A bit of help with a heresy

[Matthew Morris]

I mentioned this concept elsewhere, but I'm running with it and want to see what insight people can come with.

The basic concept is this. An inquisitor with the heretic template. The heresy is that Shizuru is a 'face' of either Iomedae or Sarenrae. (I'm leaning towards Sarenrae because of the age of the deities).

I'm figuring that taking an EWP in katana at 3rd level, to represent the heresy, but I'm trying to find a good set of beliefs. That's hampered by the lack of data on Shizuru's beliefs.

Anyone want to help build a good heresy that makes sense?

[Take Boat]

Has Jade Regent happened in your game world?

You could play off the idea that the Minkai Emperor is descended from Shizuru and inherits the divine right to rule from her. Maybe you promulgated the idea of unity and this was seen either as a questioning of legitimacy or an attempt to suborn Minkai to Qadira by a nationalist/xenophobic state church, which branded you a heretic.

edit: As for beliefs, if Shizuru's don't really exist, just reinterpret Sarenare's in terms of Shizuru's alignment/portfolio. Now your character has the truth on his side!

[Mojorat]

who is Shizuru?

[Mikaze]

"Shizuru = Sarenrae" was the exact conclusion I jumped to when I first saw her in the Dragon Empires books. :D

Maybe something could be done with Shizuru's samurai code being translated into something about being in service to the state or whoever the rightful ruler is in the region. Or on the flipside have them cleave to that sort of code absolutely rather than the local authorities. That could actually make a number of folks in Qadira nervous, where corruption in the Church of Sarenrae is unfortunately the order of hte day.

Or maybe Sarenrae/Shizuru could have a hightened sense of importance placed on the nobility, considering them as having a divine right and duty to rule, but they also must be kept worthy of that position.

Another angle could involve her relationship with Tsukiyo. Maybe your heretic could consider a balance between light and darkness and the various things they represent(but short of the typical "light=good, dark=evil" relation) to be the ideal state of things.

[Matthew Morris]

Heh, I just had an amusing thought. If someone sees Shizuru = Sarenrae, how well does Desna line up with Tsukiyo? :-)

Thanks Mikaze, now if only Shizuru had fire as one of her legal domains. (thowing fireballs is cool)

[redcelt32]

This reminded me of a new book that would be cool to see published, maybe as a companion book or part of a future AP or something, a book on splinter cults and heresies. For instance, what heresies exist in each regular church?

Heresies are a great hook to use with any inquisitors you may have in your game, either fighting against or leading the heresy.

[Mikaze]

Matthew Morris wrote:

Heh, I just had an amusing thought. If someone sees Shizuru = Sarenrae, how well does Desna line up with Tsukiyo? :-)

Eclipses are totally a sapphic symbol in areas where Inner Sea Region and Tien traditions meet.

Y'know, it's a bit harder to link those two...but then there's the possibility that the Azata Lord Tsukuyomi could be an aspect of Tsukiyo's shattered mind...and that bridges the alignment gap... Still quite a stretch, but considering the end results who can blame one for trying? ;)