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Daviot
Senior Scribe
USA
372 Posts |
 Posted - 01 Jan 2007 : 08:14:41
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As a writer with a deep appreciation for fine detail and for the Realms, my favorite setting, between cross-referencing published material and the internet, I haven't had much reason to wander into the forums. But having finally gotten the chance to DM in my beloved setting, the perfectionism is kicking in. And for the (currently just) one tidbit I haven't been able to positively confirm nor deny, this seeker defers to his betters:
There's a tad bit of conflicting information among the FR Campaign Setting, the Player's Guide to Faerűn, and the wonderful Unapproachable East. The Hathran, the spiritual and magical cornerstone of Rashemi society, are variously described as wearing their trademark masks only within the borders of that nation, and other times said to wear them only while traveling abroad. Could anyone nail this tidbit down for me? I've got a Hathran diplomat/historian NPC that will be traveling in and out of the country during the campaign. Thanks in advance.
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One usually has far more to fear from the soft-spoken wizard with a blade and well-worn boots than from the boisterous one in the ivory tower.
My Tabletop Writing CV. |
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Kajehase
Great Reader
Sweden
2104 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jan 2007 : 11:14:23
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| They wear them within Rashemen. |
There is a rumour going around that I have found god. I think is unlikely because I have enough difficulty finding my keys, and there is empirical evidence that they exist.
Terry Pratchett |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jan 2007 : 15:54:14
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quote:
Originally posted by Kajehase
They wear them within Rashemen.
What he said. I can't recall a lot/any lore about them wearing them outside of Rashemen. Most of the lore states they only wear them in Rashemen. |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
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Daviot
Senior Scribe
USA
372 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jan 2007 : 18:22:52
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| Thank you much. |
One usually has far more to fear from the soft-spoken wizard with a blade and well-worn boots than from the boisterous one in the ivory tower.
My Tabletop Writing CV. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jan 2007 : 23:52:41
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This would really depend upon which of the masks you're thinking about.
Both Spellbound and UE note that the Hathran do in fact wear masks outside Rashemen. UE notes that the Hathran wear, among other types of masks, masks of disguise while travelling abroad. Something that was also detailed in Spellbound. Remember, when Hathran do travel outside Rashemen, they are doing so for a specific purpose. We can assume that any mask a Hathran does decide to wear, will utlimately be the type of mask geared toward assisting her in the duties she must carry-out beyond Rashemen. For example, a Hathran travelling to either Chondath, the Shaar or parts of Mulhorand could potentially make use of a mask of language designed to help the Hathran read, write and speak in languages common to those regions.
I think, traditionally, you'll find that the more elaborate and Hathran-specific masks are often worn only within the borders of Rashemen by Hathran, as part of the sisterhood. Whereas, when travelling outside Rashemen and to other places across the Realms, the Hathran rely more on simple masks with only slight magical abilities, or just simply as means concealing their identities -- something which is also noted in Spellbound. This prevents the more wondrous Hathran masks from potentially falling into the wrong hands and being abused by less-lawful individuals.
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Daviot
Senior Scribe
USA
372 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jan 2007 : 03:39:14
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| I hadn't actually thought about the masks of disguise, but I was thinking more about the more ceremonial and elaborate (and thus more valuable) varieties. So from what I gather, any masks used outside Rashemen are more along the lines of tools and other purposeful magic items, whereas the more ceremonial masks worn within the nation's bounds are more for tradition and mystique and also as a sort of psychological intimidation—the Realms equivalent of dark, mirrored sunglasses. |
One usually has far more to fear from the soft-spoken wizard with a blade and well-worn boots than from the boisterous one in the ivory tower.
My Tabletop Writing CV. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jan 2007 : 04:44:01
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Essentially, yes.
The details in Spellbound, UE, and the PGtF seem to suggest that, above all else, concealing their identities when travelling abroad, is of paramount importance for Hathrans when leaving Rashemen. Spellbound suggests simple masks can, and often do, fulfill this role. And Spellbound and UE suggest that specially-crafted masks are sometimes used by Hathrans when duties require them to leave Rashemen. These are likely to be significantly more magical than the standard "simple mask", or instead possess some abilities that assist in concealing the Hathran's identity from other spellcasters or people with abilities that can discern hidden identities, when travelling across the Realms.
Of course, concealing one's identity, as a Hathran, may even suggest that their more traditional ceremonial and/or Hathran-specific masks are less frequently used beyond the borders of Rashemen... simply because some outsiders may be aware of what particular Hathran ceremonial masks look like. Hathrans may then simply adopt masks that are otherwise less-known, or are unique enough to be very rarely recognised by outsiders. It's hardly worth trying to conceal one's personal identity, or perhaps one's identity as a Hathran, if an outsider can determine you are a indeed a Witch of Rashemen simply by the type of mask you are wearing.
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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 |
Edited by - The Sage on 02 Jan 2007 04:45:24 |
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dragonfriend
Seeker
Italy
65 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2009 : 11:48:47
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Yesterday night my paladin died. I'm going to play a rashemi witch and děthis topic about their masks is very useful. so a question. why use a mask to hide one's identity outside Rashemen. If a female character wears a mask in any city of the west it's not a diguise, it's a way to say "hi, look at me Red Wizards, I'm a witch from Rashemen".
It seems strange. The best way to hide yoursefl is not to use a mask. Am I wrong? |
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Marquant Volker
Learned Scribe
Greece
273 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2009 : 13:15:18
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If i got that right, a mask of disguise is a magic item, so the folks wont even be aware that the witch is wearing one of those, it can prove usefull if the witch dop into trouble so she can trick her way out instead of hurling spells. Perhaps Red Wizzards or their agends may detect the illusion, but still there are other ways to hide your identity (hmm an espionage adventure?)
In my campaign world i like the feeling that a Rashemni witch should never, ever show her real face to the world, it just adds spice and mysticism. In addition they would hate to leave their beloved homeland, and they would do so only to fulfill the wishes of the enclave. |
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Knight of the Gate
Senior Scribe
USA
624 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2009 : 14:59:05
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| With the exception of the mask of disguise (or maybe a mask of disguise and nondetection) I think the best disguise for a Hathran travelling abroad would be to simply not wear a mask, since they are so well known for wearing masks. |
How can life be so bountiful, providing such sublime rewards for mediocrity? -Umberto Ecco |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2009 : 15:16:20
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Hi, all. Ed's notes confirm: masks of disguise used when outside Rashemen, not their "at home" masks.
Plus this (quoting Ed here):
On rare occasions when outside Rashemen, both the witches and charlatans wanting to pass themselves off as witches (usually to impress those who might otherwise be bold enough to try to slay them on the spot, in situations where the witch wants to avoid violence, a la the Bene Gesserit in the Dune novels) will don masks.
So saith Ed.
love,
THO |
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Knight of the Gate
Senior Scribe
USA
624 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2009 : 17:35:15
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
Hi, all. Ed's notes confirm: masks of disguise used when outside Rashemen, not their "at home" masks.
Plus this (quoting Ed here):
On rare occasions when outside Rashemen, both the witches and charlatans wanting to pass themselves off as witches (usually to impress those who might otherwise be bold enough to try to slay them on the spot, in situations where the witch wants to avoid violence, a la the Bene Gesserit in the Dune novels) will don masks.
So saith Ed.
love,
THO
Thanks THO, and can I say COOL!? I never thought of the Hathran/B-G parallel. It makes a fair amount of sense, and makes the Witches that much cooler. |
How can life be so bountiful, providing such sublime rewards for mediocrity? -Umberto Ecco |
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dragonfriend
Seeker
Italy
65 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2009 : 19:35:07
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| Thanks a lot. I'm still working on the character...a witch on the run |
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On the Hathran and their Masks
