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twilight parasite
Acolyte
1 Posts |
 Posted - 07 Oct 2008 : 22:23:06
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A few questions...
I seek either answers or to be pointed to the appropriate sourcebook providing answers.
1. What are the stories of (or general information on) St. Dionysius and St. Sollars?
2. What is the significance of the Yellow Rose or monastic orders named after flowers?
3. Is there canon significance regarding the teardop tattoos on older members of clergy?
Thank you.
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 08 Oct 2008 : 01:58:01
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1. I don't recall much on St. Dionysius, aside from what's briefly referenced in the entry for "Ilmater" in Faiths & Avatars. There's a little about St. Sollars in The Bloodstone Lands tome.
2. I don't think this has been fully explained. All we know is that "Most Ilmatari monasteries traditionally are named after flowers which symbolise something of significance to the order, though this is not mandated." [pg. 77 Faiths & Avatars]
3. Again, I don't recall this being touched on in the Realmslore specifically [outside of Faiths & Avatars]. One of the unofficial theories I have on this though, suggests that it could be a "teardrop of suffering." The teardrops are traditionally "gray" and that particular colour is usually associated with elderly people. And tears often express a sense of sorrow and/or suffering. Thus, I tend to believe that this may illustrate the thinking of some Ilmatari who include "growing old" among the greatest experiences of suffering that one can endure.
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Edited by - The Sage on 08 Oct 2008 02:05:11 |
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Arion Elenim
Senior Scribe
933 Posts |
Posted - 09 Oct 2008 : 18:18:51
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This may seem waaaaay out of context, but in modern terms, teardrop tattoos tend to supposedly represent having killed someone. Ergo I could see the Ilmateri taking on a similar practice if they'd ever slain a living foe.
Either way, this DM is gonna rule that's why.  |
My latest Realms-based short story, about a bard, a paladin of Lathander and the letter of the law, Debts Repaid. It takes place before the "shattering" and gives the bard Arion a last gasp before he plunges into the present.http://candlekeep.com/campaign/logs/log-debts.htm |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 09 Oct 2008 : 21:52:11
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We could expand upon the canon, and have different colored Teardrops representing different things to the faith. For instance, the Grey teardrop could be as sage says, and it could be some sort of honorific given senior members of the clergy (years of service - Ilmater's version of a 'gold watch'). A Red Teardrop could represent having killed in the line of service for Ilmater (and the pain of the tattoo symbolizes sorrow and repentence over having been forced to do so). A Blue could be as capnvan has said, and could mean that the priest has lost someone special in service to his god ( a fellow priest, or a family member). All teardrops should represent something 'given up' in the line of duty (killing someone would represent a loss of Innocence, the grey one a loss of Youth, etc)
And so on and so forth... lots of fun things can be done by expounding upon that wee bit of lore.  |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 09 Oct 2008 21:54:47 |
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3746 Posts |
Posted - 10 Oct 2008 : 00:11:36
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quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
A Red Teardrop could represent having killed in the line of service for Ilmater (and the pain of the tattoo symbolizes sorrow and repentence over having been forced to do so).
-This being Ilmater, the red might not represent killing in the line of service, but BEING KILLED in the line of service. |
(A Tri-Partite Arcanist Who Has Forgotten More Than Most Will Ever Know)
Elves of Faerūn
Vol I- The Elves of Faerūn
Vol. III- Spells of the Elves
Vol. VI- Mechanical Compendium |
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Arion Elenim
Senior Scribe
933 Posts |
Posted - 10 Oct 2008 : 00:28:29
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| This would make an excellent contrast, of course, to the "branding" of enemy or fallen clerics...hmmm...I smell short story material here.... |
My latest Realms-based short story, about a bard, a paladin of Lathander and the letter of the law, Debts Repaid. It takes place before the "shattering" and gives the bard Arion a last gasp before he plunges into the present.http://candlekeep.com/campaign/logs/log-debts.htm |
Edited by - Arion Elenim on 10 Oct 2008 00:35:28 |
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Famous Ilmateri
