Oracles, how do they think?

[Alokov1]

This isn't technically related to Golarion I suppose but this seems to be the "fluff" forum whereas General Discussion is quite obviously a crunch forum so I thought I should ask it here.

I like the idea of oracles but I find it hard to figure out how they would fit into the setting, or even what their philosophies would be like.

Perhaps this is partially due to my view of clerics. I use clerics more like saints than the seemingly traditional "I pray x number of times a day, therefore I get powers." This solves the issue of too much healing magic in the world, makes PC clerics special, and prevents gods from being reduced to magic vending machines.

The problem with this is that I get the feeling that's the niche the oracle is supposed to fill. Clerics are the everyday worker bees of a religion, while oracles are the special "chosen ones." Now I'm fine with the idea of them being chosen a la Forgotten Realms, which differentiated between Chosen and clerics as well. The problem with that is that they were all chosen by A god, not by "everybody with the Fire domain." I don't see how or why people like Asmodeus and Serenrae would both agree to grant the same person powers, and, regardless of how they get their powers, I don't see how oracles think given the things they're said to venerate. Sure I get a guy who's so obsessed with war he can become a war oracle, or an obsessive scholar of death, or a guy who's so insane and destructive that he gets chosen by the Dark Tapestry pantheon (who at least have SOME sort of cohesion, even fi many of them hate each other) but then there's stuff like flame. Sure, Asmodeus might pick a pyromaniac, but would Sarenrae go along with that? And what would be the mindset of somebody who venerates both Sarenrae and Asmodeus specifically as fire deities.

This is the only class whose fluff I don't like so far, so I'm sure there's something I'm missing, but unfortunately there's never been any "Faiths Of" equivalent for Mysteries.

Thanks

[GeneticDrift]

The gods don't have to work together, one just has to see your potential in promoting his domains.

There are many god like beings out there. Not al are full deity, but they can leand a hand.

[Ridge]

There are all sorts of reasons to worship a god in this setting. Everything from loving and agreeing with their teachings, to fearing they'll ruin your life if you don't at least give them some worship, to just thinking that even the gods you don't agree with might have something to teach you, even if it's only how you DON'T want to live.

Then to add to the fun, since Oracles don't get a choice, they can see it as much a punishment as a blessing.

One concept I've been tempted to play is that of a Taldor Official who used to take great delight in hunting down Sarenrae worshipers (Illegal in Taldor)and bringing them to 'justice'. He finally gets too successful, and then BAM...
Suddenly his vision grows cloudy, or maybe he grows deaf, or lame
and shows obvious signs of the goddess' power (Heaven, Flame, whatever)

Does he end up hunted by the same authorities he used to work with as he's now tied to an 'illegal goddess'? Does he renew his mission to bring down her followers even if he must use the power from her to do it? Does he seek other gods in the mystery for guidance? Or does he, ironically find redemption and grow happy in service to the very goddess he used to oppose?

As for Clerics, they're still chosen, its just they make the first move so to speak and offer themselves up. They still have to have the deity say 'yes'.

I suppose it's a bit like asking someone out on a date. You risk getting rejected and boy that could sting. Imagine a proud young woman who believes she has a future in the Church of Iomedae and will certainly become a cleric. She follows the rituals, the code, and tithes. She feels she does everything right.

But the Inheritor doesn't respond to her prayers. Others, who the human woman might see as less worthy might become clerics, but not HER.

Does she stay true in her faith anyway and serve however she can, even if it's just a lowly servant in the church who cleans floors? Does she seek out another god or goddess who appreciates her? Heck, does she turn to an god Iomedae normally opposes out of 'hell hath no fury like a former worshiper scorned' kind of thing?

Flipside of that, a young noble is the seventh son of a seventh son and left with nothing, he doubts his skill at arms will allow him to be a good warrior, so he goes to a Church of a respected deity, which at least won't embarrass his family. He offers himself to the god for what might arguably be the wrong reason.
And to his surprise, the god/goddess accepts. He feels a connection, he might begin to feel true devotion, and yes, get spells.

So I think Clerics don't have to lose anything to the Oracle per se. But the classes existing side by side does force you to consider the differences in each one's approach

[Andrew R]

Fun thing with oracles is that they are given the powers without asking for them or even wanting them. Mine is actually pretty much against the gods, figuring that he is just a pawn to them

[Pendagast]

I view oracle in the same way I view favored soul.... Oracles though make it even easier, because they got a curse too....
Who gave this to me? I didn't ask for it....

So more of the reluctant, brooding cleric, not the, "stand back! I'll heal you brother!" type.