Divine Leveling

[Mav]

I haven't found anywhere that clearly states how you increase your Divine level. Everything I've read so far hasn't clearly said anything about it. From what I have read, it seems like increasing Divine rank has to do with followers etc.. but other things lead me to believe that you treat it much like a prestige class, and put your additional levels into that.

In the campaign I'm currently in, my level 15 sorcerer pulled from a deck of many things and managed to get some wishes. The DM granted me my wish to become a demi-god (he gave me Divine Rank 0). While my character knew that the wishes were granted, my character had to find out through normal means, what kind of benefits I had obtained from this change.

My character is now level 18. Does this mean I should be Divine Rank 3? Somebody please shed some light on the matter.

Thanks,
Mav

 

[PallidPatience]

To be completely honest, Deities and Demigods is really spotty when it comes to how players increase in Divine Rank. This may partially be because DMs are meant to devise such things on their own, and because being a deity is even more powerful than being epic level (and, coincedentally, harder to measure). That he even granted your wish to become a deity could be a sign that he doesn't know what he's doing. If he DOES have a plan, and he meant for you to be able to advance as a god, there should be some way to find out how to do so in game. It's all up to him, I'm afraid. If your character wants to become more powerful, try to seek out knowledge in game. That's the only way to find out.

 

[Nightfall]

Firstly I'd just not do that. Wishing your were a god means someone else in a panethon is going to be mad. Secondly advancing in rank doesn't come like it does in regular D&D. There's a reason for that...and that's why Gods are generally NPCs, if they do exist at all.

Just saying...this is a bad move by your DM.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

I agree. If wish spells made you a god, your average D&D world had a pantheon of a size that would put the Realms to shame. In fact, a wish to become a god is one of those prime examples where I not only not frown upon using wishes like a lawyer would to, but openly encourage doing one's level best to screw that character (no offense to you).

I'd make the character trade places with one of the multiverse's dead deities, or with one of those deities who are locked away forever. Or, I would give him the power, and than have the deity whose power you just stole show up. A moment later, there would be one deity and one hell of a crater where the upstart used to be. Or do it Steel Chrysanthemum style: Hantei XVI was the most reviled emperor of Rokugan. In Rokugan, the Emperor's decrees must be followed even by the heavens, and he used this. Whenever he was petered off at someone, he'd declare him a god - which he would then become. If you think that's nice, take a moment to imagine being denied your normal afterlife, instead being forced to forever be the God of Horse Manure or the God of Impotence or something like that.


As for divine advancement: Stuff like this is entirely up to the DM. Usually, the rank depends on your followers and your portfolio. Unless that new god really does an effort to do some serious PR, he won't ever advance.

 

[Mav]

He is actually a very leanient DM, and has thus far managed to overcome any player made obstacle. If we find ways to be more powerful, he finds ways to put us in more difficult deboggles that we must overcome. I was hesitant to ask for such a thing, and he said straight out, that he'd be willing to give me rank 0. I don't think he realized how much Rank 0 gave you up front. All he knew is that it was extremely difficult to increase ranks. Heck, he allowed me to use a wish spell to get us out of Ravenloft as well (with some exceptions, which helped the story line).

I'm just trying to figure out how I should go about getting followers/letting people know I'm a DemiGod.. any character could say they were a demi-god, but how would you prove such a thing, and how would you convince the initial people to follow? I'm sure once you have followers, it'd be a little easier to get followers, but getting the first group of followers seems odd.

 

[Infiniti2000]

Just saying...this is a bad move by your DM.

That might, in fact, be the understatement of the year.

PC: I wish I were a god.
DM: Okay.

Wtf?!?

The only solution to this dilemma is retcon. Point your DM to the rules. A divine rank 0 in an ECL 15 party is ridiculous.

 

[Notmousse]

I see this as comedy gold!

Ok, you're a demigod... of what? Have you been told? If not you may have to go do some crazy things to find out. If you're the demi-god of hop scotch, your not going to be so intimidating. Not to mention you're now *just* powerful enough to be noticed by real gods, but not powerful enough to do anything about it when they pick on you, or decide you're their bitch.

 

[Sejs]

I'm just trying to figure out how I should go about getting followers/letting people know I'm a DemiGod.. any character could say they were a demi-god, but how would you prove such a thing, and how would you convince the initial people to follow? I'm sure once you have followers, it'd be a little easier to get followers, but getting the first group of followers seems odd.

At a thought?


Start going around doing miracles. Come up with a doctrine, a basis of faith, and start convincing people of your divine providence.

To get people to believe, you've got to do, ya dig?

 

[reanjr]

Read Dianetics by Hubbard. It should give you a good real-world example of how to gain followers.

 

[werk]

He is actually a very leanient DM, and has thus far managed to overcome any player made obstacle. If we find ways to be more powerful, he finds ways to put us in more difficult deboggles that we must overcome. I was hesitant to ask for such a thing, and he said straight out, that he'd be willing to give me rank 0. I don't think he realized how much Rank 0 gave you up front. All he knew is that it was extremely difficult to increase ranks. Heck, he allowed me to use a wish spell to get us out of Ravenloft as well (with some exceptions, which helped the story line).

I'm just trying to figure out how I should go about getting followers/letting people know I'm a DemiGod.. any character could say they were a demi-god, but how would you prove such a thing, and how would you convince the initial people to follow? I'm sure once you have followers, it'd be a little easier to get followers, but getting the first group of followers seems odd.

1. DEBACLE. Deboggle is what happens after you shove a boggle game up your...nevermind.

2. A DM that resolves his mistakes by making more is riding a runaway train. Eventually you'll run out of track.

3. The best way to prove you are a demigod would be to die...gods are immortal, right?

Don't take this as judgemental criticism, you're having fun and it sounds like an appropriate game for your group. But don't look for rules support, especially at this point, go to your DM or do research in character.