tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4353391426294254427.post4794064302806578983..comments2024-03-25T22:48:31.750-04:00Comments on Dreams in the Lich House: Mythic Monday: St PatrickJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18031181424520125213noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4353391426294254427.post-33211782719841896512011-03-19T10:42:42.115-04:002011-03-19T10:42:42.115-04:00I think it's fair to differentiate between thi...I think it's fair to differentiate between things that are historical and legendary. I'm using the term historical loosely - 'attested by a historical source of the same time period'. I'm sure there are some history majors in the blogosphere that would have a formal definition of what defines whether something is historically attested.<br /><br />But it's a fair point to say not to discount myth or legends just because they're not "historical". Something doesn't have to be factual or tangible (or historical) to be true. There's a quote from Black Elk that's stayed with me, something like "I don't know if this is how the story really happened, but you know the story is true". Getting hung up on facts can cause us to miss the point. It can be like that with many religious stories; a secular example would be George Washington and the cherry tree. I don't care if the real George Washington never cut his dad's tree down - it's a powerful story about truth and honesty that's grown through the telling; kids continue to learn from it today and parents continue to use it to teach (at least I would hope so).<br /><br />Well - getting a bit away from gaming - I'll hop off the soap box. Thanks for dropping in!Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18031181424520125213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4353391426294254427.post-45356268188119769792011-03-19T08:40:43.713-04:002011-03-19T08:40:43.713-04:00@Beedo
Book of Kells is an awesome movie.
I do hav...@Beedo<br />Book of Kells is an <i>awesome</i> movie.<br />I do have a quibble with the term "legendary," though. Understandably, our scientific 21st minds have a difficult time accepting the various miracles ascribed to saints, especially some of the fantastic ones like those of St. Patrick; however, having witnessed my share of miracles in these modern, scientific times, I cannot bring myself to dismiss them so easily.<br /><br />@ClawCarver<br />The wilderness is the natural habitat for demons in a Biblical geography. Note that even when Christ exorcised Legion (they were so many) out of the demoniac, He did not destroy them — they merely shifted over to a herd of pigs. So, you better believe the wilderness in my campaign worlds are just crawling with nasties.FrDavehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00459281821319914530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4353391426294254427.post-17174453304509042992011-03-15T17:54:01.309-04:002011-03-15T17:54:01.309-04:00Good stuff. I like the bit at the start of Acallam...Good stuff. I like the bit at the start of Acallam na Senórach ("Tales of the Elders") when St Patrick meets Caílte mac Rónáin and his companions (giant, 200+ year old, pagan warriors).<br /><br />"Then Patrick arose and sprinkled holy water on these great men, for, until that day, a thousand legions of demons had been above their heads. The demons fled from them in all directions, into the hills and rock-clefts and off to the far reaches of the country."<br /><br />Two thoughts: Firstly, a thousand legions of demons! That's quite some Turn by our cleric there. Secondly, notice that the demons aren't destroyed. Rather, they flee into the wilderness. If I had a legend like this in my campaign, I think I would be in dereliction of my DMing duties if some of those demons weren't still lurking in remote hills and caves, nursing their grievances...<br /><br />Word verification: beheaddl - ancient Celtic wargame.ClawCarverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07236809815213343281noreply@blogger.com