| Post/Author/DateTime | Post |
|---|---|
| creyzi4zb1209-12-07, 07:46 AM | *SPOILER* Well, since I've read about teh orc King Spoilers it said something about the gods backing away. So is there any possibility of a crusade from a far-away continent (probably unknown) bringing with them teachings about the coming of a one true god? U know like Mina... |
| Old Sage09-12-07, 12:19 PM | It's Chemosh now. ;) |
| MarkusTay6309-12-07, 12:26 PM | Didn't DL have an "Age of Mortals" or some such nonsense like that, when all the gods dissapeared? I would hazard to guess that if the gods are missing, then the Spellplague/War/RSE must have been caused by one or more of them, and Ao has 'cut them off' for awhile (let the planet heal). And the most likely candidates to screw up so much are Shar and Mystra. |
| Old Sage09-12-07, 12:31 PM | Didn't DL have an "Age of Mortals" or some such nonsense like that, when all the gods dissapeared?Essentially, at the end of the Chaos War, Takhisis stole the world as the other deities were fighting Chaos. She drove the world through the Gate of Souls and through the Ethereal Sea, eventually leaving it in an alien place where she can rule over it as the only god. Thus, the 'Age of Mortals.' |
| MarkusTay6309-12-07, 12:34 PM | Uh-oh.... :eek: Sounds like Shar pulled a 'Tiamet'. |
| GothicDan09-12-07, 07:15 PM | And even before Chemosh, it was Takhisis, who was still 'just' a Greater God. |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin09-12-07, 07:19 PM | Is this a reference to Drizzt saying "Where are the benevolent gods?" That could be nothing more than the type of thing people usually say during hard times. |
| GothicDan09-12-07, 07:37 PM | Where are they? The Outer Planes! Funny thing is, just via normal knowledge, Drizzt's knowledge of ANY deities is disturbingly skewed and sparse. |
| The Ubbergeek09-12-07, 08:22 PM | Where are they? The Outer Planes! Funny thing is, just via normal knowledge, Drizzt's knowledge of ANY deities is disturbingly skewed and sparse. Theory; the guy grew up in an oppressive theocracy, so by semiconscious reflexes or perhaps even deliberatly he have a lack of warmth and care for most clerical matters. 'I don't care, don't want to know.' I means, I remember some things that he said in early books, and he was not very nice to the vision of the divine as he knew it. It took that blind, good man to show him the good side of divine. He grew in a classical lolthite area, for gods's sake! Other gods were ignored or cursed! So think of the ones who lived in very religious, conservative area of our real world... they arer eitheir as religious, or become voltairian and irreverant or outright hostile on those ideas. Be it the Deep SOuth, the conservative countryside of Italia or Russia, or the theocratic Iran. |
| MarkusTay6309-13-07, 12:04 AM | So we can assume Drizzt is illiterate, since he's been on the surface for years and yet still knows so little? Although he did mention "the great Elminster" in RotP. :rolleyes: Why was he even talking in there.... :nonono: |
| SmartPaladin09-13-07, 01:23 AM | So we can assume Drizzt is illiterate, since he's been on the surface for years and yet still knows so little? Although he did mention "the great Elminster" in RotP. :rolleyes: Why was he even talking in there.... :nonono: Because it was the only way R.A. knew he could speak his political views in one of his "new books"? |
| The Ubbergeek09-13-07, 01:27 AM | So we can assume Drizzt is illiterate, since he's been on the surface for years and yet still knows so little? Although he did mention "the great Elminster" in RotP. :rolleyes: Why was he even talking in there.... :nonono: He IS literrate, but; He only knew at start the HEAVILY biaised and distorted tales of Lolth (think Taliban-grade fudging). He never took - of course - the path of clergy, so he only knew the catechism of Lolth; it's like the past christian lays, who frequently only knew te bases, taught by the town's priest. And not the elaborate theology. and I guess there is actually not much religion then as brought in the lifestyle outside of the ceremony and the damn hard rules. Perhaps paradoxaly a very irreligious, yet religious culture, where as long as you obey Lolth, she don't care if she is worshipped much actually. And add also an hostility perhaps from him about the very idea of religion; he had critical ideas about gods and worship in the first books. I am not surprised that gods dont come frequently in his tales, really. It's like Conan - 'if you can't help me, the hell with you!'... Also, he lives in a region who is not even a bled, a backward place - it,s the wilderness... It's like Abitibi, Alaska, the Wild West... a very manly region with probably much isolationist xenophobia, where the distant places are less known and clear. Where everyday work, if not survival, if more important than a 'wussy' book. After all,. why are Tempus, uthgard, malar and auril so much worshipped around, and not really much the more knowledgeable gods? |
| The Ubbergeek09-13-07, 01:28 AM | Because it was the only way R.A. knew he could speak his political views in one of his "new books"? Which political views and agenda? :rolleyes: Ed maybe, with a canadian leftwing sort of feminism, but Salvatore.... Disclaimer; I am canadian, also - I live in Quebec. |
| GothicDan09-13-07, 08:19 AM | It's pretty much impossible to create anything without personal agendas (philosophies on life/'how things are') attached. It's just a matter of diversifying one's agenda logically and creatively to promote verisimilitude. |
| GothicDan09-13-07, 08:19 AM | Theory; the guy grew up in an oppressive theocracy, so by semiconscious reflexes or perhaps even deliberatly he have a lack of warmth and care for most clerical matters. 'I don't care, don't want to know.' I means, I remember some things that he said in early books, and he was not very nice to the vision of the divine as he knew it. It took that blind, good man to show him the good side of divine. He grew in a classical lolthite area, for gods's sake! Other gods were ignored or cursed! So think of the ones who lived in very religious, conservative area of our real world... they arer eitheir as religious, or become voltairian and irreverant or outright hostile on those ideas. Be it the Deep SOuth, the conservative countryside of Italia or Russia, or the theocratic Iran. How do you think I concluded my above statement? |
| DarkSongKnight09-13-07, 02:29 PM | As a guy raised in the bible belt by a religious family, I can relate with Drizzt's scoffing of religion. He grew up in a cruel, theocratic Lolthite environment, and that put a bad taste in his mouth for all religions and gods. Also, its easy to blame the deities for what has happened, as mortals can't see the whole picture. Thats also why I draw a line between being "spiritual" and "religious". Spiritual - having a personal faith, trust, or belief. Individuals who are spiritual are more concerned with continuing on their own path of self-enlightenment than with being "right," and they usually don't insist that their way is the only way. They also usually recognize that things, and individuals, change. Religious - shows public displays of faith. Usually they attend religious meetings with others who share their same set beliefs. They may attempt to persuade others into their way of thinking, and want others to recognize their way as "right." Usually give religious backing, like "this says this" and want things to stay the same. Just my thoughts... |
| GothicDan09-13-07, 02:57 PM | Since spiritualism and religiousness ultimately vary so much from one person to the next, I find it futile to try to formally demarcate the two. I scoff both religion and spirituality. Actually, ironically, by your definition, I'm more religious than spiritual. I fully believe that formal, ritual traditions, symbols, clandestine idiosyncrasies, etc., all can have positive social and psychological effects. |
| ShadezofDis09-13-07, 03:24 PM | Ummm. . . perhaps he just means that the gods/goddesses have stepped back and aren't telling every damned follower they have what to do. Personally, I really, REALLY, hope that the gods/goddesses have backed off from the world and aren't driving the plots. Anyhow, I find it pretty impossible that Drizzt would still be a deiphobe after his experiences with; Mielikki The Dwarven Pantheon Being in Silvermoon ect |
| ShadezofDis09-13-07, 03:26 PM | Since spiritualism and religiousness ultimately vary so much from one person to the next, I find it futile to try to formally demarcate the two. That's why I listen to Merriam-Webster, not internet posts. :D |
| Lord Karsus09-13-07, 04:34 PM | As a guy raised in the bible belt by a religious family, I can relate with Drizzt's scoffing of religion. -Funny...I always thought you were a 'she'. Whoops... -Anyway, I think that it is hard to quantify and qualify the actual information that Drizzt's brain contains, concerning anything. Sure, his stats may say one thing or another, but who knows how much information he's picked up on the Mordinsamman by just hanging out with Bruenor, or techniques he's picked up concerning ice fishing, for living in the Ten-Town region, and so on... |
| MarkusTay6309-13-07, 04:59 PM | He's bitter because when Cattie Brie died, his first thought was "Damn... I shoulda HIT that..." :P |
| Aldareth09-14-07, 02:30 AM | He's bitter because when Cattie Brie died, his first thought was "Damn... I shoulda HIT that...much earlier" :P corrected :D |
| DarkSongKnight09-14-07, 10:05 AM | -Funny...I always thought you were a 'she'. Whoops... Heh... I get that a lot. :rolleyes: I couldn't care less if someone is more spiritual or more religious, as long as they don't shove their beliefs onto me. Do note, however, that attempting to influence others with legitimate reasoning is quite different than being a tyrant when it comes to such things... And I don't see any deity coming into Faerun as a one and "true" deity. I like the variety the Faerunian pantheon offers, actually. |
| The WarOverlord09-14-07, 07:04 PM | So we can assume Drizzt is illiterate, since he's been on the surface for years and yet still knows so little? Although he did mention "the great Elminster" in RotP. :rolleyes: Why was he even talking in there.... :nonono: Everryone is illiterate to some degree or another unless they can read and write all known written languages...lol Problem with godings is that most people learn about them from their religous fanatic's writings if not thier fanatic and you have to be willing to read those works if not listen to the fanatic babble about his/her faith in his/her godling in order to learn anything about the godling. Oh and if some odd creature tells your god "This is none of your concern,godling) the god is about to get it's ass kicked if he/she confronts what would be a "mediator power" not to unlike Ao :evillaugh As for a domination of "One god". i do believe Ao removed the "god barrier" that allowed the likes of the Eastern gods to return to their host entities and it pretty much opened the Forgotten Realms to godlings from other unoverses and Realms to wonder in as much as it allowed the Egyptain gods to wonder out. But then again a lot of the godlings represented in the Forgotten Realms are from wherever their worshipers were originally migrated or Harvested from. (I believe the only Native creatures were those ancient reptile people?...everyone else including the Elves migrated or came as slaves of the "Creator Races") |
| Xaean09-14-07, 08:23 PM | Some theories, who could be a "One God" of Faerun: Tchazzar, the only being on the material plane with a divine rank might somehow have managed to block access to the outer planes, thus making the material plane inaccessible for the other gods. There are prophecies about the return of the Netherese Sun God Amaunator, and the abilities of his high priest, according to Power of Faerun are quite impressive. If Shar somehow managed to slay Mystra (which hopefully wont happen) only shadow weave casters could cast spells, making Shar the only true goddess of Faerun. Ahh, and yes, Tiamat might steal the world, and... |
| Mula09-14-07, 11:25 PM | Thats also why I draw a line between being "spiritual" and "religious". Spiritual - having a personal faith, trust, or belief. Individuals who are spiritual are more concerned with continuing on their own path of self-enlightenment than with being "right," and they usually don't insist that their way is the only way. They also usually recognize that things, and individuals, change. Religious - shows public displays of faith. Usually they attend religious meetings with others who share their same set beliefs. They may attempt to persuade others into their way of thinking, and want others to recognize their way as "right." Usually give religious backing, like "this says this" and want things to stay the same. Just my thoughts...You could apply these terms to how Lawful and Chaotic faiths operate and teach in the Realms. Lawful is your "religious" and "spiritual" Chaotic. Just a thought. |
| GothicDan09-15-07, 07:12 PM | I couldn't care less if someone is more spiritual or more religious, as long as they don't shove their beliefs onto me. Do note, however, that attempting to influence others with legitimate reasoning is quite different than being a tyrant when it comes to such things... I will continue shoving my militant atheism down the throats of everyone, unless I see alternative methods of achieving my goals. The older I get, the less I mind people trying to 'force' me to do anything. Accepting that all of life is a struggle has made me a lot more calm about things. And less liberal, actually, at least in a global/ethical sense (but not personal). I was thinking of such things a few nights ago when a friend told me that he was outraged that medical researchers were trying to find ways of manipulating DNA codes and such, such that they could ensure new rams born were not gay. There's no use for a gay ram. He was upset because he thought that solidifying someone's sexuality for them before they were born was terrible. I thought about it, and thought about it, and from my disturbingly empirical mindset, I could not find any ethical outrage. My friend said that, by 'breeding out' homosexuality, it made it 'seem' like it was wrong. I just don't see changing someone's life before they're even conscious of it as anything to get all crazy upset about, unless they change it in a way that they would be consciously suffering from when they lived it. Meh. Life is so much more tolerable when you realize everyone is equally egoistic for espousing whatever views they have as the 'correct' way. ;) |
| DarkSongKnight09-15-07, 11:44 PM | I will continue shoving my militant atheism down the throats of everyone, unless I see alternative methods of achieving my goals. And I shall continue espousing tolerance, kindness, life, beauty, being a complete and utterly stubborn liberal, and generally hoping for a harmonious future for all of mankind. Very selfish and egotistical of me, I know. I live with rose-tinted glasses on, believe me. :P He was upset because he thought that solidifying someone's sexuality for them before they were born was terrible. I thought about it, and thought about it, and from my disturbingly empirical mindset, I could not find any ethical outrage. My friend said that, by 'breeding out' homosexuality, it made it 'seem' like it was wrong. I just don't see changing someone's life before they're even conscious of it as anything to get all crazy upset about, unless they change it in a way that they would be consciously suffering from when they lived it. Honestly, its very wise of you to keep an indifferent outlook. But I (due to personal opinions and prejudice) would agree with your friend. What would happen if there were no more homosexuals? Probably not much.... they've always been a minority after all... The religious fanatics might rejoice, or perhaps they would find such genetic tampering "wrong?" A tricky one, that. Meh. Life is so much more tolerable when you realize everyone is equally egoistic for espousing whatever views they have as the 'correct' way. ;) True. Even the most dispassionate, peaceful individual is egotistical. Life is nothing but the pursuit of happiness and satisfaction, and what makes each person such varies from one individual to the next. Thus, we all pursue our own greedy, selfish desires. Our very perception of reality is colored by our own experiences. ;) You could apply these terms to how Lawful and Chaotic faiths operate and teach in the Realms. Lawful is your "religious" and "spiritual" Chaotic. And yes, "spiritual" could be perceived as chaotic, and "religious" as lawful. |
| GothicDan09-15-07, 11:50 PM | Dark, sorry if my above rambling was nontopical or seemed randomly aggressive. I didn't sleep this week (literally), so I was a bit loopy. :) True. Even the most dispassionate, peaceful individual is egotistical. Life is nothing but the pursuit of happiness and satisfaction, and what makes each person such varies from one individual to the next. Thus, we all pursue our own greedy, selfish desires. Our very perception of reality is colored by our own experiences. You just espoused my weird Epicurean belief system (provided there's a solid Nietzschean base beneath it). Will you marry me? |
| DarkSongKnight09-16-07, 12:28 AM | Dark, sorry if my above rambling was nontopical or seemed randomly aggressive. I didn't sleep this week (literally), so I was a bit loopy. :) No apology needed, everyone has stressful times. ;) You just espoused my weird Epicurean belief system (provided there's a solid Nietzschean base beneath it). Will you marry me? LOL! I believe I'm too free-spirited and strong-willed for anyone to tolerate in a relationship, hehe, though you are welcome to join me in a dance. (http://youtube.com/watch?v=-wzMfSiOkMQ&mode=related&search=) :D |
| GothicDan09-16-07, 12:32 AM | Violin's cool! Though I prefer my strings more like this: http://youtube.com/watch?v=BsYgcACfWTw Also, the singer is cute. |
| DarkSongKnight09-16-07, 12:42 AM | Lovely and tragic. Sad and beautiful, at the same time. Definitely my cup of tea. ;) The guys are very attractive as well. Hmm.. I dress similar to them at times. |
| GothicDan09-16-07, 12:52 AM | I am a Scando-Metal fiend. I really just can't find the same level of technicality in American music. Who now dresses almost exclusively in polo shirts, khakis, shorts, a few knit t-shirt type things, some jeans... Wait, topic. Um. The One God in Faerun? *Teleport* Here I am! *Shifty eyes.* |
| DarkSongKnight09-16-07, 01:06 AM | A one true god in Faerun would be disastrous. The Faerunian pantheon would probably rise to challenge such a thing, and, if it was truly "true," it would destroy them all... And thus gain resentment. Not a wise move at all... of course, it would have forseen all of that and have a plan. Riiight. :rolleyes: "Hope is beauty, personified." I really like that. It has been siged. :) Since we're on the topic of fashion, I've started a new thread... http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?p=13799049#post13799049 |
| GothicDan09-16-07, 01:19 AM | I'm really happy that "Fate" as we know it in Faerun doesn't exist. It's boring. And a One God usually implies Fate. (I don't ever take AO into account when I state anything unless I'm specifically stating it. That is, I pretend he doesn't exist, since I hate the ToT.) |
| The Ubbergeek09-16-07, 11:42 AM | I'm really happy that "Fate" as we know it in Faerun doesn't exist. It's boring. And a One God usually implies Fate. (I don't ever take AO into account when I state anything unless I'm specifically stating it. That is, I pretend he doesn't exist, since I hate the ToT.) (He is not a god or YHVH 2,0. If you prefer, he may be Faerun itself, the Brahman.) |
| GothicDan09-16-07, 11:52 AM | If he makes you shut up, I'll call him God 2.0 alright. |
| Lord Karsus09-16-07, 06:08 PM | If he makes you shut up, I'll call him God 2.0 alright. :rofl: |
| ElberethSilverleaf09-22-07, 11:11 PM | If there were one true G-d, I'd slap him/her in the face, spit on him/her cuss him/her out and then sue for malpractice..... Err wait that's what I'd do in real life... |
| MarkusTay6309-22-07, 11:53 PM | The price of 'Free Will' God just gave us the tools my friend, we f__ked it all up. ;) |
| ShadezofDis09-23-07, 12:19 PM | (I don't ever take AO into account when I state anything unless I'm specifically stating it. That is, I pretend he doesn't exist, since I hate the ToT.) I actually dig AO, he's my tool for reforming the pantheon in my own little version of FR. It's only interest is the sustainment of the cycle of life upon the planet. In other words, he's an engineer overseeing the generator. :D |