DnD question - Multiclassing and Spell prep

[Dave G]

Okay, my Dwarf just made 15th level, and I picked up an additional level in Ranger (for a total of 4th) so I get my Ranger Spell.

He is already a level 3 Cleric, and has some limited Divine spells at this point, and from reading the PHB, it says that Rangers prepare spells the same way as Clerics.

Does that mean I have to pray for two hours everytime I need both classes spells? Am I praying to two different deities? Rangers normally don't have to pick one, but...

I e-mailed my DM about this and his response is "look in the book" but I'm not sure my situation is as cut and dried as all that.

For the record, my character's totals are:
Barbarian: 2
Cleric: 3
Fighter: 4
Ranger: 4
Stonelord: 2

Thanks!

 

[Crothian]

I think no matter how many different spell casting classes you have all you need to do is pray for that single hour.

 

[RogueJK]

I'm not aware of any official rules in the PHB regarding a situation like this. The FRCS, however, does have rules for this. I'm not sure if the rules are limited to the FR, though. Your DM will have to rule on that.

In the FR, Rangers aren't required to pick a patron deity until 4th level. If they choose not to pick one then, they can't cast spells until they do. Since a character is only allowed one patron deity, it has to be the same deity for both divine spellcasting classes.

As such, I'd say that you only have to pray for one hour, since you are only praying to one god.

If your DM has a different way of handling his world (i.e. it is strongly polytheistic, and many people have more than one patron deity) then this might not apply.

 

[The Sigil]

Answer...

From the SRD:

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Time of Day: A divine spellcaster chooses and prepares spells ahead of time, just as a wizard does. However, divine spellcasters do not require a period of rest to prepare spells. Instead, the character chooses a particular part of the day to pray and receive spells. The time usually is associated with some daily event. Dawn, dusk, noon, or midnight are common choices. Some deities set the time or impose other special conditions for granting spells to their clerics. If some event prevents the character from praying at the proper time, he must do so as soon as possible. If the character does not stop to pray for spells at the first opportunity, he must wait until the next day to prepare spells.

Spell Selection and Preparation: A divine spellcaster selects and prepares spells ahead of time through prayer and meditation at a particular time of day. The time required to prepare spells is the same as for a wizard (1 hour), as is the requirement for a relatively peaceful environment in which to perform the preparation. A divine spellcaster does not have to prepare all his spells at once. However, the character's mind is only considered fresh during his first daily spell preparation, so he cannot fill a slot that is empty because he has cast a spell or abandoned a previously prepared spell.
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Note that this simply says "a divine spellcaster"... not, "for each divine spellcasting class." This implies it is one hour per character, not one hour per class. So the answer should be: one hour in total is required to prepare both your cleric and ranger spells.

--The Sigil

 

[Dave G]

Thanks, I was hoping that was what I was reading, but I wanted a second opinion! Now I can't wait to ask my DM who grants me that Animal Friendship spell, just to see his answer...