quote:

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Originally posted by The Sage

The Cult of Ao is detailed in the 2e City of Splendors boxed set.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Wooly Rupert

As I recall, the lack of clerical support has left the cult members turning to other deities. Also, if I remember correctly, Ao has caused his name to start disappearing from all writings in the Realms -- he doesn't want mortals to know about him.

If the cult still exists, it's likely dwindled down to just a handful of members.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Wooly Rupert

If the cult still exists, it's likely dwindled down to just a handful of members.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Thelonius Andrass

I've got a question, Ao is some kind of God. Doesn't a god power depends on the followers? O cause his "Overgoodness" he doesn't need worshippers? Or it's cause he was the one that "edicted" this rule?

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quote:

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Originally posted by Wooly Rupert

quote:

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Originally posted by Thelonius Andrass

I've got a question, Ao is some kind of God. Doesn't a god power depends on the followers? O cause his "Overgoodness" he doesn't need worshippers? Or it's cause he was the one that "edicted" this rule?

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Ao doesn't need worshippers, because he's a special case. Either being an Overgod exempts someone from this rule, or he simply decided to set up the worship system the way it is now.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Wooly Rupert

quote:

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Originally posted by Thelonius Andrass

I've got a question, Ao is some kind of God. Doesn't a god power depends on the followers? O cause his "Overgoodness" he doesn't need worshippers? Or it's cause he was the one that "edicted" this rule?

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Ao doesn't need worshippers, because he's a special case. Either being an Overgod exempts someone from this rule, or he simply decided to set up the worship system the way it is now.

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quote:

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Originally posted by MuadDib

I think, and I'm speaking under huge correction here since I'm sort of out of place amongst the sages, but to say that Ao doesn't - or rather - didn't care about mortals isn't strictly accurate. I seem to remember that in one of the noble's series, possibly King's Pinch or something like that, there is an Orcish Paladin (strange enough on its own) who gets killed and because he is devoted to Ao, is resurrected by the OverGod directly. If I recall the text correctly, this was the first and last time he interfered directly, but is still maybe relevant to the discussion

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quote:

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Starting in Waterdeep at the close of the Time of Troubles, a new
cult arose, devoted to the overgodly force called Ao. The overgod
appeared at the peak of Waterdeep mountain at the end of the Time of
Troubles, at which point he claimed to be the creator of the gods
(though not of the Realms themselves). He confirmed the godly power
held by Midnight/Mystra and invested the former power and
responsibilities of the Three Dead Gods into Cyric. Then he removed the
barrier preventing the deities from returning to the Outer Planes,
charging these gods to be more responsive to their worshipers and tying
their power more closely with that of their living followers.
The cult of Ao receives no spells or special powers, and so cannot
be considered a true faith in a land where the gods prove their good
intentions by delivering on their promises. It does attract a broad
spectrum of followers, including mages, rogues, and fighters, including
a number of former cavaliers. The primary alignment of these followers
is neutral, but all alignments may join.
The ceremonial garb of the ministers (not necessarily priests) of Ao
is black trousers and shirt with a long, flowing robe of black dotted
with either white spots or jeweled spangles.
In Waterdeep, the group currently meets at the western end of the
Market, which was destroyed in the final days of the Godswar. They are
currently acquiring the surrounding property with the intention of
raising a temple to Ao on that spot.
The cult has spread beyond Waterdeep into many other civilized areas
of the North. The cult may be little more than a passing fashion, a
reassurance of the powers of the gods in the face of the Time of
Troubles, or may represent a new form of worship. None of the
established faiths have spoken out publicly against or acted against
the cult, possibly because they do not fear it, or possibly because
they fear it a great deal.

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quote:

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"The villain of the book, however, was following the orders of a deepspawn and leading a cult of AO-followers. He did not gain any spells from AO though."

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quote:

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Originally posted by Shadovar

Greetings to all, as I promised I will dig up the information. Well, here it is, I think this is quite short, but should be generally sufficient to say something about the cult.

quote:

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Starting in Waterdeep at the close of the Time of Troubles, a new
cult arose, devoted to the overgodly force called Ao. The overgod
appeared at the peak of Waterdeep mountain at the end of the Time of
Troubles, at which point he claimed to be the creator of the gods
(though not of the Realms themselves). He confirmed the godly power
held by Midnight/Mystra and invested the former power and
responsibilities of the Three Dead Gods into Cyric. Then he removed the
barrier preventing the deities from returning to the Outer Planes,
charging these gods to be more responsive to their worshipers and tying
their power more closely with that of their living followers.
The cult of Ao receives no spells or special powers, and so cannot
be considered a true faith in a land where the gods prove their good
intentions by delivering on their promises. It does attract a broad
spectrum of followers, including mages, rogues, and fighters, including
a number of former cavaliers. The primary alignment of these followers
is neutral, but all alignments may join.
The ceremonial garb of the ministers (not necessarily priests) of Ao
is black trousers and shirt with a long, flowing robe of black dotted
with either white spots or jeweled spangles.
In Waterdeep, the group currently meets at the western end of the
Market, which was destroyed in the final days of the Godswar. They are
currently acquiring the surrounding property with the intention of
raising a temple to Ao on that spot.
The cult has spread beyond Waterdeep into many other civilized areas
of the North. The cult may be little more than a passing fashion, a
reassurance of the powers of the gods in the face of the Time of
Troubles, or may represent a new form of worship. None of the
established faiths have spoken out publicly against or acted against
the cult, possibly because they do not fear it, or possibly because
they fear it a great deal.

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Anyway, Kajehase, I would like to ask a question, you mentioned:

quote:

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"The villain of the book, however, was following the orders of a deepspawn and leading a cult of AO-followers. He did not gain any spells from AO though."

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Can I ask what is the title of the book you mentioned?

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quote:

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Originally posted by Kajehase

Yup, 'twas War in Tethyr I spoke of. Much like khorne did in the post above mine, which is why I didn't consider it necessary to name it.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Kajehase

work).

And then there's my personal idea - all the demi-human races are just that, part of the human species, but different races than the standard humans of earth (and even the standard Torilian humans may be a slightly different race than the Homo Sapiens Sapiens of Earth).

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