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 Civil Wars and "Denominations" within Racial Myth
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High

Australia
31772 Posts

Posted - 11 Mar 2004 :  09:26:22  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message  Reply with Quote  Delete Topic
While on my way to work this morning, I was reading an interesting historical text book on the Spanish Civil War. The book mainly focused on the period of the Second Republic and on the Spanish Left and Right groups, but it also detailed a little of the religious influences that played there own minor roles during the turmoil.

Anyway, after I reached my workplace, I quickly set down (on paper) a hypothetical situation regarding Moradin and his clergy. Be aware that it is not a focus question, just a generalised wondering about the particular results from the following events -



Now, certain portions of this book triggered my current thinking about the idea of internal conflicts within governments, and to a lesser degree, the greater whole of society in general. This led me to think about how such political and social conflicts might arise among the different humanoid races in a campaign. One thing that popped into my head was the idea of a deity's domains and the influence of the clerical organisation in some humanoid cultures, and one race that I kept coming back to was...Dwarves.

Assume for a moment, a world with a relatively cosmopolitan population of sentient beings, where the dwarves have established themselves among the ruling elite. Now, the powerful priesthood of Moradin has a great influence on the philosophical beliefs, and social mores of the dwarven community and, hence, the world as a whole. But, there is disagreement among dwarven clerics in the different realms. Some focus on the 'Law' and 'Protection' domains as well as the aspect of Moradin, and have created local systems that restrict the overall movement, rights, and social mobility of chaotic, evil, and in some cases even neutral beings all in the name of maintaining stability and order for all sentients. Others see the 'Good' domain and aspect as paramount; these clerics teach a more tolerant and inclusive belief, including missionary ideas and encouraging the belief of those Lawful and Good Deities within all races, as well as social and racial equality. The two "denominations" have developed a certain degree of contempt for each other over time, and the failings they see within each others' systems, leading to skirmishes and eventually war.

So, the one big question in my mind is how the Dwarven pantheon, and Moradin would react to such troubling events?. On the one hand, Moradin would not wish for such strife among his priests and peoples. Yet it could be assumed that Moradin does accept a wide range of philosophical dispositions and beliefs among his followers (so long as they can be argued to support the needs of Dwarves), and the two sides fall within the range of how his priests may behave in order to protect and preserve Dwarves while also supporting good and worthwhile causes.

I think that while such a war might be of some concern to those on Mount Celestia, ultimately there would be minimal interference with the hope of either a quick truce, or triumph of one ideology over the other.

What do the rest of you think...?

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Ius
Seeker

Sweden
63 Posts

Posted - 11 Mar 2004 :  10:25:42  Show Profile  Visit Ius's Homepage Send Ius a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Perhaps the gods reason that both factions have erred and that in forcing their religion upon other races whitin the society they have spread the influence of the church too far. Perhaps the church should stand back and and only concern themselves exlusively with dwarven concerns.
This might also become the case as the two factions waste their power and influence on internal warfare. The overall influence of moradin is lessened and return to a more balanced level.
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High

Australia
31772 Posts

Posted - 11 Mar 2004 :  11:54:17  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message  Reply with Quote
An interesting suggestion, but remember that the dwarves (along with the very powerful Moradin clergy) occupy the ruling class of this society. They are responsible for both the welfare and spiritual needs of the realm. Therefore, it would be impossible for them to 'stand back and only concern themselves exlusively with dwarven concerns' as you say. They have an entire country, and it's people to worry about.

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
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