Avlissian Clerics

Among piles of notes on Kered's desk at the Avlis Tower University, can be found piles of notes, including the following half-finished manuscript...

Clerics

The Power of Faith

Authored by Kered Rose

Introduction

In the past I have been fortunate enough to have two books published. My works on barbarians and bards were both well received and it has been a source of lasting regret that I have not found the time to add to the pair and begin a series covering as may aspects of life here on Negaria as possible. I hope that this manuscript will be a remedy to that, and I shall soon add more books to this series.

For my latest effort, I decided to look at the role of religious leaders in the lands we inhabit. The world we live in is one driven by religion, and the men and women who guide us in our religion are incredibly influential. As before I will attempt to uncover the motivations of these people, and what it is that truly defines them.

Types of Clerics

How do we define a cleric? How do clerics define themselves? Throughout the years, different scholars have defined them in different ways, and true to my previous approach, I will not attempt to pigeonhole them, but I feel that in general, they fill one of the following roles, or a mixture of the three;

Clerics as obedient servants of a god. Such a cleric cares little for common folk; their god has specific tasks for them and they fill that role. If they fill a role for the common folk, it is likely as an example to be followed, an exemplar of how that god's follower's should behave. A cleric of Angadar or Andrinor, for example, may be more concerned with expanding their god's influence over magic on Avlis than with the health of lay followers. A priest of Maleki or Gorethar may be more devoted to battle than to time spent leading prayers. A priest of Vorin may spend his days collating information in the seclusion of a library cell.

Clerics as intermediaries between the gods and their followers. Such a cleric is concerned with his God's followers as much as with the god themself. They may be humble servants of the lay worshippers, helping them in their daily lives, asking their god to intercede on behalf of the worthy and helping people who ask for help understanding the will of their lord, or they may be leaders of men, attempting to stir their god's followers to great deeds, larger donations and more fervent worship. A cleric of Che'reth may humbly assist in a hospital, doing what they can to ease suffering, or they may lead efforts to raise funds for a new hospital like the one found in Blandenberg.

Clerics as missionaries. Such a cleric seeks to increase the following of their god. They may not be concerned so much with the wellbeing of followers as with sheer numbers and increasing that number.

In return for their devotion, clerics receive the favour of their gods in the form of divine spells and the ability to turn undead. A cleric who strays from their god's teachings will soon find themself powerless and alone.

Role of the Cleric

Even if we look at the clerics of just one god, there is immense variation within their ranks, so it is inevitable that when we consider the whole pantheon, there is a vast range of skills, attitudes and approaches to be considered.

Commonly, all clerics have the ability to turn undead. Indeed, just as the ability to summon forth a familiar is a defining characteristic of a mage, or the ability to inspire with music or words is that of a bard, this ability is one that can generally be used to set a cleric apart from others who are otherwise similar. Avlissian druids, for example, serve their gods too, but are unable to turn undead. Of course, paladins can also call on their gods for this ability.

While not all clerics see this as their role, it is a characteristic of all clerics that if they so choose they can call on their gods for magic that can be used to heal their friends and allies. Indeed, many sterotypes of clerics see them as little better than bandages carriers, either accompanying adventuring parties to keep them alive, or patching them up when they return to their temples. To anyone with a modicum of common sense, it is easy to look beyond this stereotype and see the vast range of ways in which clerics can contribute to adventuring groups.

As magic users, clerics lag not far behind sorcerors and wizards. A cleric who devotes himself to developing his magical abilities will be a foe to be reckoned with even when compared to mighty mages.

As fighters, clerics are also a force to be reckoned with. Their spells come to them not through dusty hours tucked away in study, like wizards, but through prayer to their deity, and thus they ahve more time to develop their physical durability and martial prowess. Coupled with their ability to wear armour and cast their divine magic, they are a fighting force to be reckoned with. Not quite the equal of a well-equipped fighter, they are nevertheless and dangerous melee opponent.

Locations

In trying to keep as much as possible in common with previous volumes, I find myself including a section that almost seems unnecessary. Location of clerics? Well, quite literally everywhere. Nowhere on Avlis will you find a region that does not have its share of clerics. They may be fewer in number in Tyedu, where druids tend to predominate, but even there, they are an important part of society.

Perhaps the only need to mention location is to describe how some locations have a wider variety of clerics. Whereas Kuras has large numbers of Toranite priests and but a few priests of Gorethar and O'Ma, cities such as Elysia and Mikona have not only a large range of priests, but a large range of Temples in which they serve. Both of these two cities show tolerance and even encouragement to a large range of religions and the clerics that serve them.

Physical Characteristics & Appearance

As with location, it seems almost unnecessary to say that appearance varies among clerics and priests as much as it does across the rest of whichever race they belong to.

Compared to a mage, clerics may find more time to develop themselevs physically. Compared to a fighter, they may spend more time in contemplation and study. Some are as dextrous as a cat burglar, others as clumsy as a bouncer.

Personality

A common, though not universal, characteristic among clerics is intensity and fervour. Those who lack drive and ambition are rarely stirred to serve their gods as wholeheartedly as is necessary to receive that gods blessing.

A pries who is lazy and indolent is unlikely to be favoured by the god, and there are few exceptions. Some stereotypes hold tha priests of Mishlekh may be lazy and slothful, but in fact they are among the hardest working priests of all, seeing to the gropwing of crops, the making of wine, the distribution of the finished product and the proper appreciation of it, before starting it all again the next day, next season or next party. Priests of Mishlekh may the most industrious of all, in terms of sheer physical effort and hours of devotion.

As before, beyond that, a priest may be caring, if that is consistent with the aims of their god, murderous, if that is in line with their god's teachings.