| Author |
 Topic  |
|
Barastir
Master of Realmslore
Brazil
1602 Posts |
 Posted - 25 Mar 2013 : 13:18:26
|
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Besides, how is the common person going to know exactly what afterlife is offered by every deity? It's not like there's a catalog that handed to every person on their 16th birthday.
We know what the norse think of the afterlife, Ragnarok and what comes after that, what christians think of apocalypde, new earth and new heaven, muslims and the seventy virgins, and so on. In the Realms, we know the otherwordly domains of Sūne (Evergold), Selūne (Gates of the Moon), Tempus Halls... Why would it be so different? The eternity a deity or pantheon offers, IMHO, is a strong part of his, her or its way of attracting believers. And of course, the paradise for followers of Bane may be cruel, but maybe they believe that, if they are really good in what they do, they will be proxies that rule above other fellow believers... So, if they would be relaxed tyrants, doing only what they need to live their tyrannic life, they strive to be the most ruthless tyrants, to conquest the favor of their deity and continue as the ideals of Bane in their afterlife.
I see a balance between chosing a deity that fits their interests - although, as I cited, not always someone can choose a life that best reflects one's ideals - and acting to please that deity or the ideals behind him/her/it. Even a guardian is not always perfect, and depending on his deity's nature, maybe the God will not count very failure you had in your duty, or you will attend to a temple to ask for forgiveness after your failure, make offerings, or so. |
"Goodness is not a natural state, but must be
fought for to be attained and maintained.
Lead by example.
Let your deeds speak your intentions.
Goodness radiated from the heart."
The Paladin's Virtues, excerpt from the "Quentin's Monograph"
(by Ed Greenwood) |
 |
|
|
Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36906 Posts |
Posted - 25 Mar 2013 : 18:58:24
|
quote:
Originally posted by Barastir
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Besides, how is the common person going to know exactly what afterlife is offered by every deity? It's not like there's a catalog that handed to every person on their 16th birthday.
We know what the norse think of the afterlife, Ragnarok and what comes after that, what christians think of apocalypde, new earth and new heaven, muslims and the seventy virgins, and so on. In the Realms, we know the otherwordly domains of Sūne (Evergold), Selūne (Gates of the Moon), Tempus Halls... Why would it be so different?
Because there are literally dozens of deities in the Faerūnian pantheon. It's not a case of only one or two options after death, it's a case of a few dozen different afterlives.
And again, people aren't given catalogs. The Realms doesn't have an internet for people to look up afterlives, and you can't simply mail all the deities and ask for a brochure. Calling 1-800-GODS R US won't work, either.
Even in a large city, chances are the only afterlives you'll know about are those of deities with temples in your city, and maybe a handful of others from traveling priests. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen!  |
|
|
|
Gyor
Master of Realmslore
1628 Posts |
Posted - 25 Mar 2013 : 23:56:58
|
Goodly and Neutral Clerics and other people with great religious knowledge and education will know and share more about the after life then thier own part of it. Sure they will encourage people to follow the will orlf thier God, but they also don't want a bad fit either. A priestess of Sune will sing the praises of her Goddess, but she's still more likely to send someone obsessed with war and battle with little interest in art or beauty to a priest of Tempus or even Sharess then try and convert someone to a faith they're ill suited too.
That being said most people in the Realms will graviate towards one of the predominate faiths in the region, its what thier raised in and what geared towards thier class and status. |
|
|
|
The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 26 Mar 2013 : 02:32:52
|
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Barastir
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Besides, how is the common person going to know exactly what afterlife is offered by every deity? It's not like there's a catalog that handed to every person on their 16th birthday.
We know what the norse think of the afterlife, Ragnarok and what comes after that, what christians think of apocalypde, new earth and new heaven, muslims and the seventy virgins, and so on. In the Realms, we know the otherwordly domains of Sūne (Evergold), Selūne (Gates of the Moon), Tempus Halls... Why would it be so different?
Because there are literally dozens of deities in the Faerūnian pantheon. It's not a case of only one or two options after death, it's a case of a few dozen different afterlives.
And again, people aren't given catalogs. The Realms doesn't have an internet for people to look up afterlives, and you can't simply mail all the deities and ask for a brochure. Calling 1-800-GODS R US won't work, either.
Even in a large city, chances are the only afterlives you'll know about are those of deities with temples in your city, and maybe a handful of others from traveling priests.
There's also the fact that, from what we know of previous sources on the subject -- like Faiths & Avatars -- that the commoner religious types who regularly attend church sessions and/or engage daily with priestly types will likely garner a more definitive account of their particular patron deity's afterlife. Thus, so informed, debates about the nature of the afterlife and one religion's take on the concept when compared with another deity's, is bound to pass regularly through the communal grapevine of daily chatter and folktalk in a small village or city. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
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 |
|
|
|
Barastir
Master of Realmslore
Brazil
1602 Posts |
Posted - 26 Mar 2013 : 10:33:28
|
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Because there are literally dozens of deities in the Faerūnian pantheon. It's not a case of only one or two options after death, (...)
Even in a large city, chances are the only afterlives you'll know about are those of deities with temples in your city, and maybe a handful of others from traveling priests.
Of course their knowledge will be limited by the local religions, or by contact with traveling priests. I'm not saying they will know how the realm of each deity is, but that they will have an idea of the deity they are currently following the most, and a glimpse on other deities whose clergy presents itself through formal churches or missionary priests. And if someone gets interested in a priests' religion, the priest(s) will gladly teach, to win new follower to his/her/their deity. |
"Goodness is not a natural state, but must be
fought for to be attained and maintained.
Lead by example.
Let your deeds speak your intentions.
Goodness radiated from the heart."
The Paladin's Virtues, excerpt from the "Quentin's Monograph"
(by Ed Greenwood) |
|
|
|
Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36906 Posts |
Posted - 26 Mar 2013 : 10:45:16
|
quote:
Originally posted by Barastir
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Because there are literally dozens of deities in the Faerūnian pantheon. It's not a case of only one or two options after death, (...)
Even in a large city, chances are the only afterlives you'll know about are those of deities with temples in your city, and maybe a handful of others from traveling priests.
Of course their knowledge will be limited by the local religions, or by contact with traveling priests. I'm not saying they will know how the realm of each deity is, but that they will have an idea of the deity they are currently following the most, and a glimpse on other deities whose clergy presents itself through formal churches or missionary priests. And if someone gets interested in a priests' religion, the priest(s) will gladly teach, to win new follower to his/her/their deity.
Well, yes, but that's still only going to be a dozen deities, at most. And they are all going to be preaching more about how they can better your life, and less about the afterlife, because the afterlife is of lesser import than getting thru life. So it's not anywhere close to the Norse or Christian religions. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
|
|
|
Barastir
Master of Realmslore
Brazil
1602 Posts |
Posted - 26 Mar 2013 : 14:12:44
|
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
And they are all going to be preaching more about how they can better your life, and less about the afterlife, because the afterlife is of lesser import than getting thru life.
That's the point, I think both are important. And in this RW religions are not that different: they offer changes to someone's life, and give promises to the afterlife, since even if it will happen only decades later, it will last for eternity (and maybe it's even easier for them to believe in afetrlife in a highly magical world where priests can talk with the dead and magicians can travel through the planes.
That's what I think, and of course some people will be more imediatist and others will think ahead. What I'm saying is that I don't think most of the Realmsian people are this or that, and religions play an important role in many lives, not only on clergy members. |
"Goodness is not a natural state, but must be
fought for to be attained and maintained.
Lead by example.
Let your deeds speak your intentions.
Goodness radiated from the heart."
The Paladin's Virtues, excerpt from the "Quentin's Monograph"
(by Ed Greenwood) |
|
|
|
Aldrick
Senior Scribe
909 Posts |
Posted - 26 Mar 2013 : 14:58:44
|
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Barastir
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Because there are literally dozens of deities in the Faerūnian pantheon. It's not a case of only one or two options after death, (...)
Even in a large city, chances are the only afterlives you'll know about are those of deities with temples in your city, and maybe a handful of others from traveling priests.
Of course their knowledge will be limited by the local religions, or by contact with traveling priests. I'm not saying they will know how the realm of each deity is, but that they will have an idea of the deity they are currently following the most, and a glimpse on other deities whose clergy presents itself through formal churches or missionary priests. And if someone gets interested in a priests' religion, the priest(s) will gladly teach, to win new follower to his/her/their deity.
Well, yes, but that's still only going to be a dozen deities, at most. And they are all going to be preaching more about how they can better your life, and less about the afterlife, because the afterlife is of lesser import than getting thru life. So it's not anywhere close to the Norse or Christian religions.
This may be true for some faiths in the Realms. In particular, I think faiths like Loviatar, Umberlee, and Bane would be more focused on life than on the afterlife. After all, if your afterlife sucks you don't really want everyone focused on that fact. Even some more neutral deities, such as Helm and Torm would likely focus on life over death, simply because their focus is much more immediate.
That being said, it makes sense for other deities to focus on the afterlife. I imagine Tempus basically advertising his afterlife the same way the Norse did, just as an example. I also imagine Sune, Sharess, Tymora, and Lliira using their afterlives as a way to entice new followers into the fold.
I think you are overlooking some important things. For example, I agree that a decent chunk of the deities in the Realms wouldn't be known by a lot of people. Deities such as Shiallia and Gwaeron Windstrom - for example - are very localized deities. However, I think you're overlooking how the pantheon is structured.
The FR Pantheon is divided into groups of deities that are interconnected. Rather than having one cohesive pantheon like the Mulhorandi or the Norse, which is heavily influenced by culture, the Faerūnian pantheon has mini-pantheons within itself. (In fact, the Faerūnian pantheon doesn't exist per-say, in the same way the Mulhorandi pantheon does, it is just a marker indicating that a deity is worshiped in a certain geographical location.)
For example, you have the House of the Triad. It contains the following deities: Helm, Ilmater, Torm, Tyr, Siamorphe, and Bahamut. You're going to find that these deities are spoken about together with some commonality depending on where you live. If you enter into a Temple of Tyr somewhere, you're almost certainly going to find Shrines to Ilmater, and Torm there as well. Such temples may also include shrines to Siamorphe if you live in a place such as Waterdeep or Tethyr, and Bahamut if you live in Damara.
So, when you interact with one faith there is the chance of coming into contact with others. This isn't monotheism so having a temple and even priests who talk about the virtues of other deities - especially deities closely aligned with their own - isn't something negative, it would be a common everyday practice.
The same is true for the Brightwater Ladies: Lliira, Sharess, Sune, Tymora, and Waukeen. Go into a temple of Sune and chances are you're going to find a shrine to the other deities. This is not an accident, as the ladies have many things in common and their portfolios compliment each other.
For example, Sune's faith is always going to prosper best in places that are free, wealthy, and hold hedonistic views. Waukeen's faith is always going to prosper best in places that are free, that value risk taking (Tymora), and hold hedonistic views (you need something to spend your wealth on).
The ladies have very synergistic portfolios - as is the case in most cases where deities are grouped together on the same plane. The House of Knowledge, Fury's Heart, the Gates of the Moon, Dweomerheart, etc.
The point I'm trying to make is that while there are a lot of deities, most of them have grouped together in mini-pantheons and share a common afterlife. Thus, it's possible to have never heard of Shiallia and Gwaeron Windstrom, but they both still exist in the House of Nature. Thus, if you worship Silvanus and happen to stumble upon a glade that has a shrine both to Silvanus and Shiallia it wouldn't be difficult to figure out exactly what type of afterlife she offers. The same is true for someone who worships Oghma, but may have never heard of Denier.
There are exceptions to this rule, of course, such as Cyric - who doesn't play nice with anyone - and deities who make their home on more generic planes such as the Plane of Shadow like Shar and Mask. However, these are the exceptions rather than the rule, as the vast majority of the gods operate as I describe above. |
|
|
|
Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36906 Posts |
Posted - 26 Mar 2013 : 16:33:40
|
quote:
Originally posted by Barastir
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
And they are all going to be preaching more about how they can better your life, and less about the afterlife, because the afterlife is of lesser import than getting thru life.
That's the point, I think both are important. And in this RW religions are not that different: they offer changes to someone's life, and give promises to the afterlife, since even if it will happen only decades later, it will last for eternity (and maybe it's even easier for them to believe in afetrlife in a highly magical world where priests can talk with the dead and magicians can travel through the planes.
That's what I think, and of course some people will be more imediatist and others will think ahead. What I'm saying is that I don't think most of the Realmsian people are this or that, and religions play an important role in many lives, not only on clergy members.
I'm not arguing that religion doesn't play a role in people's lives. I'm arguing the idea that the afterlife is going to be a major factor in a person's choice of religion.
Look at this real-world example: cigarettes. It's widely publicized that smoking cigarettes can have an immediate effect on a person, and some pretty serious long-term effects. At least in the US, you literally cannot buy cigarettes -- or even see ads for them -- without being exposed to warnings about the impact to your health.
And yet, people continue to smoke. Knowing full well that in 10 or 20 years, they could be missing a lung or breathing thru a hole in their neck, they still go out of their way to purchase and buy cigarettes.
That's just talking about a decade or two. If people can't be bothered to make sure they'll be healthy in the short term, do you really think people will plan something literally decades away?
If people aren't worried about 20 years from now, how is 50 or 75 years from now going to have any impact?
That's the point I've been trying to make. People in the Realms choose deities based on their beliefs, not based on a description of something that may or may not be accurate and that they won't see for decades. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
|
|
|
Aldrick
Senior Scribe
909 Posts |
Posted - 26 Mar 2013 : 17:22:05
|
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Barastir
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
And they are all going to be preaching more about how they can better your life, and less about the afterlife, because the afterlife is of lesser import than getting thru life.
That's the point, I think both are important. And in this RW religions are not that different: they offer changes to someone's life, and give promises to the afterlife, since even if it will happen only decades later, it will last for eternity (and maybe it's even easier for them to believe in afetrlife in a highly magical world where priests can talk with the dead and magicians can travel through the planes.
That's what I think, and of course some people will be more imediatist and others will think ahead. What I'm saying is that I don't think most of the Realmsian people are this or that, and religions play an important role in many lives, not only on clergy members.
I'm not arguing that religion doesn't play a role in people's lives. I'm arguing the idea that the afterlife is going to be a major factor in a person's choice of religion.
Look at this real-world example: cigarettes. It's widely publicized that smoking cigarettes can have an immediate effect on a person, and some pretty serious long-term effects. At least in the US, you literally cannot buy cigarettes -- or even see ads for them -- without being exposed to warnings about the impact to your health.
And yet, people continue to smoke. Knowing full well that in 10 or 20 years, they could be missing a lung or breathing thru a hole in their neck, they still go out of their way to purchase and buy cigarettes.
That's just talking about a decade or two. If people can't be bothered to make sure they'll be healthy in the short term, do you really think people will plan something literally decades away?
If people aren't worried about 20 years from now, how is 50 or 75 years from now going to have any impact?
That's the point I've been trying to make. People in the Realms choose deities based on their beliefs, not based on a description of something that may or may not be accurate and that they won't see for decades.
Let's create a hypothetical scenario. Let's say you have two demigods who share similar portfolios. They are both competing for the same worshipers - thus their worshipers share similar values. One deity promises a wonderful afterlife, and the other promises no afterlife at all. Which deity do you think will ultimately win out and ascend to lesser deity status?
I'm going to say the deity who promises the wonderful afterlife.
I don't think anyone is saying values aren't important. The values a deity holds and seek to promote in others influences strongly the type of afterlife they offer. So, naturally, people who hold a certain point of view are going to be drawn to certain afterlives more than others.
As a result, the type of afterlife offered is a huge part of the deal. |
|
|
|
Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36906 Posts |
Posted - 26 Mar 2013 : 18:54:11
|
quote:
Originally posted by Aldrick
Let's create a hypothetical scenario. Let's say you have two demigods who share similar portfolios. They are both competing for the same worshipers - thus their worshipers share similar values. One deity promises a wonderful afterlife, and the other promises no afterlife at all. Which deity do you think will ultimately win out and ascend to lesser deity status?
I'm going to say the deity who promises the wonderful afterlife.
I don't think anyone is saying values aren't important. The values a deity holds and seek to promote in others influences strongly the type of afterlife they offer. So, naturally, people who hold a certain point of view are going to be drawn to certain afterlives more than others.
As a result, the type of afterlife offered is a huge part of the deal.
No deity is going to not offer an afterlife.
And people aren't drawn to the afterlife itself, they're drawn to the deity that offers it -- who shares their views.
Again, people don't plan that far ahead. People are not going to change who they are for something that won't happen for 50 years. It's human nature to be short-sighted.
People want to be supported NOW. The future will take care of itself. That's how the vast majority of people think.
The afterlife is not a factor in choosing a patron deity, or it is a small factor, at best. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
Edited by - Wooly Rupert on 26 Mar 2013 18:55:04 |
|
|
|
Aldrick
Senior Scribe
909 Posts |
Posted - 26 Mar 2013 : 20:12:15
|
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Aldrick
Let's create a hypothetical scenario. Let's say you have two demigods who share similar portfolios. They are both competing for the same worshipers - thus their worshipers share similar values. One deity promises a wonderful afterlife, and the other promises no afterlife at all. Which deity do you think will ultimately win out and ascend to lesser deity status?
I'm going to say the deity who promises the wonderful afterlife.
I don't think anyone is saying values aren't important. The values a deity holds and seek to promote in others influences strongly the type of afterlife they offer. So, naturally, people who hold a certain point of view are going to be drawn to certain afterlives more than others.
As a result, the type of afterlife offered is a huge part of the deal.
No deity is going to not offer an afterlife.
And people aren't drawn to the afterlife itself, they're drawn to the deity that offers it -- who shares their views.
Again, people don't plan that far ahead. People are not going to change who they are for something that won't happen for 50 years. It's human nature to be short-sighted.
People want to be supported NOW. The future will take care of itself. That's how the vast majority of people think.
The afterlife is not a factor in choosing a patron deity, or it is a small factor, at best.
So, basically you think that people wouldn't have a problem with Bane if he told them that he'll help them achieve UNLIMITED POWER in the mortal world, they just have to be a slave to him in the afterlife?
I'm sure he'd still scoop up a number of crazy followers. However, I don't think he'd end up as a major deity. Most people would be smart enough to realize the trade-off wasn't worth it. |
|
|
|
Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36906 Posts |
Posted - 26 Mar 2013 : 21:42:52
|
quote:
Originally posted by Aldrick
So, basically you think that people wouldn't have a problem with Bane if he told them that he'll help them achieve UNLIMITED POWER in the mortal world, they just have to be a slave to him in the afterlife?
I'm sure he'd still scoop up a number of crazy followers. However, I don't think he'd end up as a major deity. Most people would be smart enough to realize the trade-off wasn't worth it.
Ah, but Bane wouldn't tell them that. He'd promise power now and in the hereafter. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
|
|
|
Aldrick
Senior Scribe
909 Posts |
Posted - 26 Mar 2013 : 21:54:19
|
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Aldrick
So, basically you think that people wouldn't have a problem with Bane if he told them that he'll help them achieve UNLIMITED POWER in the mortal world, they just have to be a slave to him in the afterlife?
I'm sure he'd still scoop up a number of crazy followers. However, I don't think he'd end up as a major deity. Most people would be smart enough to realize the trade-off wasn't worth it.
Ah, but Bane wouldn't tell them that. He'd promise power now and in the hereafter.
Exactly! That's the point. No sane or logical person wants a crappy afterlife. Thus, the afterlife offered by a deity does factor into the decision making of most people.
Hence my previous hypothetical scenario. If two similar deities are competing for followers, and one deity offers a much better afterlife than the other - chances are the deity with the better afterlife will grow while the other will shrink.
Thus, once more, the afterlife offered by a deity matters. |
Edited by - Aldrick on 26 Mar 2013 21:55:09 |
|
|
|
Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36906 Posts |
Posted - 26 Mar 2013 : 22:18:26
|
quote:
Originally posted by Aldrick
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Aldrick
So, basically you think that people wouldn't have a problem with Bane if he told them that he'll help them achieve UNLIMITED POWER in the mortal world, they just have to be a slave to him in the afterlife?
I'm sure he'd still scoop up a number of crazy followers. However, I don't think he'd end up as a major deity. Most people would be smart enough to realize the trade-off wasn't worth it.
Ah, but Bane wouldn't tell them that. He'd promise power now and in the hereafter.
Exactly! That's the point. No sane or logical person wants a crappy afterlife. Thus, the afterlife offered by a deity does factor into the decision making of most people.
Hence my previous hypothetical scenario. If two similar deities are competing for followers, and one deity offers a much better afterlife than the other - chances are the deity with the better afterlife will grow while the other will shrink.
Thus, once more, the afterlife offered by a deity matters.
Only if everything else was the same, which would not be the case.
And neither offer would matter, if the person's personality didn't already attract him or her to those deities. Therefore, personality trumps offers of the afterlife. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
|
|
|
CorellonsDevout
Great Reader
USA
2708 Posts |
Posted - 26 Mar 2013 : 22:50:06
|
People think in the short term, yes, and daily lives concern us more than what happens a decade in the future. I was never intending to imply that you structure your deity of choice around what afterlife that deity offers, but I think it does factor in, because, as I said, the afterlife attached to your deity of choice reflects that deity, and it thus comes full circle. And when people lose a loved on, the afterlife is a comfort for them (unless that person worshiped an evil deity, though there are exceptions to that, too. Mask's realm isn't that bad). The Realms offers many things that are for the "here and now", just look at Waterdeep. But, the Realms are filled with danger, and death is a likely possibility for many people. I would certainly want my loved ones to go to a good afterlife, and I would be more likely to worship Lathander than Cyric.
Arvandor and the knowledge of it is also a large part of elven culture. They are very much a "live life to the fullest" race, but it has been said that they are close to Arvandor. And for those who worship Tempus, their greatest desire is to die in battle, and to go to the Halls of Tempus. So, the afterlife plays a factor, because that is your fate when you die, and you will go to a certain one based on how you've lived your life--and thus what deity you follow, or whose ideologies you best reflect.
|
Sweet water and light laughter |
|
|
|
Barastir
Master of Realmslore
Brazil
1602 Posts |
Posted - 27 Mar 2013 : 10:44:03
|
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
And people aren't drawn to the afterlife itself, they're drawn to the deity that offers it -- who shares their views.
Again, people don't plan that far ahead. People are not going to change who they are for something that won't happen for 50 years. It's human nature to be short-sighted.
People want to be supported NOW. The future will take care of itself. That's how the vast majority of people think.
This is the point of view I respectly tend to disagree. Different people have different points of view. And using your example, even while some choose to keep smoking and are OK about that, some must create excuses to keep smoking, some simply keep on but feel guilty, and some quit.
About religions, Ed makes clear that there is diversity even inside one religion (of course, the greater the god and more spread the religion, the bigger the chance of factions existing inside the church). Just like in RW there are some who seek religion from prosperity in this world while others seek a peaceful afterlife, different people will see the blessings of Talos, Tempus or Mystra in different ways. The sections on dogmas and religious orders of the Faiths & Avatars series give us a good idea of it.
EDIT: Of course, if you are in dire need, you will not only want, but need to be attended immediatly. I'm only saying each case is a case, and religion is a strong factor in the life of those in need (they strive for a better afterlife, and are more prone to surrender themselves to a deity, either because they understand the suffering of others, or are more ambitious to change their lives). About Bane, as I said, he doesn't need false propaganda, he only needs to make clear that the best among his tyrants will rule above the others, and he CAN do it. Of course, he will be the tyrant above all, but a competent follower would have a nice proxy status. |
"Goodness is not a natural state, but must be
fought for to be attained and maintained.
Lead by example.
Let your deeds speak your intentions.
Goodness radiated from the heart."
The Paladin's Virtues, excerpt from the "Quentin's Monograph"
(by Ed Greenwood) |
Edited by - Barastir on 27 Mar 2013 10:52:07 |
|
|
|
Shair
Acolyte
Sweden
1 Posts |
Posted - 27 Mar 2013 : 12:28:26
|
AS a DM: Sharess
As real me: Red Knight
AS a Player: Hoar
|
ahhh you say you can bind and enslave a genie.. I see I see... now let me show you true genie magic as a wonderful punishment for your crimes ... |
|
|
|
Rhymn
Acolyte
17 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2013 : 20:58:41
|
Akadi. I love doing what I want when I want to do it (within reason) and having as few responsibilities as possible.
I also have a deep appreciation for Sharess, Fenmarel, and Dugmaren. |
Mystra Lives |
|
|
|
Aryalómė
Senior Scribe
USA
666 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2013 : 02:26:54
|
| I don't just have one patron deity. My patrons would probably be Corellon Larethian, Lebolas Enoreth, Hanali Celanil, Lurue, Vhaeraun; those are the only Realmsian gods that I can think of at the moment. |
|
|
|
Doge
Seeker
73 Posts |
Posted - 02 May 2013 : 13:38:36
|
| Bane or Red Knight. I like tyranny and strategy. It's all about control. Haha. |
|
|
|
Emma Drake
Learned Scribe
USA
206 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2013 : 04:25:48
|
quote:
Originally posted by Caladan Brood
Maybe I should go for a jack-of-all-trades kind of deity. Is there a bard-specific deity (I can't think of one)? One with which I can pursue all my interests for an eternity or two?
Oghma. |
"I am always here, all about you. You are never truly alone. I flow wherever life flows, wherever winds blow and water runs and the sun and moon chase each other, for there is magic in all things."
- Mystra (Ed Greenwood, Silverfall) |
|
|
|
Emma Drake
Learned Scribe
USA
206 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2013 : 04:29:42
|
| My patron deity is Mystra. Hands down. |
"I am always here, all about you. You are never truly alone. I flow wherever life flows, wherever winds blow and water runs and the sun and moon chase each other, for there is magic in all things."
- Mystra (Ed Greenwood, Silverfall) |
|
|
|
Sightless
Senior Scribe
USA
608 Posts |
Posted - 15 May 2013 : 03:46:19
|
| Well, mine would be the broken God, Mine would be the broken God, and My DM was very right for selecting him for me, espcially since we first met when I took a beating for his son. |
We choose to live a lie, when we see with, & not through the eye.
Every decision, no matter the evidence, is a leap of faith; if it were not, then it wouldn't be a choice at all. |
|
|
|
silverwolfer
Senior Scribe
789 Posts |
Posted - 15 May 2013 : 04:44:09
|
pish , finder over oghma
Now as for my diety ...
Hmm... I want to look like the hipster of faerun.... so...
Nobanion |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
|
|
Who is your patron deity?
