the_mighty_agrippa said:
I'm not really interested in a fighting force. I'm more interested in generalities. It would be great to expand the church's role and power without using magic to get it.
I'd imagine that if you did use magic to get it, there'd be resentment anyway. It's a better strategy to build it up naturally, so good call there.
How can I motivate the lay worshippers as a political force?
First, you're not really going to be needing the lay worshipers that much. More so, it's the knowledge of your power over the worshipers that makes them into a force. Doing something with your worshipers will take a lot of effort. Making someone worry that you might do something only takes a visit and a little innuendo. And once you've done something, your worshipers are in action, and every other possibility isn't available.
However, to motivate your ley worshipers, make sure that they know you're in this for the long haul, and you're doing everything you can for Mystara and them. And if you can find one, a champion is a great thing to have at your disposal. They're usually very effective, not only becoming a symbol for the people, but usually kick but well too.
How can I expand the church's role in the feudal-based power structure?
You've got the power of the church of magic. Make a few gifts to the local rulers. Put on a few displays, I'm sure there are some level one and two spells that would make wonderful shows. Get yourself some attention as a power to mess with. This also means that if you've got some core allies, friends or body guards dress them nicely and go pay visits to the people currently in power. Can you form an alliance with some mages (preferably ones aligned with your long term goals)?
How can I create an Age of Enlightenment?
I'm out of ideas on that one.
How can I launch a cultural crusade (like abolition or something)?
Make sure to speak against your target. As the spiritual advisor for these people, your orginization should be able to angle the dislike of your followers towards it. From there, once the crowd is riled, you should be able to make it work with a few simple suggestions
How can I grow the church without street corner prostelytizing?
Offer hope, put on shows, get a champion, have a lot of a resource that's needed (food in famine, cures in plage, etc...), or squish the opposition like bugs.
And in the event that I do need to motivate the faithful for an upcoming battle but not for direct combat...
How do I prepare them for the coming of a great evil (probably extraplanar)?
Should I begin training some for medicinal/triage duties?
Can you build a few enchanted safehouses for the women and children? I'm not sure of how tough the weak hordes of the extraplanar are, so some of these suggestions may not be appropriate. You should probabally offer and suggest training for the lay, simply to instill a bit of discipline. If you have the ranks, the people may be able to hold for long enough for the elite to make the changes necessarry to defeat the evil. I'd like to suggest forging a few weapons meant to defeat the expected menace, but you have to really ask yourself if the volume you can make (both time and money) is possibly worthwhile agaist the volume of opponents. Though the idea of a captian in your forces rallying his troops, using a demon bane sword is pretty cool.
Not every suggestion needs to work or be viable for this one game. I'm looking for how apply personal charisma & reputation to large groups in a fantasy setting that's not just die & mechanics based.
Infrastructure. You've got to get the force of your personality and will sent out there down to every little peasant working the fields. One you've got your reputation, it'll color your actions. People will know of you and want to know of you. Let your visits become knowledge, so people are looking for you, but watch out for assassins. Build up your followers so they'll have confidence in you. Find your inner circle, you'll need skilled friends and allies. Build your forces and your power base, to have a basis to move from. Form alliances, because sometimes it's better not to risk it in a fight.
Hope that helped.
