Divine Oracle plot help

[Eccles]

One of my pcs is playing a combat-heavy cleric who exists to spell himself up and then wade into a fight. He's viewable (At his last level - he's now level 12)here:

http://www.geocities.com/nik_hoyle/Clearwater/resources/aeron.html

He recently told me that he's intending to become a Divine Oracle from the clerical splat book.

The Divine Oracle, of course, is based on divinations and interpreting the word of his god.

He's an Int 7 worshipper of Mystra, goddess of magic and mages. He's only ever cast one divination spell, and that was because I gave him a scroll of commune. He's the least oracular character I've ever seen.

I've just sent him a dream in which Mystra told him to "Find mortal insight before seeking the Divine", which I think is reasonable. I have also told him that whilst he's free to take the prestige class, he won't gain the special abilities until he has satisfied his God.

1. Have I been fair to this player? (The rest of the group seems to think so, but I still feel guilty).

2. Any suggestions for what I should do next?

 

[thullgrim]

I don't think you are being unreasonable. If he continues to move in that direction maybe he has some kind of epiphany. He takes Prc and then if he does not follow through on the roleplay aspect of it he is stripped of the Prc or something.

 

[Nightfall]

I agree with Thull. If he can't decide which to be, better not give it to him. On the other hand if he went Warpriest that might be better. Course I also think he might be better served serving Tempus than Mystra. But that's me.

 

[shilsen]

1. Have I been fair to this player? (The rest of the group seems to think so, but I still feel guilty).

2. Any suggestions for what I should do next?

You're being fair. I'd actually make the player wait a level or two before taking the PrC, so that he can roleplay the move up to it. IMC, I've asked the players to let me know 2 levels beforehand if they want to take a PrC. That lets me work out whether the particular PrC needs some initiation or training, or can be handled otherwise. The manner in which a character's previous actions match (or don't) the PrC also matter.

For example: Recently, a player wanted to take a modified version of the Radiant Servant of Pelor. Since the character had already been "chosen" by the deity in a dream, I simply had him have another one and then take on the PrC. The player of the dwarf wizard, who has never used a weapon other than a few shots with a crossbow, suddenly asked me if he could head for the Eldritch Knight PrC. I explained to him that with there having been absolutely no sign in-game of an interest in that area, he'd need to roleplay it for one level before I'd let him pick up a Ftr level, and then the PrC.

In your case, I'd do what I did with the wizard. Make the player take another level of cleric for the moment and start focusing on divinations in-game and in-character. That would also give you time to throw in more signs, dreams, etc. as he moves down the path towards the PrC. Then let him take the PrC. If you let him take it right now and not give him the abilities for what he sees as too long a time, or even strip him of the powers, you might have a very upset player.

 

[shilsen]

One thing I forgot - I'd also ask him why he's interested in this prestige class. If there is no reason other than "because Prescient Sense and Uncanny Dodge are cool!", I'd explain to the player that it really doesn't seem to fit the character's past and where he seemed to be headed. In which case he can take the next level to show you how it fits where he's going now.

 

[Eccles]

Make the player take another level of cleric for the moment and start focusing on divinations in-game and in-character.

This is more or less what I'm planning. He's only just gone up to 12th, gaining the qualifications for the prestige class. After a pretty good (I reckon) dream sequence handled through email (attached if you're curious), he's got a level to sort his act out as long as he wants to. Problem is, the player's not really the type to roleplay out the changes or think through any divinations. He wants the class for the resistance to enemy attacks and things. ie. it's a power-play...

 

[Piratecat]

If it's a power play, I'd disallow it. That class, more than others, requires a mindset that I don't think the player/character has.

Alternatively, allow it and create adventures where he's screwed if he doesn't use his oracular powers. I can see all the other divine oracles plotting against him because he makes them all look bad. . .

 

[Nightfall]

Basically what everyone else has been saying, disallowing good cause all he's doing is making a character that's just kewl instead of interesting or at least noteworthy.