Thanks to the class description I have a pretty good idea as to what a cleric is, but I don't recall any rules regarding how one becomes a cleric. What is needed? What are the requirements? How does one become a cleric?
Cleric Requirements
- Thread starter mythusmage
- Start date
Presumably the character would have to fulfil at least the same degree of obedience to his god that he would need to continue to receive spells as a cleric.
It comes down to the deity's will (that is, the GM) to decide who's worthy of their divine gift. That might not be the same set of people that members of the church would accept as clerics.
It comes down to the deity's will (that is, the GM) to decide who's worthy of their divine gift. That might not be the same set of people that members of the church would accept as clerics.
So the DM (as the deity) sets the bar. That raises possibilities. 
Such as a world where mortals and gods cooperate to train as many clerics as they can. In short, so long as a person has a Wisdom of 10 or better he becomes an adult with at least one level of Cleric. That is, some 53% of the adult population are clerics of one sort or another.
Keeping this to the rules, how would this impact the game? What changes would be necessary?
Such as a world where mortals and gods cooperate to train as many clerics as they can. In short, so long as a person has a Wisdom of 10 or better he becomes an adult with at least one level of Cleric. That is, some 53% of the adult population are clerics of one sort or another.
Keeping this to the rules, how would this impact the game? What changes would be necessary?
HeapThaumaturgist
First Post
Not a huge amount, I'd assume. It would explain why there's such a proliferation of healing. Death would have a very different note for people, I assume, and the gods would most likely add to their dogma a bunch of happy happy stuff about going to a better place and that only those whose lives are needed on earth should be returned to life.
I doubt there'd be a big spike in Raise Dead action, but life would probably advance to standards of life expectancy higher than even modern norms. The injured could expect prompt and ready magical healing from themselves, friends, and family ... disease could be pretty promptly cured, etc etc. Y'know.
Regular stuff.
--fje
I doubt there'd be a big spike in Raise Dead action, but life would probably advance to standards of life expectancy higher than even modern norms. The injured could expect prompt and ready magical healing from themselves, friends, and family ... disease could be pretty promptly cured, etc etc. Y'know.
Regular stuff.
--fje
Sejs
First Post
Nothing other than taking a level in the class when available, and being within one step of your deity's alignment if you worship such.
It's sort of like taking a level of Sorcerer. In theory it's an ability that's bourne in the blood, but functionally anyone can take a level in it. If they choose to do so, they've always had the ability, it was just latent until now.
It's sort of like taking a level of Sorcerer. In theory it's an ability that's bourne in the blood, but functionally anyone can take a level in it. If they choose to do so, they've always had the ability, it was just latent until now.
Herobizkit
Adventurer
In one campaign I've played in, I designed a female bartender who one day, without warning, heard the call of the regions' deity of Light. Heeding the call, she promptly began performing quests in Her name, and eventually she became a 1st level Cleric.
See, becoming a cleric is just like picking up any other job; how one gets to get that job should be in the purview of the player making the character... and the DM to decide how clerics become, well, clerics.
IRL, you have to go to some sort of religious institution to learn how to spread the word, then another priest may have to swear you in, then assign you a place to perform your duties... I think in the 2ed Priest's Handbook it gives you a breakdown of clerical responsibilities based on cleric level. If you're still in the process of creating your world's cosmology, I would highly suggest picking this up. Plus, it's likely cheap.
See, becoming a cleric is just like picking up any other job; how one gets to get that job should be in the purview of the player making the character... and the DM to decide how clerics become, well, clerics.
IRL, you have to go to some sort of religious institution to learn how to spread the word, then another priest may have to swear you in, then assign you a place to perform your duties... I think in the 2ed Priest's Handbook it gives you a breakdown of clerical responsibilities based on cleric level. If you're still in the process of creating your world's cosmology, I would highly suggest picking this up. Plus, it's likely cheap.
It would pretty much put paid to undead. I've spaced the name (I'm good at that), but I do recall a 0 level clerical spell that does something like 1d6 in damage to undead. Picture the effects on a typical undead when a peasant mob uses this spell on it.
"You have any idea what happened to the vampire, Baron Repulsive."
"He tried overawing a crowd of peasants and about 50 of them blasted him."
"You have any idea what happened to the vampire, Baron Repulsive."
"He tried overawing a crowd of peasants and about 50 of them blasted him."
Lord Pendragon
First Post
I agree 237%.Herobizkit said:
IMC, clerics are special individuals among the common priestly orders of a particular god's Church, which have been blessed with true divine gifts. The majority of priests have no magical gift, but those rare few can perform true miracles.
Thus, becoming a cleric requires nothing more than dedicating oneself to the faith. If you are one of the blessed, (as all PCs who pick a level in cleric are,) then the magic will come naturally from one's devotions.
Of course, there are those whom the gods bless which haven't dedicated their lives to the Church, but I use the Favored Soul to model the chosen ones outside of the Church hierarchy.
Interesting replies. I'll be starting a thread on this subject in RPG-General.
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