Religion
Religion is an active and pervasive force in this world. While clerical magic is not an everyday occurrence for the vast majority of the population, they still see enough demonstrations of that power to realize the Gods and their chosen representatives are a potent and active force in the world.
Below are summaries linked to full descriptions of the gods and their priesthoods. In addition, major religious holidays are presented.
There is no generic "cleric" class. Each god's priesthood has its own specific powers and spell access.
Gods and their Priests (note: "Gods" and "Priests" also refer to "Goddesses" and "Priestesses" unless otherwise noted in the detailed description).
Spheres of Influence for spells - 16 in total: All (basic priestly functions), Animal, Astral (not available), Charm (affect attitudes and actions), Combat (can directly harm), Creation (produce something from nothing), Divination (find item, information, or best course of action), Elemental (earth, air, fire, water spells), Guardian (magical sentry), Healing (heal or cure - can be reversed if evil), Necromantic (can restore life, limb, experience level, etc. or reverse if evil), Plant, Protection (shields), Summoning (creatures from elsewhere), Sun (light, darkness spells), Weather.
Major Access to Spheres = unlimited, Minor Access to Spheres = priest can cast up to 3rd level spells in that sphere
Combat Abilities: Good = Metal armour and selection of weapons, Medium= Metal armour or good selection of weapons, Poor = no metal armour or no armour and limited and less lethal weapons.
Powers: Additional powers granted by the deity - range is high, medium, and low and are specific to that priesthood
Limitations: These are oaths or other limitations on the priest's actions or powers - specific to each priesthood.
Note: Players will notice the priesthoods are balanced. For example, a priesthood with good combat powers will have limited access to spheres of spells. Likewise, priests with additional powers will be either more limited with their combat abilities or spheres OR they may have limitations on their powers. As a result, there is no overpowered priesthood; however, there are priesthoods more suited to different tasks (e.g. combat or healing) and different playing styles.
Achrya (link) - Minor Goddess/demon - Chaos, Destruction, Evil, Trickery,Illusion - Chaotic Evil deity. Priests have access to All, 5 major and 4 minor spheres with medium combat ability, charm/fascinate, detect secret doors, shape change. Widespread through all realms but stay hidden and keep identity secret.
Alyanya (link) - Greater Goddess - Agriculture, Fertility, Health, and Peace - Neutral Good deity - Priests have access to 6 major and 6 minor spheres of influence for spells but poor combat ability and both significant powers and limitations
Barrandowea (link) - Medium God - Ocean/Seas, Violent Storms - True Neutral deity - Priests have access to All, 4 major, 4 minor spheres and medium combat ability (no armour), water breathing, shape changing. Widespread on Prealith's coast.
Camyn (link) - Saint - Courage, the arts, music, rhetoric - Chaotic Good, serves the High Lord; Priests have access to All, 4 major, 1 minor sphere with medium combat ability (no armour), charm, soothe, turn undead. Some presence.
Falk (link) - Saint - Courage, loyalty, oath keeping, protection/guardianship - Lawful Good, serves the High Lord; Priests have access to All, 3 major, 1 minor sphere and very good combat ability, zone of truth. Some presence in Prealith.
Gird (link) - Saint - Common people, Protection (give common people weapons training) - Lawful Good, serves the High Lord; Priests have All, 2 major and 2 minor spheres but very good combat ability, laying on hands. Limited in Prealith.
Guthlac (link) - Medium God - Hunting, wild animals - True Neutral; Priests have access to All, 4 major, 4 minor spheres and medium combat ability, +2 with bows. Some presence in Prealith.
High Lord (no link) - Greater God - Creation - Lawful Good deity - Gnomes worship the High Lord directly; humans worship the High Lord but 'access' him through lower gods and saints.
Liart (link) - Medium God - Fear, torture, pain, tyranny, hatred - Lawful Evil, Priests have access to All, 3 major, 2 minor spheres but good combat ability, Detect Good, Inspire Fear, Control Undead. Widespread through all realms.
Myrna (link) - Medium Goddess - Knowledge, moon, (wizardry) - True Neutral deity. Priests have access to All, 6 major, 7 minor spheres with poor combat ability; additional languages. Found throughout known world.
Shelta (link) - Minor Goddess - Travelers, bards, navigation by stars - Neutral Good deity. Priests have access to All, 4 major, 4 minor spheres with medium combat ability; Additional languages, Enhanced movement. Found throughout the known world.
Simyits (no link) - Minor God - Luck - Chaotic Neutral deity - No priesthood. Gamblers and those needing luck appeal to him directly, unsure if he ever intercedes.
Tenille (link) - Medium Goddess? - Magic (magery, wizardry, bardic). True neutral deity. Priests have access to All, 7 major, 7 minor spheres with poor combat ability, Detect Magical Aptitude, Turn Undead, Additional languages, Shapechange. Found in Prealith especially in Sanctuary Enclave.
Tir (link) - Medium God - War - True Neutral, Priests have access to All, 2 major and 2 minor spheres with excellent combat ability; incite berserk rage, inspire fear. Substantial presence in Prealith.
Below are summaries linked to full descriptions of the gods and their priesthoods. In addition, major religious holidays are presented.
There is no generic "cleric" class. Each god's priesthood has its own specific powers and spell access.
Gods and their Priests (note: "Gods" and "Priests" also refer to "Goddesses" and "Priestesses" unless otherwise noted in the detailed description).
Spheres of Influence for spells - 16 in total: All (basic priestly functions), Animal, Astral (not available), Charm (affect attitudes and actions), Combat (can directly harm), Creation (produce something from nothing), Divination (find item, information, or best course of action), Elemental (earth, air, fire, water spells), Guardian (magical sentry), Healing (heal or cure - can be reversed if evil), Necromantic (can restore life, limb, experience level, etc. or reverse if evil), Plant, Protection (shields), Summoning (creatures from elsewhere), Sun (light, darkness spells), Weather.
Major Access to Spheres = unlimited, Minor Access to Spheres = priest can cast up to 3rd level spells in that sphere
Combat Abilities: Good = Metal armour and selection of weapons, Medium= Metal armour or good selection of weapons, Poor = no metal armour or no armour and limited and less lethal weapons.
Powers: Additional powers granted by the deity - range is high, medium, and low and are specific to that priesthood
Limitations: These are oaths or other limitations on the priest's actions or powers - specific to each priesthood.
Note: Players will notice the priesthoods are balanced. For example, a priesthood with good combat powers will have limited access to spheres of spells. Likewise, priests with additional powers will be either more limited with their combat abilities or spheres OR they may have limitations on their powers. As a result, there is no overpowered priesthood; however, there are priesthoods more suited to different tasks (e.g. combat or healing) and different playing styles.
Achrya (link) - Minor Goddess/demon - Chaos, Destruction, Evil, Trickery,Illusion - Chaotic Evil deity. Priests have access to All, 5 major and 4 minor spheres with medium combat ability, charm/fascinate, detect secret doors, shape change. Widespread through all realms but stay hidden and keep identity secret.
Alyanya (link) - Greater Goddess - Agriculture, Fertility, Health, and Peace - Neutral Good deity - Priests have access to 6 major and 6 minor spheres of influence for spells but poor combat ability and both significant powers and limitations
Barrandowea (link) - Medium God - Ocean/Seas, Violent Storms - True Neutral deity - Priests have access to All, 4 major, 4 minor spheres and medium combat ability (no armour), water breathing, shape changing. Widespread on Prealith's coast.
Camyn (link) - Saint - Courage, the arts, music, rhetoric - Chaotic Good, serves the High Lord; Priests have access to All, 4 major, 1 minor sphere with medium combat ability (no armour), charm, soothe, turn undead. Some presence.
Falk (link) - Saint - Courage, loyalty, oath keeping, protection/guardianship - Lawful Good, serves the High Lord; Priests have access to All, 3 major, 1 minor sphere and very good combat ability, zone of truth. Some presence in Prealith.
Gird (link) - Saint - Common people, Protection (give common people weapons training) - Lawful Good, serves the High Lord; Priests have All, 2 major and 2 minor spheres but very good combat ability, laying on hands. Limited in Prealith.
Guthlac (link) - Medium God - Hunting, wild animals - True Neutral; Priests have access to All, 4 major, 4 minor spheres and medium combat ability, +2 with bows. Some presence in Prealith.
High Lord (no link) - Greater God - Creation - Lawful Good deity - Gnomes worship the High Lord directly; humans worship the High Lord but 'access' him through lower gods and saints.
Liart (link) - Medium God - Fear, torture, pain, tyranny, hatred - Lawful Evil, Priests have access to All, 3 major, 2 minor spheres but good combat ability, Detect Good, Inspire Fear, Control Undead. Widespread through all realms.
Myrna (link) - Medium Goddess - Knowledge, moon, (wizardry) - True Neutral deity. Priests have access to All, 6 major, 7 minor spheres with poor combat ability; additional languages. Found throughout known world.
Shelta (link) - Minor Goddess - Travelers, bards, navigation by stars - Neutral Good deity. Priests have access to All, 4 major, 4 minor spheres with medium combat ability; Additional languages, Enhanced movement. Found throughout the known world.
Simyits (no link) - Minor God - Luck - Chaotic Neutral deity - No priesthood. Gamblers and those needing luck appeal to him directly, unsure if he ever intercedes.
Tenille (link) - Medium Goddess? - Magic (magery, wizardry, bardic). True neutral deity. Priests have access to All, 7 major, 7 minor spheres with poor combat ability, Detect Magical Aptitude, Turn Undead, Additional languages, Shapechange. Found in Prealith especially in Sanctuary Enclave.
Tir (link) - Medium God - War - True Neutral, Priests have access to All, 2 major and 2 minor spheres with excellent combat ability; incite berserk rage, inspire fear. Substantial presence in Prealith.