Can a Cleric switch gods?

[ExMachina]

I'm in the process of building a BBEG. Thematicly and mechanically, I want him to be a fallen cleric of a good god, turned to an evil one. What are the rules for this. Under cleric, it talks about atonement for having ticked off your god, but what about 'conversion'? How would this work with domains, et al.

Thanks

 

[frankthedm]

I forgot what book it was in, but it seemed to be a "Just let the character switch" sort of thing. There's a chance the cleric may have needed an Atonement from a cleric of the god he was changing to, but i might be mistaken.

I personally say Quest level difficulty, but I am a mean DM who think levels of cleric should be permanently dedicated to which ever god they were gained under.

 

[dshai527]

I think it that an atonement sounds about right (or at least a quest or deed to prove worth). I think that cleric levels are about harnessing your faith to tap the power of a god, so the levels will transfer to the new god no problem. I would think that this would be a big thing with the gods as they tempt clerics of other orders to come worship them. It wouldn't be very tempting if they had to start all over, they already know how to handle faith and power so it should be easy for the new god to allow them access to his spells of appropriate level.

 

[Bardsandsages]

An evil god would most likely treat a fallen cleric in the same manner as a blackguard who was once a pally. They would keep all of their existing levels but just switch their domains and spell lists. They would lose the domains granted by their former god, but gain the domains of the new god. Just like a blackguard can simply swap pally levels.

 

[KarinsDad]

I would think that this would be a big thing with the gods as they tempt clerics of other orders to come worship them.

I do not understand why a deity would ever trust a Cleric who betrayed his former deity.

In fact, I do not understand why a deity would want to tempt such an untrustworthy creature into his service (unless it is a deity of lies or betrayal or some such).

 

[dshai527]

I do not understand why a deity would ever trust a Cleric who betrayed his former deity.

In fact, I do not understand why a deity would want to tempt such an untrustworthy creature into his service (unless it is a deity of lies or betrayal or some such).

The same reason that companies try to get CEO and other managers from each other; To lessen the power of the competition or to utilize the strengths of the character. Why do people trust someone in a relationship knowing that person has left someone else before. The new god thinks he offers something the previous god did not, or he thinks he is a better fit for that person. Even gods are not perfect and they still allow for freewil..maybe the new god was just waiting for the patron to find themselves or experiment before coming to the true enlightenment. I frankly see the opposite of how a god would not allow someone to come from another religion. The end role is that a god wants everyone to worship him...isn't it.

 

[Bad Paper]

Just make him a Blackguard.

 

[KarinsDad]

The same reason that companies try to get CEO and other managers from each other; To lessen the power of the competition or to utilize the strengths of the character. Why do people trust someone in a relationship knowing that person has left someone else before. The new god thinks he offers something the previous god did not, or he thinks he is a better fit for that person. Even gods are not perfect and they still allow for freewil..maybe the new god was just waiting for the patron to find themselves or experiment before coming to the true enlightenment. I frankly see the opposite of how a god would not allow someone to come from another religion. The end role is that a god wants everyone to worship him...isn't it.

Good points.

Except, the new deity still should not necessarily trust the Cleric. That trust should have to be earned.

 

[Bardsandsages]

I do not understand why a deity would ever trust a Cleric who betrayed his former deity.

In fact, I do not understand why a deity would want to tempt such an untrustworthy creature into his service (unless it is a deity of lies or betrayal or some such).

I can think of plenty of reasons:

The diety is a minor diety and needs to cultivate as many clerics as possible (like the headhunters who steal managers from established companies with big bonuses and promises to go with other companies)

The diety doesn't see the person as being "untrustworthy." Rather, he considers it "coming to reason."

Pure spite. The diety hates the other diety so much that he wants to rub it in the cleric's former god's face.

I could go on, but there are plenty of reasons.

 

[Jdvn1]

I do not understand why a deity would ever trust a Cleric who betrayed his former deity.

Why does a deity have to trust his Clerics?

In fact, I do not understand why a deity would want to tempt such an untrustworthy creature into his service (unless it is a deity of lies or betrayal or some such).

Certainly, a deity of deceit is a valid circumstance.