|
I noticed a very recent trend as of late. I noticed deicide is all the rave, and not just in D&D. We have things like "The age of Worms AP. But we also have Games like God of War a hugely popular series about the exact same thing man overcoming the shackles and oppression of the gods. You also have the very same thing in World of Warcraft the overcoming and murder of the elder gods. We even have a classic remake of a movie of the same subject "clash of the Titans". The same thing happened in Xena the warrior princess tv series. And not just the poor greek gods get killed. In the comic book series "Preacher" the christian god gets killed. Is it just me or is the rate increasing and become more popular. Is it possible that it is just one of our societal shifts, I ask only because the idea of someone killing god or a god wouldn't be stood for in the 1950's. Too me it just seems to be an interesting social change.
I noticed a very recent trend as of late. I noticed deicide is all the rave, and not just in D&D. We have things like "The age of Worms AP. But we also have Games like God of War a hugely popular series about the exact same thing man overcoming the shackles and oppression of the gods. You also have the very same thing in World of Warcraft the overcoming and murder of the elder gods. We even have a classic remake of a movie of the same subject "clash of the Titans". The same thing happened in Xena the warrior princess tv series. And not just the poor greek gods get killed. In the comic book series "Preacher" the christian god gets killed. Is it just me or is the rate increasing and become more popular. Is it possible that it is just one of our societal shifts, I ask only because the idea of someone killing god or a god wouldn't be stood for in the 1950's. Too me it just seems to be an interesting social change.
It might have something to do with the last 8 years or so.
The Hubris of the Evangelical Movement combined with 9/11/01 Terrorist Attacks and the events that flowed from that have caused some people to suffer a "loss of faith."
It's been a "D&D hobby" since the first printing of Deities and Demigods, wherein the Gawds where given stat blocks. And before that if the REALLY early supplements I've heard about are any indication.
I guess that makes me the odd one out. Anyone above demigod rank in my campaigns doesn't have stats. You have to be a god to kill a god - meaning if a mortal wants to commit deicide s/he needs another god to sponsor him/her into demigodhood to even have half a chance.
Things like AoW and STAP are excused because the enemy is either not fully manifested into deity or isn't a god; I always thought it logical that such was the reason people like Asmodeus and Orcus were so desperately trying to achieve godhood was because it would make them that much more impossible to kill.
But that's just me. Never much cared for "and a bunch of gods died". One of the main reasons I don't like 4E Faerun.
Damnit. Tricks. I thought this was about the band.
<-- Lunatic of God's Creation.
I guess that makes me the odd one out. Anyone above demigod rank in my campaigns doesn't have stats. You have to be a god to kill a god - meaning if a mortal wants to commit deicide s/he needs another god to sponsor him/her into demigodhood to even have half a chance.
Things like AoW and STAP are excused because the enemy is either not fully manifested into deity or isn't a god; I always thought it logical that such was the reason people like Asmodeus and Orcus were so desperately trying to achieve godhood was because it would make them that much more impossible to kill.
But that's just me. Never much cared for "and a bunch of gods died". One of the main reasons I don't like 4E Faerun.
I agree with the Gawds being unkillable by mere mortals, Orthos. I only disagree with there not being a "game history" reason for statting up said Gawds.
After all, it does not take much other than "DR absolute/divinity" and "Immune to non-divinity abilities, special attacks and spells" to make a Gawd-like being (in terms of being unkillable by non-Gawds). The gawds can be poisoned by other gawds' creations, imprisoned and so on - by other divinities and their appropriately empowered agents.
An interesting mechanism to hash out to be sure, keeping it simple and elegant - or at least simple. :)
I guess that makes me the odd one out. Anyone above demigod rank in my campaigns doesn't have stats. You have to be a god to kill a god - meaning if a mortal wants to commit deicide s/he needs another god to sponsor him/her into demigodhood to even have half a chance.
Things like AoW and STAP are excused because the enemy is either not fully manifested into deity or isn't a god; I always thought it logical that such was the reason people like Asmodeus and Orcus were so desperately trying to achieve godhood was because it would make them that much more impossible to kill.
But that's just me. Never much cared for "and a bunch of gods died". One of the main reasons I don't like 4E Faerun.
I agree with the Gawds being unkillable by mere mortals, Orthos. I only disagree with there not being a "game history" reason for statting up said Gawds.
After all, it does not take much other than "DR absolute/divinity" and "Immune to non-divinity abilities, special attacks and spells" to make a Gawd-like being (in terms of being unkillable by non-Gawds). The gawds can be poisoned by other gawds' creations, imprisoned and so on - by other divinities and their appropriately empowered agents.
An interesting mechanism to hash out to be sure, keeping it simple and elegant - or at least simple. :)
There is that, hadn't thought of that. Haven't had my morning caffeine yet, so this was mostly stream-of-semiconsciousness rambling ;)
There is that, hadn't thought of that. Haven't had my morning caffeine yet, so this was mostly stream-of-semiconsciousness rambling ;)I guess that makes me the odd one out. Anyone above demigod rank in my campaigns doesn't have stats. You have to be a god to kill a god - meaning if a mortal wants to commit deicide s/he needs another god to sponsor him/her into demigodhood to even have half a chance.
Things like AoW and STAP are excused because the enemy is either not fully manifested into deity or isn't a god; I always thought it logical that such was the reason people like Asmodeus and Orcus were so desperately trying to achieve godhood was because it would make them that much more impossible to kill.
But that's just me. Never much cared for "and a bunch of gods died". One of the main reasons I don't like 4E Faerun.
I agree with the Gawds being unkillable by mere mortals, Orthos. I only disagree with there not being a "game history" reason for statting up said Gawds.
After all, it does not take much other than "DR absolute/divinity" and "Immune to non-divinity abilities, special attacks and spells" to make a Gawd-like being (in terms of being unkillable by non-Gawds). The gawds can be poisoned by other gawds' creations, imprisoned and so on - by other divinities and their appropriately empowered agents.
An interesting mechanism to hash out to be sure, keeping it simple and elegant - or at least simple. :)
I rather like it too, since it means that you do not need to make demi-gawds supremely more powerful than mere mortals - i.e., an additional 'layer' of the Advanced Simple template (if they do not have it already) with the aforementioned DR and Immunity (plus let us assume a number of +5 inherent ability score bonuses) to make a 'starting' or 'new' demi-gawd.
Fun mental exercise. ^_^
I use a sliding scale of divinity, as suggested by the "Divine Rank" system. A Rank 0 quasi-deity is extra-mortal, but a far cry from unkillable. An Elder God like Azathoth can't simply be whacked out -- certainly not by mortals, and probably not by other gods. In between? Well, Loki killed Balder, didn't he?
I use a sliding scale of divinity, as suggested by the "Divine Rank" system. A Rank 0 quasi-deity is extra-mortal, but a far cry from unkillable. An Elder God like Azathoth can't simply be whacked out -- certainly not by mortals, and probably not by other gods. In between? Well, Loki killed Balder, didn't he?
Technically it was the mistletoe. And technically, Balder returned.
Okay, fully caffeinated. I'm similar to Kirth, a demigod can get nixxed by a particularly crafty, lucky, or skilled mortal or group of mortals - that's where Nyx, the villain in my last campaign, and quasi-deities such as Kyuss in AoW or demon princes/archdevils except Asmodeus stand. (I did steal that from 4E/Golarion, Asmodeus is a full-fledged deity now.) Gods can kill each other, weaker gods can team up to take on a stronger god, and as much a fan of Lovecraft I am the Elder Gods do make appearances but as they exist in a slightly separate reality the best anything on the Prime can do is eradicate their avatars.
It usually doesn't even come up, but if I find myself in the situation in the future I think I may borrow a page from Turin's book yet again, I like this "divine immunity" idea.
|
I use a sliding scale of divinity, as suggested by the "Divine Rank" system. A Rank 0 quasi-deity is extra-mortal, but a far cry from unkillable. An Elder God like Azathoth can't simply be whacked out -- certainly not by mortals, and probably not by other gods. In between? Well, Loki killed Balder, didn't he?Technically it was the mistletoe. And technically, Balder returned.
Technicalities!
I use a sliding scale of divinity, as suggested by the "Divine Rank" system. A Rank 0 quasi-deity is extra-mortal, but a far cry from unkillable. An Elder God like Azathoth can't simply be whacked out -- certainly not by mortals, and probably not by other gods. In between? Well, Loki killed Balder, didn't he?Technically it was the mistletoe. And technically, Balder returned.
Yeah, but everyone else was dead by then ;)
It's the whole thing from the scene in Blade Runner where Roy kills Tyrell. ;)
|
Because killing imaginary big brother is a victimless crime? Strictly speaking, the idea of deicide isn't new. Ancient greek gods died all the time, as did egyptian ones. Atheists claim to kill god every few years (his angels must have a stash of diamonds stored for the handy resurrection spell). Gods are like comic book superheroes, they only stay dead until the writers need them again.
By the way technically it was Hoder the Blind who killed Balder with a spear tipped with mistletoe (the above mentioned Fated Liability) although Loki did help with the aim.
I used to recite the cycle from memory, skald-like, for drinks. Loki set up and executed the whole thing, all the way down to the clause that "all things" must agree not to harm Balder (thus paving the way for the mistletoe exception). Putting the deed on Hoder is disnigenuous at best.
Excellent opera, btw.
Avatar Crisis of the Forgotten Realms. Its been regular business since TSR days.
With the spellplague in fourth edition they killed off a bunchh more.
Maybe real life could take a page from fantasy and start killing off some real world gods...
Did you have one in mind? Although I doubt you could afford my rates... gods cost extra.
|
Maybe real life could take a page from fantasy and start killing off some real world gods...Did you have one in mind? Although I doubt you could afford my rates... gods cost extra.
I'd start with sterile desert gods (I think that covers half the global population's myths), then work my way down the list from there.
Whoa dude! I had a strange aeon once. That was trippy, man!
That which is not dead can eternal lie,
And with strange aeons even death may die.
That which is not dead can eternal lie,
And with strange aeons even death may die.
Phn'glui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wagn'nagl fhtagn
Speaking of which, has anyone read the Cthulhu graphic novel series made by (I think) BOOM studios?
The one where Cthulhu, Nyarlothotep (sp?) and at least one of the Old Gods are brought into our modern world in a great apocalypse...
I have only read the first but am looking to continue.
Speaking of which, has anyone read the Cthulhu graphic novel series made by (I think) BOOM studios?
The one where Cthulhu, Nyarlothotep (sp?) and at least one of the Old Gods are brought into our modern world in a great apocalypse...
I have only read the first but am looking to continue.
No, never heard of it before. But you now have my attention.
Ia!
Speaking of which, has anyone read the Cthulhu graphic novel series made by (I think) BOOM studios?
The one where Cthulhu, Nyarlothotep (sp?) and at least one of the Old Gods are brought into our modern world in a great apocalypse...
I have only read the first but am looking to continue.
No, never heard of it before. But you now have my attention.
Ia!
Really? I know a comic book store owner, this would get me to drive an hour to see if he has it.
Really? I know a comic book store owner, this would get me to drive an hour to see if he has it.Speaking of which, has anyone read the Cthulhu graphic novel series made by (I think) BOOM studios?
The one where Cthulhu, Nyarlothotep (sp?) and at least one of the Old Gods are brought into our modern world in a great apocalypse...
I have only read the first but am looking to continue.
No, never heard of it before. But you now have my attention.
Ia!
The Fall of Cthulhu Vol. 1 The Fugue
A blurb...
Collecting the opening arc of the new smash-hit series that is taking fandom by storm! Cy is an ordinary guy with a beautiful fiancee -- until his uncle's suicide changes his life forever. Consumed with discovering the motive behind his relative's sudden and painful death, he finds notes and scribblings about a nonsense word he doesn't recognize... Cthulhu. Obsessed, he seeks out answers to questions he should have never asked. A horrifying glimpse into a modern day Lovecraftian world filled with nightmares and excursions into Lovecraft's Dreamlands!