The Renthark Guide to Parenting A Practical Guide to Raising Wise and Obedient Children By Vruk Renthark, Servant of Beshaba

The Strength of Blood

Though a single variable, well known among the faithful of Beshaba, can influence which of the parent’s traits a child receives, the temperament and character of every child lies in the blood that flows through his veins. It is a difficult fact to ponder, that the child of criminals will likely follow his father’s path, but it is scientific fact. Men breed horses for riding, hounds for the hunt’s chase, and their fellows for service or leadership.

I am reminded of two full-blooded humans I knew prior to my arrival in Sanctuary. One was born in the slums of my native Suzail to a petty burglar and a whore. Before he could be schooled in the behavior necessary to survive the cruel slums of my homeland, he was plucked up by a concerned couple of some means. He received the finest education and was trained to be a gentleman of distinction. Did he live a life of virtue, as my opponents in this particular debate would have you believe? Quite the opposite – he made a habit of engaging in criminal behavior as frequently as possible, including the same larceny that his father engaged in to earn his bread.

Secondly, a woman born to parents who were disposed to follow the Morninglord was captured by agents of Traensyr as a girl. I met her during my time in that accursed city, and she told me much about her life. Despite the knowledge that selfishness was critical to her survival, she was prone to giving freely and defending others against the cruel whips of the drow. Despite little exposure to the teachings of the Morninglord (or, for that matter, any sort of decency), the blood of her altruistic parents guided her sufficiently, until, as misfortune would have it, she was hurled through a portal to the Lower Planes by the wizard Jhaeril Maer’vlejis roughly a month before the Maid guided me to freedom. Despite their surroundings, both of these humans retained the characteristics they had been granted prior to their birth. No amount of coddling or education changed this.

Prior to Birth

The first step for a practical soon-to-be mother is to select the proper mate. Drunkards and cutthroats are generally best avoided, unless they are particularly good at their trade and are sufficiently loyal to their line. Men with fiery souls are best, as the children tend to be sufficiently bold enough to earn their keep.

The more important duty to be attended to prior to birth, and indeed the duty of every responsible mother, is to begin making regular offerings to Beshaba from the moment of conception. She is revered by mother’s concerned about the well being of their future children in nearly all surface societies, and rightly so. The duty of selecting which of the parent’s traits is passed on to the child falls squarely upon Her shoulders. For mothers concerned about whether the father’s vices or his great virtues will be passed on to the child, regular offerings to the Maid of Misfortune have been known to make immense differences. It is documented by the rulers of Cormyr that the majority of mothers whose children died within a year of birth admitted to being negligent in paying respect to Beshaba.

A Daily Prayer

Beginning on the first night of the child’s life, the following prayer should be read to your progeny every night. Encourage him to say the prayer along with you, as extra respect paid to Lady Doom will mean more fortune for you and your families.

Church Cannon

The Maid's Prayer

Beshaba, Most Holy of Holies,

We acknowledge Your role as arbiter of fortune and dispenser of fate. Guide my actions, that they may continue to please You and those who wisely serve among Your priesthood. We trust in your promise that things can become immensely worse, and we pray for continued support and protection. We thank you for Your continued shielding of those I value, and we offer praise in hopes of further prosperity in the coming weeks. May you provide misery and misfortune to all who curse and threaten my name, and continue to ensure that my line prospers.

Tips for Parenting

Several common problems were brought before the most holy church of Beshaba. For parents experiencing misfortune in the early years of their children’s lives, I have compiled a handful here.

My child does not respect me, and refuses to follow my commands.

This is a very common problem, especially as the child naturally becomes older and prone to rebellious behavior. The best thing you can do for your child is to withdraw your protection, just as Beshaba does to the faithful who have become estranged from the church. The world is a harsh place, and allowing your child to experience that will renew his faith in you and Lady Doom.

My child has been committing criminal behavior, and I am concerned about his future.

Not all illegal behavior is frowned upon by the faith, especially when government becomes excessively tyrannical. Behavior outside the law that brings honor to you and the church is welcome. Confusion is natural in these cases, so it is best to rely on the Maid's judgment.

Say a prayer to bless a coin in Her sight, then flip it. If it is heads, ignore the infractions, for the Maid approves. If tails, punish your child as the situation dictates. Take him to your priest if he does not listen to the Maid’s demands.

Your child has been honoring heretical deities, or has been committing blasphemy.

A grave situation. Much depends on what deity he has been considering, and it is recommended that you bring your child before your priest for further lessons on the importance of faith in Lady Doom. Heresy, apostasy, and blasphemy have been known to cause the Maid to withdraw Her protection of faithful families, so it is imperative that your child’s subversive behavior is curtailed.