James Ray wrote:

> I wouls like to answer your question with a question of my own: why would
> the gods already established in Aebrynnis let an outsider involve itself in
> their ongoing struggle for power? Unlike other AD&D game worlds, Aebrynnis
> has a history of politically powerful churches, who share and compete for
> influence with the lands other leaders. Given the significant power
> preexisting religions have, such as investiture, Realm Spells, and all the
> rest of them, how is a priest from Toril ever going to be able to compete
> with the established religions? Without a bloodline, he can't even perform
> a create holding to start his firsst temple. Why would any Regent risk the
> wrath of his current church-leaders to allow him to operate, anyway?

A single priest with no access to spells from his god would not get far
in creating a new religion in Aebrynnis. First he would not have a
bloodline so would have not be able to cast realm spells, create
holdings etc. He would also have a difficult time gaining followers as
most people would demand some proof of the gods existance and without
access to new spells the priest would have a lot of trouble convincing
people his god even exists.
The established religions would also fight off any attempt to take over
their power, so the priest would have no chance in the civilized areas.
And in the wilder lands there is always the problem of Awnsheghlien and
other monsters eating the priest (well the monsters would eat him
anyway, not sure about the Gorgon's breakfast menu).
Of course the gods themselves might be very upset with some upstart
follower trying to take over their territory and send a few of their
followers to deal with him.


- --
Ian Hoskins

e-Mail: hoss@box.net.au
ICQ: 2938300
Home Page: http://www.box.net.au/~hoss/birth.html

From the Darkness we came,
and to the Darkness we will return.