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ShadowJack
Senior Scribe
USA
350 Posts |
 Posted - 06 Aug 2006 : 02:42:43
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***Possible Spoilers***
Sages,
If this question is best posted anywhere else, could you please move it?
 I am currently reading Mistress of the Night. Here is my question:
At one point in the novel, a priest of Selune (Mifano) meets with a rich donor to the temple (MoonShadow Hall). This donor is actually a Shadovar Priestess of Shar (Variance). Given the millenia of hatred between Selune and Shar, why would Selune still grant Mifano divine spells? I would think Selune (possibly to get his attention) would cease to grant his spells for his passing on secrets of the temple to a servant of Shar, even though he is doing it unwittingly... At least at this point it seems to be unwittingly...
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4685 Posts |
Posted - 06 Aug 2006 : 03:04:45
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Well if a spy came in in such a way not to be dectected, why should the victim be punished for aiding what appeared to be a worshiper?
I do not know the details of this event but you clearly indicate that actual patrom deity was well hidden.
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"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon |
Edited by - Kentinal on 06 Aug 2006 03:29:13 |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 06 Aug 2006 : 03:18:19
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| If I recall correctly, Variance's disguise worked perfectly, so Mifano acted in good faith. Therefore, it would not be fair to punish him (at least not in my opinion, and apparently not in Selune's). |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
Edited by - Rinonalyrna Fathomlin on 06 Aug 2006 03:20:29 |
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ShadowJack
Senior Scribe
USA
350 Posts |
Posted - 06 Aug 2006 : 03:43:41
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| That is what I had thought as well. Shar is good at hiding and disguising her self. By extension her followers would be as well. Very good point Rin. I would think that both clergies would have means of disguising themselves from the opposing faith. I would also think that (and Mifano makes mention that the church of Selune is very good at detecting cultitsts of Shar) they would be good at detecting each other. Which leads me to believe that Mifano is blinded by his arrogance... Anyway, don't yell at me for being judgemental, this situation just struck me as interesting and I was pondering it... |
ShadowJack |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 06 Aug 2006 : 03:44:58
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Well hey, people are bound to make judgement errors at least some of the time.  And it really doesn't help that Variance was a shade. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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Dhomal
Senior Scribe
USA
565 Posts |
Posted - 06 Aug 2006 : 03:46:35
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Hello-
I understand your question. In some ways - it is similar to the loss of powers for a Paladin for violating his code. However - as has been touched on briefly - he was not knowingly doing anything wrong.
This also begs the question - are Diving Beings, Deities, THAT powerful, or knowledgeable? I would say, no. Clearly - the search for and discovery of new things (or re-discovery of old things) pleases many dieties (Oghma, Milil, Gond, Shaundakul). However - they generally learn of these things as the worshipers do - or in some cases re-aquaint themselves with it, if it was a lost thing re-found.
If deities knew all there was to know - certainly some things would be unnecessary. Is the caravan coming to town planning on destroying the town? Let the clerics and faithful know - before they have the chance. Heck - dont sell them the smokepowder or kegs of oil they plan on using to do it! Why even bother with a spell like detect lies? Just send a message to the priest - "Oh - BTW - hes guilty" and let it go at that.
No - the mortals must play out their own lives, and in so being in a situation like that - I dont beleive Deities are all-powerful. They may know when their name is spoken - anywhere - and can listen in for a bit afterwards - BUT - this does not mean that they DO that every time - and what if their name is not mentioned?
I would agree that the less powerful a deity is, the greater chance that they may be directly 'eavesdropping' on their clergy/faithful etc. But - the larger, more powerful dities, with dozens of priests, and scores of lay worshippers per temple would have far too many people to try and keep tabs on.
Also - since power is tied to the numbers of faithful - if *I* was a diety - I might spend more time checking in on my 'recruiters' and/or newly converted. There is some potential for wrong-doing if there were to be an infiltrator into the clergy! And making sure new converts really believe - thus feeding me power - would be important to me. More so than the activities of a long-time, faithful, mid-ranked priest.
I read, and greatly enjoyed Mistress of the Night. I was somewhat surprised that he would do such a thing - but - stories take turns all the time - so I kept reading. :)
Dhomal
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I am collecting the D&D Minis. I would be more than willing to trade with people. You can send me a PM here with your email listed - and I can send you my minis list. Thanks!
Successfully traded with Xysma! |
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ShadowJack
Senior Scribe
USA
350 Posts |
Posted - 06 Aug 2006 : 03:47:01
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| Kentinal, you and Rin made very good points! I believe this is what the author wanted us to realize in the whole scenario. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! |
ShadowJack |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 06 Aug 2006 : 03:50:52
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| You're welcome. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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ShadowJack
Senior Scribe
USA
350 Posts |
Posted - 06 Aug 2006 : 03:54:08
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| Wow! I am always pleased with the answers I recieve here at Candlekeep! Good point about Variance being a Shade, Rin! Dhomal, I am also enjoying the book very much! I like the power struggle in the Moonshadow Hall and like Feena's character. I have liked the character since Black Wolf! I never thought of a deity paying more attention to "new recruits". It makes sense. Thanks all! |
ShadowJack |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 06 Aug 2006 : 05:39:31
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quote:
Originally posted by ShadowJack
Wow! I am always pleased with the answers I recieve here at Candlekeep! Good point about Variance being a Shade, Rin! Dhomal, I am also enjoying the book very much! I like the power struggle in the Moonshadow Hall and like Feena's character. I have liked the character since Black Wolf! I never thought of a deity paying more attention to "new recruits". It makes sense. Thanks all!
Again, you're welcome. Yes, Variance was a shade and apparently a pretty powerful priestess, and therefore probably very skilled at deception.
And yes, I liked the novel very much as well. Feena made for a great protagonist (very proactive). |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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RodOdom
Senior Scribe
USA
509 Posts |
Posted - 06 Aug 2006 : 05:47:34
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| My opinion is similar to Dhonal's. Most Faerunian gods are probably not omniscient, and Selune probably didn't know Variance deceived Mifano. |
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Mistress of the night - Why would Selune....
