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DLCS Cleric Alignments

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
marius4
Sep 13, 2003 20:13:53 Are there any typos in the Cleric Alignment entries in DLCS chapter 4? I was just wondering about Branchala, for instance, who is listed as accepting CN clerics, or say Chislev, a N deity who accepts NG and NE clerics (but not druids, right?).

This follows the one-step rule of the PHB, but in many unofficial DL materials the moral alignment was stressed over the ethical alignment. I don't have a particular stance on the issue, but wanted to be sure of the actual designers' intent.

Additionally, if they are as is, how would a CN fit into Branchala's clergy, or a NG/NE fit into Gilean's clergy?
#2
zombiegleemax
Sep 13, 2003 20:26:46 In the case of the clergy of Gilean, a NE cleric could be a cruel teacher; an academic who will spend a fortune on book bindings and ignore those who are starving, a sage seeking forbidden knowledge that might endanger the city in which he lives. He might make alliance with evil creatures to find that lost tome. After all, people come and go, but knowledge is forever. The Month of the Book for these characters is a necessary annoyance, where they have to give their knowledge for free.

A NG cleric might be more inclined to see that her knowledge is used for the benefit of others, keeping the dangerous material in locked and hidden vaults. She might share her knowledge for no fee.

There are many ways various alignments might be played in these cases, as long as their focus is knowledge and learning.
#3
stunspore
Sep 14, 2003 23:53:32 An NE teacher could be one that enjoys corporeal punshment
#4
cam_banks
Sep 15, 2003 9:25:50
Originally posted by marius4
Are there any typos in the Cleric Alignment entries in DLCS chapter 4? I was just wondering about Branchala, for instance, who is listed as accepting CN clerics, or say Chislev, a N deity who accepts NG and NE clerics (but not druids, right?).

Chislev, like Habbakuk and Zeboim, has both clerics and druids. The means by which druids gain access to their power is a little more indirect than with the cleric/druid relationship but it is god-given, rather than being ambient (i.e. it isn't mysticism). Mystics who adopt the general attitudes and ideals of druids certainly exist, however, and would take the Plant, Animal, Alteration, etc domain and perhaps pick up the Nomad Shaman prestige class. See Ferilleeagh's statistics on p168 of the Age of Mortals.

This follows the one-step rule of the PHB, but in many unofficial DL materials the moral alignment was stressed over the ethical alignment. I don't have a particular stance on the issue, but wanted to be sure of the actual designers' intent.

I believe this is something of a twist in the traditional attitude towards the deities, especially in the wake of the War of Souls where the gods are really trying to get worshippers. You'll note that some of the deities, such as Mishakal, still only have clerics within the moral alignment of the pantheon (there are no N clerics of Mishakal, in other words). I'm not sure I really like evil clerics of Reorx, for example, but if we make those the rare exceptions rather than the rule it won't prove too much of a problem. I think 99% of a given deity's clerics will either match their alignment, or have it be one step along the Lawful/Chaos track rather than the Evil/Good track.

Cheers,
Cam

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 marius4 Sep 13, 2003 20:13:53	Are there any typos in the Cleric Alignment entries in DLCS chapter 4? I was just wondering about Branchala, for instance, who is listed as accepting CN clerics, or say Chislev, a N deity who accepts NG and NE clerics (but not druids, right?). This follows the one-step rule of the PHB, but in many unofficial DL materials the moral alignment was stressed over the ethical alignment. I don't have a particular stance on the issue, but wanted to be sure of the actual designers' intent. Additionally, if they are as is, how would a CN fit into Branchala's clergy, or a NG/NE fit into Gilean's clergy?
#2 zombiegleemax Sep 13, 2003 20:26:46	In the case of the clergy of Gilean, a NE cleric could be a cruel teacher; an academic who will spend a fortune on book bindings and ignore those who are starving, a sage seeking forbidden knowledge that might endanger the city in which he lives. He might make alliance with evil creatures to find that lost tome. After all, people come and go, but knowledge is forever. The Month of the Book for these characters is a necessary annoyance, where they have to give their knowledge for free. A NG cleric might be more inclined to see that her knowledge is used for the benefit of others, keeping the dangerous material in locked and hidden vaults. She might share her knowledge for no fee. There are many ways various alignments might be played in these cases, as long as their focus is knowledge and learning.
#3 stunspore Sep 14, 2003 23:53:32	An NE teacher could be one that enjoys corporeal punshment
#4 cam_banks Sep 15, 2003 9:25:50	Originally posted by marius4 Are there any typos in the Cleric Alignment entries in DLCS chapter 4? I was just wondering about Branchala, for instance, who is listed as accepting CN clerics, or say Chislev, a N deity who accepts NG and NE clerics (but not druids, right?). Chislev, like Habbakuk and Zeboim, has both clerics and druids. The means by which druids gain access to their power is a little more indirect than with the cleric/druid relationship but it is god-given, rather than being ambient (i.e. it isn't mysticism). Mystics who adopt the general attitudes and ideals of druids certainly exist, however, and would take the Plant, Animal, Alteration, etc domain and perhaps pick up the Nomad Shaman prestige class. See Ferilleeagh's statistics on p168 of the Age of Mortals. This follows the one-step rule of the PHB, but in many unofficial DL materials the moral alignment was stressed over the ethical alignment. I don't have a particular stance on the issue, but wanted to be sure of the actual designers' intent. I believe this is something of a twist in the traditional attitude towards the deities, especially in the wake of the War of Souls where the gods are really trying to get worshippers. You'll note that some of the deities, such as Mishakal, still only have clerics within the moral alignment of the pantheon (there are no N clerics of Mishakal, in other words). I'm not sure I really like evil clerics of Reorx, for example, but if we make those the rare exceptions rather than the rule it won't prove too much of a problem. I think 99% of a given deity's clerics will either match their alignment, or have it be one step along the Lawful/Chaos track rather than the Evil/Good track. Cheers, Cam