Dear Underdark community,
I have updated the rules and lore topics for you to take into account the recent updates by Rasael and Luna. And also to clarify a number of issues that were left vague, leading to questions by players. I have also attempted to make the text easier to read.
It would be very helpful to receive your feedback on the changes, so that we know if everything is now in order, and if we forgot or overlooked something.
The topics that were updated are:
- The Laws of S'shamath.
- Lore: Everything about Sshamath. (some of the additions are in blue color)
And a new topic was created: The Stonestave: Formal petitions to the Conclave.
The largest additions are this:
Religion
In S'shamath around 8% of the citizenry are devoted worshipers of Lolth, while another 10% is a regular worshiper, and then about 65% of the population pays her token lip service along with other deities.
Since the Illithilich War of 1348 / 49 DR or 4220 / 21 SC there has been a marked increase in the amount of devoted worshipers and regular worshipers of Lolth. At the same time there was also a very slight rise in those who pay her lipservice. This means that overall the Spider Queen has gained a modest amount worshipers, compared with the total population, and that her worship is the largest in the City by a large margin. However, the worship of Lolth does not dominate the city, though the majority of people are certainly ill at ease ignoring or angering her. The worship of other deities hasn't been severely affected.
Other popular deities are in order of popularity:
- (0. Lolth (18% of the population are regular or devoted worshipers) )
- 1. Vhaeraun (12%)
- 2. Mystra (11%)
- 3. Gaunadaur (9%)
- 4. Selvetarm (7%)
- 5. Azuth (6%)
- 6. Zinzerena (6%)
- 7. Erevan Ilesere / Ghollhyr (under demi-deity guise, 5%)
- 8. Eilistraee (4%)
- 9. Hanali Celanil / Euotet (in demi-deity guise, 3%),
- 10. Savras (3%)
- 11. Labelas Enoreth / Solzhaun (under demi-deity guise, 3%)
- 12. Correllon Larethian / Vhaid Ih'ara (in demi-deity guise, 2%)
- 13. Fenmarel Mestarine / Do'gareth (under demi-deity guise, 2%)
- 14. Kiaransalee (1%)
- 15. Other, or regular or devoted atheist (8%)
Notable is the fact that several Seldarine deities are present in S'shamath disguised as Drow Demi-deities. These deities name themselves after their porfolios and defining traits in the Drow language, and are not known or recognized by their regular clergy or churches.
Seldarine deities in S'shamath:
- Correllon Larethian = Vhaid Ih'ara (The proud protector)
- Erevan Ilesere = Ghollhyr (Of the lucky tricks)
- Fenmarel Mestarine = Do'gareth (the strong outcast)
- Hanali Celanil = Euotet (As lovely as a Gem)
- Labelas Enoreth = Solzhaun (the knowing eye)
And this:
Defenses
Like all drow enclaves, Sshamath is well defended by both arms and Art, though perhaps less so than some other cities, as there are no nearby enemies to pose a threat to the city. Only the crafting of the priesthood of Lolth found in many other cities are largely absent.
On a citywide scale, each recognized school of magic contributes to Sshamath's defenses, each overseeing a particular aspect or aspects. The continuing struggle between wizards and their schools to outdo one another has created an increasing layer of wards and other arcane defenses, which already makes the city nigh-impregnable to outside attack.
The most formidable of these defenses consist of epic spells that harden the stone, lock down the city in a continual Dimensional Anchor, redirect Teleport spells cast by strangers, and cause paralyzing pain to anyone within a 1 mile radius who seriously thinks about attacking the city or its citizens. There are many other examples of the city's arcane defenses, too numerous to list here. The overall effect is not unlike a mythal in many regards, though the overlapping effects are not woven together as with a true mythal, and sometimes these wards and spells may combine or counteract each other unexpectedly.
The near-mythal is essentially a web or spells and wards which is partly tied with the Earth-node beneath the City. In many ways it resembles or surpasses a mythal as a very complex piece of spellcraft. But in other ways it is unlike a mythal, for example because it has no centralized control spell to which the web of spells is attached. Instead its entirely decentralized with layers of spells tacked onto each other, which occasionally results in the mentioned unpredictable magical effects. The near-mythal like effect is collectively referred to as 'the wards', most of the inhabitants of S'shamath either do not know what a mythal is, or do not consider the wards similar enough to call them a near-mythal. Outsiders who have heard a thing or two about mythals do sometimes make the comparison.
The city guard of S'shamath possesses wands imprinted with their identity which are capable of paralyzing and inflicting debilitating pain on anyone who ignores their commands. The wards of the City inflict the same on anyone in S'shamath who attacks another inhabitant, and they protect everyone from harm. The automatic enforcement and protection by the wards does not extend to the sewers, tombs, and darkwoods district.
It should be clear in any case that fights and violence and disobedience are unlikely to happen in S'shamath. Even in absence of the guards the wards would protect the City's inhabitants. But the tombs, sewers, and Darkwoods district are another matter. Those areas are mostly exempt from the wards, although they can be extended there if the Conclave desires. This means that duels often taken place in the Darkwoods, and assassinations during secret parties or congregations in the sewers and tombs.
Law enforcement has also been clarified through this paragraph in the laws topic:
The city guard of S'shamath possess wands imprinted with their identity which are capable of paralyzing and inflicting debilitating pain on anyone who ignores their commands. The wards of the City inflict the same on anyone in S'shamath who attacks another inhabitant, and they protect everyone from harm. The automatic enforcement and protection by the wards does not extend to the sewers, tombs, and darkwoods district.
Thank you for your feedback!
