread more quickly through his massive number of followers and priests.
Xvim...no a single chance. He was considered a lesser power even before bane returned and he is not fully a god, only half-god, half-demon and even after his father died, he had a bit of problem trying to project his teachings, power and his image as his father's followers were split between him, Bane, Cyric and "sit on the fence" followers, and his part-demonic character tends to overrule his thinking at times despite Xvim having pulled off a impressive stunt in decieving a greater power such as Lord Lathander in Tymora's Luck. |
| Chosen of Bane |
Posted - 12 Apr 2006 : 01:06:26
Shocking I know, but I also am a big fan of Bane. |
| Cyric-The-Insane |
Posted - 12 Apr 2006 : 00:40:52
Bane in my opinion |
