Messages

This might be a little controversial, but the thing is that it's often impossible to know your party members' alignments for sure. Coupled with the fact that the effects do not show visually, using such turn undead effects is often like "maybe it works, maybe it doesn't", and you don't really want to use the limited number of turns per rest on something so uncertain. Not to mention that a full-round action is a time investment too in the middle of combat.

You could of course ask people "hey did you feel anything when I did this", but at least to me, that would feel a little gamey. And depending on the situation, some PCs might not even want to answer honestly.

So although I understand the reasoning behind this kind of mechanics, in practice it's usually just too uncertain. Not only that, but with turn undead now being limited to your own pantheon only, the pool of PCs standing to benefit from such effects is really really small. My PC, for instance, almost never uses the effect specific to good alignment because... good-aligned Dome PCs... yeah, how often do you have such a party? Or even one such party member? Of course Dome clerics should have it harder in Ephia's Well, but it's not that much better for Wheel clerics in this regard. They need to be guessing all the time too if it's worth using an effect like this or not.

This situation needlessly punishes alignment domains while empowering others, as well as those domains with more offensive turn undead capability. You can always be sure when offensive effects or, say, race-specific effects work. Because you see it.

So she really did not want to go at first. Not appropriate, you know? And her wardrobe was kind of... unicolour.

But her friends made her. 'Come on, Sofia! You gotta have fun every once in a while!'

And then they promised they would come to church next Sunday. If she went with them, this once. And what would she not do for evangelism?

'But I don't think you understand,' she said as they crossed the threshold from urban night to neon light, 'our time here is wasting...'

As the title says. I never remember which Legate is which seat number and visit the Legate offices so rarely that I don't necessarily remember it from experience either. Not to mention that newer character's won't even know it IC. A small thing that would eliminate unnecessary confusion – just change the sign's name or description once per election cycle.

[Wanted: Books & Scrolls about Il Modo & the Sages of the Dome!]

[Simple fliers found here and there in Ephia's Well.]

Wanted: Books & Scrolls about Il Modo & the Sages of the Dome!

Contact Sister-Priest Sofia d'Andrea in the Krak des Roses.
Payment in dinari or wares on a case-by-case basis.

Santina bless!

[Esteemed Grandmaster of the Cinquefoil Rose,]

Esteemed Grandmaster of the Cinquefoil Rose,

I write to you as a recent arrival from Il Modo and a lowly priestess in the service of Sage Santina the Compassionate, to petition for your adjudication in a conflict I did not seek. The matter itself is fairly minor to you, I am sure, and so I hesitate to contact you – but the resolution may prove to be an important precedent in matters of faith within the Krak des Roses.

A certain Balladeer and Twindari priest by the name of Alain Chauderon has repeatedly harassed me about my faith in Sage Santina and the Divine Dome, without provocation. Or to be precise, it seems my faith is by itself enough to provoke him. At the end of the latest altercation, he threatened to use his authority as a Balladeer to ban me from the Krak des Roses if I did not refrain from speaking about my Sage and my faith within its premises.

To be clear, I have never preached publicly within your establishment, although I have had private discussions. The majority of my activities within and without Ephia's Well have thus far been prayer, works of charity – especially in the almshouse – and providing healing and medicines to all in need, including many in the service of the Rose and adventurers dealing with threats beyond our walls. I have also given considerable donations to the Temple of B'aara and towards the planned new district. My Sage is a protector of the poor and healer of the diseased, and it is my privilege and duty to try to live up to her example in my service to her.

The above I write to clarify that there is nothing that could possibly be objectionable in my activities as such – unless one feels so strongly about the Wheel that the presence of other faiths simply cannot be tolerated. Balladeer Chauderon certainly is such a person.

My humble question to you is: Do you allow him to exercise his authority in this manner? Is it forbidden to teach about non-Wheel faiths in the Krak des Roses – even faiths that urge everyone to pursue such lofty ideals as the Balladeers themselves claim to uphold? It is my understanding that the Cinquefoil Rose was founded by people from other lands, realms where the Wheel was not and is not worshipped – but is the Wheel now the only faith publicly allowed in the Rose's premises? It would seem an extraordinary decree considering that many in La Banda Rossa venerate the Sages of the Dome.

I apologise for having to bother you with this, but as a matter of principle, I believe it should interest you. If, however, you think somebody else is better suited to deal with it, I would ask you to kindly forward this letter to that person.

Many thanks for your time.

Yours sincerely
Sofia d'Andrea
Sister-Priest in the Order of the Lezrous Brethren
of Sage Santina the Compassionate

[The Litany of Compassion]

The Litany of Compassion

Priest: O Santina the Compassionate, give us thy love and mercy.

O Raffelo the Pilot-Prophet, give us thy wisdom and might.

O Sages of the Divine Dome, give us your heavenly light.

Answer: And guide us on the right path.

P: From all evil and mischief; from the crafts and guile of the Wicked Ones; from heathen cults, and from the horrors of the Underdome,

A: Santina, deliver us.

P: From all blackness of heart; from pride, vain-glory, and hypocrisy; from envy, hatred, and greed, and all selfishness,

A: Santina, deliver us.

P: From tempest and shipwreck; from war, battle, and murder; from flood, famine, and disease, and from the Crimson Death,

A: Santina, deliver us.

P: By the promise of thy holy Nativity; by thy Descent, Destitution, and Dedication; by thy wisdom, kindness, and compassion,

A: Santina, deliver us.

P: By thy charity in the Humbles; by thy healing of the diseased; by thy founding of the Lezerotti, and by thy courage in the Great Battle,

A: Santina, deliver us.

P: By thy True Death and Ascension to the Firmament; by thine Illumination and Sagehood; by the grace of the Pilot-Prophet, and by the glory of the Divine Dome,

A: Santina, deliver us.

P: In all time of our tribulation; in all time of our joy; in this life, and in the life next to come,

A: Santina, deliver us.

P: Lead us, Good Sage, from death to life, from falsehood to truth, from despair to hope, from fear to trust. Lead us from hate to thine all-healing love, and let it fill our heart, our world, all worlds. Let it break the shackles of this earthly prison, and lead us to thine abode amongst the stars where birth and suffering and death are no more. Lead us and the souls of our loved ones from life and death to eternity. Thus we pray.

A: Hear us, O Sage.

[The Order for Evening Prayer to Sage Santina]

The Order for Evening Prayer to Sage Santina

1. Opening

Priest: O Santina, open thou our heart.

Answer: And fill it with thy compassion.

P: Guard us from evil and grant us thy light.

A: For thy love endures in the darkest night.

P: Praise be to thee, O Sage.

A: And glory to all the Dome.

2. Hymn

O splendent star of northern skies, thou lantern bright of mortal lives!
In thee we put our trust this eve, to preserve us till shadows leave.

We give thee thanks and praise, O Sage, for having sheltered us today.
We turn to thee in joy and sorrow, praying for a kind tomorrow.

Thou who art our sole salvation: Keep us ever from temptation.
Lead us on the straight and narrow, shield our soul from evil's arrow.

Santina, O thou Queen Above, we praise thee for thy boundless love.
Thou alone art our defender; glory be to thee forever.

3. Responsory

P: Into thy hands, Santina, we commend our soul.

A: Into thy hands, Santina, we commend our soul.

P: We will lay us down in peace, for thou makest us dwell in safety.

A: Into thy hands, Santina, we commend our soul.

P: Praise be to thee, O Sage, and glory to all the Dome.

A: Into thy hands, Santina, we commend our soul.

4. Prayers of intercession

P: Remember, O Sage, thy Church. Guard it from all wickedness and make it perfect in compassion.

A: Let it never fall to the forces of evil.

P: Guide, O Queen, the hand of all them that wield power, that their actions might bring peace and happiness.

A: Let them never give in to pride and greed.

P: Let all them that are afflicted by hunger or disease find solace in thine arms and be comforted in thy care.

A: Let them never succumb to pain and despair.

5. The High Prayer

P: O Santina, our Sage and our Queen. Thou art our star in the night, the light we follow on the sea of life. Guide us through the storms we face and help us through the mistakes we make. Bear our pain when our strength fails, so that we may bear the burdens of others. Keep our course steady and sure, so that our voyage hereafter may be pure and holy, and that at the last we may find eternal rest in thy haven above. Thus we pray.

A: Hear us, O Sage.

6. Benediction

P: The Sage of Compassion bless us with her loving-kindness and protect us from all sickness of body and soul.

[The Order for Morning Prayer to Sage Santina]

The Order for Morning Prayer to Sage Santina

1. Opening

Priest: O Santina, open thou our heart.

Answer: And fill it with thy compassion.

P: Keep us from evil and guide our way.

A: For thy love shines brighter than the light of day.

P: Praise be to thee, O Sage.

A: And glory to all the Dome.

2. Hymn

Sing ye to the Mercystar, O sing her anthem near and far!
Shout with joy: the night is won! Come and praise the Compassionate One!

She hath stretched out her arm and shielded us from every harm.
She hath kept us safe at night and blessed us with morning light.

Hear us, O Sage, as we pray: Our heart likewise illumine today.
Show our soul compassion's way and keep all selfish thoughts at bay.

Santina, O thou Queen Above, we praise thee for thy boundless love.
Thou alone art our defender; glory be to thee forever.

3. Responsory

P: We lift up our eyes to thee betimes in the morning.

A: We lift up our eyes to thee betimes in the morning.

P: Unto thee we turn, show thou the way that we should walk in.

A: We lift up our eyes to thee betimes in the morning.

P: Praise be to thee, O Sage, and glory to all the Dome.

A: We lift up our eyes to thee betimes in the morning.

4. Prayers of intercession

P: Santina, we give thee thanks for this new day. Let thy love illumine our lives.

A: Heal us with thy compassion.

P: Let thy light shine unto all who live in darkness and despair.

A: Stir us with thy hope.

P: Let thy spirit bear fruit in us: joy, love, and forbearance.

A: Teach us thy humility.

5. The High Prayer

P: O Santina, our Sage and our Queen. Thou art our star in the night, the light we follow on the sea of life. Guide us through the storms we face and help us through the mistakes we make. Bear our pain when our strength fails, so that we may bear the burdens of others. Keep our course steady and sure, so that our voyage hereafter may be pure and holy, and that at the last we may find eternal rest in thy haven above. Thus we pray.

A: Hear us, O Sage.

6. Benediction

P: The Sage of Compassion bless us with her loving-kindness and protect us from all sickness of body and soul.

[The Life of Sage Santina the Compassionate]

The following texts are available in Santina's shrine and the Sandstone College.

* * *

The Life of Sage Santina the Compassionate

Here followeth the life of Sage Santina the Compassionate, the Heavenly Healer, the Mercystar.

Santina di Benedetto was born daughter to a wealthy nobleman. And first ye shall understand that her nativity was much worthy and auspicious. Her mother was a pious woman, but childless, and it is said that she conceived after devoutly praying to the Pilot-Prophet: O Raffelo, Great Pilot-Prophet, thou who hast blessed this family with much fortune, but a child hast thou given not, now harken, O Sage of Sages, and open the womb of this thy servant that she may finally be delivered from her shame, for all thy riches count for nothing without an heir to our name. And Sage Raffelo answered her in a dream and said: Woman, thy prayer is heard, and as thou spurnest my manifold blessings, so shall I withdraw them. Henceforth shall ye know poverty; but thy wish will I grant, and the child shall be your wealth.

And so did it happen that a child was conceived and born, and soon after was the wealth of the family lost to thieves and brigands and knaves and traitors, for so had the Great Sage in his wisdom decreed. And the family did fall to poverty, and Santina never did know the corrupting ways of easy life, for anon they lived among the destitute, humbled in the Humbles. Many a time did her parents bewail their fate saying: Woe is us! Verily hath a curse befallen us, for a child we got, but all else is lost. But Santina, wise from her youth, always comforted her parents saying: O Father, O Mother, why cry ye? For poverty is no curse, but a blessing. Rejoice, O Father, O Mother! For only in poverty can one be rich in spirit; only in poverty can the soul remain pure.

And so did Santina grow up surrounded by poverty, but rich in spirit and pure in soul. So much did she love her parents that she would always wash their feet when they came from without from their work, and dry them and kiss them. So plentifully shone piety and humility and all virtues in her that all who knew her might take of her fair and good ensample for to lead a godly life. And in especial had she so great pity of the homeless and destitute that ofttimes she spared her own mouth of such ration as she should herself been sustained by and gave it away to them in need. It is said that holy fasting could sustain her when works of mercy left her hungry. And it is said that the mere sight of the misery of the world could move her to such heights of compassion as to banish all wicked thoughts from every each being around her, and that lilies would spring forth wherever her merciful tears fell. Also in making devout prayer had she so great pleasure that ofttimes it seemed to her, being in orisons, that her spirit was refreshed with the brilliance of the Dome. Never once did she regret her lot in life but thought herself happy and fortunate to be living in the Humbles, for humble folk, said she, were her wisest friends and greatest teachers.

And Santina gained in years and grew in wisdom and compassion and all loving-kindness, and the people did flock to her for teaching and healing, for so had the Dome blessed her that with her prayers she could cure all manner of ailments and illnesses and with her words enlumine the darkness of ignorance and disbelief. And great was her beauty, too, even in her poverty wherewith she chastised her body, for the power of her compassion kept her countenance youthful until the very end, like that of a fair maiden, or a flower on the verge of bloom. Multitudinous suitors came to her to seek her hand, but she scorned them all saying: Behold, I am betrothed already to the poor and afflicted, and upon my death shall I be wed to them forevermore and shine on them the light of my love from above. Lift thine eyes at me then, O man, and know that my love is thine too, shouldest thou seek it.

Alas, the vile Plague did come to Il Modo, brought by the accursed Sage of the Death Masque and his revelries moste grotesque. And Santina called to her side men and women of tender heart and noble spirit to fight the disease with all their body and mind and soul, by relieving the afflicted of their suffering and burning all things befouled by the Plague's corrupting touch. Endless were the wails of loss and agony in Il Modo, and endless was the toil of Santina and her followers, that toil which continueth to this day and pauseth not until the wicked Plague be banished from Il Modo forever. For the compassionate heart that feeleth another's pain can not rest until pain be no more.

And many who survived the ravages of disease did choose to join Santina's cause and dedicate their lives to making brave battle against evil and injustice and suffering. And so was the Most Holy Order of the Lezrous Brethren formed. Behold, it was at this time that the wicked pirate queen Barbarina threatened Il Modo, and the Knights Lezrous with Santina herself at the forefront fought the great undead host at the harbour, in the Battle of Lost Souls. And it was a terrible battle indeed, in wind and rain and darkness, against necromantic magicks moste foule. Santina with her famed blade Deliverance released countless undead abominations from unholy servitude. And many valiant knights of blessed memory did perish that day, and their names and deeds are recorded in the Book of Sacrifice. And lo, their deaths were not in vain, for the host was driven back and the forces of good did prevail. Harken ye to this truth, saith Sage Santina, that for as long as good people will lay down their lives for the sake of others, goodness itself shall never die.

And the taint of disease never could breach the purity of Santina's body and soul, no not even the Crimson Death could touch her, but Santina prayed to the great Pilot-Prophet to be allowed to experience such suffering as afflicted her fellow Modini, and this wish was granted to her. Even in disease and pain she was of the Dome comforted; it is said that she was by the space of nine and forty days in continual languor and sickness, nevertheless was never seen in her sign of impatience, but always sweet and amiable words in praising and thanking the Great Sage of all. And in especial it is said that she was one and twenty days without meat or drink. And nevertheless she retained such sweetness and forbearance that it seemed unto all them that saw her that she had no pain nor disease, but yet more every creature that came to her was comforted of her very presence. And in especial it is said that when the hour of death approached, she spake and said: Go out surely, thou hast a good safeconduct. And when one of her Sister-Priests, being there present, heard that, she asked her to whom she spake. And she answered saying: To my soul, whom I see abashed to depart from my body, for it ought not for to doubt, for I see the holy Pilot-Prophet which abideth for me. And so her soul attained True Death and rising to the heavens like sweet incense was crowned with the glory of the Dome, where she now resideth shining her loving light and abideth for her faithful forevermore.

So it is written, so we believe. And we inheritors of Santina's sacred mission shall carry on her work until all worlds above and below and in between have by her grace come to know and embrace the Truths of the Dome, and until pain and sickness be no more.

I like the idea in principle but please, keep ability score adjustments out of it. Regional differences in culture don't result in significant biological changes.

Sultan's Justice! 🫡

[Pilgrims]

Pilgrims


I kneel
upon the heart-dust of a million souls
of lights once so bright
Their passions turned to ashes
now tossed by the desert wind

It slips through my fingers but
burns in my eyes

I pray
for the hearts still aflame
scarred but not yet charred
craving aching hungering
Oh let their flames be gentle

Let them burn with purpose
as beacons in the dark

Let their souls
sail to a distant homeland
sink in a sea of pearls and
join the brilliant chorus
in an ocean of blessed silence

Alight but not afire
as fellow pilgrims

A great character! Felt very human, real... and like Ramc, I enjoy seeing characters embrace the religion aspect. Too bad we couldn't have more interaction. Timezones... sigh.

Looking forward to your next PC!

[In neat, flowing handwriting.]

Adar 12, IY 7787

Dear Ashley,

It was with great interest and gratitude that I read your advertisement about funding for medical projects. What a marvellous service to Ephia's Well you are doing by allocating funds to such a cause. I laud your efforts!

I have in mind no personal project for which I would require such funding, at the moment, but I do have a more general suggestion which could perhaps be funded with your aid. That would be the establishment of a herbalist's workshop within Ephia's Well, available to all those whose efforts would contribute to the health and well-being of the town's population. An application procedure could be set up to determine who would gain access. You yourself, as Palatial Physician, would have both the competence and authority to review such applications.

I have no idea what such a project would cost. I assume it depends on where the workshop would be placed. But I am sure there are many suitable locales which are currently not being used for anything of such import.

I hope the suggestion is feasible. With proper tools, more medicines could be produced for the benefit of all, particularly for refugees and the poor.

Yours sincerely,
Sofia d'Andrea
Sister-Priest of the Order of the Lezrous Brethren
of Sage Santina the Compassionate

[In neat, flowing handwriting.]

Adar 11, IY 7787

Gentile Sig. / Sig.ra, a chi di competenza,

I am writing to you to enquire about the Refugee Relief Fund situated in your fortress. I would like to know how the funds are used; who oversees the fund; and who founded it and when.

This information will potentially affect my donations to the fund.

You may leave a reply in the fortress, as I come by every once in a while to pay my respects to Sage Maribela. Thank you most kindly.

Cordialmente,
Sofia d'Andrea
Sister-Priest in the Order of the Lezrous Brethren
of Sage Santina the Compassionate