In the city my party is operating out of, the party's cleric has become the most powerful priest in his church and, by the time they get back to the city again, the most powerful cleric in the city!
I've considered having the cleric mediate an argument between rival churches/organizations, getting pulled into local politics ... somehow, or have him oversee some sort religious ceremony. However, beyond just these basic ideas I haven't been able find something that strikes me as appropriate. The cleric is a cleric of Fharlanghn if that helps.
So help me my fellow players, what could I do to give the cleric some time in the spot light?
The Local Stage:
You are The Man of the Church. You are the mirror that reflects what goes on in the Church and there will be those who wish to brighten, or darken, or shatter the view of the Church. Your first month is establishing a staff, cleaning out anything you may find, learning of the local level's machinations beyond your previous knowledge, developing ties to associated Churches... And then getting yourself into a spot where you're not having to deal with this. The Pope was a major political player throughout history, but you are the holder of a Sovereign state of worshippers of varying degrees across the entire world.
Just because you are the most powerful Cleric in the city doesn't mean there are not Churches that are stronger. Fhar's worshippers are journeyers, folk that take to the roads and ride the horizons. You hold a pretty decent sway over caravaners, sailors, scouts, teamsters, and anyone ready to make a great journey. Expect a lot of blessings of ships, carts, and feet to be placed before you... Delegation is key, but you should make a tour of goodwill.
The Nation Stage:
There are probably more important individuals within the Church hierarchy that will come for you over the period. If you have a Cathedral (which is odd, most of Fhar's Churches are small chaplet affairs for blessings) expect there to be a large amount of people coming over the next few months. Wandering priests and laity of the Church, sworn defenders of the Caravans, etc. will seek you out. There is a very, very good possibility that one of the people who comes to give a report is Fhar Himself, though you may also find that, if it is Spring, a
fair-haired wanderer will come to see this great man of its lover's people
The World/Planar Stage:
The biggest thing is that just because you are the highest Priest in the Church... You're not the most powerful priest by guarantee. There's a great concept that I remember laughing about on the radio of the Great Brief presidents, dictators, kings and elders receive upon their entry into the world. Essentially the true power behind the group sits down, explains "Yes, we need you... Here's all the things you need to know..."
And that's why great leaders go grey within a couple of years of assuming the head
.
You may be taken to Journey's End, the great comeritous oasis retreat of the Wanderer. Fhar basically has a Fiddler's Green as his demense, and it is a nice place to converse and enjoy the simple pleasures of the Wanderer.
The emissaries of Celestian, Lydia, Olidimmara, etc. may come with gifts and warnings. The Wanderer's retinue and allies fight a lot of different things, and Fhar himself is at war with the Cagewrights (dependent on the outcome of Shackled City if it was run), along with any who seek to remove freedom for their laity. There are always secret fights in the depths of any clergy... Perhaps some Wanderers exist only to protect from those things from Beyond the Horizon.
Oh, and Fhar's gameboard is planar. You're one of many 'great clerics', a thousand thousand possible leaders in a religion that expands across the planes. You could be caught up in international, interplanar, and intrachurch conflicts.
The Problems/Benefits of Being Pope:
You're basically the Pope of Fhar for this plane. You have plenty of problems... but the perks are solid. You have a Church that, while not horribly ornate, has a thousand hidden roads to walk and knowledge all over the world. Your trusted clergy number in the thousands throughout hundreds of cities in the plane, and they know ALOT of things.
____
That's basic. All the rest depends on how Fhar is used in your campaign... But that's the basics of how I see the job of rising up to the top spot would come out for him
.
Slainte,
-Loonook.
