Tharizdun vs. Ralishaz - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Tharizdun vs. Ralishaz

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Amaril
Dec 12, 2005 14:36:49 Here's a question for you all. Using the existing concept of Tharizdun as an evil deity of insanity, chaos, and destruction, how would you describe the dynamics between his cult and the church of Ralishaz, CN deity of ill-luck, insanity, destruction, and chaos?

I'm running Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil, and I have a player running a character who is a cleric of Ralishaz. He's had horrifying dreams that included an "encounter" with the Dark God and a brief glimpse of the Far Realm. He's also eaten the black fruit given to him by Tharizdun when he entered the obelisk in the moathouse dungeon.

What I'm struggling with is the interaction that the Doomdreamers or any other cultists of Tharizdun might have with him if they observe his behaviors and use of magic. Would they be include to seduce him or see his divine connection with Ralishaz as a threat to their beliefs and plans?

Conversely, how would you think the church of Ralishaz views Tharizdun's cultists?
#2
cwslyclgh
Dec 12, 2005 14:50:39 if they think that they might beable to lure him away from the worship of his god and into the service of thier own, then i can see the Tarzyites trying to suduce the cleric of ralishaz to thier dark side... if it appears that his loyalty to Raly is too strong they would probably juts kill him if given the chance.

Conversely, how would you think the church of Ralishaz views Tharizdun's cultists?

I would say that they view Tharzy cultists the same way that everybody else does, as evil kooks who need to be exterminated when found...
#3
Mortepierre
Dec 12, 2005 15:51:10
Here's a question for you all. Using the existing concept of Tharizdun as an evil deity of insanity, chaos, and destruction, how would you describe the dynamics between his cult and the church of Ralishaz, CN deity of ill-luck, insanity, destruction, and chaos?

Ralishaz is the deity of Chance, Ill Luck, Misfortune, and Insanity. Destruction and Chaos have nothing to do with it. So, yes, his priests have access to these domains but we all know that they aren't always a good match for a deity's portfolio. That's game mechanics.

Plus, you have to see all four elements as parts of the same package. Chance because he believes in randomness. Ill-luck because - no matter how lucky you are - sooner or later you'll . Misfortune because it always comes to that. And insanity because the failure of luck to obey logic is maddening.

It's not the 'raving mad' insanity of a cultist of Tharizdun working day and night to see the world destroyed and everything transformed into pure Chaos.

Do the two deities share some common ground? Probably, but on a very basic level. Ralishaz doesn't hate others (even other deities), and he doesn't "wish" them to fail. He just knows it's going to happen and is realistic about it.
#4
Amaril
Dec 12, 2005 16:08:24 Good points. I think when I first compared the two deities, I placed too much focus on the domains and not enough on the principles behind the domains.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Amaril Dec 12, 2005 14:36:49	Here's a question for you all. Using the existing concept of Tharizdun as an evil deity of insanity, chaos, and destruction, how would you describe the dynamics between his cult and the church of Ralishaz, CN deity of ill-luck, insanity, destruction, and chaos? I'm running Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil, and I have a player running a character who is a cleric of Ralishaz. He's had horrifying dreams that included an "encounter" with the Dark God and a brief glimpse of the Far Realm. He's also eaten the black fruit given to him by Tharizdun when he entered the obelisk in the moathouse dungeon. What I'm struggling with is the interaction that the Doomdreamers or any other cultists of Tharizdun might have with him if they observe his behaviors and use of magic. Would they be include to seduce him or see his divine connection with Ralishaz as a threat to their beliefs and plans? Conversely, how would you think the church of Ralishaz views Tharizdun's cultists?
#2 cwslyclgh Dec 12, 2005 14:50:39	if they think that they might beable to lure him away from the worship of his god and into the service of thier own, then i can see the Tarzyites trying to suduce the cleric of ralishaz to thier dark side... if it appears that his loyalty to Raly is too strong they would probably juts kill him if given the chance. Conversely, how would you think the church of Ralishaz views Tharizdun's cultists? I would say that they view Tharzy cultists the same way that everybody else does, as evil kooks who need to be exterminated when found...
#3 Mortepierre Dec 12, 2005 15:51:10	Here's a question for you all. Using the existing concept of Tharizdun as an evil deity of insanity, chaos, and destruction, how would you describe the dynamics between his cult and the church of Ralishaz, CN deity of ill-luck, insanity, destruction, and chaos? Ralishaz is the deity of Chance, Ill Luck, Misfortune, and Insanity. Destruction and Chaos have nothing to do with it. So, yes, his priests have access to these domains but we all know that they aren't always a good match for a deity's portfolio. That's game mechanics. Plus, you have to see all four elements as parts of the same package. Chance because he believes in randomness. Ill-luck because - no matter how lucky you are - sooner or later you'll . Misfortune because it always comes to that. And insanity because the failure of luck to obey logic is maddening. It's not the 'raving mad' insanity of a cultist of Tharizdun working day and night to see the world destroyed and everything transformed into pure Chaos. Do the two deities share some common ground? Probably, but on a very basic level. Ralishaz doesn't hate others (even other deities), and he doesn't "wish" them to fail. He just knows it's going to happen and is realistic about it.
#4 Amaril Dec 12, 2005 16:08:24	Good points. I think when I first compared the two deities, I placed too much focus on the domains and not enough on the principles behind the domains.