Gods in Eberron?

[shadow]

One thing that has intrigued me about the Eberron setting is that the gods are distant. Unlike Forgotten Realms, where the gods constantly meddle in the affairs of mortals, some people even doubt the existence of the gods. As stated in the campaign setting there is no alignment restriction on clerics. There, then is a question where divine magic comes from. Does it come from the gods, is it a mystic energy that permeates the universe, or does it come from the (misguided) faith of the clerics themselves? However, some things have recently started to bother me about this. Particularly the raise dead and resurrection spells. If people can be raised from the dead, couldn't the resurrected character tell everyone about their experience in the afterlife? Did they meet their gods? Did they have some type of cosmic awareness? Doesn't the existence of resurrection magic render most theological discussions moot?

 

[Nifft]

These are excellent questions for the PCs (and possibly players) to ask, and for the DM to answer with a mysterious smirk.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Grymar]

That is answered by Dolurrh, the plane of death. It is a vast wasteland of souls where nothing happens; boredom and forgetfulness are the flavor of eternity.

Some say that once all is forgotten and a soul is washed clean of existence, it then passes "beyond the veil" to the realm of the Sovereigns, but all anyone knows is that after a certain amount of time it is no longer possible to raise someone from the dead, even with True Resurrection.

In other words, you make a good point, but the designers already thought of that.

 

[Wolfwood2]

One thing that has intrigued me about the Eberron setting is that the gods are distant. Unlike Forgotten Realms, where the gods constantly meddle in the affairs of mortals, some people even doubt the existence of the gods.

Although religion is even more complicated than that. For instance, the Silver Flame is a real, tangible thing. You can go and see it. It's just that no one claims the Silver Flame is a god.

The Undying Court of the elves can also be seen and touched and worshipped, but they aren't gods either (despite collectively having a divine rank).

The Path of Light of the Kalashtar is specifically a philosophy that does not depend on the existance of a divine intelligence of any sort.

As stated in the campaign setting there is no alignment restriction on clerics. There, then is a question where divine magic comes from. Does it come from the gods, is it a mystic energy that permeates the universe, or does it come from the (misguided) faith of the clerics themselves.

Good questions.

However, some things have recently started to bother me about this. Particularly the raise dead and resurrection spells. If people can be raised from the dead, couldn't the resurrected character tell everyone about their experience in the afterlife? Did they meet their gods? Did they have some type of cosmic awareness? Doesn't the existence of resurrection magic render most theological discussions moot?

As stated by Grymar, no one in the afterlife meets gods. At least, no one who is retrievable again.

 

[Glyfair]

As stated by Grymar, no one in the afterlife meets gods. At least, no one who is retrievable again.

Exactly the point.

It is possible to come back from the afterlife in Eberron. However, the spot you come back from is the plane of Dolurrh. It's know that souls fade away while they are there. The mystery is what happens after that. Do they fade away? Do they go to their god? Is there more to the afterlife or is Dolurrh it?

That's where faith in Eberron comes into play.

 

[shadow]

That is answered by Dolurrh, the plane of death. It is a vast wasteland of souls where nothing happens; boredom and forgetfulness are the flavor of eternity.

Some say that once all is forgotten and a soul is washed clean of existence, it then passes "beyond the veil" to the realm of the Sovereigns, but all anyone knows is that after a certain amount of time it is no longer possible to raise someone from the dead, even with True Resurrection.

This does leave a little mystery, but still it eliminates philosophies such as materialism. So while the gods still remain a mystery, dualism is proven. In the real world, many atheists believe that consciousness is nothing more than an unintended byproduct of evolution. Such a belief would have no adherents in Eberron.

 

[Grymar]

Probably true, Shadow. It is hard to argue that when you are able to travel to Dolurrh in the flesh via plane shift if you so wish. Plus resurrection magic works, which also speaks for the soul existing. I don't think any Eberron scholar or philosopher can argue that a soul does not exist, at least during life and for a brief period after.

 

[Anti-Sean]

Some say that once all is forgotten and a soul is washed clean of existence, it then passes "beyond the veil" to the realm of the Sovereigns,

That's nothing but filthy Vassal propaganda! Souls in Dolurrh fade away into oblivion. Throw down the shackles that bind you to these self-proclaimed "Sovereigns", join the community of the Seekers, and find the divinity within yourself!

(this message paid for by the Blood of Vol)

 

[Wolfwood2]

This does leave a little mystery, but still it eliminates philosophies such as materialism. So while the gods still remain a mystery, dualism is proven. In the real world, many atheists believe that consciousness is nothing more than an unintended byproduct of evolution. Such a belief would have no adherents in Eberron.

Well, I guess such a belief could have adherents. People will believe in about any ole' thing. Those adherents would just be objectively wrong as proven by the setting. Remember that ressurection magic is pretty rare and more something that somebody will have told you exists than something you've seen yourself. Just like there are people in the real world who persist in believing the Earth is flat because they've never been into space.

 

[Vorput]

That's nothing but filthy Vassal propaganda! Souls in Dolurrh fade away into oblivion. Throw down the shackles that bind you to these self-proclaimed "Sovereigns", join the community of the Seekers, and find the divinity within yourself!

(this message paid for by the Blood of Vol)

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