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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
 Posted - 11 Apr 2004 : 01:09:31
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DrizztDoUrden's Xorn movement? scroll, made me think about something I wrote late last year regarding the beliefs of the Xorn race as a whole.
So, I've decided to post what I have so far, and maybe, by doing so, generate some more interesting points to add, given the fertile imagination of the collected scribes here at Candlekeep -
XORTHODOXIA
1. Most Xorn are at least a little agoraphobic. They not only fear wide open spaces, they consider them to be inherently "bad". Many Xorn don't know what clouds are, but those who hear about them or, worse yet, live to SEE one are convinced they are a greater threat to the Multiverse than, say, the Lords of the Nine. Things that fly or yearn to fly should probably be put out of their misery, or at the very least have their limbs buried in the earth until the insane impulse escapes them. Being surrounded by soothing gravel is the natural way to go.
Some zealous Xorn take this to the extreme and are cenophobes; they not only fear the open spaces of the Prime but ANY empty space, whether on the Prime or Plane of Earth. They spend much of the time buried deep in the rock, but get very edgy when they accidentally stumble into a large cave or air pocket, and will feel an intense desire to collapse it. Strict Xorn Elders on Elemental Earth often teach that a space when found should only be left open if you intend to use it or fill it with something later; even many worldly, carefree prime Xorns at least go through the motions of creating a mental list of things to store in a deep cavern, even if they have no intention of passing by it again or want to keep it open to ambush humanoids.
2. Lithophagism = A form of worship through the tasting and eating of rocks, many Xorn still practice this form of veneration of the Universal Earth. Those who have observed this activity note that a Xorn begins by sorting through and dividing up a variety of different forms of rock, pebbles and earth. It eyes each carefully, searching through the matter for impurities that might ruin the ritual, then delicately savors each individual rock or earth. Its pebbly "lips" seem to ripple and undulate while its eyes alternately blink open and shut, and its feet tap the earth one after the next. Apparently the order in which the kinds of rock are devoured is important; distinct patterns involving a dozen or so racks have been observed up to 4-5 times. It is rumored that Xorn are able to practice divination through lithophagist activities.
3. Clinkstone = this is a form of igneous rock that rings when struck. The vibrations from this ring can carry a great distance; Xorn occasionally line the footpaths in caves with clinkstones because the vibration carries much farther through the earth than they can detect with their Tremorsense.
But Clinkstones also have a ceremonial use. A large cluster or party of Xorn will often gather around when an individual is about to enter into a new stage of existence(such as from Minor to Average, or Average to Elder). The individual will be immersed in a deep oil deposit and then placed with each of its feet strapped to a clinkstone, as well as having a clinkstone in each of three hands. A signal is given by an Elder and a lantern is thrown at the individual, who immediately catches flame. As the oil burns the individual begins to clang the clinkstones in his hands and strapped to his feet, first slowly, then at an increasingly frenetic pace. Xorn immunity to fire manages to keep the individual safe from harm, but the experience is still a disorienting one none the less. All the while the individual is burning and clinking, its fellows let off deep, almost horn-like toots and hoots. Those in the know whisper that the Burning Xorn enters into a trancelike state and believes it can communicate with all Xorn who have inhabited a particular locale in the distant past. What they might choose to talk about, only a Xorn would know.
4. Humans and others who encounter Xorn on the Prime think that ALL a Xorn wants to do is eat every piece of metal in a blood's possession. In some cases this is true of a particular Xorn, especially worldly Xorn who have forgotten the Sacred Art of devouring precious metals. Metals are not simply food for Xorn; they are mood alterers and awaken different "individuals" inside each Xorn:
Copper = conducts elemental energy and an almost spiritual goodwill towards fellow Xorn; used in a form of handholding communion with other Xorn known as Tremorbody, which can be used to heal wounded Xorn in a group. On Elemental Earth among Xorn who follow the Old Ways, it is usually only eaten with other Xorn around.
Silver = when eaten transmits a sense of tranquility, peacefulness, even sentimentality (as a Xorn views sentimentality). Xorn are often at their most eloquent and diplomatic after ingestion of Silver.
Gold = the metal of assertion and boldness in Xorn; just 10 gps is enough to awaken an energetic personality--pushy, flamboyant, arrogant, greedy--but also very crafty and creative.
Platinum = the metal of Joy and Euphoria...Xorn who stumble upon a rare large platinum vein have been seen to cry stones of joy from their eyes. The eating of Platinum by itself in large quantities not only feels good but it imbues the Xorn with purpose and a transforming urge; this is the time when the "Focused visionary" on a quest for Deeper Meaning emerges from within a Xorn, and its no coincidence that the discovery of large platinum deposits on Elemental Earth often coincides with new philosophical or crusading movements within the Xorn culture.
Other rare metals also have their own effects. Palladium is known to produce a temporary boost in Xorn wisdom; Iridium and Osmium (which are so hard that only Elders dare try to digest them) can toughen the hide of a Xorn significantly and are often eaten on the Plane of Earth before launching wars against the Dao to free enslaved Xorn. Certain elements eaten in pairs (Zinc/Silver, Copper/Iron) allow the Xorn to produce a Shocking Grasp effect for a short time afterwards.
Of course the effects above are largely lost on Prime Xorn. Man have forgotten the old ways and just gobble down metals and earths as they come to them, ignorant of the effects they have because they devour them in mixed meals, allowing one to cancel out the other. Such is the way of things; in large planar 'burgs the worldly Xorn flaunt their talents, often times acting as rogues and bullies, too enamored with fitting in; in the Prime Underdark they act as highwaymen, with little regard to any calling beyond themselves. The Planar Elders simply grumble at the foolishness of it all, while tossing silver coins into their mouths and separating the rare earths.
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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)
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Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Shadowlord
Master of Realmslore
USA
1298 Posts |
Posted - 11 Apr 2004 : 03:40:53
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Well, these are some odd beliefs. However, the whole Xorn race can be considered odd, since they have mouths at the tops of their heads...  I'd like to know more, if you can supply it. |
The Chosen of Vhaeraun
"Nature is governed by certain immutable rules. By virtue of claw and fang, the lion will always triumph over the goat.Given time, the pounding of the sea will wear away the stone. And when dark elves mingle with the lighter races, the offspring invariably take after the dark parent. It is all much the same. That which is greater shall prevail. Our numbers increase steadily, both through birth and conquest. The dark elves are the dominant race, so ordained by the gods." Ka'Narlist of the Ilythiiri. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 11 Apr 2004 : 05:35:13
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I will indeed...
In fact, the only reason I wrote this, was to detail a portion of the Epic FR Adventure campaign that's being put together in the Adventuring section. I had originally intended a part of the adventure to focus in on a Xorn religious site, but, now that I come to think about it, I really don't think that Dwarven and Xorn themes mesh very well...
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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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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 11 Apr 2004 : 06:44:17
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Lurue's Horn, that's some good stuff you've got there, Sage! The Hamster is impressed.  |
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Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
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Arivia
Great Reader
Canada
2965 Posts |
Posted - 11 Apr 2004 : 07:05:37
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| You know, Sage, I could take your notes on this and develop this into another one of those sites of mine for the adventure... |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
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Arivia
Great Reader
Canada
2965 Posts |
Posted - 11 Apr 2004 : 07:25:31
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| Anything else I should know, before I start? |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 11 Apr 2004 : 07:37:55
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No, you most likely have access to much of the same material on xorn that I have, and, I'm not intending on adding anything to this write-up, at least in the foreseeable future.
So, again, go right ahead...
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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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What do Xorn believe in...?
