Gary:
> I don`t recall it saying anywhere that the Gorgon`s bloodline
> was sufficient for him to become a deity. In fact, I seem to
> recall the opposite. A couple of points:

I believe that it says it somewhere (since I remember it from before
Daniel mentioned it). I can`t for the life of me remember where though.
I still contend that the idea is silly.

> 1. We don`t know that the Gorgon`s bloodline was in the
> triple digits after Deismaar. In fact, it probably wasn`t.
> Other true bloodlines are lower than his, and in certain
> cases (most notably the Serpent) even those characters have
> made strides towards a divine status.

Usurping the Roele line probably gave him a big kick up. I also like to
think that the Serpent`s "divine powers" are due to his powers of
conjuration and probably have more to do with the ability of the
sorcerer-kings of Athas than to do with actual diviity. Don`t get me
wrong here though - I am not saying that the Serpent has a Living Vortex
(or whatever it was called), but I associate his powers with ritual
arcane magic - not true divinity. We have examples of the Serpents great
magical power that, I believe, support this interpretation of mine.

> 2. A bloodline of 100+ is a good place to start in a bid
> towards transcendence. After all, the same energies that
> made the human inheritors of the gods` divine power is what
> created bloodlines. It`s the same stuff, so wouldn`t rising
> one`s bloodline be a way to achieve godhood? A bloodline of
> 100+ seems like a good starting point for certain characters
> who are trying to ascend.

Um. No. I just disagree. I don`t feel that mortals in BR should be able
to become gods through their own works alone. I don`t think that there
is anything in the source that out-and-out supports either of our
positions though, so I guess it comes down to taste.

> 3. A 100+ bloodline, however, should not be the only
> requirement for transcendence. First of all, the Gorgon is
> around as powerful as a few other D&D characters (Iuz,
> Elminister) who are described variously as demi-gods or
> rivalling that sort of power, so character levels aren`t
> really a problem for him, but that should be some sort of
> requirement for a mortal.

See above. High character level might indicate to a god that a person
may be worth elevating, but it is probably not essential. I imagine,
given there self-enforced distancing from terrestrial affairs the gods
only notice the truly "bright stars" though.

> 4. The humans who became gods at Deismaar took on the exact
> same aspects of the gods that perished, so they didn`t have
> any need to find a role/niche/portfolio or whatever. Any
> human who transcends is going to have to define his/er place
> in the pantheon. The Gorgon hasn`t really done this (neither
> has the Serpent) though various interpretations could apply.

Fair enough.

> 5. Tasks. There has to be a series of specific and epic
> tasks on the path to divinity. I`ve always liked the idea
> that Raesene`s task was to sit on the Iron Throne.

This is a nice idea. I am nt sure I`d use it in BR though. I think it
better suits another campaign setting much more. (I do not mean this
badly in anyway, I just don`t think that ascent to godhood needs to be a
feature of the BR campaign).

--
John Machin
(trithemius@paradise.net.nz)
-----------------------------------
"Nothing is more beautiful than to know the All."
Athanasius Kircher, Ars Magna Sciendi.

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