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[HWR2] Nithian Cleric Class Variants

by Håvard

Having done the first round of Magic Users, we continue on the exploration of the Nithian Class variants I mentioned in this thread:

 
These variants were mentioned in HWR2:

CLERIC

• Cleric of Horon
• Cleric of Ptahr
• Cleric of Pflarr
• Cleric of Ranivorus
• Cleric of Rathanos
• Cleric of Thanatos
• Cleric of Isiris
• War-Cleric - Note: War Cleric was listed under Fighter in HWA2 p 21, but the description makes clear that these are Clerics.

Okay, that is the first round of going through the Cleric variants. In the book the abilities are obscured by a bunch of text so just turning them into a list made it a lot easier to evaluate. Overall, I don't think it is a problem to have these have some abilities that normal Clerics would not since they are subjected to limitations from the Hollow World. In addition to the limited spell selection, being unable to wear plate mail is a big deal for Clerics in BECMI.

The Horonii: Cleric of Horon (Ixion) (by the book version)

• Nithian Cultural Limitations:
  • Illiteracy: Nithian characters must spend a skill slot in order to learn how to read and write. (This is a modification of the rule in the HW boxed set)
  • Armor Limitation: may not use any armor that gives an AC better than 5 (not including bonuses for Dex, magic or skills).
  • Cultural Weapons limitation: Nithians are limited to using the weapons associated with their culture.
• +1 to Heat Exhaustion Checks at 1st level. This ability improves by +1 at 4rd, 7th, 10th level etc. A result of 20 will always fail. This bonus is only applied to exhaustion checks from combat.
• Gains infravision at will.
• May cast Light 1/day
• Can cause their swords to burst into flame for an additional 1d4 points of fire damage (Available at 10th level)
• Hot tempered. If insulted, must make Wis check -4 or be sent into berserker rage for 1 round per level.
• Must spend one hour per "sleep" honoring Horon or lose all spells until he repents
• Must fight all evils (although not suicidal actions)

Note: Like all HW characters, this class is limited by the spells available in the Hollow World.

 
Initial thoughts: The hot tempered and must fight all evils are a little silly. Especially the hot tempered ability, which becomes even worse at higher levels

The Artificers: Cleric of Ptahr (Kagyar) (by the book version)

As Clerics except for the following:

• Nithian Cultural Limitations:
  • Illiteracy: Nithian characters must spend a skill slot in order to learn how to read and write. (This is a modification of the rule in the HW boxed set)
  • Armor Limitation: may not use any armor that gives an AC better than 5 (not including bonuses for Dex, magic or skills).
  • Cultural Weapons limitation: Nithians are limited to using the weapons associated with their culture.
• Detect Magic at Will
• May understand complex devices 55%
• Can make Charms of Nature. Each takes 1 sleep to make. May one make 1/level. They can only ever make one of each type.
• Make automaton (10th level)
• At 25th level, the Cleric must make an Egg of Wonder
• If he ever destroys a work of art, he must atone or lose 5 points of INT.

Note: Like all HW characters, this class is limited by the spells available in the Hollow World.

 
This one looks fine to me. The automaton creation is most problematic, but I think it can work if it is subjected to the standard creation of golems with the exception that these Clerics do not need the special book to create the Automatas.

Children of Pflarr: Cleric of Pflarr (by the book version)

• Nithian Cultural Limitations:
  • Illiteracy: Nithian characters must spend a skill slot in order to learn how to read and write. (This is a modification of the rule in the HW boxed set)
  • Armor Limitation: may not use any armor that gives an AC better than 5 (not including bonuses for Dex, magic or skills).
  • Cultural Weapons limitation: Nithians are limited to using the weapons associated with their culture.
• Gains ability to speak Hutaakan and is accepted as an equal by that race.
• May use Read Magic at will
• Javelin of Pflarr ability 1/sleep
• May cast magic user spells, using their Clerical spell slots. These spells must be learned and kept in a spell book
• Must protect magic and help it grow
• Must destroy Gnolls

Note: As all HW characters, these Clerics have a limited Clerical spell selection.

These Clerics wear linen robes and bracers. It is unclear if they are actually allowed to use other armor.

Flame-Bearer: Cleric of Rathanos (by the book version)

• Nithian Cultural Limitations:
  • Illiteracy: Nithian characters must spend a skill slot in order to learn how to read and write. (This is a modification of the rule in the HW boxed set)
  • Armor Limitation: may not use any armor that gives an AC better than 5 (not including bonuses for Dex, magic or skills).
  • Cultural Weapons limitation: Nithians are limited to using the weapons associated with their culture.
• +1 to Saving Throws vs. fire magic (including spells, magic items, breath weapons etc)
• Fire Magic: When casting a fire magic spell, roll D% below character's level. Success gives a special effect.
• half damage from all energy based attacks (at 5th level)
• Immune to fire damage (10th level)
• Can regenerate damage with flames (10th level). Unclear how this works.
• Charm-spell always on when dealing with Fire magical beings (at 20th level)
• No saving throw and always double damage from water and cold based spells

Note: As all HW characters, these Clerics have a limited Clerical spell selection.

This one is not bad, but some abilities are a little gimcky. I am not a big fan of the charm-spell ability. Instead I would have given a +5 or even +10 Charsma bonus or a bonus to reaction rolls. No saving throws and double damage also seems a bit harsh. Double damage would probably be enough?

Thanatons: Cleric of Thanatos (by the book version)
Note: This subclass was reserved for the DM's Booklet and presumably intended as an NPC class.

• Nithian Cultural Limitations:
  • Illiteracy: Nithian characters must spend a skill slot in order to learn how to read and write. (This is a modification of the rule in the HW boxed set)
  • Armor Limitation: may not use any armor that gives an AC better than 5 (not including bonuses for Dex, magic or skills).
  • Cultural Weapons limitation: Nithians are limited to using the weapons associated with their culture.
• Turn undead ability replaced by a charm undead ability (not properly explained)
• Can use Pyramid Energy to create undead. 1 HD for every 5 points spent.
• Immunity to Energy drain and infravision (at 5th level, if draped in mummy robes)
• Can use a special Scythe-like weapon (stats as Sword Staff from HWR2)
• Can create Ba-Warriors (10th level)
• Can sprout gargoyle wings and fly at running movement rate (20th level)

Note: As all HW characters, these Clerics have a limited Clerical spell selection.

Thorns: Cleric of Isiris (by the book version)

• Nithian Cultural Limitations:
  • Illiteracy: Nithian characters must spend a skill slot in order to learn how to read and write. (This is a modification of the rule in the HW boxed set)
  • Armor Limitation: may not use any armor that gives an AC better than 5 (not including bonuses for Dex, magic or skills).
  • Cultural Weapons limitation: Nithians are limited to using the weapons associated with their culture.
• Must have 16 in ChA
• Use charm spell 1/day. If handing the target a rose, saving throws are made at -2
• Irresistable aura. When encountering someone of the opposite sex, treat as if Cleric casts a charm spell
• May cast lovesong spell (HWR2 p 16)
• Girding: Roll 1d20 below level. If successful, the Cleric is bestowed armor and weapons of a random culture. (10th level)
• Girding ability now summons +1 magical weapons and sometimes 1 or more warriors of levels 1-6. Items and warrior disappear at the end of combat.
• Must show hospitality to strangers and children. If not, they may suffer 2d6 CHA loss.
• Must spend 1000 GP per level before advancing. The money must be spent on improving themselves or others. If not, there is a 55% chance that 2d6 CHA is lost.

Note: As all HW characters, these Clerics have a limited Clerical spell selection.

Comments:
1) Not a big fan of ability score requirements. This feels more like an AD&D thing and not something that belongs in BECMI. However, I guess it can work as a CHA requirement for the other special abilities to work.

2) Not a fan of the Irresistable aura ability. I would change this to a bonus to CHA regardless of targets sex.

3) The specific punishments are weird. I like that there are requirements for how to behave, but they seen very harsh and arbitrary. I would also allow for penance, but there is no mention of this and there is no way outside a wish spell to improve ability scores in BECMI.

4) This class description includes several references to the Tanagoro culture which could be useful for further expanding that culture's lore.

Cleric of Ranivorous (by the book version)

Note: This variant class was reserved for the DM's booklet and probably intended as an NPC class.

• Nithian Cultural Limitations:
  • Illiteracy: Nithian characters must spend a skill slot in order to learn how to read and write. (This is a modification of the rule in the HW boxed set)
  • Armor Limitation: may not use any armor that gives an AC better than 5 (not including bonuses for Dex, magic or skills).
  • Cultural Weapons limitation: Nithians are limited to using the weapons associated with their culture.
• May use Plate mail and Flail without suffering cultural penalties
• Whispered hatefulness (1/sleep). If successful, target must make save vs. death ray or target must accept what is whispered into his ear as truth. Roll below Cleric's level on 1d20. If successful, the target will not remember who said it.
• Can turn snakes in addition to turning undead
• Innstill berserker rage on target touched. Save vs spells to negate (10th level). 1 additional target can be affected per Cleric's level above 10th.
• Gnoll form: Cleric permanently gains the shape of a Gnoll. (20th level)
• Bersker rage ability does no longer require touch (20th level).

Note: As all HW characters, these Clerics have a limited Clerical spell selection.

Comments: This one looks pretty good, although the Whispered Hatefulness ability could perhaps be better defined?

War-Cleric (by the book version)
This Cleric must follow the current Pharaoh as an Immortal.

• Nithian Cultural Limitations:
  • Illiteracy: Nithian characters must spend a skill slot in order to learn how to read and write. (This is a modification of the rule in the HW boxed set)
  • Armor Limitation: may not use any armor that gives an AC better than 5 (not including bonuses for Dex, magic or skills).
  • Cultural Weapons limitation: Nithians are limited to using the weapons associated with their culture.
• May use the Mace-Axe
• +1 to hit and damage with Mace-Axe

Note: As all HW characters, these Clerics have a limited Clerical spell selection.