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Calrond
Learned Scribe
USA
118 Posts |
 Posted - 02 Feb 2007 : 17:53:49
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In Libris Mortis, p 76-77, a piece of equipment known as a Shadow Veil is discussed. First, are there any Shadow Veils in Faerun that we know of? If so, who has them?
Also, since crafting one requires 5 ranks of Knowledge (religion), would the creation of a Shadow Veil be connected to Shar and the Shadow Weave in Faerun? (I'm not sure about this, I think there could be Weave and Shadow Weave Shadow Veils seperately, the same as you can cast darkness with either Weave.) And if creating one is connected to Shar, would simply using one be connected to Shar? i.e., Would someone completely devoted to Mystra have anything to worry about ethically if they wore a Shadow Veil? Say, if a Knight of the Mystic Fire wore one, would there be any penance needed? (atonement spell?)
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 02 Feb 2007 : 22:39:54
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Anything that can be done with the Shadow Weave can be done with the Weave. As has been stated before, the Shadow Weave inhabits the "negative spaces" of the Weave, it isn't an equal and opposite force. I used this analogy before, but the Weave is Mystra's server, and Shar doesn't have her own server, she just steals bandwith from Mystra . . . so to speak.
The main reason, I am guessing, that the item requires Knowledge (religion) is that that knowledge skill is the requisite skill for information on the undead, so it has little to do with the gods, per se, and more with the aspect of religion that has to do with disposition of souls, life after death, etc.
Also, to back up the point about "shadow" items and spells and the Weave, the FRCS says on page 55 that shadow magic exists in the Realms, and that it is not to be confused with shadow weave magic.
Finally, as to weather a follower of Mystra would be "in trouble" for using a shadow weave item, I don't know that we have ever had a definative answer to that one. Given that the item doesn't require spell completion or anything to activate it, a Weave user might not even notice that it IS a shadow weave item. |
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Calrond
Learned Scribe
USA
118 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2007 : 03:40:24
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Thanks, that answer helped a lot man. I've heard your "stolen bandwidth" analogy for the Shadow Weave and I like it. Now that you mention it, I do remember reading that shadow magic exists and isn't to be confused with Shadow Weave magic, and the Knowledge (religion) explanation makes sense too. (It's only a DC 5 too, so it seems more like a general knowledge of religion than specific devotion to, say, Shar.)
Is there anyone in the Realms that has a Shadow Veil that we've heard of? I would think there would be a lot of wizards with access to one or the means to create one. I'd even think Jarlaxle would have one except that it doesn't hide a person from anyone with Darkvision or Infravision, and so it would be pretty useless to him in Menzoberranzan. |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2007 : 04:10:21
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Not too many of the ancilary books like Libris Mortis have worked their contents into mainstream Realms products. A lot of Draconomicon and Races of the Dragon information was inserted into Dragons of Faerun because it presented a perfect oppourtunity to do so. Similarly, some epic level material as well as rules from Heroes of Battle made it into Power of Faerun, due to its theme, and Champions of Ruin/Champions of Valor had vile/exalted tie ins.
I think if we ever get a dedicated Forgotten Realms undead book (I have no idea if one is on the horizon. With RLB's trilogy coming it, it would make sense, but then again, that is assuming quite a bit considering a lot of trilogies haven't had tie in accessories), we might seem some Libris Mortis items show up once designers look at the book for inspiration (even though the item in question has a lot more utility beyond undead applications).
Then again, if it shows up in the Magic Item Compendium, it might get some play as well, as I have noticed some spells seemed to gained a higher profile in products once they were consolidated in that tome. |
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Shadow Veils in Faerun
