NPC Class: Priest

[seasong]

- Fixed Knowledge domain skill points.
- Switched to Cleric's spells per day. Yeah, yeah, you were right .
- Decided to go with this as an NPC class instead.

Note that this class has two primary advantages over the cleric: spontaneous domain spells, and a more "priestly" skill selection. The spell selection should probably be modified slightly to favor society spells (like higher level versions of Guidance) over combat spells, but that will simply have to wait until I have time again.

This is a pretty strong NPC class, and might make an interesting PC choice once in a while (slightly better than Adept), but is primarily intended to fill the archetype hole in D&D religions - I decided it didn't need to be a PC class to do that .

As a secondary class, a Holy Warrior NPC class might work well: Cleric BAB and HD and skills, but gets spells as a 1st level Priest at 4th level, and adds +1 Priest spellcasting ability every second level after that. Not quite as a good as a straight Warrior for normal combat, but some decent spells at the higher levels.

 

[bmcdaniel]

Seasong-

I use a Priest class that is almost identical to the one you have here, i.e. d6 HD, 4+Int skill points, Poor BAB, Good Will save, Poor Ref and Fort save, bonus feats at levels 5, 10, 15, 20.

Here are the interesting bits: I, too, allow spontaneous casting of domain spells. Priests can use a bonus feat (but not a regular feat) to take up to 2 extra domains. Plus, I have slightly reworked all the domains to make them slightly more powerful.

Also, I have a mechanism, where (NPC) priests get "virtual" xp for having a large congregation.

---------------
Priests

Priests are the penultimate divine spellcasters. They are literate, community-oriented and civilized, and live among peoples who value these characteristics. Settled communities automatically generate priests, and some civilizations have purposefully expanded their populations to increase the power and number of priests; the Egyptian pharaohs are an extreme example.

Alignment: A Priest’s alignment must be within two steps of his patron deity (some deities have stricter requirements) and he cannot be neutral unless his patron deity is.

BAB: Priests use the Wizard (Poor) BAB.

Base Wealth Bonus: ¾ x level.

Hit Die: d6.

Armor and Weapon Proficiency: Priests are proficient in all Simple weapons. Priests are proficient in Light Armor, but no shields. All Priests gain the Martial Weapon Proficiency feat related to his patron deity’s weapon for free. A Priest who chooses the War domain gains the Weapon Focus feat related to his patron deity’s weapon for free, and Shield and Heavy Shield Proficiency.

Saving Throws: Priests have a good Will Saving Throw, and poor Fortitude and Reflex Saving Throws.

Skill Points: 4 + Int bonus per level.

Class Skills: Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Heal (Wis), Knowledge (Int), Profession (Wis), Scry (Int), Sense Motive (Wis), Speak Language, Spellcraft (Int).

A Priest may gain additional class skills by selecting certain domains: Animal (Handle Animal); Discord (Intimidate); Herald (Intimidate); Fear (Intimidate); Hunting (Wilderness Lore); Music (Perform); Travel (Wilderness Lore); Trickery (Disguise and Hide); and Wealth (Appraise).

Turn or Rebuke Undead: Priests can turn or rebuke undead. This ability works just like the cleric ability. As a feat, a Priest may take Extra Turning. This feat allows the Priest to turn undead four more times per day than normal. A Priest can take this feat multiple times, gaining four extra daily turning attempts each time.

Domains: At level 1, Priests can select two domains and gain access to its special ability and spells. A Priest can select his domains from those offered by his patron deity and those offered through a deity associated with his patron deity; but at all times, at least half of the Priest’s domains must be offered by his patron deity. A priest can use up to two of his Bonus Feats (but not regular feats) to take additional domains.
Bonus Feats: Every five levels, a Priest gains a bonus feat. This feat must be a metamagic feat, an item creation feat, a Divine feat, Extra Turning, or an additional domain (up to two extra domains).

Spells: Priests cast spells just like Clerics, including the spell table, spell selection, regaining spells and ability to cast while armored.


NPC Priests and Virtual Experience: NPC priests can get “virtual xp.” The number of xp depends on the size and quality of their congregants. The Egyptian pharaohs and Ashur priest-kings are constantly trying to expand their empires to bring more worshippers under their sway and increase their own power. In Greece, the city-states’ small size (and the priests’ detachment from the politics) restricts priests to a more moderate level.

 

[seasong]

Also, I have a mechanism, where (NPC) priests get "virtual" xp for having a large congregation.

That's a very nice idea! This needs to be mentioned to the guy who is making Urbis .

I may find a way to use it for my setting, too, although probably tied more to a patch of consecrated land (kind of a super-hallow) instead of to a particular priest.

 

[DonAdam]

We used a similar class, but did a couple different things:

1) Spell failure as a wizard in armor.
2) Totally spontaneous casting with the complete cleric list. This last one was powerful, but it seemed to work out about right. The character was very versatile, but still had to spend alot of slots on healing.

 

[seasong]

We used a similar class, but did a couple different things:

1) Spell failure as a wizard in armor.

Hm... That's not a bad idea, from a flavor perspective. I'll have to think about it.

2) Totally spontaneous casting with the complete cleric list. This last one was powerful, but it seemed to work out about right. The character was very versatile, but still had to spend alot of slots on healing.

That is pretty versatile. I think I'll stick to the spontaneous domain-only.