When the going gets tough, the devout call upon the power of the gods. The adventurer who can do this is valuable indeed. What prayers will your character utter?
Descriptors
- cleric, monk, nun, friar, missionary, druid, priest, minister,
- robed, cloaked, long tunic, belted chiton, religious livery, vestments,
- perhaps some armored bits, breast plate, greaves, gauntlets, bracers, helm, chain hauberk, holy shield,
- wise, thoughtful, calm, devout, holy, committed, sworn, dutiful, quick-witted, clever, comical, jovial, buffoonish, serious, meditative, motherly, doting,
- drunk, three-sheets to the wind, inebriated, sauced,
- swarthy, portly, athletic, heavy,
Stuff
- simple robe, cloak, dress, habit, vestments, tunic, breeches, hood, veil, crown, apron, high-collared gown (houppelande), wide sleeves, train, surcoat, billowing shirt, fur lined robe, gable hood, cap, undercap,
- embroidery, lace, gold thread, bezants, ribbons, trim, cord, brocade, buttons, sash, belt, suspenders, holy belt buckle, purse, satchel, bells, drapery,
- holy symbol, mace, amulet, charm bracelet, beads, talisman, standard, wand, staff, headdress, orb, coins, sundial, skull, feathers, scroll, book, bible, sword, tattoo, henna,
- weapon, flail, whip, holy sword, knife, hand crossbow, dart gun,
- umbrella, cane, parasol, walking stick,
- censer, brazier, lamp, candles,
- pillow, blanket, bed roll,
- donkey, pony, ox, ass, giant lizard, really big dog, parrot,
- servant, slave, adept, follower, acolyte, page,
- bags, barrels (of wine), boxes, crates with food, holy relics, holy books, scriptures, tablets, religious art, coin for the church,
Environment
- temple, shrine, church, sanctuary, grotto, retreat, cloister, convent, college, university
- ministering in slums, ghettos, skid row, brothel, bawdy house, burlesque parlour, casino, asylum, hospital, hospice, hostel, inn, alley,
- road, track, trail, path,
- caravan, wagon convoy, procession, pilgrimage, camel train, parade,
- holy festival, wedding, celebration, birth, funeral, rite, passage, ceremony,
- tower, castle,
- mountain, hilltop, desert oasis,
- museum, library, archive, scriptorium, scroll room,
- laboratory, institution, spiritorium,
- guild hall, palace,
Spells
Imagine what the power of the gods could do… and invent some cool effects for your holy character. Miraculous indeed. But don’t forget to use the dice, because sometimes things don’t work as well as expected. 😉
- smite, crush, turn, destroy, repel
- column of fire, acid, earth, stone, energy, lightning, pain, good,
- protection circle, wall, shield, field, dome, resistance,
- heal, restore, regenerate, resurrect, reincarnate,
- invisibility, teleportation, blink, travel of the holy order,
- revelation, scry, precognition, vision, dream vision,
- quickness, speed, slow, delay, time shift,
- summon beast, ally, alien, god, demon, angel, protector, monster, animal, friend, adviser, swarm, mass,
- divine strength,
- star reading, moon sign, solar ray, shadow prayer,
Developments and Story Hooks for Holy Adventurers
- The character is tasked with protecting a holy relic while on a pilgrimage or journey.
- The character must investigate the strange deaths at a temple sanctuary in the mountains.
- There is a curse that has befallen a frontier town and only a great holy adventurer can root our its cause and right the situation.
- A church artifact has been stolen by a band of marauding orcs.
- A high ranking official of the holy order is coming to town and everything must be perfect. It is time to deal with that annoying horde of goblin scum in the forest hills.
- A dying priest has handed you a sacred scroll. Later, you open it in secret. It is a map. What will you do? Follow it of course!
- Your prayer house has burnt to the ground. Going through the rubble you find one pristine item (see find something strange for ideas). You must find out what makes it so special that it has survived the immolation.
- During a festival, you realize that your congregation has devolved into debauchery and unholy behaviour (drunkenness, orgies, violence, gambling). What evilness has stoked this decline of your followers and how can you reverse it before your god becomes angry and razes the village?
Notes
- When casting spells, remember that you can be creative with the way they manifest. Look under magic side effects to see what unpredictable things could happen. Or roll three six-sided dice to see how well it works. If it’s a spell you’ve used several times before give yourself a favour die (an extra d6) when you roll your dice.
- Your fantasy characters can worship whatever god or gods you want. Designing fantasy gods and religions around particular aspects of the world (fire, the sky, wine, anger, time, the sun, moon, stars, darkness, light, etc.) allows for dynamic conflict with opposite forces or alternate belief systems.
- Travelling holy adventurers might be armoured to some degree–especially if they are a classic fantasy RPG cleric. Without proper training, full plate armour may impede their praying, prostrating, and supplication, and heavy weapons may impede spell casting and magical actions. Make sure you work out the backstory and the details of their rituals through your narrative to justify the armour or arms. You may want to define them as a cavalier, paladin, or holy knight if the character is fully armed and armoured. Just a thought. See ARMOR for ideas.
- Want a great monster to battle? Pit them against the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse!