|
From the Dark Markets supplement, I gather that there are no true/full-scale temple of Sarenrae in Katapesh, but just a gathering of small shrines here and there.
Did I read this correctly or did I miss something from this book?
The party I DM was trying to find a high-level cleric of Sarenrae to deal with the Falcon Emir of Ipeq's curse. I DM-ruled that although there are no full-blown temple, that there are a LOT of shrines to Sarenrae (especially personal/residential home shrines, akin to those often built in real-life in the houses of people practicing hinduism or buddism - apologies for bad spelling) and that some of these larger shrines could be built like small abbeys or monasteries, which could offer housing to a small number of priests/servants, and run by a higher-ranking priest.
I also made up that some of these shrines are run by high-level priests: either retired older priests of extremely high levels, or younger high-level priests attracted to Katapesh despite its "Temple-less" status so as to maintain or try to grow the market share of priestly services provided to the very rich, on behalf of the faith of Sarenrae (think of these priests as specialists in PR or fundraising)
Any thoughts would be appreciated!
There is the Lambent Citadel in Solku--I get the impression from the Dark Markets description that it is quite large. The itinerant priests mentioned on page 21 could play a part in this as well. It states on the same page that temples do exist in Katapesh and on the island of Okeno.
EDIT: One thing I just thought of...the Emir could be taken to Sleeping Dove to put his curse in a "stasis" of sorts so long as he does not leave the shrine. The PCs staying with him overnight get a dream-vision to find a particular itinerant priest that can help with the curse. The paladins of the Lambent Citadel know where to find the priest, but he is in dangerous territory. Bam! New adventure hook...
And to twist it, the priest, once found, doesn't remove the curse. He is, in fact, afflicted himself and teaches the Emir to live with the "problem" while serving Sarenrae.
The mind wanders...
Just because that chapter doesn't have any direct references to temples of Sarenrae doesn't mean they don't exist....
Just because that chapter doesn't have any direct references to temples of Sarenrae doesn't mean they don't exist....So should we go with "there are temples of Sarenrae in Katapesh (city)" :)
Yes.
|
|
Excellent! :)
And open for DM-development too!
Here's an NPC I created for the LoF campaign I'm running, one that is now in charge of a full-fledged temple of Sarenrae, not a mere little shrine!
==========================================
"Osafa the Unseen"
(has made no effort hiding that this is not his real name)
Cleric 22 (of Sarenrae)
LG Male human (Taldan)
- His official line is "visiting Katapesh on a pilgrimage in honor of the Dawnflower" and to "reconnect with the original dogma of Sarenrae, to walk again in the cheap sandals of a poor man, and cleanse his soul from the filth and decay associated with decadent fallen empires"
- His actions show something slightly different: a man unable to part with the luxuries associated with incredibly rich men, the fineries of nobility and with an ear that is unable to listen. A man of fine but expensive taste.
- He is a very confident man, quick to make decisions, with the instincts of a leader... instincts that have proven accurate 90% of the time. He orders novice clerics around with what some would say arrogance bordering on cruelty. He has no qualms offending servants surrounding him and does not seem troubled by slavery. "This is the way things are, and a man can apply himself to work with the reality he has been given, or waste his life trying to change it."
- PCs sought him out to cure the Falcon Emir of Ipeq. Osafa cures the Falcon Emir and takes him under his wing for "rehabilitation in the ways of the world," and to "show the man the way back to his role as a military leader." Osafa thanks the party and tells them he believe "his pilgrimage in Katapesh was in the stars, that it was the will of Sarenrae to be put in the path of the Falcon Emir." Later, as they were visiting him on an errand, the PCs find out from a fearful novice that "an old traveling priest of Sarenrae" was refused hospitality by Osafa about 6 days ago, and that Osafa "yelled at poor old man and told him to leave this temple to never return". The novice tells the party the old man went west into the desert. Following on this lead they track Zayifid down to Kelmarane.
Maybe you're thinking of Taldor? They have issues with the "Qadiran" Cult of the Dawnflower.
Director of Brand Strategy
|
"Osafa the Unseen"
(has made no effort hiding that this is not his real name)
Cleric 22 (of Sarenrae)
LG Male human (Taldan)
22nd level?! Sarenrae's herald is only CR 15. I don't know if we've seen any NPCs above that in the setting. What level are your PCs now that they are interacting with an epic cleric?
|
|
PCs: 5th level.
Players: "We go to the highest cleric in Katapesh City";
DM: "ok" [d20 + d10 = 22]
:)
PS: there is indeed some wording in dark markets that mention something about the Sarenrae faith sometimes "getting in the way of trade" (i.e. anti-slavery) thus being not liked in Katapesh city by the Pactmasters and the merchant-class.