00. PRIEST
In any religion, there are those individuals who maintain the knowledge and perform the rituals associated with worship of the gods. Occasionally, such individuals may call on their gods for blessings, to borrow powers, or even perform miracles. This Priest skill provides a measure of the character’s standing within his/her chosen Priesthood as well as his/her ability to call on the deity.
This skill is unlike any others, however, in that many abilities are ultimately left open to the GM. It is actually to provide a general framework within which the Player and GM can define the actual potential for being a priest for particular religions and deities. The Player and GM need to work together to provide some of the details defining the framework of the religion: What god? What is its domain? What are its powers? What does it expect of its followers? What other gods may oppose it? It is then the GM’s responsibility to play the part of the gods and decide when a character has fulfilled the requirements set upon him/her by their deity. Because of this, the GM needs to keep track of a rating for the bond between the god and the Priest. This rating, called Binding, ranges from 0 to 10, and will vary as described in a section below. (NEED A BETTER NAME THAN BINDING! I originally was using Faith, but that implies the Faith of the Priest, where this is actually a measure of the strength of the bond between the Priest and deity).
[00.1] A character taking up the Priest skill must declare which god(s) they will be serving.
The character must meet whatever criteria may be set forth for that particular religion. Some religions may be very strict in membership - requiring the character be born amongst the priesthood, must have a certain birthmark, etc. Others may place no restrictions whatsoever on who are allowed take their place amongst the Faithful.
[00.2] Priests are typically addressed by titles accorded to their rank.
Rank 0-2: Initiate, Novice,
Rank 3-4: Acolyte, Brother
Rank 4-7: Priest, Father, Deacon,
Rank 8: High Priest, Your Worship, Bishop
Rank 10: Pope, Arch Priest, Great Kahuna, Grand Pooba
[00.3] Upon reaching rank 2, the character must determine their Calling within the ranks of the Priesthood.
This will generally be associated with particular skills. For instance, an archivist would need to be fluent in reading/writing several languages. An administrative position would require Steward skill. In some religions, the position of a Healer might be appropriate. Some religions might have prohpets and seers, for whom Astrology could play an important role. Priesthoods, particularly monastic brotherhoods, often require the use of various craft skills (cooking, carpentry, sewing, gardening). Orators and preachers would put a high emphasis on speaking skills along with perhaps a touch of Troubador or Courtier, as part of their tasks are to get converts. Such callings are of course dependent on the nature of particular religion.
The GM and player must agree on the particular skills needed for the character’s Calling, and rank in the Priest skill can never exceed rank in those skills by more than 2.
[00.4] Priests must diligently carry out the responsibilities assigned them in the service of their gods. Failure to do so will Be Bad.
GM tracks Binding rating, from from 10 to 0.
If the character does not meet the standards set forth for worship (i.e. regular prayer, sacrifices, vows, etc), reduce the Binding by 1.
If the character does something which is particular beneficial for the god, either performing a task for the god or advancing the state of worship, increase Binding
If the character doe something which goes against the creed of the god, reduce Binding accordingly (GMs discretion).
If Binding is reduced below 0, then the god should punish the Priest in some fashion. This may simply take the form of reducing rank in this skill, or it may take the form of a curse. If truly terrible, the god might as well just smite the character from existence. :)
Binding is reduced for each successful use of an ability which draws on the god’s power
Binding must be at least equal to the Rank to be achieved in order to advance in ranks.
[00.5] Starting at ranks 4, 6, and again at 8, a Priest may begin leading certain traditional ceremonies.
The rank 4 ceremonies should include those which are private, frequent, low impact on followers of the faith, and/or somewhat tedious (which is why the higher ranks delegate them).
Rank 6 ceremonies should be those which are higher profile, public rituals. Typically they will involve hundreds of followers, occasionally high ranking members of society who would take offense at being
Rank 8 ceremonies would be rituals vital to the religion.
Rank 10 ceremonies are those which, for whatever reason, only the leading Priest of the Religion can
[00.6] Starting at rank 6, a Priest may lead traditional public ceremonies.
They may not, however, lead ceremonies which are traditionally left to particular ranks. For instance, some religions will have ceremonies which can only be performed by the supreme leader of the Priesthood. The nature of any such ceremonies is dependent on the nature of the god to whom the ceremony is dedicated and should be determined by the GM. Note that having a comprehensive list of available ceremonies is not needed or even advised. It is quite acceptable that, in a given situation, the player may ask the GM, "It seems like there should be an applicable ceremony to this for my Priest." (This gives the players a chance to really stick the GM J )
[00.7] Priestly abilities described in 00.8 through 00.11 are affected by the number of followers who partake in the events/ceremonies.
Larger crowds of faithful believers will in effect increase the Binding between the Priest and his/her deity.
[00.8] A Priest may attempt to Convert other characters to become followers of their gods.
Attempting to convert a character will be dependent on the respective WillPower ratings for the Priest and potential convertee, the Priest's rank in this skill, rank in Courtier or Troubador, and respective ranks for both parties in the language being used.
[00.9] Priests may call upon their gods for Divine Inspiration and Guidance.
When Priests find themselves at a loss for direction in their lives, they may turn to their personal deities for guidance. Through some combination of ritual, prayer, and sacrifice, the Priest will try to get the god’s attention in the hopes of Divine Inspiration.
The base chance for success for receiving Divine Inspiration is ((Rank x 4) + (Binding x 5))%. The GM should make note that divine inspiration is often circumspect or even cryptic and quite often open to interpretation. (hint, hint). Gods also have little patience when those they share their Divine Wisdom with are so obtuse as to miss its meaning. (i.e. Divine Inspiration should not be meaningless, but it can be obscure or subtle.)
[00.10] Priests may draw on the powers of their gods.
Under extreme circumstances, deities may grant certain of their powers to be channeled through the Priest. An example of this would be a Priest of a god of healing channeling the power to heal an individual who was beyond their normal ability to heal. Another example would be a Priest of a fire god drawing on the god’s power to cast a godly huge fireball or receiving protection from fire. In some cases the Priest may already have the relevant skill, ability, or spell, and the god’s power will provide a significant bonus to the chance of success. In other cases, the ability may be entirely derived from the god.
Tapping into the power of the god decreases the Binding between Priest and god by one.
[00.11] Priests may call on their gods for a Divine Miracle.
Under even more extreme circumstances, a deity may exert even more influence to the point of causing a Miracle to happen. The power exerted in causing the Miracle will decrease the Binding between Priest and god by two.
[00.12] Upon reaching rank 8, a character may attempt to form a sub-cult based on their own interpretations of the gospel of their religion.
If the Priest is successful at generating a following, he/she will immediately be elevated to rank 10. However, regardless of success or failure, he/she will be ostracized by the rest of the mainstream Priesthood, probably to the point of being in danger.
[99.9] A Priest must pay for the necessary supplies and tools needed for religious rituals each year.
This would include ceremonial garb, books & scrolls, minor artifacts (eg: crucifix, staves, amulets, symbols of the god), incense.
[00.0] And remember, the gods are fickle.
The GM should feel free to apply a "fudge factor", depending on the god's nature, the task at hand, what the impact would be on the god if it DOESN'T lend aid, the god's mood (often depending on what it was doing at the time of the interruption), and of course the possibility that there may be other gods interested in the outcome who may lend a hand or interfere.