Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 factol_rhys_dup Apr 04, 2004 19:18:06	In the Expanded Psionics Handbook, it looks like they'll have a divine portfolio for Ilsenine. Not only is this cool, since a very creepy planar figure is detailed, but his divine symbol is simply awesome, in that "Be afraid, human. Be very afraid." sort of way. He is going to "brain extract" the world.
#2 Shemeska_the_Marauder Apr 04, 2004 22:20:24	That looks awesome *grin*
#3 xanxost_the_slaadi_dup Apr 04, 2004 22:35:34	Xanxost thinks that Ilsenine might be in for a none-too-pleasant surprise when Ilsenine sucks the core out of that world! Just like that time Xanxost tried to eat a magmin right after a fire mephit.
#4 zombiegleemax Apr 05, 2004 23:29:52	Maybe they'll bring back Maanzecorian, however you spell the b!%!%rds name, I really liked that god.
#5 zombiegleemax Apr 06, 2004 0:41:21	Thewy probably won't, at least if they stay true to Planescape lore. Maanzecorian died at the hands of Tenebrous. It's a shame the event was only given, what a single line? in Dead Gods.
#6 Shemeska_the_Marauder Apr 06, 2004 0:54:26	Hey at least it got an illustration in the module. The one of the Illithid screaming and clutching its head as Maanzicorian was obliterated and it felt the psionic ripples from the event. It was a cool picture. You have to wonder what Illsensine felt during that...
#7 moogle001 Apr 06, 2004 2:09:25	Pleasure, I'll wager.
#8 zombiegleemax Apr 06, 2004 7:50:22	That's one of the coolest pictures I've seen in a D&D book in a while.
#9 Shemeska_the_Marauder Apr 06, 2004 10:55:49	Speaking of that... does anyone recognice the symbol in the art gallery to the left of ye grande olde mindflayer? The red/orange fist with eyes?
#10 zombiegleemax Apr 06, 2004 11:17:14	That's the symbol of Zuoken. I found some info on him on an rpg site hosted on angelfire.com. Apparently, Zuoken is a neutral diety who serves Xan Yae. He was a mortal worshipper of Xan Yae and ascended to godhood by reaching the highest level of DA'SHON, a blend of psionic discipline and martial arts practiced by worshippers of Xan Yae. So, he is also associated with psionics, and many psions worship him (hence his presence in the XPH.)
#11 ripvanwormer Apr 06, 2004 19:43:03	Originally posted by Nordom the Rogue Modron That's the symbol of Zuoken. Since I'm also a Greyhawk fan, Zuoken's symbol made me happy.
#12 zombiegleemax Apr 07, 2004 1:40:53	I believe he is trapped in the realms somewhere at the moment. As for Orcus killing Maanzecorian, I kinda felt that was a cheap shot. The fanboy god killing a diety no one would miss...Well I miss him, sob...WAAAHHHHHHHH!!! ;) Seriously, with that and faction war, I began to see a dangerous pattern with Planescape. Metaplots involving the planes threaten to overturn the cosmology of all the campaign worlds. Either that or the metaplot moves the history of Sigil to a point where its original appeal was lost. Its a sticky situation, perhaps best to think of the campaigns as separate though it feels like a copout.
#13 zombiegleemax Apr 07, 2004 14:59:37	Odd how the planes aren't stable, isn't it? I enjoy the thought of commodifying religion, reducing it to politics and domains. It means that the Athar are right - gods are just people with good stats. It's the belief that makes a good god. Ilsenine isn't so much a deity as "he" is an ideal - mind flayer perfection. He is a series of sutras and chemicals, the press of a hungry and curious mind behind a powerful body, and the bleakly elegant philosophy behind a plane-spanning empire. Which, of course, conflicts with Ilsenine actually existing on the outer planes. It's slightly logical though, isn't it? Energy is neither created nor destroyed, so the death of a mind flayer must send their minds somewhere? Why should Ilsenine not then be the hive-mind of ancestor illithids, and the reason why Alhoons are seen as perversions, thieves of what is rightfully Ilsenine? Ahh, but there's the trick of a God - that the living fear death. Every deity needs death in order to retain their position, the promise of the unknown to a mortal. A god becomes a personal friend on the inside, our uncle who works in the business, a mediator between mortal and infinite. Ancestor spirits, God, or Forest, they become what we use to define how we relate to the mind-boggling infinities, allowing us to believe we have a modicum of power in the vast infinities. How can we honestly operate, unless we believe that there's a point to it all? Of course, perhaps I'm getting off topic.
#14 ripvanwormer Apr 07, 2004 22:29:47	Great symbol. It's "Ilsensine," incidently, with a second "s". I used to make that mistake all the time. (and the slaadi punish me for being a spelling fascist)
#15 factol_rhys_dup Apr 07, 2004 23:06:29	Well I'll be an Indep. You're right. Hmm. Me? Mistake? Somehow doesn't feel right. I... I... I need to go meditate! *runs off sobbing*
#16 zombiegleemax Apr 07, 2004 23:14:00	I suddenly sympathize with the almighty brain sucker. You have no idea how many people spell my name "Saturine", and then wonder how I could get offended.
#17 zombiegleemax Apr 11, 2004 17:49:41	Originally posted by Factol Rhys Well I'll be an Indep. You're right. Hmm. Me? Mistake? Somehow doesn't feel right. I... I... I need to go meditate! *runs off sobbing* It's okay, Rhys... I've seen Primus mangle "ceremorphosis" and even Shemeshka stumble on spelling "githzerai", so you're at least in good company. Well, lawful and evil company, respectively, but you know what I mean. Even the best of us occasionally fall prey to the insidious typo demons. ...that was how I ended up as part-time henchbeing for Shemmy, actually...