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First I wanted to thank everyone who took the time to post their thoughts in the “why are people reluctant to play clerics” thread.
I am interested in starting another thread.
The cleric class is very adaptable, and there are many ways to play a cleric.
I would like to see if people can take a stab at creating Cleric Characters. What cleric characters can you come up with? What god does the cleric worship? What is the theology of the priesthood of that god? What does the cleric believe? Is it different from the theology of the priesthood? What is the role of these particular clerics in the community? Lets also include other devine spell caster classes, like the cloistered cleric, the devine soul, the spirit shaman and the druid? Have I missed any other classes? ( lets exclude prestige classes, except as part of a concept build)
For Example: In my rise of the Rune lords’ game, I have a character that is an elven druid. He is a follower of the green faith. As for theology, he believes in keeping all things in balance and taking nothing to extremes. He believes in reincarnation, and that all soles have journeys to make and lessons to learn as they travel through lifetime after lifetime. In some lives a soul will live a “good” life and in other lives a soul will live an “evil” life. The important thing is that the soul can pass through birth life death and rebirth, and learn on its journey. He thinks that the reincarnation cycle, a reflection of nature and its cycles of seasons with spring summer fall and winter and then spring again. Undeath is an abomination that interrupts this natural cycle of life death and reincarnation. He has no qualms about killing a goblin, because he is simply releasing its spirit to travel onto its next life. He isn’t interested in redemption. The Undead he actively seeks to destroy because undeath is an abomination that interrupts this natural cycle of death. Undeath prevents a spirits journey from one lifetime to another.
In terms of “roll in the community” he has served as both protector and moderator. He has protected the community of Sandpoint from a threat of goblins, and a scourge of ghouls, He has healed the sick where he can, and also, as like a ranger patrolled the forests for predators, he helps the farmers with their crops, and encourages good stewardship of the land, and moderation in terms of what the community takes from the forest in terms of hunting and logging and the sea in terms of fishing.
Another example:
I have another character called Iman Gabriel Al Katheer. Eventually I plan to use him in the Pathfinder organized play, when I can find an organized play event to run him at. For the full details look up the profile for Iman Gabreil Al Katheer on the pathfinder site.
Iman Gabriel Al Katheer is a cleric of Sarenrae His father wanted something better then the life of a merchant, so in an effort to “improve “ Gabriel’s station, he was sent off to the Venicaan College of Medicaments and Chiurgery where Gabriel did quite well. Gabriel also studied the teachings of Sarenrae. He has recently finished his studies at the Venicaan College, and he has graduated an official “Chiugeren “ and Iman of Sarenrae.
. Gabriel is essentially a good person. He is kind and generous and humble. He gets along easily with people, (except his sister Fatima who finds endless ways to frustrate and irritate Gabriel) and spends more time listening to the opinions of others rather then foisting his own upon others (unlike Fatima who is very opinionated). He is very polite and well mannered, cautious and diplomatic in his speech and deeds (unlike his sister, who is rash prone to outburst and impetuous decisions). He dresses in simple white robes, (unlike his sister Fatima, who tries to out do a peacock) In matters of faith, Gabriel believes that ones actions and example are far more important then telling others what to believe (unlike Fatima who loves to share the “pearls” of Sarenrae’s wisdom regardless of weather these pearls are wanted or not). Gabriel is certain that his sister’s favorite means of amusement is to irritate him, and that Sarenerae has put his sister on Galeron to constantly test his patience. Funnily enough, Gabriel has almost limitless patience when dealing with anyone else.
Not soon after, Gabriel’s graduation, His father Ibrahim has asked him to track down his sister Fatima. Apparently, after arranging a marriage to a wealthy pasha, the girl had gone joined the pathfinders in Absalom and disappeared. Gabriel has just arrived at Absalom, joined the Pathfinders, and has begun looking for his sister. Gabriel relishes the prospect of extricating his sister Fatima, from a compromising embarrassing and uncomfortable situation, to have one he can “ hold “ over her.
Journeys sometimes don’t happen in a strait line. One would think it is an easy sail from Katheer to Absalom. Imam Gabriel’s vessel ran afoul a Chelaxian slaving vessel. The ship was boarded, and everyone who survived the battle was taken aboard the Chelaxian vessel. Stuck in the hold of this vessel Gabriel did what he could to alleviate the suffering of the other slaves. He healed, created water, purified the food, etc. The shipmaster was particularly pleased with Gabriel as a prize. He would fetch an excellent price as a house slave, with his medicinal skills, or the Church of Asmodeus would certainly snatch him up to Sacrifice him in some hellish rite.
Gabriel did his best to keep his hopes up and faith that Sarenrae would deliver him. His delivery came from an unexpected quarter. The Chelaxian Slave vessel was itself attacked by Andoran Corsairs After the fight; Gabriel regained all of his possessions, and helped heal the freed slaves and the crew of the Andoran vessel. After this experience on the Chelaxian slave ship, he does not wish the evil of slavery to befall others. He is not sure what to do about the practices of slavery in his homeland, but accepting the practice as “part of live and the landscape” is no longer acceptable to Gabriel. Gabriel has decided to help the Andorrans.
In terms of theology, Just as Sarenrae nurtures and heals, so must her servants. Gabriel helps the needy and cures the sick where he can. In the light truth is revealed, shadows driven back, and one can truly know oneself. All things are possible, in the light and redemption is possible for all. One just has to choose. However there is another side to the Sun. It can be hard and it can burn. So for those who do not heed the Dawnflower's generous offer of forgiveness and for those who are unwilling to repent their selfish wicked ways, they shall be burned in the Wrath of the Dawn flower. The undead of course are an anathema. Where evil is encountered, where the weak are down trodden, Sarenrae offers the promise of hope, and to the wicked the promise of retribution for their viciousness.
Well that is all I have so far.
I know these may not be the most original of ideas, Namely an elven druid of the green faith, spouting environmentalism, and a Cleric of the Goddess of the sun and redemption, being a NG helpful cleric healing people, but it is a place to start.
I would like to see if people can take a stab at creating Cleric Characters. What cleric characters can you come up with? What god does the cleric worship (Lets limit the gods to the Pathfinder setting) ? What is the theology of the priesthood of that god? What does the cleric believe? Is it different from the theology of the priesthood? What is the role of these particular clerics in the community? Lets also include other divine spell caster classes, like the cloistered cleric, the divine soul, the spirit shaman and the druid? Have I missed any other classes? ( lets exclude prestige classes, except as part of a concept build)
Would the good gods be prayed to for help? Would the Evil gods be given offerings out of fear? Would these offerings be made out of a hope of appeasement?
What are your ideas? I am hoping we can come up with some good PC ideas, some good NPCs and possibly even memorable villains for the community to use.