Shelyn vs Zon-Kuthon

[Victor Zajic]

So I've been doing a lot of research into these two gods, both because I like the story, and because I'm playing worshipers of both gods in different campaigns. I noticed some contridictions in the lore, though. The articles on Shelyn state that followers of Zon-Kuthon leave the followers of Shelyn alone, because messing with them would earn Zon-Kuthon's ire. But the articles on Zon-Kuthon state that while Zon-Kuthon and Shelyn don't fight, Shelynites have no such protection from Kuthites. Faiths of Corruptions goes on to say that Kuthonites especially enjoy torturing Shelynites.

So which is actual cannon, in this case? I think a full truce between the two faiths makes a more interesting story, but I want to know what's the official take.

[Captain Netz]

I always assumed there was a truce but that doesn't stop some of the more chaotic zon followers from acting out against shelynites.

[Zhangar]

The bit about the followers leaving each other alone is an error on the wiki, I believe. It certainly isn't in the actual Shelyn articles from Gods & Magic or AP # 50.

Shelyn and Zon-Kuthon have a personal truce with each other that prevents fighting when they meet. The truce was agreed to after Shelyn took Zon-Kuthon's super-artifact glaive from him.

Aside - the implication I get from the article is that they fought and Shelyn was winning, but she's hoping to fix her brother and doesn't want to strike him down.

Their followers have no obligation to get out of each other's way.

[David Neilson]

Actually a faction of Zon-Kuthon followers that went out of its way to hurt people that attacked Shelynites would be amusing. It would be far from the most out their possible sectarian schism after all. Though partly this is just me finding the idea of someone assaulting a Goddess of Love and Beauties temple, and then finding you have a bunch of Kuthite murder cultists wanting you dead.

[darkwarriorkarg]

"You mess with me... you mess with my whole family!"

[Paris Crenshaw]

David Neilson wrote:

Actually a faction of Zon-Kuthon followers that went out of its way to hurt people that attacked Shelynites would be amusing. It would be far from the most out their possible sectarian schism after all. Though partly this is just me finding the idea of someone assaulting a Goddess of Love and Beauties temple, and then finding you have a bunch of Kuthite murder cultists wanting you dead.

Well...dead eventually. ;)

[Deadmanwalking]

David Neilson wrote:

Actually a faction of Zon-Kuthon followers that went out of its way to hurt people that attacked Shelynites would be amusing. It would be far from the most out their possible sectarian schism after all. Though partly this is just me finding the idea of someone assaulting a Goddess of Love and Beauties temple, and then finding you have a bunch of Kuthite murder cultists wanting you dead.

I am officially stealing this for a heretical LN Kuthonite sect with a weird vendetta focus. Basically because that sound like loads of fun. :)

[Tirisfal]

Seeing threads like this is like seeing a smiling Mikaze-shaped bat signal high in the sky :)

[darkwarriorkarg]

David Neilson wrote:

Actually a faction of Zon-Kuthon followers that went out of its way to hurt people that attacked Shelynites would be amusing. It would be far from the most out their possible sectarian schism after all. Though partly this is just me finding the idea of someone assaulting a Goddess of Love and Beauties temple, and then finding you have a bunch of Kuthite murder cultists wanting you dead.

Hated by other Kuthites who think "UR having badwronfun", you'd have to be a masochist to join such a faction. Which I guess is the point...

[Trinite]

David Neilson wrote:

Actually a faction of Zon-Kuthon followers that went out of its way to hurt people that attacked Shelynites would be amusing. It would be far from the most out their possible sectarian schism after all. Though partly this is just me finding the idea of someone assaulting a Goddess of Love and Beauties temple, and then finding you have a bunch of Kuthite murder cultists wanting you dead.

Ha ha, I like it!

[Mikaze]

David Neilson wrote:

Actually a faction of Zon-Kuthon followers that went out of its way to hurt people that attacked Shelynites would be amusing. It would be far from the most out their possible sectarian schism after all. Though partly this is just me finding the idea of someone assaulting a Goddess of Love and Beauties temple, and then finding you have a bunch of Kuthite murder cultists wanting you dead.

@#$%ing endorsed. I'm not sure if I want to GM a scenario with these people or play one. :D

Shattered Star SPOILERS:

And given Gein Kafog's beliefs, there's precedent!

Speaking of which, a cleric of Zon-Kuthon that channels positive energy? There's something big going on there...

Tirisfal wrote:

Seeing threads like this is like seeing a smiling Mikaze-shaped bat signal high in the sky :)

The relationship between Shelyn and Zon-Kuthon is probably my favorite out of all the deities. :)

I honestly believe both faiths shine the most when they're played off of each other and shown to be more intertwined than many within each church might care to admit.

[Alleran]

Mikaze wrote:

I honestly believe both faiths shine the most when they're played off of each other and shown to be more intertwined than many within each church might care to admit.

I assume you liked the Plague of Shadows book from the Tales line, then.

[Mikaze]

Alleran wrote:

Mikaze wrote:

I honestly believe both faiths shine the most when they're played off of each other and shown to be more intertwined than many within each church might care to admit.

I assume you liked the Plague of Shadows book from the Tales line, then.

You can safely assume it just now got bumped up on my reading list at least. :D

still need to clear out enough time to finish Nightglass!

[Alleran]

Mikaze wrote:

Alleran wrote:

Mikaze wrote:

I honestly believe both faiths shine the most when they're played off of each other and shown to be more intertwined than many within each church might care to admit.

I assume you liked the Plague of Shadows book from the Tales line, then.

You can safely assume it just now got bumped up on my reading list at least. :D

still need to clear out enough time to finish Nightglass!

It's not the whole book, but a specific part of it:

Spoiler:

Inside one of the shadow-infested and nasty-looking Star Towers, IIRC there's a shrine to and priestesses of Shelyn.

[Mikaze]

Alleran wrote:

Mikaze wrote:

Alleran wrote:

Mikaze wrote:

I honestly believe both faiths shine the most when they're played off of each other and shown to be more intertwined than many within each church might care to admit.

I assume you liked the Plague of Shadows book from the Tales line, then.

You can safely assume it just now got bumped up on my reading list at least. :D

still need to clear out enough time to finish Nightglass!

It's not the whole book, but a specific part of it:

** spoiler omitted **

I knew it. :D

This pretty much means I have to go with my original plan for that Dou-Bral centric Mythic campaign now. :)

My players no read:

And makes me feel even better about Laori Vaus and Gein Kafog's probable fate.

[Matthew Morris]

From the other side of things, I'm still toying with my Heretic inquisitor of Shelyn who sees the art and beauty in (consentual) pain and missions to the Zon Kuthites :-)

[Majuba]

Deadmanwalking wrote:

David Neilson wrote:

Actually a faction of Zon-Kuthon followers that went out of its way to hurt people that attacked Shelynites would be amusing. It would be far from the most out their possible sectarian schism after all. Though partly this is just me finding the idea of someone assaulting a Goddess of Love and Beauties temple, and then finding you have a bunch of Kuthite murder cultists wanting you dead.

I am officially stealing this for a heretical LN Kuthonite sect with a weird vendetta focus. Basically because that sound like loads of fun. :)

They could have a code of behavior, only targeting the unrepentant and, of course, not getting caught...

Dexter Morgan, Kuthonite Inquisitor