Can clerics collect x.p. as part of worship?

[Blue Sky]

Hey, quick idea off the top of my head.

What do you think about temples that "steal" xp from worshippers? I was thinking of an altar that would take 1 xp from each worshipper on holy days, allowing the priest to use that xp for item creation and or spells with an xp cost.

If services were only once a week, would anyone notice the xp? How do you think this would affect churches?

Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[Stalker0]

The Quintessential Cleric from mongoose publishing has a whole series of rules on how to use a cleric's followers to fund powers and items, you might wnat to check that out.

 

[Nifft]

Personally, I'd require specific ceremonies with overt "donation of essence" indication.

e.g.:
- celebrant thrusts hand into fire (takes damage, fire grows)
- celebrant cuts self, squeezes blood into pulsating trough
- celebrant cuts off some hair, skin, etc. and puts it in boiling cauldron
- celebrant prays all night, kneeling towards an item of power (altar or whatnot), which glows brighter as celebrant grows exhausted; fasting might be nice for "good" churches
- celebrant's soul emerges, has its ghostly foot cut off, and returns -- wailing -- to the celebrant. ghostly foot is put in ghostly sack labeled "TITHE of SOULS"

-- N

 

[Blue Sky]

Personally, I'd require specific ceremonies with overt "donation of essence" indication.

e.g.:
- celebrant thrusts hand into fire (takes damage, fire grows)
- celebrant cuts self, squeezes blood into pulsating trough
- celebrant cuts off some hair, skin, etc. and puts it in boiling cauldron
- celebrant prays all night, kneeling towards an item of power (altar or whatnot), which glows brighter as celebrant grows exhausted; fasting might be nice for "good" churches
- celebrant's soul emerges, has its ghostly foot cut off, and returns -- wailing -- to the celebrant. ghostly foot is put in ghostly sack labeled "TITHE of SOULS"

-- N

Good ideas, Nifft, especially about fasting. I'm really looking for something that would be doable more on a repetative basis, but how much xp do you think would be donated through those? And would it be a feat, magical item, or just an optional rule?

Oh yeah, and "Arrgghhhh!"

 

[Nifft]

Avast, ye matey!

A full day's prayer ain't beyond a peasant's lot (fer them what sit in port, scurvy landlubbers). A yearly day o' fastin', arr, even a month o' fastin' ain't past the pale (if ye let the dogs take a bit o' bread an' water come night).

Arr, -- N

 

[Norfleet]

Personally, I'd require specific ceremonies with overt "donation of essence" indication.

e.g.:
- celebrant thrusts hand into fire (takes damage, fire grows)
- celebrant cuts self, squeezes blood into pulsating trough
- celebrant cuts off some hair, skin, etc. and puts it in boiling cauldron
- celebrant prays all night, kneeling towards an item of power (altar or whatnot), which glows brighter as celebrant grows exhausted; fasting might be nice for "good" churches
- celebrant's soul emerges, has its ghostly foot cut off, and returns -- wailing -- to the celebrant. ghostly foot is put in ghostly sack labeled "TITHE of SOULS"

-- N

How about an orgy? I seem to recall various ancient religions had ceremonies which involved an orgy.

 

[Nifft]

How about an orgy? I seem to recall various ancient religions had ceremonies which involved an orgy.

The "donation of essence" thing can be read in a number of ways. Don't forget Eric's GrandmaaaAAARRRR!

Ahoy, -- N

 

[Ubermeister Kevguy]

Conceptually, I have two immediate reactions:
(1) "Stealing" the XP is probably the wrong mindset; why not refer to it as a Tithing? Otherwise it sounds like the Alter is cursed!
(2) Why not allow Clerics some flexibility in the amount so "tithed/donated"?
Let's face it, higher level (i.e.-more powerful) worshippers probably have more
to spare...
...
Thanks for sparking something here, by the way; this reminded me of the 1st Ed. Dragon version of the Cloistered Cleric...I may need to do some experimenting on this one...

 

[tensen]

Conceptually, I have two immediate reactions:
(1) "Stealing" the XP is probably the wrong mindset; why not refer to it as a Tithing? Otherwise it sounds like the Alter is cursed!

Because giving 10% of your XP is rather expensive?

 

[Pyrex]

It doesn't have to approach anything near 10% for it to have an impact. If on 'holy days' the priest collects 1xp/lvl from each worshipper that's a huge amount of xp for them to work with.