Picturing a Silver Flame temple [Archive] - Wizards Community

Picturing a Silver Flame temple [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
biophy6
01-07-05, 10:39 PM Hi all. I need a help picturing what the inside of a standard silver flame temple might look like. What's inside? They don't all have that flame thing in there do they? What would there be statues of. Are there pews? Rooms? Where do the preist live. Needless to say, I'm going to throw my PCs in one.

Thanks for any help.

-Biophy6
Edymnion
01-07-05, 10:52 PM Well, since we have so many correlations between the Silver Flame and the Catholic Church, I would suggest classical cathedrals. Lots of tall spires reminicent of reaching flames, big broad central hall, a big flametouched iron symbol of the Silver Flame behind a pulpit/alter type deal on a raised dias, lots of pews, etc.

Kind of a cross really between Catholic Cathedrals and Greek/Roman temples.
Lord Psynister
01-07-05, 11:12 PM :thumbsup: I'll second that.
SPQR Anarchy
01-08-05, 12:47 AM I would flavour it with a relic. Something small and out of context a completly mundane thing. A shard of the spear that from Tira (The paladin that merged to fight the demon and begin the flame). Something like this gives the church a reason to draw pilgrims. It you want you could even have pilgrims gathering to pay tribute to the relic for a specific feast day that is honored at that church.

I would also have some means of producing music and maybe even a choir, then you can play some monks or organ music in the background.

SPQR
Edymnion
01-08-05, 01:04 AM I would flavour it with a relic. Something small and out of context a completly mundane thing. A shard of the spear that from Tira (The paladin that merged to fight the demon and begin the flame). Something like this gives the church a reason to draw pilgrims. It you want you could even have pilgrims gathering to pay tribute to the relic for a specific feast day that is honored at that church.

I would also have some means of producing music and maybe even a choir, then you can play some monks or organ music in the background.

SPQRThats actually a good idea.
It doesn't even have to be a real relic. The Catholic Church in medieval times was famous for having "relics". Pieces of the true cross, mummified parts of saints, all sorts of things. Most of the time they weren't real though, but that wasn't what was ultimately important. It was the IDEA they represented. The people would come to see the relic, to pray, and all around be good little Christians. Same thing could work well with the CotSF. Bits of Tira's weapons, shield, armor, locks of her hair... maybe a "sacred fire" burning in the middle of the temple that was light from the Silver Flame itself. The real Silver Flame probably wouldn't actually set anything on fire, as I doubt it really is a Flame of any kind (other than in appearance only), but at least thats what the church clergy tell the normal people. "Here is a shard of the Silver Flame itself, direct your prayers unto it."

So yeah, I think the idea of an enshrined relic is a GREAT idea!
SPQR Anarchy
01-08-05, 02:48 AM How do you know the Catholic relics are not authentic?
DolArrah
01-08-05, 09:42 AM Most weren't. I mean, if there were some, I don't konw, ?10,000? curches in england and ireland, what is the likely-hood that they all have a mummified peace of a saint, or a piece of the true cross? Some might have a real one (at least for the siants), but most wouldn't. It would be impossible to have enought to go around.

Peace,
Dol Arrah
WilliamPall
01-08-05, 09:53 AM How do you know the Catholic relics are not authentic?
I don't think it's a matter that Endy knows that the relic aren't authentic, more so that it's a matter that there's a high probability that it could be fake.

There's a quote from Buffy that explains it in a nutshell from the vampire Spike: "If every vampire who said they were at the crusifixtion, actualyl was at the crusifixtion . . . it'd've been like woodstalk."

Not everythingt hat's claimed to be "this or that" can actually be "this or that" because there is only so much "this or that" to go around.
elecgraystone
01-08-05, 10:06 AM I like MY SF temples to be ON fire! (can't get the silver, I'll have to work on that!)
But then I have a strong dislike for them!
Edymnion
01-08-05, 02:15 PM There's a quote from Buffy that explains it in a nutshell from the vampire Spike: "If every vampire who said they were at the crusifixtion, actualyl was at the crusifixtion . . . it'd've been like woodstalk."Yup, and I remember seeing somewhere (I think it was on Discovery Channel during one of their specials) that if you added up all the pieces of the True Cross that were supposed to have been in european churches, the cross would have come out being something like 50 feet tall.

The point is that relics didn't HAVE to be authentic to serve their purpose. As long as the people thought they were real, they did the job they were ment to do. Inspire faith.

Although, I can already see an artifact for Eberron coming out of this thread.
Anyone here familiar with Longinus? :D
ieattrollsforbreakfast
01-08-05, 03:12 PM I think a small silver flame created using the continual flame spell will be a common feature of the churches, perhaps positioned on the altar or on a stand of its own.
WilliamPall
01-08-05, 04:51 PM Anyone here familiar with Longinus? :D
IIRC (which I rarely do), He was a roman soldier that pierced the side of Christ with a spear. The spear went on to become a much desired artifact due to the fact that having it in your possesion/using it battle would almost garuntee victory for you.
mistakeagian
01-09-05, 01:43 AM For a good idea of the inside of a SF church look up or get a book on the Hagia Sophia. It is an amazing church from the Byzantine era. Now its used by the muslims, but take away the minarets and its almost exactly as it was. I can just picture a flame burning in a crack in the center floor directly under the dome.
Romulus LoneWolf
01-09-05, 11:36 AM The Pyre is definetly a good idea. Even if people know it's not an actual shard of the silver flame, it could still have a very symbolic function, with young church initiates having the duty of tending to the flame and make sure it never goes out, symbolising every common man's duty to fight to make sure Good is never extinguished from the world.

I could Silver Flame churches having fine tapestries, stainglass windows and wall paintings depicting such things as the battles between the Coualts and the Demons, the Birth of the Silver Flame, the life and battles of Tira Miron, and the early days of the church. Other saints of the Church might also be depicted.
biophy6
01-09-05, 12:09 PM Thanks for the rapid responses. I like the cathedral idea. I really like the flameiron flame statue idea. Also, I'll throw in a relic. I want to have in Sharn though. Any ideas on which tower it should be on? This is going to be the best temple ever! Too bad it will be destroyed....

-biophy6
Edymnion
01-09-05, 01:21 PM IIRC (which I rarely do), He was a roman soldier that pierced the side of Christ with a spear. The spear went on to become a much desired artifact due to the fact that having it in your possesion/using it battle would almost garuntee victory for you.Yup, but its also become the name of the spear itself. And yes, anyone who weilded the spear of Longinus was guarenteed to win any battle they were in. Its said Constantine had it, and thats what let him build his empire.

Sounds like a great Holy Grail type item to go after. The spear of the Sacred Flame, which Tira herself struck the final blow against the demon which allowed it to be consumed by the Flame. Major, major setting artifact.
Korhal_IV
01-09-05, 02:34 PM Sounds like a great Holy Grail type item to go after. The spear of the Sacred Flame, which Tira herself struck the final blow against the demon which allowed it to be consumed by the Flame. Major, major setting artifact.
Well, not to poke holes or anything, but didn't Tira use a greatsword, and isn't it still down in the depths pinning paladin, couatl, and demon lord together?
Euangelion
01-09-05, 03:45 PM Well, not to poke holes or anything, but didn't Tira use a greatsword, and isn't it still down in the depths pinning paladin, couatl, and demon lord together?
Yep, with a big ol' Kyber shard. In fact, it has a name, Kloinjer, which also lends its name to a keep or something like that in Flamekeep.

Also, doesn't one or both of the Dragonshards on the Silver Flame include some descriptions of a typical Silver Flame shrine/temple/cathedral?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
biophy6 01-07-05, 10:39 PM	Hi all. I need a help picturing what the inside of a standard silver flame temple might look like. What's inside? They don't all have that flame thing in there do they? What would there be statues of. Are there pews? Rooms? Where do the preist live. Needless to say, I'm going to throw my PCs in one. Thanks for any help. -Biophy6
Edymnion 01-07-05, 10:52 PM	Well, since we have so many correlations between the Silver Flame and the Catholic Church, I would suggest classical cathedrals. Lots of tall spires reminicent of reaching flames, big broad central hall, a big flametouched iron symbol of the Silver Flame behind a pulpit/alter type deal on a raised dias, lots of pews, etc. Kind of a cross really between Catholic Cathedrals and Greek/Roman temples.
Lord Psynister 01-07-05, 11:12 PM	:thumbsup: I'll second that.
SPQR Anarchy 01-08-05, 12:47 AM	I would flavour it with a relic. Something small and out of context a completly mundane thing. A shard of the spear that from Tira (The paladin that merged to fight the demon and begin the flame). Something like this gives the church a reason to draw pilgrims. It you want you could even have pilgrims gathering to pay tribute to the relic for a specific feast day that is honored at that church. I would also have some means of producing music and maybe even a choir, then you can play some monks or organ music in the background. SPQR
Edymnion 01-08-05, 01:04 AM	I would flavour it with a relic. Something small and out of context a completly mundane thing. A shard of the spear that from Tira (The paladin that merged to fight the demon and begin the flame). Something like this gives the church a reason to draw pilgrims. It you want you could even have pilgrims gathering to pay tribute to the relic for a specific feast day that is honored at that church. I would also have some means of producing music and maybe even a choir, then you can play some monks or organ music in the background. SPQRThats actually a good idea. It doesn't even have to be a real relic. The Catholic Church in medieval times was famous for having "relics". Pieces of the true cross, mummified parts of saints, all sorts of things. Most of the time they weren't real though, but that wasn't what was ultimately important. It was the IDEA they represented. The people would come to see the relic, to pray, and all around be good little Christians. Same thing could work well with the CotSF. Bits of Tira's weapons, shield, armor, locks of her hair... maybe a "sacred fire" burning in the middle of the temple that was light from the Silver Flame itself. The real Silver Flame probably wouldn't actually set anything on fire, as I doubt it really is a Flame of any kind (other than in appearance only), but at least thats what the church clergy tell the normal people. "Here is a shard of the Silver Flame itself, direct your prayers unto it." So yeah, I think the idea of an enshrined relic is a GREAT idea!
SPQR Anarchy 01-08-05, 02:48 AM	How do you know the Catholic relics are not authentic?
DolArrah 01-08-05, 09:42 AM	Most weren't. I mean, if there were some, I don't konw, ?10,000? curches in england and ireland, what is the likely-hood that they all have a mummified peace of a saint, or a piece of the true cross? Some might have a real one (at least for the siants), but most wouldn't. It would be impossible to have enought to go around. Peace, Dol Arrah
WilliamPall 01-08-05, 09:53 AM	How do you know the Catholic relics are not authentic? I don't think it's a matter that Endy knows that the relic aren't authentic, more so that it's a matter that there's a high probability that it could be fake. There's a quote from Buffy that explains it in a nutshell from the vampire Spike: "If every vampire who said they were at the crusifixtion, actualyl was at the crusifixtion . . . it'd've been like woodstalk." Not everythingt hat's claimed to be "this or that" can actually be "this or that" because there is only so much "this or that" to go around.
elecgraystone 01-08-05, 10:06 AM	I like MY SF temples to be ON fire! (can't get the silver, I'll have to work on that!) But then I have a strong dislike for them!
Edymnion 01-08-05, 02:15 PM	There's a quote from Buffy that explains it in a nutshell from the vampire Spike: "If every vampire who said they were at the crusifixtion, actualyl was at the crusifixtion . . . it'd've been like woodstalk."Yup, and I remember seeing somewhere (I think it was on Discovery Channel during one of their specials) that if you added up all the pieces of the True Cross that were supposed to have been in european churches, the cross would have come out being something like 50 feet tall. The point is that relics didn't HAVE to be authentic to serve their purpose. As long as the people thought they were real, they did the job they were ment to do. Inspire faith. Although, I can already see an artifact for Eberron coming out of this thread. Anyone here familiar with Longinus? :D
ieattrollsforbreakfast 01-08-05, 03:12 PM	I think a small silver flame created using the continual flame spell will be a common feature of the churches, perhaps positioned on the altar or on a stand of its own.
WilliamPall 01-08-05, 04:51 PM	Anyone here familiar with Longinus? :D IIRC (which I rarely do), He was a roman soldier that pierced the side of Christ with a spear. The spear went on to become a much desired artifact due to the fact that having it in your possesion/using it battle would almost garuntee victory for you.
mistakeagian 01-09-05, 01:43 AM	For a good idea of the inside of a SF church look up or get a book on the Hagia Sophia. It is an amazing church from the Byzantine era. Now its used by the muslims, but take away the minarets and its almost exactly as it was. I can just picture a flame burning in a crack in the center floor directly under the dome.
Romulus LoneWolf 01-09-05, 11:36 AM	The Pyre is definetly a good idea. Even if people know it's not an actual shard of the silver flame, it could still have a very symbolic function, with young church initiates having the duty of tending to the flame and make sure it never goes out, symbolising every common man's duty to fight to make sure Good is never extinguished from the world. I could Silver Flame churches having fine tapestries, stainglass windows and wall paintings depicting such things as the battles between the Coualts and the Demons, the Birth of the Silver Flame, the life and battles of Tira Miron, and the early days of the church. Other saints of the Church might also be depicted.
biophy6 01-09-05, 12:09 PM	Thanks for the rapid responses. I like the cathedral idea. I really like the flameiron flame statue idea. Also, I'll throw in a relic. I want to have in Sharn though. Any ideas on which tower it should be on? This is going to be the best temple ever! Too bad it will be destroyed.... -biophy6
Edymnion 01-09-05, 01:21 PM	IIRC (which I rarely do), He was a roman soldier that pierced the side of Christ with a spear. The spear went on to become a much desired artifact due to the fact that having it in your possesion/using it battle would almost garuntee victory for you.Yup, but its also become the name of the spear itself. And yes, anyone who weilded the spear of Longinus was guarenteed to win any battle they were in. Its said Constantine had it, and thats what let him build his empire. Sounds like a great Holy Grail type item to go after. The spear of the Sacred Flame, which Tira herself struck the final blow against the demon which allowed it to be consumed by the Flame. Major, major setting artifact.
Korhal_IV 01-09-05, 02:34 PM	Sounds like a great Holy Grail type item to go after. The spear of the Sacred Flame, which Tira herself struck the final blow against the demon which allowed it to be consumed by the Flame. Major, major setting artifact. Well, not to poke holes or anything, but didn't Tira use a greatsword, and isn't it still down in the depths pinning paladin, couatl, and demon lord together?
Euangelion 01-09-05, 03:45 PM	Well, not to poke holes or anything, but didn't Tira use a greatsword, and isn't it still down in the depths pinning paladin, couatl, and demon lord together? Yep, with a big ol' Kyber shard. In fact, it has a name, Kloinjer, which also lends its name to a keep or something like that in Flamekeep. Also, doesn't one or both of the Dragonshards on the Silver Flame include some descriptions of a typical Silver Flame shrine/temple/cathedral?