Avoid outshining the master [Archive] - Wizards Community

Avoid outshining the master [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
ephealy
06-07-06, 03:59 AM Avoid outshining the master. All superiority is odius, but the superiority of a subject over his prince in not only stupid, it is fatal. This is a lesson that the stars in the sky teach us - they may be related to the sun, and just as brilliant, but they never appear in her company.
- Baltasar Gracian, 1601-1658

I like that quote. I'm wondering if there are any storylines or plots from TSR/WotC products (adventures, novels, etc.) that would illustrate what Gracian is getting at. Can anyone point me to a short vignette that either shows someone breaking Gracian's rule, or upholding it?
Gnome_Dragon_Disciple
06-07-06, 04:34 AM Well, the tale of Kas' disputes with Vecna comes close, but that's not a matter of outshining the master and thus earning his or her ire so much as plotting to betray the master...

Though if that quote is a favorite of yours, you should take a look at The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene.
Seeker95
06-07-06, 11:07 AM I have no example yet, but I shall be creating one in my next campaign! Thanks! :tiphat:
Platonix
06-07-06, 10:07 PM One word.

Githyanki.

The leader of the Githyanki, a lich, devours the essence of any subject who makes it to ECL 16. This not only gives her more power, but also ensures that she will never be usurped.
Seeker95
06-07-06, 10:57 PM Note: The reason for her choice of 16th level is to prevent any subject from gaining access to 9th level spells.
ephealy
06-08-06, 12:07 AM The leader of the Githyanki, a lich, devours the essence of any subject who makes it to ECL 16. This not only gives her more power, but also ensures that she will never be usurped.
I wonder... are there any scenes in published fiction (novels most likely) where the Lich Queen devours a named NPC? What about in sourcebooks or adventures?

Does anyone know of any quotes attributed to the Lich Queen, whether or not the quote pertains to the question at hand?

GDD, thanks for the reference. I picked up 48 Laws, and am reading it now.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
ephealy 06-07-06, 03:59 AM	Avoid outshining the master. All superiority is odius, but the superiority of a subject over his prince in not only stupid, it is fatal. This is a lesson that the stars in the sky teach us - they may be related to the sun, and just as brilliant, but they never appear in her company. - Baltasar Gracian, 1601-1658 I like that quote. I'm wondering if there are any storylines or plots from TSR/WotC products (adventures, novels, etc.) that would illustrate what Gracian is getting at. Can anyone point me to a short vignette that either shows someone breaking Gracian's rule, or upholding it?
Gnome_Dragon_Disciple 06-07-06, 04:34 AM	Well, the tale of Kas' disputes with Vecna comes close, but that's not a matter of outshining the master and thus earning his or her ire so much as plotting to betray the master... Though if that quote is a favorite of yours, you should take a look at The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene.
Seeker95 06-07-06, 11:07 AM	I have no example yet, but I shall be creating one in my next campaign! Thanks! :tiphat:
Platonix 06-07-06, 10:07 PM	One word. Githyanki. The leader of the Githyanki, a lich, devours the essence of any subject who makes it to ECL 16. This not only gives her more power, but also ensures that she will never be usurped.
Seeker95 06-07-06, 10:57 PM	Note: The reason for her choice of 16th level is to prevent any subject from gaining access to 9th level spells.
ephealy 06-08-06, 12:07 AM	The leader of the Githyanki, a lich, devours the essence of any subject who makes it to ECL 16. This not only gives her more power, but also ensures that she will never be usurped. I wonder... are there any scenes in published fiction (novels most likely) where the Lich Queen devours a named NPC? What about in sourcebooks or adventures? Does anyone know of any quotes attributed to the Lich Queen, whether or not the quote pertains to the question at hand? GDD, thanks for the reference. I picked up 48 Laws, and am reading it now.