Legends of Belariath
Classes
Priest/ess
Every religion has faithful and devoted attendees, those knowledgeable in the Gods, those whose zeal encourages them to seek to spread the tenets of their pantheon. Those would be Clerics. Those who tend to, and convey the will of the Gods are the Priest(ess). In short, Priest(ess) are Clerics who have been initiated into the higher rites of their religion, or who are chosen by the God or Gods themselves to lead the faith. Where a Cleric focuses on the personal, the Priest(ess) sees the bigger picture. It is they, to whom their God will speak, to whom signs and portents will be given, whose duty it will be to instruct the Clerics under them. It is the Priest(ess) who forms the heart of the temple. Their devotion serves as a testament to others, and their wrath a reminder of the power of their Gods. One should keep in mind, though, that their devotion to their Gods are absolute, and that their motives are their Gods'.
Character Creation
Allowable Races: Cat Person, Centaur, Chirot, Dark Elf, Dwarf, High Elf, High Human, Merfolk, Minotaur, Sithian, Swan Maiden, Wemic
Qualifying Classes: Cleric
Dual-class restriction: Can only dual with: Druid, Healer
Type of Class: Advanced Magical
Spell Spheres Allowed: Divine, Racial, Common
Armor: A
Weapons: A
Class Bonus Stats:
| STR | INT | AGI | RES | STA | SPL | LFE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonus Stats | 0 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3 |
Mindset:
Most Priestesses and Priests will say that they were chosen or called to their position by the divine. Piety and faith should be assumed, though still evident, for they are chosen from the ranks of those sworn to the service of their God(s). Instead, there is a touch of the divine, a higher purpose, a grander fate in store for them. Often, this manifests as a talent for compelling oratory and a keen insight into the hearts and minds of their fellow mortals. Their counsel is wise beyond their years, as they receive the word of their God(s), and such powers can direct supplicants along auspicious paths. Authority is not some mantle they wear like a cloak, but a second skin they accept as naturally as their own. Their involvement in politics is inevitable, for it is their duty to make the will of the Gods known. In some areas of the world, they might be the only true voice their God has. How can they, then, not speak?
Advantage:
The Voice of Gods
Those who follow the path of the Priest(ess) are those with unwavering faith in their God, those who lead the followers of their faith and even the unfaithful by prime example and deed, bringing forth their God's blessings and curses to demonstrate their patron's power and care. If they are at the center of one of their religion's focal locations, like a shrine or temple, those demonstrations go smoother than in the outside world.
Mechanics:
The Priest(ess) is able to target multiple persons with Divine Sphere Spells. For each time the Priest(ess) class is taken, they may choose an additional target at normal stamina cost for the spells of the first target, and half stamina cost for every additional target. Focus Enchants DO NOT reduce that secondary stamina cost which is calculated normally. A 15 slot spell, in which the caster has 7 slots of focus would cost 8 Stamina initially and for every other target another 8 stamina. Should the Priest(ess) be at a shrine or temple of their faith, then there are no extra costs for additional targets. This is a very limited multi target effect and requires that the chosen targets be within 30 yards of the priestess. Please view the Divine sphere to see each individual spell that can be used for this advantage.
Divine Presence
The Priest(ess) is a chosen servant of the divine, and will assume an aspect related to their patron(s) as proof of their Gods' favor and their mandate. As such, the Priest(ess) may (as a roleplay-only OOB effect) wreathe themselves in divine majesty, serving to inspire the faithful and remind others of the presence and gaze of the divine. A commonality across all such manifestations is the presence, the glimpse of something unearthly and powerful. Usually, this presence carries with it a feeling of authority, a demand for respect. In addition, there are sensory aspects to this manifestation that are particular to the God(s) whose majesty is being invoked. Examples include: An aura of fire, or a burning gaze (Uvelcra), unearthly grace and sensuality, or a heady musky scent (Ishtar), a fearsome darkness with intensely glowing red eyes (Kirva), a booming voice that inspires valor (Aden Ver), and so on. Priest(ess) are encouraged to remember that this is a mere mote of divine energy, thus it does not affect physical changes and is purely for inspiration/intimidation purposes. A fire aura (for example) will not start anything on fire. Additionally, the observers may react to it how they wish in the context in which they see it. Thus, it may very well inspire a believer, or intimidate a follower of a different pantheon, but it might backfire as well.
Disadvantage:
Divine Attunement
Calling forth a God's blessing is not something done easily, it requires concentration and time as well as devotion. Not just that, but also a very clear image of what the asked favor should do. Therefore, the Priest(ess) requires far more time to switch from prayers to offensive actions. A god's favor is, after all, not something easily gained, nor do they care for the fickle sways of mortal minds.
Mechanics:
When a Priest(ess) casts a blessing onto his allies or curses his foes, he cannot use a prayer of opposing intent for as many times as he has targeted someone with a blessing or curse through 'The Voice of Gods'. That means a Priest(ess) that has used Shielding Hand on himself/herself and one additional target would then have to wait 2 turns to cast a curse.
Paragon of Faith
The Priest(ess) is the chosen of the Gods, but they are not chosen for the Priest(ess) personal glory. Instead, they are expected to be the first of the faithful, embodying the mindset of the pantheon. The Priest(ess) will most often be found on holy ground, exhorting the faithful to follow the will of the Gods, listening to divine wisdom, and performing the proper rites to keep holy order. When in public, the Priest(ess) is expected to embrace and demonstrate the tenets of their faith, to hold their Gods' views first and foremost and act upon them. A Kirvan Priest(ess), can be counted on to treat free High Elves with contempt (enslaved High Elves know their place, after all). Shearans can be counted on to scorn the presence of Kiroans, if not treat them with open hostility, and so on. Failure to adhere to the will of the Gods is swiftly punished. Nothing will seem to go right. Their rituals become clunky, their actions clumsy. Perhaps the milk they just bought yesterday sours and they find a worm broken in the next apple they take a bite out of. Misfortune and ill tidings follow until they offer their God proper reconciliation. Most religions have rites for such things, and usually call for a sacrifice or a service demonstrating their penitence. These rites are often performed by other Priest(ess). Should they be the only local one for their pantheon, the offending Priest(ess) might make the offering themselves.