How do YOU think of Menoth?

[squidstudios]

I had this thread posted in the modeling section, as I hope to use this info in selecting a color scheme for my soon-to-be WIP Avatar of Menoth. Seeing as he's the divinely inspired representation of the deity, I'd like to get a basic understanding of how people see Menoth. There's plenty of discussion in the PoM boards about Paladins, burning heretics, etc...so where do your views of Menoth lie in all that?

Forget what the "official" answer is (assuming one could even be compiled?). I'd like to hear how you see Menoth: good, bad, benevolent, vengeful...? Why do you think people follow him? Sure, some follow because they fear the Scrutators, but we know inquisitions didn't and don't actually work to convert people. So, why do people willfully serve Menoth? Why do your favorite casters or characters serve him?

[Snake Eyes]

In Caen, like the real world, I would assume that people rarely evaluate, compare, and select their religion. I would guess that most followers of Menoth likely were born into the religion. Also a world full of war and destruction is a ripe setting for conversion for religions that are willing to go proselytize, like the Protectorate.

[Bastion5]

To me Menoth seems alot like Haedes God of the underworld, he particularly isnt evil but likes his world clean and not full of heathans and heretics. Not sure if there ever was one, but i see the religion of menoth closely related to a religion based off Haedes

[Snake Eyes]

Hate to bring in more real world analogy, especially religious, but Menoth = Old Testament God and Morrowan = New Testament God. Vengeful, spiteful, and war-like god vs. caring, forgiving, and peaceful god. Menoth just cares that 1) people worship him so he gets their souls for the Soul War and 2) that order and law are prevalent. Other than that he doesn't really seem to care what happens on Caen or what his followers do.

The fluff has never alluded to Menoth or any deities getting any power out of the abstract concepts they favor, only the followers they have. So I don't really know if Menoth actually does care about law and order or whether a bunch of chaotic and lawless, but loyal and devout, followers would serve his purposes just as well. I think he'd be okay with them as long a he gets their delicious souls.

[Lanz]

That's... a really good question... I hadn't thought of it too much before. I suppose it's hard to think of menoth as a 'person' rather than an idea, since we don't really know what Urcaen is like. Does menoth have a kingdom in Urcaen with a host of the spirits of the faithful living in his glory? I dunno. I guess the easist way to explain what I think menoth would be like, would be to make him a human.

I see menoth as being a rather self-centered dude. So where a normal god may be plain, and humble, I see menoth being like a priest-king. A bit short-fused maybe, probably would execute those under him who fail him. Probably oozes charisma, people just would not be able to say no to him. He would glow like the sun, and be hard to look directly at. He'd probably be a warrior, maybe not in armor at all times, but he'd have a weapon at his side at all times, a sword, I'd think. Maybe he'd be in armor a lot too, since he's always fighting with the devourer wyrm(worm?). I see something like an intricate gold-armored knight with flowing tabard/robes. Again, probably very royalty-like, but obviously a warrior too.

I guess I'd compare him most strongly to the Knights Exemplar, or the Paladins. More the exemplar, I see him being more vengful and aggressive, than protective and defensive.

[zulu81]

Menoth is the Lawgiver and the God of Man. He brings order from the Chaos. He cares not for individual souls or humans but that the both the material and spirtual worlds are orderly and obey theier respective laws. He is not compassionate, vengeful, angry, caring, good, evil or even emotional. His choosen representives on Caen may be all those things but He is not. He is the LAW. Nothing matters but the facts and if order is disrupted. Is something disrupts that order it is removed by whatever means required. If that requires entire villages and countrys to be burnt to start over, fine. If it can be done by seduction, great. If if can be done though inspriation, good. The ends always justify the means. The result is all that matters.

[darisus]

Menoth is the Lawgiver and the God of Man. He brings order from the Chaos. He cares not for individual souls or humans but that the both the material and spirtual worlds are orderly and obey theier respective laws. He is not compassionate, vengeful, angry, caring, good, evil or even emotional. His choosen representives on Caen may be all those things but He is not. He is the LAW. Nothing matters but the facts and if order is disrupted. Is something disrupts that order it is removed by whatever means required. If that requires entire villages and countrys to be burnt to start over, fine. If it can be done by seduction, great. If if can be done though inspriation, good. The ends always justify the means. The result is all that matters.


"I am the LAW!!!" - Judge Dread

[paradox]

Menoth is Right.

[gold_penguin]

he'd have a weapon at his side at all times, a sword, I'd think.
He's usually pictured with a flail, but if you want to picture the big guy with a sword, I'm sure that's cool too.

I think of Menoth like a strict dad. He created you, gave you a roof over your head and gave you food, so he expects you to be grateful, treat him with respect, and follow his rules. If you don't, then he gets pretty mad, and punishes you.

In the past, he's been a pretty distant dad, off at work all the time, fighting in the soul wars. But now he's realised that you haven't been doing your chores, and he's back to make sure that you realise how slack you've been, and set you on the straight and narrow.

[Soylent]

Hate to bring in more real world analogy, especially religious, but Menoth = Old Testament God and Morrowan = New Testament God. Vengeful, spiteful, and war-like god vs. caring, forgiving, and peaceful god. Menoth just cares that 1) people worship him so he gets their souls for the Soul War and 2) that order and law are prevalent. Other than that he doesn't really seem to care what happens on Caen or what his followers do.

The fluff has never alluded to Menoth or any deities getting any power out of the abstract concepts they favor, only the followers they have. So I don't really know if Menoth actually does care about law and order or whether a bunch of chaotic and lawless, but loyal and devout, followers would serve his purposes just as well. I think he'd be okay with them as long a he gets their delicious souls.

Having been to 3 years of seminary, the OT and NT God are one and the same. The OT was more or less a ministry to the Jews while the NT is a ministry to the Gentile. I'd rather not turn the forum into a discussion of theology but if someone cares to discuss OT/NT theology I'd be happy to in PMs.

[Seon]

Menoth looks like the usual awesome dude in fullplate with a cape, and carries a zweihander of which the hilt is a menofix of appropriate size.
he sits at the head of the god table like hes some kind of god king even though they are probably all equals, and they just go squabble gobble gobble all the time and talk about their godly stuff. but he just sits there like -_- . untill someone starts harassing him of which he shall stand up and challenge them to a UNMORTAL KOMBAT and causes FATALITY upon his foe :D otherthen that he just makes sure the law is obeyed.

completely agree with zulu81 :)

[Myles]

Actually, I'm totally with gold penguin, I think he nailed it beautifully.

But I've amended the quote for it to be a bit more in line with my view of the Sul-Menite religion




I think of Menoth like an abusive stepdad. He took you in and taught you DIY and was really nice and protective at first, so he expects you to be grateful, treat him with respect, and follow his rules. If you don't, then he gets really overbearing and, for example, will give you the belt for a good 20 minutes then force you to wear a girl's sunday dress and lock you in the basement for 4 hours with no dinner because you smiled politely at the fully-clothed woman who wasn't the one he had arranged for you to marry.

In the past, he's been a pretty distant dad, off at work all the time, fighting in the soul wars. But now he's realised that you haven't been doing your chores, and he's back to make sure that you realise how slack you've been and he's determined to grind any sense of independence or lust for life you may have developed while he's been gone.