| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| GazzaM |
Posted - 12 Dec 2010 : 21:46:58
Does anyone know what her symbol looked like ? |
| 16 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 21 Dec 2010 : 23:01:57
Hmm, maybe Wooly is onto something. Maybe Araushnee was a darker aspect of Athena? So many of the OTHER elven gods seem to be now. It would make about as much sense as anything else WotC has done lately. Wasn't a spindle and distaff one of Athena's symbols? |
| Therise |
Posted - 21 Dec 2010 : 20:27:30
quote:
Originally posted by GazzaM
Does anyone know what her symbol looked like ?
Can't say, because we don't know... but perhaps a distaff and spindle, or a loom. Those are really classic goddess symbols.
As far as spiders and their relationship to spinning, in the Western tradition that comes to us from the legend of Athena (goddess of weaving) and her servant Arachne. When Arachne boasted that her skill at weaving was "greater even than Minerva," Athena (aka Minerva) turned Arachne into a spider as a punishment for her hubris.
|
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 15 Dec 2010 : 18:21:19
It's very likely, Sill. Remember, in ancient times, spiders were often associated with both wise and trickster-type deities. Lolth is more the latter, but most spider-gods in RL myth were not evil- just clever and mischievous, but were just as often helpful. Araushnee seems to have perverted that into something much darker. |
| Zireael |
Posted - 15 Dec 2010 : 14:02:41
Is it directed at me or at Elaine? |
| Sill Alias |
Posted - 15 Dec 2010 : 11:56:49
So you think the whole transformation in spider was from her adoration of them? |
| Zireael |
Posted - 14 Dec 2010 : 10:47:56
What Elaine wrote on the topic:
quote:
Originally posted by ElaineCunningham
quote:
Originally posted by Zireael
The bit about borrowing uncles' names had me ROTFL.
Here goes a question, Elaine: can you tell us anything about Araushnee before she became Lloth? Some scribes are wondering about Araushnee's symbol too...
I haven't really developed anything about Araushnee that is NOT in the mythology section of the novel Evermeet. As for symbol, in the absense of a canon response, I'd assume that it was the same as she used in her later incarnation as Lolth/Lloth. Araushnee was a skilled spinner and weaver, so it seems likely that she would choose a spider as an emblem, in the same manner that a fine singer might choose to be represented by a songbird.
Hey, not everyone thinks spiders are creepy. 
|
| Ayrik |
Posted - 13 Dec 2010 : 20:05:22
I'm pretty sure the 8-star is a 1E/2E thing ... from a magazine issue, I think. Though it may have been un-canon. Or it may be that I'm senile. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 13 Dec 2010 : 19:44:07
quote:
Originally posted by Zireael
Yeah, I was really baffled when I saw the 4e symbols for Lloth and Corellon. Does anyone find the similarity somewhat unnerving?
In 5E, we'll find out Lolth is just an aspect of Corellon!  |
| Zireael |
Posted - 13 Dec 2010 : 19:38:58
Yeah, I was really baffled when I saw the 4e symbols for Lloth and Corellon. Does anyone find the similarity somewhat unnerving? |
| Bladewind |
Posted - 13 Dec 2010 : 11:44:09
Hmm, the eight pointed star symbol is another strange change of 4e to me, as Corellons holy symbol in previous editions used to be a silvery crescent moon.
Might have to do with what you said Arik, that its a representation of chaos (a Warhammer fantasy influence is my guess). |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 13 Dec 2010 : 06:00:58
The eight-pointed star is an older symbol for Corellon and thus all of the Seldarine as a group. Lolth's version is basically black instead of silver and sometimes adorned with one or two strands of web ringing the points, and later, a depiction of a spider or a pair of arachnid mouth-mandible things. Araushnee may have incorporated the Seldarine star into her symbol, imposing her own unique logo or adaptation (as Lolth did). I don't see it much in D&D, but classic pantheons (and feudalistic heraldry) would often overlay unique elements onto those of the "larger" symbols being served.
Incidentally, numerous versions of the eight-pointed star represent all sorts of noble qualities in most of our own major religions. More recently, it's been informally adopted as a representation of chaos. |
| Fellfire |
Posted - 13 Dec 2010 : 05:50:14
It is a fantastic question, I have no idea. I might try posting that under Questions for Elaine Cunningham, she is the only one I can think of who wrote about Araushnee in detail. |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 13 Dec 2010 : 05:42:37
Araushnee was Lolth's name before her fall, Arik. This is a very good question. I'd guess it was a spindle or perhaps a simple spiral web. Or, that eight-point star from the page Arik linked, with a spiral within it, maybe? A precursor to the web and spider motif... |
| Sill Alias |
Posted - 13 Dec 2010 : 03:46:23
That is one hell of an interesting question. Holy symbol before her fall... I wonder if it is shown at all... Awwww, you just infected me with the anxiousness. |
| Bladewind |
Posted - 12 Dec 2010 : 23:21:35
Don't know but there are some nice symbols for fate to be found. I'm rather fond of the celtic one (see here http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UzN453PwX58/R9Gorg-GWuI/AAAAAAAAAgA/57nH6MOmMtc/s400/643px-Triple-Spiral-Symbol.svg.png).
Araushnee was a minor seldarine goddes with the portfolios of artisans, elven destiny and fate. So perhaps the spinningwheel upon which she spun the threads of elven lives was her symbol early on. Or her web of finely spun silken spiderwebs (later on adding the abomination demonspider-elf). |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 12 Dec 2010 : 21:54:59
Is Araushnee another name for Lolth? If so, try this. |
