Sometimes, while researching an item, feat, character background, or other aspect of the game we have the outrageous good fortune to run across something amazing. A small bit of knowledge or an enormous revelation. And sometimes this bit of knowledge comes in the form of knowledge so pure, so beautiful, that it must give us pause.
Recently I’ve started playing a paladin, Shivi. My first foray into the game that is the paladin. This was to some extent formulated and given shape by my discovery of a real world hero. A man of legend. And a man I had not known existed. He lived a mere 350 years ago, and perhaps that is the reason for his relative obscurity – as he is now, he is “merely” a hero in India; had he lived 2000 years ago he might rival the likes of Buddha, Confucius, Jesus and any number of other greats.
This man is Shivaji (Shivaji Raje Bhosle 1627 – 1680) a hero who successfully defied odds time and again to bring a measure of freedom to India. He and his tiny army used cunning and superior strategy to best armies ten times their size. He built a navy that held its own against the Brittish and Portuguese ships. He continuously propagated goodwill and freedom of thought and spirituality, embracing and protecting those of other faiths whilst himself being devout beyond fault. He didn’t fear to lead the charges into battle himself and the then prevalent practices of treating women as war booty, destruction of religious monuments, slavery and forceful religious conversions were firmly opposed under his administration. Shivaji was a tremendously successful king, resourceful and wily, yet also wise and benevolent – well loved by his subjects and inspiring a loyalty that is rarely found.
Shivaji was a man so great he has inspired a feat akin to the legendary king Leonidas of Sparta: whilst attempting to evade capture Baji Prabhu Deshpande, a loyal sardar (commander) of Shivaji’s, along with 300 Marathas held the chasing Persian army at bay at a narrow mountain pass at Ghod Khind. The ensuing Battle of Pavan Khind left all Marathas and 1286 Persians dead. During the battle Baji Prabhu Deshpande was near fatally wounded but continued fighting until he heard the sound of canon fire from Vishalgad, signalling Shivaji Maharaj had reached safely to the fort. This battle could be likened to a turning point, as it brought about a truce and the formal recognition of the independence of Shivaji Maharaj’s Kingdom.
The wiki-entry linked above is truly extensive, but I heartily recommend fully reading it. This is a man that truly deserves our respect and admiration.
Yes, DnD does definitely motivate one to research and find out more about the world, if only to make the game world/experience that much richer. The example you give is pretty cool, one that I did not know of before.
Comment by jatori — 9 July 2009 @ 9:10 am