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Synthalus
Learned Scribe
USA
170 Posts |
 Posted - 21 Dec 2010 : 13:41:33
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Poll Question:
What is your favorite pantheon of gods to use in your own personal D&D worlds?
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"That is not dead which can eternal lie,
And with strange aeons even death may die."
— H.P. Lovecraft (The Call of Cthulhu and Other Weird Stories) |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36910 Posts |
Posted - 21 Dec 2010 : 14:03:17
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Odd question to ask on a site dedicated to a specific setting...
That said, I'd imagine most homebrew settings use homebrew deities, rather than lifting wholesale an existing pantheon. |
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Synthalus
Learned Scribe
USA
170 Posts |
Posted - 21 Dec 2010 : 15:00:44
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well i was just curious becuase deities are a very important aspect of the game. the FR game setting is not so exclusive in 1E which is the version i play. In 1E you can still use the deities & demigods manual as well as the in game setting deities. im just trying to getting a feel for the overall background of the people that post on this forum. knowing what races they prefer, knowing what classes they prefer, knowing what deities they prefer and so on and so forth. i want to get to know how yall play in a very simple way.
The Sage is right though i should have made "all of the above" an option.
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"That is not dead which can eternal lie,
And with strange aeons even death may die."
— H.P. Lovecraft (The Call of Cthulhu and Other Weird Stories) |
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Kilvan
Senior Scribe
Canada
896 Posts |
Posted - 21 Dec 2010 : 15:06:59
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| Anyone using Tyr is using part of the Viking pantheon |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36910 Posts |
Posted - 21 Dec 2010 : 15:30:03
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If I was limited to the DDG, and not to my own homebrew deities, I'd prolly go with the Greek pantheon. That's the one I know the most about and am most familiar with. In fact, all of my personal computers have been named after females from Greek mythology (four computers named Artemis, one Alcyone*, and my laptop, Atalanta; I've not deliberately stuck with names beginning with A, that just happened).
Expanding it out just a bit, sticking with the DDG but not a single pantheon... I'd go with the Greek pantheon (same reasons as above), but I'd mix in a few others from other pantheons, mostly the Egyptians and the Norse. And prolly a tweaked Raiden, too. He was my fave Mortal Kombat character, back in the day, and I'm quite fond of lightning (part of the reason I play Cygnar!).
*Alcyone came between Artemis III and Artemis IV. It was something to keep me going until I could build a good system for gaming, and I wanted to save the name Artemis IV for gaming -- mainly because that name still makes me think of BattleTech. |
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Brimstone
Great Reader
USA
3290 Posts |
Posted - 21 Dec 2010 : 16:28:16
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
There should also be an "All of the above" option for those who, like me, have a passion for all-things-deity. 
I agree Sage. I like to pick and choose... |
"These things also I have observed: that knowledge of our world is
to be nurtured like a precious flower, for it is the most precious
thing we have. Wherefore guard the word written and heed
words unwritten and set them down ere they fade . . . Learn
then, well, the arts of reading, writing, and listening true, and they
will lead you to the greatest art of all: understanding."
Alaundo of Candlekeep |
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Brimstone
Great Reader
USA
3290 Posts |
Posted - 21 Dec 2010 : 16:29:15
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| Yet having to vote, I tend to gravitate towards the Norse Gods. |
"These things also I have observed: that knowledge of our world is
to be nurtured like a precious flower, for it is the most precious
thing we have. Wherefore guard the word written and heed
words unwritten and set them down ere they fade . . . Learn
then, well, the arts of reading, writing, and listening true, and they
will lead you to the greatest art of all: understanding."
Alaundo of Candlekeep |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 21 Dec 2010 : 23:59:54
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
*Alcyone came between Artemis III and Artemis IV. It was something to keep me going until I could build a good system for gaming, and I wanted to save the name Artemis IV for gaming -- mainly because that name still makes me think of BattleTech.
Heh. Never really made much use of the Artemis IV Fire Control System. But then, Corean Enterprises make lousy products. |
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Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
Posted - 22 Dec 2010 : 00:13:58
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| I voted Greek, though for me it's an equal mix of Greek and Celtic (that should be a CAPTITAL "C", BTW). I love all things from ancient Greece and Rome, and my Irish heritage makes me naturally appreciate the Celtic mythos. (Being Wiccan don't hurt, either!) I also occasionally like individual gods from other pantheons. I noticed neither of the African or Hindu pantheons were named. I'm quite fond of Anansi and Kali, for some odd reason!! |
The Goddess is alive, and magic is afoot.
"Where Science ends, Magic begins" -Spiral, Uncanny X-Men #491
"You idiots! You've captured their STUNT doubles!" -Spaceballs
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My stories:
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Lothir, courtesy of Sylinde (Deviant Art)/Luaxena (Chosen of Eilistraee)
http://sylinde.deviantart.com/#/d2z6e4u |
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skychrome
Senior Scribe
713 Posts |
Posted - 22 Dec 2010 : 00:35:16
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Thou are all nasty pagans!
I stick to Waukeen and the Faerunean pantheon (as should thou)!!! |
"You make an intriguing offer, one that is very tempting. It would seem that I have little alternative than to answer thusly: DISINTEGRATE!" Vaarsuvius, Order of the Stick 625 |
Edited by - skychrome on 22 Dec 2010 00:36:52 |
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 22 Dec 2010 : 01:47:27
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quote:
Originally posted by Alystra Illianniis
I voted Greek, though for me it's an equal mix of Greek and Celtic (that should be a CAPTITAL "C", BTW). I love all things from ancient Greece and Rome, and my Irish heritage makes me naturally appreciate the Celtic mythos. (Being Wiccan don't hurt, either!) I also occasionally like individual gods from other pantheons. I noticed neither of the African or Hindu pantheons were named. I'm quite fond of Anansi and Kali, for some odd reason!!
Yay, another pagan! I'm more inclined toward the Egyptian pantheon, in that regard, with a particular eye for Thoth. But I'm never too particular... which is probably why I often don't have a favourite pantheon for the various RPGs I own. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
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Dalor Darden
Great Reader
USA
4216 Posts |
Posted - 22 Dec 2010 : 04:38:30
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I picked Celtic simply because it is a far reaching and varied "pantheon" that really amounts to numerous gods being piled together under the title "Celtic" by most.
I like them because they originated in the area that would now be known as Central Asia, specifically evidence is beginning to point to Kazakhstan. If any should doubt, simply look at the national statue of the "Golden Man" that that nation has as its national symbol. You really only have to look at river names, place names (mountains, lakes and etc) to see the migratory path of the "Celtic" people moving from the central steppes to the west...and then you also have splinter groups such as the Cimmerians (not the Howard sort) that ended up in Anatolia and Thracians to begin seeing the great similarity of weapon and armor styles and linguistic roots.
ANYWAY...bit of a diversion there. Lets just say that Celtic deities have such a wide ranging variety that it makes them hard to pass up as a favorite; though the Norse would be a second choice of mine simply because of my Norwegian family that "moved" to Ireland a while back. |
The Old Grey Box and AD&D for me! |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7989 Posts |
Posted - 22 Dec 2010 : 05:10:41
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I've always found this Legends & Lore passage interesting:
Arawn (Celtic pantheon; Intermediate God of Death and the Underworld)
... Arawn rarely has reason to venture into the world of the living ... Arawn generally only sends an avatar to the world of the living after someone has been resurrected that Arawn would rather keep. Many other Celtic gods will endorse resurrections, but none can guarantee that Arawn will leave the matter at that. Arawn has absolute power over life and death among the Celts ... On resurrecting any individual, there is a 2% chance per level of that individual that Arawn will intervene. He will either send his avatar to reclaim the body or (25% chance) he will attempt to bargain. He will offer some other similar character from the legions of the dead provided he can keep the original character. Refusal of his offer will be met with force ...
So, basically, (in this sort of Celtic mythology) dead characters are sometimes replaced with a newly generated "similar character" who might be an hero (or villain) resurrected from ages past.
Also interesting ... most pantheons have at least one particular deity who governs death, final judgement, and the afterlife. If the character has acted "wickedly", violated divine principles or commandments, or generally displeased the gods in any way then his soul will be punished, imprisoned, or destroyed - returning from death simply becomes impossible. The gods might apparently overlook or be unable to enact retribution upon those who (for example) violate the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs, but once you've died your fate is forever sealed. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7989 Posts |
Posted - 22 Dec 2010 : 06:17:42
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The OP doesn't list the following pantheons: Arthurian, Chinese, Indian, Nehwon, Greyhawk, Faerûnian (and Kara-Turan, Maztican, Mulhorandi, Zakharan) ... or the Archdevils, Abyssal Demon Lords, Celestial Paragons, Archomentals, Lady of Pain, Draconic, demihuman pantheons (Seldarine and Dark Seldarine, Morndinsamman, Yondalla's Children, Lords of the Golden Hills), monstrous/humanoid pantheons (Ordning/Jotunbrud and Titans, Seelie/Unseelie Courts, Orc, Goblin, Lycanthrope, Slaad Lords), countless cults and godlings and "other" divine powers ... of course, much of this is greatly simplified in the "default mythology" revisions of later D&D editions.
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[/Ayrik] |
Edited by - Ayrik on 22 Dec 2010 06:22:17 |
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Quale
Master of Realmslore
1757 Posts |
Posted - 22 Dec 2010 : 09:07:50
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All of them, I use a combination of homebrew-FR-Golarion with earthly pantheons existing in the past.
My first choice of them is Celtic, then Norse, Slavic, Greek and Persian. |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7989 Posts |
Posted - 22 Dec 2010 : 09:21:51
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| D&D lore about Slavic deities exists? Where can I learn more? |
[/Ayrik] |
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Quale
Master of Realmslore
1757 Posts |
Posted - 22 Dec 2010 : 09:40:19
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D&D, not much, there's some in Dragon 290.
The Tiefling's Exultation site had additional info, but is dead now. |
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Arioch
Learned Scribe
Italy
222 Posts |
Posted - 22 Dec 2010 : 10:53:28
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quote:
Originally posted by Arik
So, basically, (in this sort of Celtic mythology) dead characters are sometimes replaced with a newly generated "similar character" who might be an hero (or villain) resurrected from ages
I know I'm off-topic but you just give me an idea for a new FR campaign. In a post-plagued realms a lot of lesser deities may reapper "changed"... Some of them like frail mortals, but with sparks of theirformer memories.. Other warped by the plague! How was this possible? A lot of possibile scenarios opens...Up to the players to discover! |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36910 Posts |
Posted - 22 Dec 2010 : 12:07:56
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quote:
Originally posted by Arik
The OP doesn't list the following pantheons: Arthurian, Chinese, Indian, Nehwon, Greyhawk, Faerûnian (and Kara-Turan, Maztican, Mulhorandi, Zakharan) ... or the Archdevils, Abyssal Demon Lords, Celestial Paragons, Archomentals, Lady of Pain, Draconic, demihuman pantheons (Seldarine and Dark Seldarine, Morndinsamman, Yondalla's Children, Lords of the Golden Hills), monstrous/humanoid pantheons (Ordning/Jotunbrud and Titans, Seelie/Unseelie Courts, Orc, Goblin, Lycanthrope, Slaad Lords), countless cults and godlings and "other" divine powers ... of course, much of this is greatly simplified in the "default mythology" revisions of later D&D editions.
Most of those weren't in the DDG, which seems to be what we're limited to, in this thread. |
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Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7989 Posts |
Posted - 22 Dec 2010 : 13:56:39
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lol, true enough, Sage.
I know that some of our scribes profess to liking the Seldarine (or Dark Seldarine) gods, however. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7989 Posts |
Posted - 22 Dec 2010 : 14:15:00
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Arioch, here's another oddity from L&L which also struck me as interesting:
Huitzilopochtli (Aztec pantheon; Intermediate God of War, Lightning, Fruit and Crops)
Huitzilopochtli’s avatar takes the form of a warrior who has won great victories in the distant past. The avatar is always armed with a blue javelin. When the avatar leaves, his physical shell, the body of a great warrior, remains behind. Although no longer divine, the hero remains a force to be reckoned with. He lives for the remainder of a normal man’s life, but is +3 on all saving throws. [He is an F18 with awesome stats, possibly blue-skinned and partially covered with feathers, possibly still possessing blue jade javelin and blue jade armor.]
Intermediate gods can use up to five avatars at a time and move them between planes at will, and creating or replacing an avatar requires one week.
I imagine that Huitzilo doesn't manufacture and discard 260 "great warriors" every year and is restricted (or restricts himself) to some lesser quantity. Even so, some number of these ex-avatars must exist, perhaps one near every one of Huitzilo's temples, perhaps some travel to distant lands or worlds ...
(Sage: I actually liked the Artemis IV FCS on heavy missile carriers, but the ammo costs were prohibitive for a merc unit.) |
[/Ayrik] |
Edited by - Ayrik on 22 Dec 2010 15:12:53 |
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GRYPHON
Senior Scribe
USA
527 Posts |
Posted - 22 Dec 2010 : 14:57:21
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| Greek... |
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Abenabin Gimblescrew
Seeker
USA
75 Posts |
Posted - 22 Dec 2010 : 15:04:43
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I know I'm one of the rare few, but I like all of the above. However, if I must choose, I went with Egyptian Mythology as something I take a lot from. My two favorite gods in it are Isis and Osiris due to the fact they are eternal lovers and for the fact they had probably the most impact in the mythology due to their representations in the society. And who doesn't know about Horus-Re and Ra, as well as that sinister Set, and Anubis that judged the dead. Plus who doesn't like Stargate on the brief occasion. :p
Norse and Greek are a tie for second with me. Both have equally intriguing stories of creation and destruction, but I just like the Greek pantheon mostly for all the goddesses I can not lie. ;)
You got Artemis, Athena, Aphrodite, Tyche, Persephone, Demeter, etc.
I must attest my knowledge of the other mythologies is limited, but what I have heard of them they are intriguing and as having Native American ancestors I've taken some inspiration for some of my homebrew gods from their mythologies usually when pertaining to Druidic/Shamanistic cultures/deities I create. In any case, I find inspiration in all types of mythologies and current religions of the day as well as cultures past and present to making anything in my worlds. |
Invention is the key to staying ahead of the competition. |
Edited by - Abenabin Gimblescrew on 22 Dec 2010 15:10:20 |
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Synthalus
Learned Scribe
USA
170 Posts |
Posted - 22 Dec 2010 : 17:21:34
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quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Most of those weren't in the DDG, which seems to be what we're limited to, in this thread.
Thank you for clearifying this point to everyone. I did leave some of them out because you can only make a poll with 12 points. So i tried to put the ones that seemed to have the most influence on the FR game setting. BTW morrigan is awesome and crazy like a fox |
"That is not dead which can eternal lie,
And with strange aeons even death may die."
— H.P. Lovecraft (The Call of Cthulhu and Other Weird Stories) |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36910 Posts |
Posted - 22 Dec 2010 : 18:33:48
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quote:
Originally posted by Synthalus
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Most of those weren't in the DDG, which seems to be what we're limited to, in this thread.
Thank you for clearifying this point to everyone. I did leave some of them out because you can only make a poll with 12 points. So i tried to put the ones that seemed to have the most influence on the FR game setting. BTW morrigan is awesome and crazy like a fox
Well, I'm not aware of any American Indian or Melnibonéan deities in the Realms... And though we have aberrations and the Far Realm (clearly inspired by the Cthulhu mythos), I'm pretty sure nothing in the listed Cthulhu mythos is present in the Realms. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 22 Dec 2010 : 23:31:31
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Synthalus
quote:
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Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Most of those weren't in the DDG, which seems to be what we're limited to, in this thread.
Thank you for clearifying this point to everyone. I did leave some of them out because you can only make a poll with 12 points. So i tried to put the ones that seemed to have the most influence on the FR game setting. BTW morrigan is awesome and crazy like a fox
Well, I'm not aware of any American Indian or Melnibonéan deities in the Realms... And though we have aberrations and the Far Realm (clearly inspired by the Cthulhu mythos), I'm pretty sure nothing in the listed Cthulhu mythos is present in the Realms.
The possibility for American Indian gods at least being mentioned in the Realms is always a possibility, so long as viable portal links back to Earth, like those that have been suggested in previous lore, still exist. And I'd imagine El's at least familiar with the pantheon, given the fact that his Holdout in Realmspace has a portal to Ed's study and library at his home and to Yellowstone in 1894.
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Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 23 Dec 2010 : 01:12:56
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I voted "Greek."
There's a reason why a lot of novels "utilize" Greeky mythology... |
Every beginning has an end. |
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gods!
