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Message: <blockquote data-quote="kigmatzomat" data-source="post: 1709320" data-attributes="member: 9254">I will point out that according to the PHB, accidents & disease excluded, the average person will live to about 90.  In our world, old age claims people much closer to the 80s, so I think it could be said the default setting assumes magic has some impact on longevity.  Even though low level priests don't have remove disease, they can provide buffs to help people throw off diseases.Depends on what you mean by "majority of spells."  If you buy the DMG's distribution of levels, the majority of casters are low levels.  For every 17th level caster there are more than 256 1st level casters.  That's actually in a given community, so worldwide there are probably closer to 1,000 1st level casters for each 17th.  Even with each neophyte casting a single spell per day, they by far cast the bulk of spells.   And the 0th and 1st level spells are useful to the rank and file from a priestly standpoint.  Guidance + Resistance can give +2 to saving throws, useful against diseases and poisons.  Detect poison is very useful for identifying harmful spiders, snakes, and creatures.  Detect (alignment) gives you insight into people's natures, Deathwatch helps you know who is worst injured, Comprehend Languages lets you be the local interpreter, Endure Elements means you can tend your flock even under horrible conditions, and with Command and Cause Fear you can be sure of standing up to the local bullies without causing them physical harm.  For services, Bless spell gives a nice warm, confident feeling and the Light spell is just generally spiffy for giving you that "spotlight" illumination.   And, of course, there are the cure spells to keep people alive.The higher level spells are closer to wonderous boons and only the upper ranked priests can do that.  I'd wager that about half the populace has seen at least a cure minor used to cause a cut to scab over or wipe out a serious bruise and most witness some form of magic on a monthly basis (be it a sermon or a show).  As to the commoner's relationship with the clergy, I imagine the tithe comes into play as it becomes your medical insurance.  Tithe on a regular basis and the local priest (50% chance 1st level) will provide magical healing or ask for divine assistance against diseases and poisons.  Fail to tithe and expect to pay, either in up-front coin (evil and some neutral clerics) or with a form of penance and future tithing. The arcane casters (at least the bards and wizards) are more the local intellgentsia, providing information to the residents, a few minor parlor tricks, and probably getting by on the occassional sale of a scroll to travelers or during the fairs.  They lead an apparent life of luxury by the rural standards, earning 10+gp from writing on a sheet of paper!  (scribe scroll)Odds are they also act as clerks and notaries during the harvest, calculating tallies and confirming tax payments.  Wizard Mark provides an excellent mystical notary seal.  He probably also gets commissioned to Wizard Mark stray animals and minor criminals.</blockquote>

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