The "I Didn't Comment in Another Thread" Thread

[Ryujin]

A legend invented in the early 20th century by a guy called Arthur Monaghan and first appearing in print in 1911, Evans-Wentz's The Fairy Faith in Celtic Countries. He told Evans-Wentz a couple of legends/folk tales and relayed his personal speculation that snakes might have been a metaphor for druids.

Before that, everyone knew that the miracle of driving out all the "snakes and toads and other venomous reptiles" was literal. Jocelin of Furness swiped it from a continental saint's hagiography (St. Hilaire, probably, though there are multiple candidates) to beef up St. Paddy's resume in a new 12th century hagiography.

Patrick's two surviving 7th century hagiographies, written around 200 years after Patrick, make no mention of it. Although they (and Jocelin's) both have plenty of explicit claims of him engaging in magical duels with and kicking the asses of druids, so of course you'd have to be completely unfamiliar with them to think that there would be any cause to be coy and use a metaphor. Patrick's own writings of course make no such claims about snakes or kicking druid ass, as he had no such power or authority. He got thrown in chains once or twice. And pagans continued to have legal rights, druids being recognized under the law (though gradually more and more devolved in status and power) at least through the 9th century (ref. the Uraicecht Becc).

Well my reptilian ancestors didn't get out of Ireland until the 13th Century.

 

[eyeheartawk]

Patrick's two surviving 7th century hagiographies, written around 200 years after Patrick, make no mention of it. Although they (and Jocelin's) both have plenty of explicit claims of him engaging in magical duels with and kicking the asses of druids, so of course you'd have to be completely unfamiliar with them to think that there would be any cause to be coy and use a metaphor. Patrick's own writings of course make no such claims about snakes or kicking druid ass, as he had no such power or authority. He got thrown in chains once or twice. And pagans continued to have legal rights, druids being recognized under the law (though gradually more and more devolved in status and power) at least through the 9th century (ref. the Uraicecht Becc).

Wait, are you telling me that St. Patrick engaged in druid duels once he reached 12th level?

The AD&D 2e Player's Handbook was right all along!

 

[Mannahnin]

Wait, are you telling me that St. Patrick engaged in druid duels once he reached 12th level?

The AD&D 2e Player's Handbook was right all along!

7th level! This is hardcore first millenium CE D&D we're talking!

12th level was when he unlocked Turn All Reptiles with an island nation-wide area of effect. I think the designers mostly intended it to be a ribbon ability, but it can sure come in handy in the right campaign.

 

[Gradine]

One time I reached out to him and told him I was a trans woman who was a huge fan of his work and was wondering why he was working with someone who was being openly bigoted, if he even knew. His response was to block me.

 

[Cadence]

(Not this thread).

It's good to know you still have the absolute worst take on virtually every pizza review you do. Don't ever change. (Because I'll feel bad for not reading them if you say something worthwhile at some point).

 

[trappedslider]

some threads remind me of parts of reddit in that they only focus on the bad

 

[Scribe]

some threads remind me of parts of reddit in that they only focus on the bad

I hear there are + threads on this forum for a reason.

 

[trappedslider]

I hear there are + threads on this forum for a reason.

I did say some

 

[Cadence]

Oh come on, there are three other pizza places that serve that style that I know you're anxious to rip apart. You can do it!

 

[overgeeked]

A: I have a point to make.

B: What is it?

A: I'm not telling.

B: ...

A: It's the best point. A very impressive point.

B: So what is it?

A: I'm not telling. But it's the best point. Trust me.