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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31772 Posts |
 Posted - 23 Jan 2011 : 15:10:13
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quote:
Originally posted by Brynweir
I would like to know more on the subject of this Truth, as I have similar ideas about the Heavens and Hells, and the great lie that both are living (though not so many are privy to the truth). I have similar ideas IRL about Christianity, but this is not the time or place lol
Since several of my players tend to frequent these boards from time to time -- in one guise or another, I may have to handle this via PM, as I don't want to spoil too much for them.  |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31772 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2011 : 15:11:42
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Arioch
I think that gods are less "autonomous" than mortals in their behaviours... (and I think behaviour a direct consequence of personality). They embodies some archetype (their portfolio) and they cannot, by their own nature, act in any way distant to it.
They can be complicated as a being so powerful can be, as a very advanced engine can be... but all this not necessarily adds something more to their "personality"...
They are simple like childs ... all a matter of action and reaction to threats/goals. Even when they show some sort of personality trait, it is part of their chosen manifestation form... I suppose they can change their "personality" as they please...
I'd be a little more careful with that kind of interpretation. It sounds eerily like what we saw of the gods/avatars in the "Avatar" trilogy. And as we now largely know, those depictions of the gods, was practically literary licence:- it doesn't match the deities as conceived elsewhere in Realmslore and shouldn't be taken as definitive of them.
And though they may not act in opposition to themselves (and seriously, who does that?), deities have been seen acting in ways beyond their assigned portfolios -- such as impersonating/slaying/absorbing other deities, or in the various deific intrigues.
Indeed. And Ed's offered some brilliant thoughts on this in his compiled replies over the years. Worthwhile reading for any scribes interested in the subject. |
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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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Arioch
Learned Scribe
Italy
222 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2011 : 15:14:51
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
And though they may not act in opposition to themselves (and seriously, who does that?), deities have been seen acting in ways beyond their assigned portfolios -- such as impersonating/slaying/absorbing other deities, or in the various deific intrigues.
Human does it And yes, they can act beyond their own portfolios in the circumstances you said, but always to further ... well their portfolios.
Do not want to stress too much on this, it is just my opinion that I share and I respect yours. I think that in the novels in which their actions are accounted, gods are seen through mortal eyes... Their choices understood and explained through "a human meter" so they appear more "humanized" than they really are.
EDITED after The Sage's reply (not seen because I was writing mine): I run to search & read Ed's thoughts on this! |
Edited by - Arioch on 23 Jan 2011 15:18:02 |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31772 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2011 : 15:22:49
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quote:
Originally posted by Arioch
EDITED after The Sage's reply (not seen because I was writing mine): I run to search & read Ed's thoughts on this!
If you've any difficulty finding them, let me know. I was just looking them up the other day, for some deity-related Realms music I was composing, whereupon I noticed they're mostly buried in amongst some of Ed's other ramblings. Not too difficult to find, but also not where you'd expect either. |
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Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
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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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36803 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2011 : 15:59:45
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quote:
Originally posted by Arioch
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
And though they may not act in opposition to themselves (and seriously, who does that?), deities have been seen acting in ways beyond their assigned portfolios -- such as impersonating/slaying/absorbing other deities, or in the various deific intrigues.
Human does it And yes, they can act beyond their own portfolios in the circumstances you said, but always to further ... well their portfolios.
Not necessarily. Lolth impersonating Moander doesn't further any of her established portfolios. |
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen!  |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31772 Posts |
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Arioch
Learned Scribe
Italy
222 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2011 : 16:20:59
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Not necessarily. Lolth impersonating Moander doesn't further any of her established portfolios.
Ok... Maybe she was trying to broaden her worshippers base adding some surface dweller. Gods protects their power... and like in economy: growth or recession A basic behaviour of all sentient beings, not a personality trait in itself.
But the more we go on on this argument, the more I see it is just a matter of personal likings. |
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Quale
Master of Realmslore
1757 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2011 : 16:35:49
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Quale
gods are easier to discuss, they have their portfolios and dogmas, mortals have complex personalities, it's hard to tell what they'll do next, particularly in a world where adventuring is common and there are less sheep
So a divine entity, existing for thousands of years and capable of paying attention to literally dozens of things at once, and capable of being in multiple places at once, has a less complex personality than a short-lived mortal who can't do any of those things? 
lol, the secret is that the gods are natural forces of alien ''sentience'', what mortals ever see of them are anthropomorphized avatars subject to mortal belief, that's why Time of Troubles is called the Avatar Crisis
e.g. Cyric is not a god, but a ''champion'' of some force, Jergal knew that he is not the end of everything |
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Rant: Deity-Talk
