At 08:00 PM 7/22/04, Michael Angelo Tripp-Russo wrote:
>Robert Sallade wrote:
>
>>There is very little to do with religion in the The Dragaera books,
>>except that witchcraft is tied in closely with the Eastern concept of religion.
>
>I disagree.
>
>In Dragaera 'Gods' exist (like really to general people they are gods)
>what we call today 'Greek Mythology' was in the past considered Religion,
>(indeed it is still so to some, but I would guess very few). Ancient
>Greeks were polytheistic people, I'd say that is exactly how I'd term
>Dragaera as well, there isn't AFAIK and discussion about Monotheistic
>groups existing on Dragaera -- probably because there aren't or are very few.
>
>Point. Vlad interacts directly with a goddess, one he has fealty for, and
>several points are made of how this affects him and his actions.
>
>Point. Morrolan ('nuff said)
>
>I could go on.....
I'll have to admit that I forgot to return to this portion of my e-mail. I
meant to include my thoughts on how Dragaerans view the gods.
Both Vlad and Morrolan are special cases. They were both raised in the
Eastern tradition and therefore view the gods differently than Dragaerans.
They have also directly interacted with more than just one god. Of those
still walking the planet, I think only Zerika, The Necromancer, Aliera, and
Sethra can say that they have done the same.
The main view is that the gods are simply an extreme form of wizard. They
have learned how not to die for one and probably have learned how to do a
great many other things. The aforementioned people have seem and conversed
directly with the gods and have said as much to the general public so they
know they exist in a real sense.
The alters, shrines, and temples mentioned in the books are places where
people can ask favors of other people that have greater resources than
themselves. If someone actually has a favor granted they tell other people
how they asked and who they asked. It then becomes formulaic and eventually
ritualistic. Even the death rites are simply a sign of respect to the dead.
According to the books, the soul leaves the body after three days
regardless of whether the body is left to rot in a bog or sent over
Deathsgate. Then it's either the Paths or the Plane.
Does this mean that the Dragaerans are polytheistic? Not really. They don't
view the LoJ as supreme beings to be held in awe because they control
destinies (well they sort of do, but only by keeping the Jenoine off the
planet). At best they respect them for the powers the LoJ have (or seem to
have) and pay homage in hopes of a boon.