elven temple holdings

[Alexander]

OK-here's an idea I'm considering using. Temple holdings can be a very
lucrative thing. It seems to me a bit unbalancing that elven regents
cannot control them. True, elves do not worship gods, but in such a
society, wouldn't that space be filled with something else? Say, for
instance, that elves (being immortal)-value knowledge and reason above
other things-the same way humans value religion. (In the middle ages,
the church was the center of academia--the only people who could read
were usually monks, priests, or learned from them.) The elves, then,
would probably have associations like an academy or sage's guild instead
of a church. These could fill elven temple holdings--with the regent
being like a Head Sage or Diviner. He could collect the money as per a
temple holding,(like tuition or research grants), but he could not use
priest spells (duh). Just an idea--what do you think? Flamethrowers at
the ready......FIRE!
Ben A.

[Harri Kemppainen]

On Sat, 13 Sep 1997, Alexander wrote:

> were usually monks, priests, or learned from them.) The elves, then,
> would probably have associations like an academy or sage's guild instead
> of a church. These could fill elven temple holdings--with the regent
> being like a Head Sage or Diviner. He could collect the money as per a
> temple holding,(like tuition or research grants), but he could not use
> priest spells (duh). Just an idea--what do you think? Flamethrowers at

I like your idea. I wouldn't give regent any income, but regency yes.
Tuition fees and other quite minimal income goes to upholding the place.
Keeping libraries well stocked and aquiring rare and expensive volumes
drains rest of the income. Only income I can imagine is wizards and other
researcher looking for old and lost manuscripts for ancient and invaluable
information. They might pay huge amounts of gold for access to such
manuscripts, but still it wouldn't create constant income like temple
holding.

Regency can be explained with influence such an institution has. Like
example you gave, catholic church at middle ages. They gave most teaching.
Both secular and religion. Even secular teaching was biased by religion,
so most students are somehow tolerant to churches goals. Regency can be
viewed as both masses acceptance and other powerplayers support towards
regents actions. Academy would also create such acceptance.

This is my opinion, feel free to disagree.
- ---
Harri Kemppainen cshake@kastanja.uta.fi
Java-programmer Attila B288b
Information Studies, University of Tampere +358 3 215 7632

[Sepsis]

At 04:50 AM 9/13/97 -0400, Alexander(alexchar@mail.gte.net)wrote:
>
>OK-here's an idea I'm considering using. Temple holdings can be a very
>lucrative thing. It seems to me a bit unbalancing that elven regents
>cannot control them. True, elves do not worship gods, but in such a
>society, wouldn't that space be filled with something else?
>

>

IMC, I have created a faction of Elven Druids. Elven Druids gain thier
abilities because of thier stronger then normal link(normal for Elves that
is)to the natural world of Cerilia, not by worshipping any gods. This allows
Elves to use Temple Holdings, cast Investiture, and the other things that
come along with having Priests. Without actually having Priests. It has
worked well in my game, and I suggest you give it some thought. Anyways
thats my 2GBs.

Sepsis, richt@metrolink.net

"War is a matter of vital importance to the State;
the province of life or death;
the road to survival or ruin.
It is mandatory that it be thoroughly studied."
-Sun Tzu,(The Art of War)-

BR Netbook: http://webpages.metrolink.net/~veleda/birth.html

[Brian Stoner]

Sepsis wrote:

> IMC, I have created a faction of Elven Druids. Elven Druids gain thier
>
> abilities because of thier stronger then normal link(normal for Elves
> that
> is)to the natural world of Cerilia, not by worshipping any gods. This
> allows
> Elves to use Temple Holdings, cast Investiture, and the other things
> that
> come along with having Priests. Without actually having Priests. It
> has
> worked well in my game, and I suggest you give it some thought.
> Anyways
> thats my 2GBs.
>
> Sepsis, richt@metrolink.net
>

In my previous campaign (and perhaps my new one), some of the players
who have Elven characters brought up the possibility that some Elves
were monotheistic. Essentially, Elven culture would be a mix of
freethinking monotheism, agnosticism and atheism. They do not worship
the human gods not becuase they don't think they exist but because they
don't consider them worthy of worship. To the Elves there is either
only one God worthy of worship or there is none. However, the Elves
receive no spells from this God, thus their beliefs are based purely on
faith (thus the numbers of atheists and agnostics among them).
Therefore, they could maintain temple holdings, but would receive no
realms spells, etc. BTW, their beliefs would resemble Christianity,
Islam, and Judaism except less rigid in form. To them, faith is a
personal matter, tempered by unity in the community. Unlike other AD&D
gods, this single God would be considered all powerful, all knowing, and
not subject to the limits or imperfections of other beings. According
to these Elven beliefs, there is a reason why this God created
everything (including the rest of the multiverse if that is included in
the campaign), but what it is may be a mystery. Obviously this mirrors
the monothiestic beliefs found on Earth. But that is what happens when
a group of Christians break the mold and decide they don't think there
is anything inherently wrong with playing AD&D and then bring their own
faith into the game. Not that their is anything wrong with that; it can
be challenge to make it fit. Anyway, I think this spices up the Elven
culture a bit more.

Brian

[breye@earthlink.ne]

Alexander wrote:

> OK-here's an idea I'm considering using. Temple holdings can be a very
> lucrative thing. It seems to me a bit unbalancing that elven regents
> cannot control them. True, elves do not worship gods, but in such a
> society, wouldn't that space be filled with something else?

Actually in the Tuarheivel source book there is something which could
apply in this situation. While elves do not practice religion like humans
they do have wise individuals called taelinri who help other elves with
thier spiritual development. While they can come from any background
(and class) they serve the same purpose as priests in human lands.

This also begs the question "Do temple holdings have to be temples set
up for 'real' gods?". For my campaign, the answer is no, if someone
wants to create a church for a fake deity, go right ahead, just don't expect
any spells....

Bryan