Clerical Comission: The Matter of Lizard Magic

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Q-wert
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Clerical Comission: The Matter of Lizard Magic

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In the past several priests have spoken against lizards using arcane magic, going so far as labelling them heretics and commanding them to be hunted down should they refuse their one chance of correcting their path, all in the name and with the blessing of Zelphia. The most notable example of these priests would be Tlatloc, the one who brought the Holy Land of Zyathis to the height of its blessed power back on Gobatih. Maybe not surprisingly one of the most vicious hunters of heretic lizards of all kinds in the olden days was High-Templar Ssar'ney.

The reasoning of the old words marking arcane lizard magicians as heretics is built on three main arguments:


The unified approach of traditional lizard culture
Lizard settlements all over the known world, from the vast jungles south of the Gynkese cities over the grand lakes in the plains of the Serinjah steppe to the numerous islands and even the wide open sea, despite their isolated nature deviate little in culture. With few exceptions they not only maintain a unified language, but also a very uniform approach to societies values (including the very dismissive stance towards arcane lizard magic in question). The ability to maintain language and culture over small isolated pockets spread over such vast distances is claimed to be due to their societal focus on the close communication with Zelphia, as well as proof of its functionality. Even if this unity should be rooted elsewhere, it is argued that if that many settlements all over the world with the blessing of Zelphia disapprove of something, it is most unlikely the Goddess' approves of it.

The importance of Priestdom
In traditional lizard culture there is no higher honour to Mother than than doing Her will, making the profession of priests who commune with and interpret the Goddess' signs a crucial part of their society. Individuals with the mental capacity and talent to become a priest usually bear the same ability to become a magician. However, once one initiates the journey for one path, the ability to perform the other is severed.
With the scarcity of clear direct word from the Goddess, those wasting their ability become a priest willingly obfuscate Zelphias will, the priests of old reason.


The inheritance of Mothers Blessing
For lizardkind strong faith and connection to the Goddess are interwoven with good health and a strong body and the features distincting lizardkind from man. And most importantly traditional lizard culture considers these traits hereditary. Lizards bloodlines straying from the path of faith, choosing something else over faith and their connection to Zelphia, are rumoured to degenerate. As priests of the Goddess have a considerable stronger bond to Zelphia than magicians, breeding lizard mages weaken lizardkind, the priests of old reason.


The House of the Sea Serpent, rightful successor to the Holy Land of Zyathis, seeks to commission devout scholars to further investigate the matter and hand their results in written form to the House. Questions that such commissions could explore or even answer could be the following:

  • Are there scriptures on the matter from the New World and what do they say? Do they contradict scriptures from the Old World or Gobatih?
  • Could the the priests of old, blessed by miracles of the Goddess, habe been wrong?
  • Is lizard magic connected to the mad hostility of the lizards of the lake of life, who do practice magic?
  • Can there even be a way of lizard magic the Goddess approves of?

Payment will depend on quality, length, foundation as well as proof presented and can be negotiated with the High-Templar (who by now should be known for his generosity). As an rough estimate a masterful piece of considerable depth and length on the matter can be expected to be worth one to two hundred coins of gold.


For the Count High-Templar,

  • ~Lettarius
    • Scribe of the House of the Sea Serpent

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Q-wert
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Re: Clerical Comission: The Matter of Lizard Magic

Post by Q-wert »

The House of the Sea Serpent does thank the contributors to the matter, not only in word but also in coin:
  • Tarias Faelevrin: 15 coins of gold - for pointing out existing literature
  • Amira Ranevskaya: 100 coins of gold - for her well researched paper with new insights

They may turn to the Count High-Templar for their payment. The regular gathering of the House would be a good chance to do so.

Conclusions taken from the contributions, as well as a possible summary, will be published once the Houses scribe gets around to put them into adequate word. In the meantime scholars are still encouraged to bring forth their own pieces on the matter.


For the Count High-Templar,

  • ~Lettarius
    • Scribe of the House of the Sea Serpent

    Image
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