New Dragonshard: The Elves of Aerenal, Part Two [Archive] - Wizards Community

New Dragonshard: The Elves of Aerenal, Part Two [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Joni-san
06-13-05, 06:42 PM The Elves of Aerenal, Part Two (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebds/20050613a)

Another excellent work of art by Keith :)
Darth Syntax
06-13-05, 07:23 PM I was fond of the Culture section especially. It makes sense that the Aerenai would seem strange an alien in their mindset, and the bit about their jokes require days to tell was amusing.
D4rkchylde
06-13-05, 08:19 PM I gave it 9.5 out of 10. It has no reasons for the whole Baboons being sacred thing.

I'm beginning to think that the Baboons of Aerenal aren’t special in anyway, be it magical, theological or mundane. It all that artists fault, the one that did the painting in the ECS with the baboon, curse him!!!
Euangelion
06-13-05, 08:27 PM Yep, another great piece of work. Now, enough with the elves ;) (2 on Valenar, 2 on Aerenal, 3 on Phiarlan!) unless it's to explain what their beef with the dragons is all about.
I wonder what's next. Half-orcs and orcs of the Shadow Marches perhaps.
ydirbut
06-13-05, 08:29 PM I didn't like it very much, but it wasn't bad.
ccerose
06-13-05, 08:37 PM I didn't like it very much, but it wasn't bad.

But we already knew that you didn't care much for elves based on your messages regarding part 1 of The Elves of Aerenal. :P
ydirbut
06-13-05, 08:44 PM That's a civil way of saying it. ;)
great_grunty
06-13-05, 10:49 PM As far as the Baboons being special, Keith said somewhere that they led them to some Irian manifest zones when they first came to the island. So they kind of apreciated it and made them special in their eyes.
Hellcow
06-14-05, 12:51 AM I gave it 9.5 out of 10. It has no reasons for the whole Baboons being sacred thing.

This was asked a looooong time ago, so I will go ahead and answer it now. When the elves first came to Aerenal they quickly domesticated baboons, which proved useful for a wide variety of tasks. Beyond that, legends say that seemingly intelligent baboons provided the elves with many strange forms of assistance; it's said that there were golden-furred baboons that led the elves to the manifest zones of Irian, though there is no proof of this. These legends suggest that baboons in some way channel the spirit of the island itself - so by honoring the baboon, the elves show respect for the land that has given them shelter. And as the land aids the elves to this day, so do their baboon companions and pets.
:)

I didn't like it very much, but it wasn't bad.
Coming from you, ydirbut, I'll take that as high praise. ;)
okaynowa
06-14-05, 03:40 AM Said Darth Syntax:
It makes sense that the Aerenai would seem strange an alien in their mindset, and the bit about their jokes require days to tell was amusing.
Ah yes, Aerenal humor. Not only are the jokes drawn out, but the punchlines are Zen and someone always seems to die half-way through. I can see the Undying Councilors practicing a unique form of comedy that combines the "Knock knock" joke with the practical joke and takes years to execute properly-- naming your descendents so that the lineage for five generations is an anagram for "I told you that my wife Kithrian's mother had the wrong idea about red hair being carried on the father's side," and so forth.
fuindordm
06-14-05, 04:43 AM I really enjoyed this article too, especially the idea of the Aerenal selling their services as master embalmers. I bet that many noble houses see it as a mark of status to have their funerals administered by Aerenal master morticians, who not only embalm you but spend time with you before your death listening to your life story and recording it for posterity. Along with the export of rare woods, I bet this industry brings a lot of coin back to the island.

It reminded me of the Necropolis Litharge from Sandman (one of the World's end short stories, and later a miniseries in the Sandman Presents line), a city occupied by morticians who care for all the dead that are brought to them. It was said that even their failed apprentices can find work anywhere in the world practicing their trade.

Another thought--the recording of the life story reminds me of Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card.

I wonder if the elves would ever consent to inter a member of another race in their crypts? Would they do it for an outlandish fee, or would they consider giving a hero of another race that had performed a great service for the Aerenal such an honor?

Ben
Crimsonsun
06-14-05, 05:24 AM Another thought--the recording of the life story reminds me of Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card.

Yea, but is it The Truth or just a simple record? ;)

I wonder if the elves would ever consent to inter a member of another race in their crypts? Would they do it for an outlandish fee, or would they consider giving a hero of another race that had performed a great service for the Aerenal such an honor?

I'd say only for an elf-friend, and even then, they would have had to perform a VERY great task.... like, oh, I dunno, a permanent peace between the elves and dragons...
Just another user
06-14-05, 07:12 AM I liked the different gradation of immortality in Aerenal culture, from became an Ascendant councilior to "burnt to ashes for your crimes so that nobody will remember you"

I liked that reference to use raise dead so that the elf can continue his path of life, I imagine a aerenal elf (maybe even a PC) that can (or want) to be Raised only from a cleric of the Undying Court (and the other PC must bring him there)
Or the link between the Right of counsel feat and having a patron in the Court.

A very nice article, two thumbs up.
ENHenry
06-14-05, 11:06 AM I liked the different gradation of immortality in Aerenal culture, from became an Ascendant councilior to "burnt to ashes for your crimes so that nobody will remember you"

For some reason, Keith's take on the Aereni screams "Egyptian Culture" to me. It may be different in take, but the similarities are striking. One form of punishment in Ancient Egypt was staking you or your corpse out in the desert, and burning your body so that the Ka (the soul) would wander aimlessly for all eternity with no creature comforts.

If the Egyptians were the Aereni, however, Howard Carter would break into Tut's tomb to find Tut up and around, and ready to challenge him to a game of Senet. :)
Isran_Imrador
06-14-05, 11:52 AM Liked this two Aerenal shard very much! Thanks Keith. :D

Plot hook: Erandis wants something from Aerens tome deep in the city of the dead. if they every find it there is ofcourse a curse that affects all of them and the all ........within a year...

Tome Raiders of Aeren.. ;)
Gurv
06-15-05, 06:32 PM I liked this Dragonshard. It will be added to my print-outs for the players.

Rumors claim that the nobles maintain a network of teleportation gates that connect the great cities, but if these tales are true, the gates are reserved for the important business of the nobility.This part is especially perfect for my campaign, as my players are currently investigating a series of special teleportation circles that they have found in both Xen'drik and Dhakaani ruins. They don't know it yet, but the goblinoids got the idea from the elves (before the Valenar left), who got it from the giants. The elves keep them in reserve since they have a lot of time and only a small island to traverse. The two empires that did use them a lot attracted unwanted extraplanar attention, as might my PCs. I couldn't have added a more ideal aspect to an Aerenal dragonshard if I wanted to.

While deathless can leave the island, the Aereni believe that the Undying Court relies on the energy of Irian to maintain its bond to this plane of existence; as a result, the ascendant councilors of the court rarely venture from Shae Mordai, which is the site of the largest of the Irian zones.
This is a wonderful thing to have answered officially. It is also good to know that suggestions that the deathless cannot leave Shae Mordai or Aerenal are merely preferences for the undying's comfort.

I do wish that something more had been said about the scorpion and baboon images that are often shown in relation to the Aerenal. I know that Keith has given answers before, but it seems like it is something official that has only an unofficial explanation. There is a feat for having a baboon animal companion and summoning them in Races of Eberron, but nothing is said about why. It must confuse the poor unenlightened souls who do not know to come to the message boards to bathe in Hellcow's infernal wisdom.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Joni-san 06-13-05, 06:42 PM	The Elves of Aerenal, Part Two (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebds/20050613a) Another excellent work of art by Keith :)
Darth Syntax 06-13-05, 07:23 PM	I was fond of the Culture section especially. It makes sense that the Aerenai would seem strange an alien in their mindset, and the bit about their jokes require days to tell was amusing.
D4rkchylde 06-13-05, 08:19 PM	I gave it 9.5 out of 10. It has no reasons for the whole Baboons being sacred thing. I'm beginning to think that the Baboons of Aerenal aren’t special in anyway, be it magical, theological or mundane. It all that artists fault, the one that did the painting in the ECS with the baboon, curse him!!!
Euangelion 06-13-05, 08:27 PM	Yep, another great piece of work. Now, enough with the elves ;) (2 on Valenar, 2 on Aerenal, 3 on Phiarlan!) unless it's to explain what their beef with the dragons is all about. I wonder what's next. Half-orcs and orcs of the Shadow Marches perhaps.
ydirbut 06-13-05, 08:29 PM	I didn't like it very much, but it wasn't bad.
ccerose 06-13-05, 08:37 PM	I didn't like it very much, but it wasn't bad. But we already knew that you didn't care much for elves based on your messages regarding part 1 of The Elves of Aerenal. :P
ydirbut 06-13-05, 08:44 PM	That's a civil way of saying it. ;)
great_grunty 06-13-05, 10:49 PM	As far as the Baboons being special, Keith said somewhere that they led them to some Irian manifest zones when they first came to the island. So they kind of apreciated it and made them special in their eyes.
Hellcow 06-14-05, 12:51 AM	I gave it 9.5 out of 10. It has no reasons for the whole Baboons being sacred thing. This was asked a looooong time ago, so I will go ahead and answer it now. When the elves first came to Aerenal they quickly domesticated baboons, which proved useful for a wide variety of tasks. Beyond that, legends say that seemingly intelligent baboons provided the elves with many strange forms of assistance; it's said that there were golden-furred baboons that led the elves to the manifest zones of Irian, though there is no proof of this. These legends suggest that baboons in some way channel the spirit of the island itself - so by honoring the baboon, the elves show respect for the land that has given them shelter. And as the land aids the elves to this day, so do their baboon companions and pets. :) I didn't like it very much, but it wasn't bad. Coming from you, ydirbut, I'll take that as high praise. ;)
okaynowa 06-14-05, 03:40 AM	Said Darth Syntax: It makes sense that the Aerenai would seem strange an alien in their mindset, and the bit about their jokes require days to tell was amusing. Ah yes, Aerenal humor. Not only are the jokes drawn out, but the punchlines are Zen and someone always seems to die half-way through. I can see the Undying Councilors practicing a unique form of comedy that combines the "Knock knock" joke with the practical joke and takes years to execute properly-- naming your descendents so that the lineage for five generations is an anagram for "I told you that my wife Kithrian's mother had the wrong idea about red hair being carried on the father's side," and so forth.
fuindordm 06-14-05, 04:43 AM	I really enjoyed this article too, especially the idea of the Aerenal selling their services as master embalmers. I bet that many noble houses see it as a mark of status to have their funerals administered by Aerenal master morticians, who not only embalm you but spend time with you before your death listening to your life story and recording it for posterity. Along with the export of rare woods, I bet this industry brings a lot of coin back to the island. It reminded me of the Necropolis Litharge from Sandman (one of the World's end short stories, and later a miniseries in the Sandman Presents line), a city occupied by morticians who care for all the dead that are brought to them. It was said that even their failed apprentices can find work anywhere in the world practicing their trade. Another thought--the recording of the life story reminds me of Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card. I wonder if the elves would ever consent to inter a member of another race in their crypts? Would they do it for an outlandish fee, or would they consider giving a hero of another race that had performed a great service for the Aerenal such an honor? Ben
Crimsonsun 06-14-05, 05:24 AM	Another thought--the recording of the life story reminds me of Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card. Yea, but is it The Truth or just a simple record? ;) I wonder if the elves would ever consent to inter a member of another race in their crypts? Would they do it for an outlandish fee, or would they consider giving a hero of another race that had performed a great service for the Aerenal such an honor? I'd say only for an elf-friend, and even then, they would have had to perform a VERY great task.... like, oh, I dunno, a permanent peace between the elves and dragons...
Just another user 06-14-05, 07:12 AM	I liked the different gradation of immortality in Aerenal culture, from became an Ascendant councilior to "burnt to ashes for your crimes so that nobody will remember you" I liked that reference to use raise dead so that the elf can continue his path of life, I imagine a aerenal elf (maybe even a PC) that can (or want) to be Raised only from a cleric of the Undying Court (and the other PC must bring him there) Or the link between the Right of counsel feat and having a patron in the Court. A very nice article, two thumbs up.
ENHenry 06-14-05, 11:06 AM	I liked the different gradation of immortality in Aerenal culture, from became an Ascendant councilior to "burnt to ashes for your crimes so that nobody will remember you" For some reason, Keith's take on the Aereni screams "Egyptian Culture" to me. It may be different in take, but the similarities are striking. One form of punishment in Ancient Egypt was staking you or your corpse out in the desert, and burning your body so that the Ka (the soul) would wander aimlessly for all eternity with no creature comforts. If the Egyptians were the Aereni, however, Howard Carter would break into Tut's tomb to find Tut up and around, and ready to challenge him to a game of Senet. :)
Isran_Imrador 06-14-05, 11:52 AM	Liked this two Aerenal shard very much! Thanks Keith. :D Plot hook: Erandis wants something from Aerens tome deep in the city of the dead. if they every find it there is ofcourse a curse that affects all of them and the all ........within a year... Tome Raiders of Aeren.. ;)
Gurv 06-15-05, 06:32 PM	I liked this Dragonshard. It will be added to my print-outs for the players. Rumors claim that the nobles maintain a network of teleportation gates that connect the great cities, but if these tales are true, the gates are reserved for the important business of the nobility.This part is especially perfect for my campaign, as my players are currently investigating a series of special teleportation circles that they have found in both Xen'drik and Dhakaani ruins. They don't know it yet, but the goblinoids got the idea from the elves (before the Valenar left), who got it from the giants. The elves keep them in reserve since they have a lot of time and only a small island to traverse. The two empires that did use them a lot attracted unwanted extraplanar attention, as might my PCs. I couldn't have added a more ideal aspect to an Aerenal dragonshard if I wanted to. While deathless can leave the island, the Aereni believe that the Undying Court relies on the energy of Irian to maintain its bond to this plane of existence; as a result, the ascendant councilors of the court rarely venture from Shae Mordai, which is the site of the largest of the Irian zones. This is a wonderful thing to have answered officially. It is also good to know that suggestions that the deathless cannot leave Shae Mordai or Aerenal are merely preferences for the undying's comfort. I do wish that something more had been said about the scorpion and baboon images that are often shown in relation to the Aerenal. I know that Keith has given answers before, but it seems like it is something official that has only an unofficial explanation. There is a feat for having a baboon animal companion and summoning them in Races of Eberron, but nothing is said about why. It must confuse the poor unenlightened souls who do not know to come to the message boards to bathe in Hellcow's infernal wisdom.