
Anya Preswick, half-elven cleric of Freya
Clerics serve a deity, channeling their power among mortals. Most clerics are connected to a temple or shrine, often close to the community they grew up in. While anyone can profess their belief in a deity and offer their service to them, only true faith is rewarded with the powers of a Cleric.
Subclasses
A cleric's subclass is determined by the god they serve. All gods have several domains that they have influence over, and clerics gain the powers of the domain that matches the aspect of their worship.
Life Domain
This domain is focused on healing and longevity, letting the cleric channel positive energy to aid their allies. Freya, Idun, Balder, and Skadi are all deities connected to this domain.
Light Domain
The Light domain encompasses a wide range of ideas, from enlightening secrets, to fiery wrath. While Freya, Heimdall, and Tyr all have aspects of this domain, their worship looks wholly different. Freya, the Lady of Light, is concerned with bringing light to dark places, eradicating undeath, and sun worship. Heimdall, the Forgeflame, teaches creation kindled by fire and the reading of omens in the flame. Finally, Tyr focuses on the destructive wrath of uncontained flame.
Trickery
Gods of Trickery are fickle masters, but those who serve them well can expect to be richly rewarded. Idun, and Loki are the two major gods that embody this domain. Idun's trickery centers around manipulating events in your favor. Followers of Loki, meanwhile, use their powers to manipulate others to progress their schemes.
War Domain
As long as there have been gods, there have been conflict in their name. The gods whose aspects include war are chiefly Odin, Tyr, and Uller. Odin focuses on gathering worthy warriors in preparation for Ragnarok. Tyr focuses on conquest through martial might. Uller's teachings focuses on hunting your quarry through individual skill.
Ideals
- Devotion: I have whole-heartedly accepted of my deity's promises. (Any)
- Service: We must care for the people who cannot care for themselves. (Good)
- Ambition: I would do a better job than the current leaders of my organization. (Evil)
- Providence: Sometimes the gods provide, sometimes they take away. (Neutral)
- Teachings: I follow the holy writings, even when I disagree with them. (Lawful)
- Arrogance: I serve the most powerful beings in the universe, and I do not answer to anyone else. (Chaotic)
Backstory Questions
- What drew you to your particular deity?
- Have you served at a shrine or temple?
- Have you ever doubted your faith? What made you stray, and have you reconciled your beliefs?
Clerics of the Past
Isobel Beckett (House Beckett)
human cleric, LG, 1141-1225
Isobel Beckett was the first Countess of Covenant and the first Speaker of the Estian Council. A master diplomat, philosopher, and politician, Isobel was the leading architect behind the Estian constitution and helped negotiate its passage with the city-states. She served as Speaker for four full terms, and is buried in the Temple of Heimdall in a tomb of black marble. Isobel was a devout worshipper of Heimdall, and she was eleveated to sainthood after her death, for elevating the Flame Eternal from local cult to state religion of the newly founded League.
Arwyn Elsiter (House Elsiter)
high elf cleric, LG, 911-1138
Founder of the Pilgrim Knights and namesake of House Elsiter. Arwyn was not born into nobility - she was a simple priestess of Freya who swore an oath to cure the world of its ills. At the end of her long life of devoted service, she was raised to sainthood by Freya for her devoted service. A shrine in her honor now stands in Tel Edhil, and many Pilgrims come there to pray and make offerings. Arwyn is often depicted with her sword in one hand, and her sceptre in the other.
Svala Steelmaster
(dwarf, LG, 1281-1427): From a background as a blacksmith, Svala became a cleric of Heimdall who lived and worked in Covenant. She became High Flamekeeper and served on the Estian Council, where she was well known as a voice of reason and well-argued politics, responsible for many compromises over her long tenure on the post.
Cornelius Wingfoot (Idun, Goddess of Prosperity)
(halfling, CG, 1131-1239): Cleric of Idun who was granted her aegis to protect his village from a murderous white dragon. With this gift, he then travelled the world, preaching Idun's ideals and killing monsters. Upon his death, he was granted sainthood by Idun and now helps her pick apples in Asgard. His name lives on in a halfling idiom, "to go wingfooting", which means "to go on an adventure".