Greetings everyone, i've been hanging around looking at the forums for a few weeks or so but have just recently signed up. I've only recently begun work on my campaign setting and what with the world cup and all progress has been quite slow. :)
Anyway, for my CS, I am planning on doing something a little different with the deities. The gods exist, the mortals know the gods exist, but they dont necessarily interact with one another. The mortals simply live through their lives as they see fit, and the gods act as a legislature governing over the rules of the world and endlessly politicking on where to take it.
Instead, the only form of spiritual guidance is manifested far more than a typical setting. "Guardian angels" (Beschermer) of sorts are assigned by the gods to guide the wayward flock at birth. The Beschermer are able to communicate directly with their charge on a limited basis (probably weekly) to pass on knowledge from their previous life or offer guidance on whatever it is they may need.
Now that that is out there, im looking for ideas from others on how I should implement Domains for Clerics since there are no portfolios belonging to the gods to choose from. Im thinking perhaps a series of Orders representing different moral ideas (more specifically Alignments; LE, CG, etc) and the Clerics/Paladins of said orders have a list to choose from as far as domains are concerned. Another idea is just to let the Cleric/Paladin to pick outright what he wants, or perhaps restrict it to roleplay reasoning.
Other than those two ideas, I haven't come up with anything else worth mentioning. Perhaps the collective wisdom of the CBG can help out? Thanks in advance.
Cheers
Hi, Hoplite! let me extend a big CBG welcome to you, from the staff here.
I can't wait to hear more about the Beschermer. That sounds like a really unique idea, and I can't wait to see how it is implemented.
Thoughts on Clerics domains:
A) The order idea sounds pretty solid.
B) The "pick anything," although workable, since you can do that in normal DnD as is by worshipping a cause, has the problem of lessening the importance of domains in my opinion.
C) My idea: the existance of Guardian Angels to guide the wayward flock implies that the dieties have tenants they want followed. That would mean they would have things they care about more than others, which would justify them having domains even if they don't have portfolios.
Just what comes to me off the top of my head, I'll think of more ideas later. Happy posting!
I would, based on your premise, do the order thingy.
I agree with the order decision as well. Separate them vaguely by alignment as well; no evil order should have sun or healing for instance.
I also recomend you strongly consider spontanious domain casting in place of having domain spell slots and spontanious cure/inflict. I've done it in my games and it really helps differentiate the clerics of one deity (or order) from another.
Welcome! I agree with the wisdom of those who posted before me. The orders seem to be your best bet.
One more welcome, from a swiftly-posting lurker. You've won me over already with your faceless bureaucracy of gods, and I'm looking forward to seeing where this project goes from there.
Clerics and paladins have always struck me as individuals with a deep dedication to something, so I like the idea of structured philosophical orders better than "just choose a domain" if they aren't deriving power from deities directly.
Or another idea: perhaps clerics and paladins simply have a closer connection to their Beschermer than most people do, and they tap into Beschermer energies to gain their power. You could make each Beschermer come with its own domain, and let clerics and paladins use that.
Hey Hoplite, it's good to see another Dutch poster around here. Be sure to check out the World Cup thread as well, and if you want post in the Rogues' Gallery (both found in the Dragon's Den).
Now my suggestion is to either tie Domains directly to individual Beschermengelen, or give a basically free choice, but require a strong basis in the character of the cleric and his Beschermengel (so basically, roleplay reasoning).
Túrin
Quote from: XeviatI also recomend you strongly consider spontanious domain casting in place of having domain spell slots and spontanious cure/inflict. I've done it in my games and it really helps differentiate the clerics of one deity (or order) from another.
Hmm, that does sound like it could fit in nice real easy like in Willempje. I will definitely be keeping this one in mind, thanks.
Quote from: Luminous CrayonOr another idea: perhaps clerics and paladins simply have a closer connection to their Beschermer than most people do, and they tap into Beschermer energies to gain their power. You could make each Beschermer come with its own domain, and let clerics and paladins use that.
This is a good idea and could be implemented similarly to the morals/roleplay reasoning in the sense that the players will choose the background of their Beschermer (or use a previously deceased character as a Beschermer) to decide what domains to use as Turin has said.
Quote from: Túrin, Proud to be DutchHey Hoplite, it's good to see another Dutch poster around here. Be sure to check out the World Cup thread as well, and if you want post in the Rogues' Gallery (both found in the Dragon's Den).
Well, as deceitful as it may sound I am not Dutch.(Obviously) Beschermer is dutch for guardian but I didn't do that because im a native to the Netherlands. Sometime ago, it was suggested by someone (probably on the Wiz boards) that using a different language for things in new settings can refresh things so I thought id try it out. Granted I didn't just pick Dutch out of a hat, as I have been an admirer of Dutch culture and football (especially football) for a few years now it just seemed to fit for me. Although, I may be moving to Utrecht or Waalwijk in 5 years or so.
But im an AFC Ajax guy ;)
Ah well. That's cool too. Now you can team up with CYMRO, he's a fan of the Dutch as well (though not of their football team, as far as I know), and with the three of us we can make more and more people love the Dutch.
Yay, an Ajax fan! Me too! :D Though let's not talk about that, considering their recent accomplishments. :(
Oh, I wouldn't advice moving to Waalwijk for a simple reason: NO railroad station! A friend of mine lives there, and getting to and from his place is plain terrible. Better go live in Tilburg, which is a much cooler city anyway.
;) Túrin
Hi! I love oyur idea of orders for worshiping.
I'm using a similar idea in my campaign except:
-the gods are false
-they are just an image of beliefs people have
-like the alignment based domain idea
so it is similar but i still want their to be deities for representation reasons