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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Storm Raven" data-source="post: 2724535" data-attributes="member: 307">Well, given that you are playing in my campaign, I can answer most of these questions with campaign specific answers. As might be expected, the answers will vary depending on which sect of the Church you are talking about, and will, of course be very different for the other faiths. So, why do clerics charge for spells? Here are a collection of reasons, some of broad applicability, some idiosyncratic to to local situation where the party is at the present time.1. To raise revenue for the faith. In Commot Madoc the Church is strapped for cash following the collapse of House Feich and the subsequent chaos caused by the aftermath of last summer's war. It should be obvious that Bishop Galen needs cash: to fortify Dinnewrac, to hire mercenaries, to pay for your services and so on. Selling spell casting services is a pretty obvious way to raise that cash. Even if the situation was not as dire, there are always ways of justifying the need for additional revenue because there are always projects that need to be done - adding on to the cathederal complex, renovating churches, supporting ventures to glorify the faith, and so on. On a broader front, the Church in general is cash porr following the loss of support from the Carnelian Throne, as rival claimants to the big empty chair have been busy fighting one another to claim it, rather than bestowing their aid and money upon the faith.2. To avoid taxing the local citizenry, or asking for handouts from the local nobility. While House Aanwar and House Rhinwedd might be willing to fork over cash, House Elai would almost certainly rebuff Bishop Galen's reqeust for money, and House Seion and House Eseugelus probably don't have any to spare (as their lands are still at least partially under foreign occupation). Charging for spells, many of which are really only demanded on a regular basis by mercenaries, adventurers, and other transient's in the community, the Church can raise funds without burdening the locals.3. Some clerics don't, technically. The Pelerines, for example, operate on a "pay as you can" philosophy. This worked out well when the party was dirt poor, but hasn't been such a boon now that you have some coin in your hands. Now you are expected to pay up.4. Because Bishop Galen is influenced by Guildmaster Alawn and Guildmaster Durwin, both of whom have a vested interest in making sure that the Church doesn't undercut Alchemist's Guild members when they want to sell alchemical remedies. It would probably be an unwise political decision for Bishop Galen to alienate two of the most powerful local political figures in Dinnewrac, he's already made enough enemies to make Vicar-General Feoras' life diffciult.</blockquote>

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