Sharess ans the foe of Set thing [Archive] - Wizards Community

Sharess ans the foe of Set thing [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Draco Spirit
01-30-08, 06:02 PM I'm thinking of creating a Sharess following undead hunter in a game who use her more well know aspect as cover for undead cult hunting activities, any good fluff and such that I should take on board to flesh her out a bit?
The_Shaman
01-31-08, 01:13 PM You could have the character as a Mulan. They are practically the only culture that remembers Sharess' more martial side, I think. I haven't come across her in any of the few novels I've read, though, so Faiths and Pantheons or any of the older books on D&D mythology are probably the best sources. If you want, you might want to read a bit on the Egyptian deities Bast (also Wadjet-Bast at some point) and Sekhmet. Sharess is actually venerated as Bast in Mulhorand, and I would again stress how useful a link to that culture could be.

For me, the most important part is how you justify the PCs devotion to Sharess as opposed to other deities - undead hunters tend to be rather grim and dedicated to their job and not exactly Sharess material. One's choice of a patron deity is usually important to them, and it means either that the character feels some affinity with the divine being or that they are a part of a tradition affiliated with Him/Her.

Perhaps the person was a devotee of Sharess before they took up the job (maybe their becoming such a foe of the restless dead is the result of a personal tragedy, as often happens) but has not decided to change their personal deity afterwards. Plus, they found out that the stereotypes for the Sharessans are a good way to put enemies off guard. Or perhaps they view Sharess in a way similar to Sune - not just a patron of passion and revel, but their protector as well. Such a character would probably be an unlikely cultist of Sharess, and seldom betray - or have - the qualities people expect of them.

Yet another idea is that they view her mostly as a war goddess - rather rare, though, even in Mulhorand - and thus ask for her help in battle regardless of the foe. Sharess' passion is something that the character can emphasize for - and those who know more about the goddess know this passion is not reserved only for romantic endeavors, As patron of the great cats - all of them, as iirc Mulans don't venerate Nobanion much - she is mostly associated with lions and depicted as an implacable enemy and a bloodthirsty fury on the battlefield. Thus, she makes a great patron deity for a barbarian character from the region - especially a lion totem barbarian, if you have CChampion. The character, for whatever reason, is particularly devoted to fighting the undead - but doesn't exactly treat anyone else with kid gloves either. If you want to take this one step further, have the character use claw weapons of some sort - the tiger claws( from Silver marches: 1d6, 18-20x2, light) are the best I could find. In this case, I'd recommend that there is something typical of cats in the character's personality. If the character has high charisma, they will be bold, easy to laugh or anger, and confident - anything that you associate with a lion or tiger. If that attribute is low, they may be furtive, often silent and prefering to attack by surprise or other qualities attributed to other hunting cats.
Storm_Silverhand
01-31-08, 04:56 PM Heya,

You could have the character as a Mulan. They are practically the only culture that remembers Sharess' more martial side, I think. I haven't come across her in any of the few novels I've read, though, so Faiths and Pantheons or any of the older books on D&D mythology are probably the best sources. If you want, you might want to read a bit on the Egyptian deities Bast (also Wadjet-Bast at some point) and Sekhmet. Sharess is actually venerated as Bast in Mulhorand, and I would again stress how useful a link to that culture could be.

I believe that Sekhmet was an aspect of Hathor, not of Bast. Though there is some confusion over this (I have seen sources vehemently denying the link between Bast and Sekhmet, and also sources saying equally as vehemently that they were different aspects of the same deity), which is why I don't really recommend looking at the mythology of Egypt when looking at Bast (or any of the Mulhorandi deities). Anyway, in the Realms, Bast is just Bast (no Sekhmet for her to be confused with). Best source for her is the god books of 2nd Edition (Powers and Pantheons, and I think Demihuman Deities has a brief mention of Zandilar (the Yuirwood goddess that Bast absorbed before becoming Sharess) pointing back to Powers and Pantheons, but I'd have to get the books to take a look.)

Also, I'd say anyone who was a priest of Sharess would know her history.
Draco Spirit
01-31-08, 07:28 PM Right.. so Mulan seems the obvious ethnicity to for, I quiet like the lion affinity with character, I'm tempted to go for rogue/babrian at this stage at the game, since I can use the rogue side to show the subtle side (fair few ranks in bluff seem very in character) while the barbrian side can be used to emulate the passion that drives the character.

I quiet like the feel of a overtly playful manor (acting like everyone expect the average follower of Sharesss to be) with a deeper,mostly hidden, more martial side that see undead (and necromancers) are abomination to be wiped out.

It should catch people off guard, but at the same time be rather characterful.

I not really got any books on Mulhorandi past there campiean setting fluff, but basically there egyptions when it comes to dress and customs right?
The_Shaman
02-02-08, 08:32 AM I believe that Sekhmet was an aspect of Hathor, not of Bast. .

I think that eventually their cults merged, but don't quote me on that. RL Egypt is definitely messy with the way at first there were different deities in the Upper and Lower part, though, which can account for the mess in my head. Anyway, I was giving it only as a possible inspiration.

I not really got any books on Mulhorandi past there campiean setting fluff, but basically there egyptions when it comes to dress and customs right?

Ermm, you can make some analogies, but I don't think I know enough about either to speak with more authority on the topic. I don't think there is a 3rd edition book that looks into Mulhorand in great detail, although as usual the FRCS and Races of Faerun can be useful sources. Lost Empires of Faerun may have more, but I don't have it ATM. Of course, if you and the DM don't know much, you can always make it up.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Draco Spirit 01-30-08, 06:02 PM	I'm thinking of creating a Sharess following undead hunter in a game who use her more well know aspect as cover for undead cult hunting activities, any good fluff and such that I should take on board to flesh her out a bit?
The_Shaman 01-31-08, 01:13 PM	You could have the character as a Mulan. They are practically the only culture that remembers Sharess' more martial side, I think. I haven't come across her in any of the few novels I've read, though, so Faiths and Pantheons or any of the older books on D&D mythology are probably the best sources. If you want, you might want to read a bit on the Egyptian deities Bast (also Wadjet-Bast at some point) and Sekhmet. Sharess is actually venerated as Bast in Mulhorand, and I would again stress how useful a link to that culture could be. For me, the most important part is how you justify the PCs devotion to Sharess as opposed to other deities - undead hunters tend to be rather grim and dedicated to their job and not exactly Sharess material. One's choice of a patron deity is usually important to them, and it means either that the character feels some affinity with the divine being or that they are a part of a tradition affiliated with Him/Her. Perhaps the person was a devotee of Sharess before they took up the job (maybe their becoming such a foe of the restless dead is the result of a personal tragedy, as often happens) but has not decided to change their personal deity afterwards. Plus, they found out that the stereotypes for the Sharessans are a good way to put enemies off guard. Or perhaps they view Sharess in a way similar to Sune - not just a patron of passion and revel, but their protector as well. Such a character would probably be an unlikely cultist of Sharess, and seldom betray - or have - the qualities people expect of them. Yet another idea is that they view her mostly as a war goddess - rather rare, though, even in Mulhorand - and thus ask for her help in battle regardless of the foe. Sharess' passion is something that the character can emphasize for - and those who know more about the goddess know this passion is not reserved only for romantic endeavors, As patron of the great cats - all of them, as iirc Mulans don't venerate Nobanion much - she is mostly associated with lions and depicted as an implacable enemy and a bloodthirsty fury on the battlefield. Thus, she makes a great patron deity for a barbarian character from the region - especially a lion totem barbarian, if you have CChampion. The character, for whatever reason, is particularly devoted to fighting the undead - but doesn't exactly treat anyone else with kid gloves either. If you want to take this one step further, have the character use claw weapons of some sort - the tiger claws( from Silver marches: 1d6, 18-20x2, light) are the best I could find. In this case, I'd recommend that there is something typical of cats in the character's personality. If the character has high charisma, they will be bold, easy to laugh or anger, and confident - anything that you associate with a lion or tiger. If that attribute is low, they may be furtive, often silent and prefering to attack by surprise or other qualities attributed to other hunting cats.
Storm_Silverhand 01-31-08, 04:56 PM	Heya, You could have the character as a Mulan. They are practically the only culture that remembers Sharess' more martial side, I think. I haven't come across her in any of the few novels I've read, though, so Faiths and Pantheons or any of the older books on D&D mythology are probably the best sources. If you want, you might want to read a bit on the Egyptian deities Bast (also Wadjet-Bast at some point) and Sekhmet. Sharess is actually venerated as Bast in Mulhorand, and I would again stress how useful a link to that culture could be. I believe that Sekhmet was an aspect of Hathor, not of Bast. Though there is some confusion over this (I have seen sources vehemently denying the link between Bast and Sekhmet, and also sources saying equally as vehemently that they were different aspects of the same deity), which is why I don't really recommend looking at the mythology of Egypt when looking at Bast (or any of the Mulhorandi deities). Anyway, in the Realms, Bast is just Bast (no Sekhmet for her to be confused with). Best source for her is the god books of 2nd Edition (Powers and Pantheons, and I think Demihuman Deities has a brief mention of Zandilar (the Yuirwood goddess that Bast absorbed before becoming Sharess) pointing back to Powers and Pantheons, but I'd have to get the books to take a look.) Also, I'd say anyone who was a priest of Sharess would know her history.
Draco Spirit 01-31-08, 07:28 PM	Right.. so Mulan seems the obvious ethnicity to for, I quiet like the lion affinity with character, I'm tempted to go for rogue/babrian at this stage at the game, since I can use the rogue side to show the subtle side (fair few ranks in bluff seem very in character) while the barbrian side can be used to emulate the passion that drives the character. I quiet like the feel of a overtly playful manor (acting like everyone expect the average follower of Sharesss to be) with a deeper,mostly hidden, more martial side that see undead (and necromancers) are abomination to be wiped out. It should catch people off guard, but at the same time be rather characterful. I not really got any books on Mulhorandi past there campiean setting fluff, but basically there egyptions when it comes to dress and customs right?
The_Shaman 02-02-08, 08:32 AM	I believe that Sekhmet was an aspect of Hathor, not of Bast. . I think that eventually their cults merged, but don't quote me on that. RL Egypt is definitely messy with the way at first there were different deities in the Upper and Lower part, though, which can account for the mess in my head. Anyway, I was giving it only as a possible inspiration. I not really got any books on Mulhorandi past there campiean setting fluff, but basically there egyptions when it comes to dress and customs right? Ermm, you can make some analogies, but I don't think I know enough about either to speak with more authority on the topic. I don't think there is a 3rd edition book that looks into Mulhorand in great detail, although as usual the FRCS and Races of Faerun can be useful sources. Lost Empires of Faerun may have more, but I don't have it ATM. Of course, if you and the DM don't know much, you can always make it up.