|
I’ve been thinking about this for a while. I was wanting to remove religion from the Cleric/Paladin/Inquisitor classes, (a much as any other class anyway), while still retaining the themes and flavor as righteous warriors of a cause. If they choose to follow a deity, religion, philosophy, just like anyone else, they are absolutely free to do so, but it does not affect them any more or any less than any class.
Instead, their focus is more of a patriotism, spreading the ideals of Andoran, Rahadoum, Cheliax, Orc-kind, “humanity”, etc. . . Clerics/Paladins/Inquisitors (but not Oracles), function more along the lines of urban shamans than priests I some sense, keepers of their people’s true ways, leading them into battle, spreading the word to others, and advising.
Mechanically, few things change. They still use Divine Magic, Clerics still get 2 Domains and Channel Energy, <Anti>Paladins still have Lay on Hands, etc. . . though the way the Favored Weapon, Domains/Inquisitions, and other options change somewhat.
Each nation/faction/racial identity has a small list of Favored Weapons whose flavor is directly tied to their universal flavor and setting history. Somewhere between 2-4 Favored Weapon options, (though you need to select only one for Proficiency and Spells like Spiritual Weapon at 1st level that can not change). They also offer a broader spectrum of Domains, because they will have broader goals. If a Domain is offered, (with a few thematic exceptions), they also offer all Subdomains. However, all offer each Alignment Domain, but they may only be chosen by followers that maintain that Alignment. You must be LG/LN/LE in order to take the Law Domain, and if your alignment ever shifts from Lawful, you loose access to both the Domain Powers and Spell options, (assuming you do not also loose all divine abilities).
For example,
Osirion
Favored Weapons: Kopesh, Flail, Light Mace (Scepter), and Staff
Domains: Animal, Artifice, Death/Repose, Earth, Fire, Knowledge, Magic, Rune, Sun, and Water (NOT Ice or Ocean).
Cheliax:
Favored Weapons: Heavy Mace, Light Hammer, & Whip
Domains: Charm, Community, Destruction, Glory, Nobility, Protection, Strength, Travel, Trickery, War, & Water
Orc:
Favored Weapons: Battleaxe, Falchion, Greatclub, Greatsword
Domains: Animal, Darkness, Death, Destruction, Earth, Fire, Luck, Plant, Scalykind, Strength, War, & Weather
Taldor:
Favored Weapons: Longsword, Heavy Mace, Lance, Crossbows*
Domains: Animal (horses), Artifice, Charm, Community, Glory, Knowledge, Luck, Nobility, Protect, Travel, & War
Humanity (Civilization/Humanoids):
Favored Weapons: Longsword, Shields* (as Weapon Prof only), Spears*, & Staff (?)
Domains: Artifice, Charm, Community, Destruction, Healing, Knowledge, Liberation, Magic, Protection, Travel, & War
Kyonin (Elf):
Favored Weapons: Longbow, Longsword, Rapier, & Shortbow
Domains: Animal, Community, Healing, Knowledge, Liberation, Magic, Nobility, Plant, Protection, Travel, & Weather
Nidal:
Favored Weapon: Spiked Chain, Dagger, Flails*, & Sap
Domains: Charm, Darkness, Death, Knowledge, Luck, Magic, Nobility, Protection, Rune, Trickery & Void
* Some Favored Weapons offer more than one option. For example, if it says "Spears" than you can choose one form of Simple or Martial Weapon that is a Spear, such as Javelin, Short Spear, Longspear, and possibly Lance. As with when the character chooses their Favored Weapon the first time they gain a level in a divine class, they must choose the specific one, and that choice can not be changed. Shields are an exception, where you only gain the Weapon Proficiency to Shieldbash with Light and Heavy Shields, (but note do not gain the Proficiency with them similar to Armor.
This also includes minor variations on the weapon such as spiked shields or Composite bows.
Something to note, all the Feats, Traits, and similar options that are Deity Specific remain Deity Specific. Like all other classes, Clerics/Paladins/Inquisitors/Warpriests etc . . . may nly have one Patron Deity, though they may worship as many as they want otherwise, can be pantheonists (still only getting powers for those Feats, Traits, etc. . . from one Patron), or even atheist/agnostic (in which case they can not receive any Deity specifc options at all, but may still be a Cleric or Inquisitor or the like).
It would made a great archetype, or even an alternate class for clerics and inquisitors.