House Morcane

PrinceMyshkin · Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 4:41 pm Post subject: Information about Selvetarm

Sources of information: http://drowcampaign.roleplaynexus.com/Selvetarm.html, http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Selvetarm

As we may have an increased number of fighters faithful to Selvetarm, I have found some information, which you may wish to consider if you RP a follower of Selvetarm.

Selvetarm

Selvetarm, known also as The Spider that Waits or Lolth's Champion, is a chaotic evil demigod worshipped by few drow in the Underdark; the place where his worshippers are most common are in the city of Eryndlyn. He is the patron of unequaled battle prowess and bloodlust. Selvetarm cares only for battle and destruction everywhere, and he has a great hatred for all things living, although that is nothing compared to the hate he has stored for his mistress Lolth.

DOGMA:
War is the ultimate expression of individual power, and only through battle and death can one realize the respect of one's comrades. Hone your fighting skills constantly and teach those who will follow into the fray. Never give or receive quarter, and die amidst the bloodlust of battle against overwhelming odds. Cultivate as many different weapon tricks and combat maneuvers as a spider has arms, and never fear that hidden venom, like a secret vengeance waiting to strike, will serve you ill.

MANIFESTATIONSSelvetarm rarely bothers to simply manifest in the Realms when entreated by his followers, as he prefers to either dispatch his avatar directly or ignore the supplication. He occasionally manifests when his avatar is otherwise occupied and the outcome of the fray is of great interest to him. In such situations, Selvetarm manifests as a tiny sphere of absolute blackness that slowly grows in size over the course of 3 rounds from about 1 inch in diameter to about 1 foot in diameter and then explodes in a shower of blades equivalent in effect to the cleric spell blade barrier, though it grants its victims no saving throw vs. spell against its effects.
Selvetarm commonly acts through the appearance or presence of myrlochar (soul spiders), retrievers, and spiders of all sorts. The Spider Demon shows his favor through the discovery of rogue stones, pieces of dried silver-bark, and webstone, and his displeasure by causing steel weapons and armor to shatter in combat even after a glancing blow.

THE CHURCH:

Selvetarm's clergy are known collectively as the Selvetargtlin, which is drow for warriors of Selvetarm. Titles used by Selvetarm's clergy vary widely across temple hierarchies, but those used in the city of Eryndlyn include Edge of the Axe, Crush of the Mace, Steel of the Blade, Tusk of the Boar, Hunger of the Swarm, Claw of the Cave Bear, Talon of the Wyrm, and Bloodlust of the Berserker. High-ranking priests of the Spider Demon have unique individual titles. Specialty priests are known as spiderswords. The clergy of Selvetarm includes both male (70%) and female dark elves (8%) as well as male (15%) and female aranea (7%).

Day-to-Day Activities:
Selvetarm's faithful spend most of their days guarding fortifications, honing their fighting skills, participating in patrols, guarding slave caravans, and getting into fights over status and petty slights. Many spend much of their time training other warriors in the art of war. While the Selvetargtlin are rightly known for their skill in battle, the teachings of the faith place little emphasis on tactics or strategy and thus few members of Selvetarm's clergy achieve a high military rank.

Holy Days/Important Ceremonies:
Selvetarm's faithful are expected to observe the rituals of Lolth, as directed by her priests. (Those who have recently emigrated from Eryndlyn have abandoned this practice, so far without divine retribution, and are said to be praying for guidance in new ways of honoring the Spider Demon.) Selvetarm does expect all who take up arms in his name to cry out his name in the bloodlust of battle as they deliver the killing blow to a foe. Since there is always the chance that any attack will be a fatal one, the Selvetargtlin tend to constantly scream out their god's name during a battle.
The aranea of the Spider Swamp venerate Zanassu with a totally different set of rituals, notable in comparison for their emphasis on patience, craftiness, and subtlety. Such ceremonies involve animal sacrifices to the Spider That Waits-typically a boar or lizard-and repeating litanies beseeching him to return. The holiest day of the year is the 6th of Kythorn, the day on which Zanassu returned after his millennial exile. On this day all of the aranea celebrate their deliverance through fasting and ritual combat.

Adventuring Garb:
Selvetarm's faithful employ the best armor and weapons available, although they eschew the use of shields-with the notable exception of spiked bucklers-and missile weapons such as bows and crossbows. Most dark elves who venerate the Spider Demon employ drow boots, a drow cloak, and drow chain mail inscribed with Selvetarm's symbol on the breast. Most Selvetargtlin are trained in the use of two melee weapons. Favorite combinations include sword and dagger, sword and mace, and sword and axe.

PrinceMyshkin · Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 4:46 pm Post subject:

Pretty much sounds like a freak! Twisted Evil

Dlareh · Ceil, Rad Joined: 20 Jan 2008 Posts: 854

Cool info. The most important thing for RP purposes is recognizing that you're serving Lolth through Selvetarm. If your character serves Selvetarm, and Selvetarm serves Lolth (was her champion) then that means you serve Lolth. You're just a significantly lesser servant than e.g. a priestess who directly serves Lolth.
_________________
I know not with what devices D&D 5E will be played, but D&D 6E will be played with papers and pencils.

PrinceMyshkin · Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 4:51 pm Post subject:

In addition Selvetarm is Lloth's son and follows Her out of fear. Fear is the most important principle in Drow. Most of them follow Lloth and Selvetarm out of fear knowing both are powerful to crush them.

Dlareh · Ceil, Rad Joined: 20 Jan 2008 Posts: 854

Hmm, more like grandson and consort? Vhaeraun is her son, he's the offspring of Vhaeraun and "Zandilar the Dancer", a demipower.

adzling · Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 5:42 pm Post subject:

this is metagaming bait can we move this thread to the members only section dave or mysh?

thanks

Dlareh · Ceil, Rad Joined: 20 Jan 2008 Posts: 854

Metagaming bait? It's just lore. Info. so people know more about Selvetarm and can play a male cleric properly Confused

There's nothing heretical here, if you serve Lolth by serving her servant Selvetarm everything is just fine, so long as you don't espouse nonsense about not really serving Lolth. That's what this thread is to clarify.

We don't have a secret patron in charge or anything like that, there's no heresy here as long as everyone properly reveres Lolth, her priestesses, females over males, etc. etc. etc.
_________________
I know not with what devices D&D 5E will be played, but D&D 6E will be played with papers and pencils.

Felnak · De'Lara Joined: 28 Jan 2008 Posts: 250 Location: USA

I have spoken with several other individuals who voiced reservation about the acceptability of worthippers of Selvetarm in Szith. They quote various sources of information. However, I look to the policy of TFR as to whether followers of Selvetarm are acceptable which they seem to be as is consistent with Dlareh's statement.

Hades · Vorne Kor'ali Joined: 20 May 2008 Posts: 50

Yeah followers of Selvetarm are VERY MUCH accepted by Lolthites. Selvetarm is Lolth's champion and the one male who she counts on to protect her from enemies such as Vhaeraun and Elistraee.

One thing that I noticed no one ever touches on....

ANY time a selvetarm follower kills an opponent they are supposed to shout out his name in praise.

Example:

[Naeradil deals the killing blow to random drow, apon scoring the final blow he leans in close to his oponents face and shouts, "Selvetarm!"]

Selvetarm followers are also FORBIDDEN to ever flee from a fight.