The Hammer or the Cross?

[Heretic Apostate]

Harry [edit]Harrison[/edit] has an excellent trilogy of books dealing with a fascinating subject matter. What if, instead of being converted to Christianity, the Vikings instead revived the old Norse mythology? What if there was a religious war between Christianity and Norse mythology?

Putting that aside, however, the big difference (D&D wise) between the religions was the place of priests within the community. (At least, for the purposes of this poll.)

The Cross viewed priests as separate from their flock. They lead, but they are always outside. Being a priest was a career in and of itself. (No more explanation needed, right?)

The Hammer viewed priests differently. The Hammer sees priests as being a part of the people. A priest looks no different than any other person, the only difference being the holy symbol around the neck. Priests who worshipped the god of smithing were smiths, themselves. They show their devotion by action, not by mumbled words. They stand proud before their gods, not cowering like sheep.

I'm sure you can guess which way I'll vote.

So, the question is, what type of church do you prefer, campaign-wise?

Edit: Yeah, yeah, so I get some names confused. Both of 'em are good authors....

 

[Vhane]

The Hammer should ring true in all things.

 

[Alaric_Prympax]

Isn't Harry Harrison the author of "The Hammer and the Cross" Trilogy, I know one of the other books is "One King's Way" and the word Emperor is in the title of the 3rd book? I know that Harry Turtledove writes a lot of alternative history but so does Harrison. He's already got two books out about an alternative history of the Civil War starting with "Stars and Stripes Forever.

I'll double check all these titles tomorrow when I go to work and post when I get home. It'll be after midnight since I work 3pm-12am tomorrow.

 

[RogueJK]

Isn't Harry Harrison the author of "The Hammer and the Cross" Trilogy?

Yes... it's Harry Harrison.

[Edit] The three books in the trilogy are The Hammer and the Cross, One King's Way, and King and Emperor. [/Edit]

 

[Roland Delacroix]

Of course one has to remember the grass is always greener, and as D&D players we are as a group enthralled with the medieval/nordic mythology. Apart from that it IS hard, for me at least, to think of any possible religion that could have caused as much pain and suffering as christianity.

 

[Heretic Apostate]

D'oh! That's right, Turtledove is the one that does the excellent Roman and Byzantine alternate history and fantasy conversions.....

Anyway, the question still stands.

 

[Heretic Apostate]

Let's not get into a religious discussion, please. That'll get this thread shut down faster than... something really fast. )

I'm more interested in the role of the priesthood than in the nature of religion.

 

[Doc_Souark]

Fantasy Priests at least in my campaign go both ways (that don't sound right ), some denomanations/dieties demand a seperate from the people or "They are the workers the priest is the Master" type of outlook. And some are with the peasents doing the everyday work. The former are usally the noble,knowledge and high ideal type dieties while the latter are the work a day gods of Farm,Sea and Trade.( they'll also can marry while the first kind cannot)

 

[Umbran]

And, as another edit - in the books, it isn't that the Norse revive the old religion. In the book, the old religion didn't die in the firs place. Christianity simply doesn't take hold in Northern Europe.

As for which way I vote? Heck, I've already played a priest of Rig/Heimdall!

 

[Teflon Billy]

The Hammer...and it's not a close contest.