D&D d20 Idea for Clerics - Spontaneously Cast Domain Spells Only

[Xanterith]

Great ideas

I always liked the idea of a spontaneous divine caster, and all these suggestions seem to help it along.

It seems weird to me that a priest would ask for spells to use during the day, sitting down and saying "God, I really think I need 3 Flame Strikes today, along with a couple protections from evil and some blesses" as opposed to saying "God, really could use a flame strike right about now..." I guess it all about the praying at the time of conflict for an answer versus praying before the conflict, I see priests as being much better able to cope and react then mages, because they get their power from a sentient being. Anyway, my 2 cents.

The spontaneous domains idea is kind of blend of the two. I like that in order to spontaneously cast healing spells you have to take the healing domain, makes domain decisions much more difficult, and the healing domain almost needed for a healing priest.


Engilbrand: I would consider rebuking instead of turning plant and earth creatures. Maybe turning animals and air creatures, although that seems way to powerful. (if they don't get the normal domain powers)

The idea of adding control over creatures in your domain is interesting, although I think every traditional priest should have power over undead - rebuke or turn - because undead and religion are so intertwined, regardless of a diety's powers or control.

 

[erf_beto]

It seems weird to me that a priest would ask for spells to use during the day, sitting down and saying "God, I really think I need 3 Flame Strikes today, along with a couple protections from evil and some blesses" as opposed to saying "God, really could use a flame strike right about now..."

Totally agreed! I guess I'm not the only one who finds that a bit odd (to say the least ). Either way, that always reminds me of an old OotS strip.

Engilbrand: I would consider rebuking instead of turning plant and earth creatures. Maybe turning animals and air creatures, although that seems way to powerful.

The idea of adding control over creatures in your domain is interesting, although I think every traditional priest should have power over undead - rebuke or turn - because undead and religion and so intertwined, regardless of a diety's powers or control.

Well, in Engilbrand´s defense, I guess those are the granted powers of the Plant and Earth domain, so that´s what you´d have to change if it's not to your liking.

About undead and religion, I get your point. Since clerics and priest tap into divine energy, channeling it into the material world should have its consequences according to wich 'type' of divine it touches. In D&D, that seems to be tied to the Alignment thing. You know, good clerics heal/turn, bad clerics hurt/rebuke, paladins... smite . Also, that´s why I think Turn Undead attempts could be used to heal, instead of spontenously converting spells slots.

Adding in something for elemental or other priests to rebuke/turn creatures of those types would be awesome and add a lot of flavor. The fire priest with spontaneous flame strikes and 2 fire elemantal servents sounds like a great BBEG.

much better than the average wizard-mad-with-power, btw

 

[Engilbrand]

I cleaned the idea up a bit more and posted it on the Wizards boards. It didn't get much thought. Instead of 2 times current bonus spells, I just went with the normal number. A 10th level cleric with a 20 Wisdom would receive 2 bonus 1st level spells and 1 each of 2-5. Part of me also wants to make these spontaneous. The cleric would have access to his own domain of spontaneous spells, plus 2 extra 1st level spontaneous spells chosen from the whole cleric list, 1 2nd level spontaneous spell, etc.
Back to domains: Earth turns/rebukes air creatures. That was my bad. I don't agree with the idea that religion is immediately tied to undead. Why should Kord necessarily care about sending undead away? A Cleric of Kord, with those domains, would be about buffing himself and just destroying the Undead with pure, unadulterated power. Some domain abilities might need some major changes to make a bit more sense or be a little stronger. +1 to chaos spells doesn't help much if you only have a chaos spell or 2. The Sun domain, currently focused on turning Undead, would probably be where I would put the ability to Turn Undead. If there's an Undeath domain, that might be a good place for Rebuke Undead. Or it can just go into the Death domain and you get rid of the death touch attack. I might approach the DM for the game that I'm going to play soon with this new idea. It could be cool. If things go well, I'll keep you updated on how it finally looks and plays.