Author Topic: Paridon information, and the Garbs of Mankind item incorrect info.  (Read 4149 times)

swbf2lord

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The info found here: http://www.nwnravenloft.com/world_religions.html

Quote
"This is the dominant religion of Paridon. All members of the clergy are referred to as "celebrants of humanity." Most clergymembers are monks, while a few become clerics. Monks focus on releasing untapped potential, while clerics focus on releasing the spiritual power flowing from all humans. Clerics of the Divinity of Mankind are asthetics, and believe that deities are purely mythical fabrications of humans who are unprepared to accept their ascendancy. As can be guessed, only humans are allowed into the clergy. Nonhumans are seen as lesser beings. "
Seems to be incorrect, based on information from the Gazetteer (which I'm lead to believe is only semi-canon).

From the Gazetteer:

Quote
There is little coherent knowledge about the
Divinity of Mankind abroad. The name itself
sparks two common questions: "If you don't
believe in gods, why is your religion called
'Divinity of Mankind'?" and "What about
non-humans?"

The answer to the first question is that the
Celebrants do not deny the existence of gods
or denizens of the non-material planes, as
Lamordians do. Celebrants, however, study
gods as symbols, principles or evolved souls.
'Divinity' is a state of being, a stage of
growth attainable to humanity.

The second question often catches the
average Zherisian unawares. Due to
geographical and intellectual insularity, most
have had no reason to consider the reality of
non-humans, let alone their souls. Therefore
the common answer is that non-humans are
aberrations. When pressed most Celebrants
admit that the non-human state is inferior
and must progress to a human one.

So, specifically, they don't deny the existence of gods, but rather, don't think of them in the same way as others.

The garbs of mankind are wearable by both clerics and monks, using the colors white, and grey.
This is inaccurate, to the information in the Gazetteer, which, when it talks about colors at all, uses this:

Quote
They are considered
interdependent and co-equal, and are
illustrated with primary colours to
emphasize this point. These traditions are
known as the Apex of Intellect (alchemical/
yellow); the Apex of Intuition (clerical/
blue); and the Apex of Experience
(monastic/red). Officially, members of all
traditions are addressed by the honorific
Brother or Sister, and their title is Celebrant
of Humanity (i.e. Brother Man is a Celebrant
of Humanity). In casual conversation,
Celebrants often name their "rival" factions
as monks, clergy, or alchemists. It is useful
to note when primary and secondary colours
are used in sect names; they often reveal
their philosophical affiliations.

It would make more sense to have two separate items, since monks and clergy aren't the same, nor do they have the same focus, or identify by the same colors.
Monk novices dress in the colors of the order, to identify themselves and protect from harassment, as mentioned here:

Quote
Novices and low-ranking monks wear their
monastic garments to identify them and
guard them from harassment; they are also
assigned daylight hours and the safest
neighbourhoods. They talk to people, and
some will intervene in situations where it
seems warranted.

Elder monks dress in nondescript clothing:

Quote
The elders continue the walking meditation
but now walk at all hours in nondescript
clothing, losing themselves in the anonymity
of Humanity. Whether they choose to
involve themselves in events varies
according to their particular school of
thought.



Bluebomber4evr

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Re: Paridon information, and the Garbs of Mankind item incorrect info.
« Reply #1 on: January 07, 2014, 01:35:39 AM »
The Paridon Gazetteer is not canon at all. The info in the World Religion section and the Garbs of Mankind item in-game is based on the canon info on the religion in Van Richten's Arsenal.

Here's all of the CANON info on the Divinity of Mankind:

Hour of the Knife adventure module (2nd edition rules), pages 26 & 28 (sidebar)



Ravenloft 3rd Edition Campaign Setting, pages 164-165:
Quote
Although they worship no gods, many Paridoners, especially aristocrats, subscribe to a "theological philosophy" known as the Divinity of Mankind. Lodges of male Paridoners meet weekly to discuss philosophy, the arts, and natural science.

The crux of their beliefs is perfection of the mind, body, and spirit, an aspiration that has spawned a peculiar monastic tradition. Some folk whisper that the Divinity conceals more sinister activities and that lodge members participate in secretive occult rites steeped in the language of alchemy.

Van Richten's Arsenal, page 148:
« Last Edit: January 07, 2014, 01:55:15 AM by Bluebomber4evr »

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swbf2lord

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Re: Paridon information, and the Garbs of Mankind item incorrect info.
« Reply #2 on: January 07, 2014, 01:37:50 AM »
So, from the Gazetteer, should I disregard everything in that?

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Re: Paridon information, and the Garbs of Mankind item incorrect info.
« Reply #3 on: January 07, 2014, 01:59:13 AM »
So, from the Gazetteer, should I disregard everything in that?
Any non-canon, fan-produced material should be taken with a grain of salt. That's not to say it will always be wrong, but you should assume it could be wrong and should check it against published canon info.

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swbf2lord

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Re: Paridon information, and the Garbs of Mankind item incorrect info.
« Reply #4 on: January 07, 2014, 02:42:15 AM »
Are there any other canon sources I can check for info about Divinity of Man, and Paridon itself?

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Re: Paridon information, and the Garbs of Mankind item incorrect info.
« Reply #5 on: January 07, 2014, 11:47:38 AM »
The most detail comes from the 2nd edition module Hour of the Knife, which is set entirely in Paridon. There are summaries of the domain in all of the major campaign setting books: The Realm of Terror "black box" from 1990, The "red box" campaign setting from 1994, Domains of Dread from 1997, the 3rd edition Campaign Setting from 2001, and Secrets of the Dread Realms (2001).

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swbf2lord

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Re: Paridon information, and the Garbs of Mankind item incorrect info.
« Reply #6 on: January 07, 2014, 02:05:36 PM »
The Paridon Gazetteer is not canon at all. The info in the World Religion section and the Garbs of Mankind item in-game is based on the canon info on the religion in Van Richten's Arsenal.

Here's all of the CANON info on the Divinity of Mankind:

Hour of the Knife adventure module (2nd edition rules), pages 26 & 28 (sidebar)



Ravenloft 3rd Edition Campaign Setting, pages 164-165:
Quote
Although they worship no gods, many Paridoners, especially aristocrats, subscribe to a "theological philosophy" known as the Divinity of Mankind. Lodges of male Paridoners meet weekly to discuss philosophy, the arts, and natural science.

The crux of their beliefs is perfection of the mind, body, and spirit, an aspiration that has spawned a peculiar monastic tradition. Some folk whisper that the Divinity conceals more sinister activities and that lodge members participate in secretive occult rites steeped in the language of alchemy.

Van Richten's Arsenal, page 148:


Thanks! Just what I was looking for!

queenofspades

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Re: Paridon information, and the Garbs of Mankind item incorrect info.
« Reply #7 on: February 15, 2014, 01:02:54 AM »
I figured i'd check around, and get some clarification before I proceed with making a PC

In the Paridon Gazetter, It mentions monastic traditions about Reincarnation.

does that have it's roots in any cannon sources? or is that totally homebrew? if so... how reasonable is it for someone to  have recollection of a past life? (considering it could be just madness/a belief or someone's subconscious manifesting.)
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Bluebomber4evr

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Re: Paridon information, and the Garbs of Mankind item incorrect info.
« Reply #8 on: February 15, 2014, 04:13:05 AM »
I figured i'd check around, and get some clarification before I proceed with making a PC

In the Paridon Gazetter, It mentions monastic traditions about Reincarnation.

does that have it's roots in any cannon sources? or is that totally homebrew? if so... how reasonable is it for someone to  have recollection of a past life? (considering it could be just madness/a belief or someone's subconscious manifesting.)
It's not canon.

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