[FR] What would happen if a dead sun god came back to life?

[Eremite]

Well, seeing as how it's one of the core mysteries of our current campaign, I won't say much, but I'll give a few hints. (snip)

Oh great. So you're just going to whet my appetite... and then leave me hanging!

The party has encountered a small sect of Moanderites whose clerics still seem to e able to cast spells. The sect contains a strange mix of humanoids and aberrations -- and they've raided some Dales settlements as a diversion from their primary activities: locating a Netherese artifact known as the Black Grail, which (apparently) has some ability to magnify the power of a sect's worshippers.

I like that idea. Are you using Darkwatch/Tsornyl? I've got plans for a Dalelands campaign that involves accessing the last remaining bit of Moander's essence in Faerun that is bound in Darkwatch by elven high magic (I think VG to the Dalelands is the source for this bit of canon).

There's a strange and tenuous linkage between the Moanderites and drow, so what is happening deep in the caverns of Maerimydra with the drow followers of Kiransalee may not be quite what it seems.

Interesting. Does this mean that you believe that Moander originally corrupted Araushnee/Lolth?

I'll read the story hour and see if I have any specific questions that you might be willing to answer by PM?

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Interesting. Does this mean that you believe that Moander originally corrupted Araushnee/Lolth?

It's something a bit different than that.

I'll read the story hour and see if I have any specific questions that you might be willing to answer by PM?

Sure -- feel free to PM/email me. I'll spill more details privately.

 

[Campbell]

Additionally, you might want to check out the article on Pazuzu that appeared in this month's Dragon. Sects of Amanuator might indeed be receiving benefits from the Lord of the Aerial Realms in the visage of Amanuator. I can even imagine pacts between Shar or Mask being involved in this process. Additionally, Pazuzu and Mask, or even Mask by himself might have hatched a plan to resurect Amanuator. Mask would benefit from the split in worshippers of sun dieties, and Pazuzu would see the weaking of lathander as an oppurtuinty to bring about additional corruption on the Prime. Later, I should have notes on less overtly insidious plot points.

 

[tarchon]

Two suns, rather like the old Chinese creation myth.

 

[HeavyG]

I'd also consider having two suns in the sky at certain times of day, having the same effect.

I love that idea.

Of course, with all the deities in the Forgotten Realms, if you take the position that every sun god has its own sun, then there would be at least five of them:

- Lathander
- Amaunator
- Amun-Re
and two giant gods whose names I forget

There is bound to be a couple of sun gods I'm forgetting, too.

Edit: Yeah, there's bound to be a couple of sun gods in Maztica, Zakhara and/or Kara-Tur. Oh, and there are the reptile gods in Serpent Kingdoms.

 

[Darth K'Trava]

They're probably all cultural personifications of the same sun god.... Just under different names in different parts of the world.

 

[cybertalus]

What if all these suns set and rose at different times, so it was never night? Would that be enough to get Shar and Selune to ally against what would be a common threat?

 

[diaglo]

the new Forgotten Realms book has a feat for worshipping dead gods and receiving spells and domains and such.

 

[BlackMoria]

According to FR deific canon, Amaunator would have one hell of a uphill battle.

1st problem - Ao has the final say as who is or becomes a deity, so Ao would have to agree to Amaunator's return as a deity.

2nd problem - Lathander and other deities inherited Amaunator portfolios, so he would literally be a god without portfolio or spheres of influence.

3rd problem - the divine rank of a god is highly dependent on the worshipper base. So Amaunator is coming back as a minor demigod.

So, assuming Ao approves, Amaunator will return as a minor demi-god without portfolio who must now somehow gain his portfolios back and establish and grow a worshipper base.

I wish Amaunator luck.....he is going to need it.

 

[Staffan]

2nd problem - Lathander and other deities inherited Amaunator portfolios, so he would literally be a god without portfolio or spheres of influence.

IIRC, Lathander is not the god of the sun per se - he's the god of dawn. That's pretty closely linked to the sun, but not quite the same thing.