D&D (2024) UA Groups: Expert, Mage, Priest, Warrior

[Micah Sweet]

The term "priest" is problematic, because it ethnocentrically specifies theism in the context of a temple or church. For example, there is a reason why the sages of Jewish "rabbi" and Muslim "imam" avoid term priest. Likewise a nontheistic animistic "shaman" avoids the term priest, as does a Buddhist "monk".

A more multicultural term is "clergy", which is any official religious function, including priest, teacher, psychic, sibling/monk/nun, and so on.

I doubt there are nearly enough people with that specific objection to make a difference to WotC.

 

[Yaarel]

I doubt there are nearly enough people with that specific objection to make a difference to WotC.

WotC cannot preach multicultural "inclusivity" with one breath, then with the next breath say, "F- you, Non-Euro religions!"

 

[TwoSix]

WotC cannot preach multicultural "inclusivity" with one breath, then with the next breath say, "F- you, Non-Euro religions!"

You can argue that they shouldn't, but they certainly can.

 

[CleverNickName]

This isn't exactly the same. The classes within the different class groups have some pretty major differences: hit die, different spell progression (for the classes that get spells), and most class features being different just to name a few.

Well no, but I never was very good at seeing the future...

 

[Horwath]

Experts: Bard*&, Ranger**, Rogue^&, (Artificer&^)
Warriors: Barbarian, Fighter^, Monk
Mages: Sorcerer%, Wizard, Warlock
Priests: Cleric, Druid, Paladin**


*Will count as Mage as well
**Will count as Warrior as well
&Will have subclasses that counts as Warrior
^Will have subclasses that count as Mage
%Will have subclasses that count as Priest

Barbarian could have a subclass that is an expert: Totem barbarian with extra skills at 6th level and maybe sooner. Expertise at 10th level.

 

[Tutara]

I am not a massive fan of ‘priest’ - for me, it’s like calling them rabbis or vicars, because the word is the word for an ordained member in a specific real world religion. I’d prefer a term that relates to faith or devotion that doesn’t invoke either Father Ted or a need to be part of an organised religion. Trouble is, I can’t think of anything I like - devotee? Bit naff. Zealot? Utterly perjorative. Hmmm.

 

[Aldarc]

I am not a massive fan of ‘priest’ - for me, it’s like calling them rabbis or vicars, because the word is the word for an ordained member in a specific real world religion. I’d prefer a term that relates to faith or devotion that doesn’t invoke either Father Ted or a need to be part of an organised religion. Trouble is, I can’t think of anything I like - devotee? Bit naff. Zealot? Utterly perjorative. Hmmm.

Mystic - see Starfinder

 

[Blue Orange]

Mystic - see Starfinder

Mystics are specifically religious people who seek spiritual truth outside of organized religion, though.

 

[Aldarc]

Mystics are specifically religious people who seek spiritual truth outside of organized religion, though.

Actually, no. The meaning of "mystic" is not that narrow. It does deal with divine experiences, which may or may not be outside of organized religion. The Oracle of Delphi, for example, was a female mystic who was a part of the organized religious and cultic practices of the ancient Hellenes.

 

[Blue Orange]

Actually, no. The meaning of "mystic" is not that narrow. It does deal with divine experiences, which may or may not be outside of organized religion. The Oracle of Delphi, for example, was a female mystic who was a part of the organized religious and cultic practices of the ancient Hellenes.

Ah, thank you. I did not know that.

I guess we still don't have a defined term, though. It's tricky to come up with something culture-neutral because religious practitioners are such a huge part of culture, and differ a lot from culture to culture.