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Greyhawk Expressions / Sayings
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Journeyman Greytalker

Joined: Feb 06, 2011
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From: South Africa, Cape Town

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Sun Sep 18, 2011 11:31 pm  
Greyhawk Expressions / Sayings

Greetings,

I was referencing some of my Greyhawk books for my updated campaign guide that I writing and have seen a couple of references to "Greyhawk Expressions."

This is where I thought it may be a good idea to get a topic started with all the expressions listed that people have seen over the years from different sources. Even the ones of your own creation would be of interest. Below is a couple that are listed in the Greyhawk Player's Guide.

Cold Iron Avail You! - Refers to cold iron against undead or servants of Iuz
I Spit on The Old One! - Refers to bravery or Disdain. - Highfolk of Furyondy

Stone Endures! As Long as Stone Endures! Stone Endures Still! - Refers to greeting and sign of friendship to those allied with the Dwarves Irongate

'Ware and Were, Friend! - Refers to greeting used by the Rangers of the Gnarley and friends of the werebears.

Hands in Your Pockets, Eyes on Your Purse! - Refers to a common farewell in the City of Greyhawk.

Until the Starbreak - Refers to Farewell and oath of fidelity among the Northern Barbarians

May the Axe Grow Great! - Refers to Heironeous, hope that he may grow and thrive used by the exiles Knight of the Holy Shielding. In the hopes that one day there lands will be reclaimed

Are You Athought? - refers to Senioir of the Scarlet Brotherhood to intimidate there juniors.

Great Kingdom, Great Kingdom! - Refers to Furyondian phrase meaning things never change.

Sure as a Shielding Oath! - Referring to the Knights of the Holy Shielding, famed Loyalty

Sweet as The Mistmarsh - Refers to a deal or agreement gone bad or is fishy.

Kill Your Father, Eat Your Mother! - Refers to insulting Orcs of the Pomarj to do evil, but could lead to violence if the orc's parents are dead.

Reference - Greyhawk Player's Guide p49. AD&D (9578)

Yours Graciously,
The Dark Herald


Last edited by DarkHerald on Mon Sep 19, 2011 5:31 am; edited 1 time in total
Black Hand of Oblivion

Joined: Feb 16, 2003
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Mon Sep 19, 2011 12:10 am  

Another group of sayings, care of the Temple of St. Cuthbert in Hommlet(from T1 The Village of Hommlet/T1-4 The Temple of Elemental Evil ):

Square corners can be pounded smooth.

Thick heads are not made of glass.

Salvation is better than smart answers.

Some good folk can only understand one thing.

Enlightenment can penetrate even the helm of iron.

Evil which cannot be removed must be eliminated.

Foolishness can be beaten.

Lawful correction lies in a stout billet.

Capricious behavior brings knots to the heads of those lacking wisdom.

Preach quietly, but have a large cudgel handy.


Ah, the loving wisdom of the gentle St. Cuthbert. Laughing
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Last edited by Cebrion on Tue Sep 20, 2011 6:13 am; edited 1 time in total
Journeyman Greytalker

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Mon Sep 19, 2011 12:29 am  

Cebrion wrote:
Another group of sayings, care of the Temple of St. Cuthbert in Hommlet(from T1 The Village of Hommlet/T1-4 The Temple of Elemental Evil ):


Funny you should mention ToEE. I am busy with a rewrite of ToEE for my group for next year and it was just reading the Cuthbertine sayings :)
Master Greytalker

Joined: May 12, 2005
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Mon Sep 19, 2011 4:41 pm  

If you're looking for religious sayings as well, the Living Greyhawk Deities document is full of them.
Journeyman Greytalker

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Mon Sep 19, 2011 9:42 pm  

All Greyhawk expressions from greetings to religious sayings are welcome.

I thought it would be nice to have a document with all the accumulated sayings together for easy reference, as it really adds flavour to the game.


Last edited by DarkHerald on Mon Sep 19, 2011 11:24 pm; edited 1 time in total
Journeyman Greytalker

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Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:55 pm  

"...the phrase “frightful as a Watcher’s title,” denoting someone who wishes to appear more powerful or grand than they truly are."

Source: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=lg/lgpg/20050517a
Master Greytalker

Joined: Nov 01, 2007
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Tue Sep 20, 2011 5:46 am  

Cebrion wrote:
Squad corners can be pounded smooth.


Shocked Perhaps they're "square" corners? It would make a little more sense that way .... although, you never know. Maybe it's referring to street corners on a military base, where individual units are known for marching with vehemence. The iron-shod boots of the soldiers pounding on the ground wear down even the paving stones - like the unrelenting priests of Cuthbert wear down the resistance of the unfaithful? Squad Corners can be pounded smooth?

Razz Laughing Razz
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Black Hand of Oblivion

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Tue Sep 20, 2011 6:14 am  

Fixed. And that is why nobody should ever trust any sort of spellcheck feature. Wink
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GreySage

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Tue Sep 20, 2011 10:21 am  

Well, that happens sometimes, Cebrion.

Isn't it amazing how often our "computer opponent" rolls a natural 20? Shocked
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Adept Greytalker

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Sat Sep 24, 2011 12:00 am  

I'd love to find a good, general greeting to differentiate Greyhawk from the "well met' Forgotten Realms. Any ideas?
GreySage

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Sat Sep 24, 2011 7:45 am  

vestcoat wrote:
I'd love to find a good, general greeting to differentiate Greyhawk from the "well met' Forgotten Realms.


Hmm. Not quite sure what you mean by that. Confused

The greeting "Hail and well met" -- which I often use -- comes from our own medieval times and has nothing to do with Forgotten Realms. I was unaware of any connection. But then, I'm not that big of a Forgotten Realms fan. Evil Grin

So, given that it's taken from our Real World and not in anyway coming from Faerun -- not by me, anyway -- I will continue to use that greeting. Wink
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Journeyman Greytalker

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Sat Sep 24, 2011 8:10 am  

Why is it I envision The Scarlet Brotherhood greeting one another with "Cool story, bro" ;)

As far as sayings, the subaqueous folk often call air-breathers Drylanders or "Those Above". Those who enjoy spending time above the surface, known as Synsaal or "The Barrier Between Worlds", are often referred to as being a bit "soft in the shell".
Adept Greytalker

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Sat Sep 24, 2011 10:26 am  

Mystic-Scholar wrote:
vestcoat wrote:
I'd love to find a good, general greeting to differentiate Greyhawk from the "well met' Forgotten Realms.


Hmm. Not quite sure what you mean by that. Confused

The greeting "Hail and well met" -- which I often use -- comes from our own medieval times and has nothing to do with Forgotten Realms. I was unaware of any connection. But then, I'm not that big of a Forgotten Realms fan. Evil Grin

So, given that it's taken from our Real World and not in anyway coming from Faerun -- not by me, anyway -- I will continue to use that greeting. Wink

I meant no offense to you Mystic Scholar! I know you like to say that and it's unfortunate that I responded to this thread right after one of your posts. I'm genuinely just looking for alternate greetings to use IMC.

I know "well met" is an archaic, real-world greeting, but it also happens to be ubiquitous in the FR setting. I'd like to use something else.
GreySage

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Sat Sep 24, 2011 10:52 am  

vestcoat wrote:
I meant no offense to you Mystic Scholar! I know you like to say that . . .


Pish tosh! Twernt naught, my good fellow! Happy

vestcoat wrote:
but it also happens to be ubiquitous in the FR setting.


Say tis not so, my good man! Shocked

vestcoat wrote:
I'm genuinely just looking for alternate greetings to use IMC.


Another greeting/farewell they liked to use was: "May the road be kind to you."

They also used: "Peace be unto you." Not in the purely religious context, but warrior to warrior.

I have a couple of books that discuss things like this, I'll see what they say. Wink
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Master Greytalker

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Sun Sep 25, 2011 8:45 am  
"Well Met" in the Realms

vestcoat wrote:
I know "well met" is an archaic, real-world greeting, but it also happens to be ubiquitous in the FR setting. I'd like to use something else.

That's about the nicest possible way to put it I've ever heard! ... and quite an understatement, as well!
I think that I may possibly first have recognized Elminster saying it, or perhaps in the "Wizards Three" articles ... but, it's most likely every single FR book I've ever read. And it's ... uber-prolific. Sometimes, it's several times in a single conversation, and dozens of times in a single book. It's almost like they refused to write the word "hello". I mean, they do say other things ... "Pleasant day, goodman." "Lathander shine on you, lass!" "Evenin', Seneschal!" "Afternoon, Steward!" ... ...
But ... "Well met!" is out of just about every common man's mouth!
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GreySage

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Sun Sep 25, 2011 9:00 am  
Re: "Well Met" in the Realms

Icarus wrote:
But ... "Well met!" is out of just about every common man's mouth!


I had no idea. Surprised

The Faerun taint is pervasive, to say the least!

Faerun is infecting everything! It is a virus that must be expunged! Mad

Okay, so maybe that's a little much. Wink
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Adept Greytalker

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Sun Sep 25, 2011 10:10 am  

IIRC, every installment of SKR's "Core Beliefs" series in Dragon had a number of sayings associated with each covered faith.
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