D&D General Drow & Orcs Removed from the Monster Manual

[MGibster]

On balance, I think avoiding inclusion of terms and items associated with real-world modern religious practices is understandable, but it's not an easy needle to thread.

So we shouldn't have fantasy religions with adherents who keep relics in a reliquary? No saints? Can a Cleric be described as wearing a stole, habit or some other vestment?

No, the name is still problematic as well. What phylacteries can you point to in media or publications (outside of D&D) that aren’t tefflin?

I don't know if I've ever witnessed the word phylactery used outside the context of D&D. I don't have much skin in this game, I don't really care that WotC and others decided not to use phylactery, but I wish they would have picked something besides spirit jar. I'll continue using the word phylactery in my games though because I honestly don't think anyone is offended by it.

 

[Chaltab]

I like the A5E term, Soul Vessel.

 

[Bedrockgames]

So we shouldn't have fantasy religions with adherents who keep relics in a reliquary? No saints? Can a Cleric be described as wearing a stole, habit or some other vestment?


I don't know if I've ever witnessed the word phylactery used outside the context of D&D. I don't have much skin in this game, I don't really care that WotC and others decided not to use phylactery, but I wish they would have picked something besides spirit jar. I'll continue using the word phylactery in my games though because I honestly don't think anyone is offended by it.

Fantasy should definitely borrow from real world culture religion and history

 

[MGibster]

I like the A5E term, Soul Vessel.

It's marginally better. I guess my problem is that it's unimaginative, sounding like something someone just made up for a game. Though with Soul Vessel, I'd make my lich Don Cornelius who stores his in a Soul Train.

 

[Jensaarai]

I prefer "Soul Tupperware"

 

[Sepulchrave II]

So we shouldn't have fantasy religions with adherents who keep relics in a reliquary? No saints? Can a Cleric be described as wearing a stole, habit or some other vestment?

Did I write that? Did I even imply that?

No. I said the desire to avoid real world modern religions was understandable, and a difficult needle to thread.

 

[Bedrockgames]

I prefer "Soul Tupperware"

That is the more convenient option. Allows you to store your soul and your pasta salad in the same container

 

[MGibster]

Did I write that? Did I even imply that?

You seemed to imply it, yes.

 

[QuentinGeorge]

So we shouldn't have fantasy religions with adherents who keep relics in a reliquary? No saints? Can a Cleric be described as wearing a stole, habit or some other vestment?


I don't know if I've ever witnessed the word phylactery used outside the context of D&D. I don't have much skin in this game, I don't really care that WotC and others decided not to use phylactery, but I wish they would have picked something besides spirit jar. I'll continue using the word phylactery in my games though because I honestly don't think anyone is offended by it.

We'd have to remove Asmodeus and pretty much most of the Archdevils.

 

[Sepulchrave II]

You seemed to imply it, yes.

Well, I’m not responsible for your inference. I think it is possible to have a rather nuanced position with regard to what is and what is not acceptable in this context.

Would I regard magic wands as disrespectful because some modern practitioners of magick incorporate them into their rituals? No.

Would I regard a holy Mormon undergarment of true seeing as disrespectful? Yes.

There is a lot of space between these extremes, and prudence suggests we should approach each instance of possible religious insensitivity on a case by case basis.