| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Chest Rockwell |
Posted - 14 Jun 2014 : 06:53:08
I've always wondered this, but how does a person in the realms become a cleric? Are they trained from an early age in order to be a cleric? Or do the gods just seek out skilled men and women and choose which ones they want? Though if that is the case would this mean all clerics are technically two classes? They are a cleric and then also..whatever they were prior to that that made a god think they were worthy to become a cleric.
I guess I'm wondering about Druids too, are they just born with their magic? I know some get their powers from gods(usually ones involved with nature, etc.) but as I understand that isn't the case for everyone. |
| 11 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Korginard |
Posted - 03 Jul 2014 : 22:44:11
I seem to remember mention of Adon in the Avatar Trilogy having been sent away to a temple to learn to be a Cleric after causing some embarrasment for his family.
That and the idea of orphans being raised in temples gives me a ganeral idea that temples serve as a kind of prep school. The "students" may remain simple clergy, with exceptional students "graduating" to clerics or paladins.
Druids I think would be a bit different. In my mind they would be born with an affinity and attraction to nature that is noticed or recognised by a mentor, who then offers to train them in the druidic faith specific to thier chosen diety. |
| Cards77 |
Posted - 02 Jul 2014 : 01:25:12
I think in core D&D there is some flavor about druids just getting their power from "Nature", however in the Realms there is no such thing. It's clear that druid's wield a specific "type" of divine magic, which comes from the deities of nature.
So while it is very possible to be a CLERIC of a "nature" deity like Silvanus, one cannot be a DRUID of a "non-nature" deity like Tempus for instance. This is explained by the differences in the classes mechanics (clerics fight with metal armor and weapons and can effect undead, while druid do not and cannot).
So if it's easier for you, think of druids as a specialized sort of priest that has powers directly related to nature that clerics even of nature deities simply do not have.
In my games I refer to druids as having a special and specific relationship with their deity and thus nature itself, thereby granting them these special power that other divine casters do not have.
I do not know the answer to your question about if they are born with it or not. I would say it depends. Some children may show an aptitude for animals or nature at a young age just as some children show minor flares for magic.
I think the novels bear out that all that is required to be a ranger or a druid is a "heart for nature".
Elves obviously are different having already a special connection with the eldritch and nature just by virtue of their race. |
| lordsknight185 |
Posted - 01 Jul 2014 : 02:15:21
quote:
Originally posted by Chest Rockwell
quote:
Originally posted by lordsknight185
quote:
Originally posted by Chest Rockwell
I guess I'm wondering about Druids too, are they just born with their magic? I know some get their powers from gods(usually ones involved with nature, etc.) but as I understand that isn't the case for everyone.
Int he core D&D it isn't the case for everyone, but in the realms all Divine Powers come from the gods, and most druids are worshippers of Silvanus or Chauntea.
I see, but I had read that while some druids are merely clerics working for nature gods, some actually do not receive their power from a specific god. So this isn't true then? Or if it is true, what then do they receive power from? Or if they are all clerics, why not just call them clerics?
Did you read this from a core-D&D/greyhawk suppliment, or from something realms specific? There is a difference. |
| Kentinal |
Posted - 30 Jun 2014 : 04:50:23
quote:
Originally posted by Chest Rockwell
quote:
Originally posted by Kentinal
Well it is not fully explained when one selects the career path, it clearly might be decided or decided for them when they are children.
I see, but this part is hard for me to understand because how would the gods know what type of person they would turn out to be?
The deities do not know if a follower will become unfaithful. The deities are not all knowing, they do not know what the future holds. Deities at best look in from time to time see the Cleric is true to the selected faith. If found not true they will be stripped of Divine power at minimum and at worst be struck by Divine wrath. |
| Chest Rockwell |
Posted - 30 Jun 2014 : 03:37:11
quote:
Originally posted by lordsknight185
quote:
Originally posted by Chest Rockwell
I guess I'm wondering about Druids too, are they just born with their magic? I know some get their powers from gods(usually ones involved with nature, etc.) but as I understand that isn't the case for everyone.
Int he core D&D it isn't the case for everyone, but in the realms all Divine Powers come from the gods, and most druids are worshippers of Silvanus or Chauntea.
I see, but I had read that while some druids are merely clerics working for nature gods, some actually do not receive their power from a specific god. So this isn't true then? Or if it is true, what then do they receive power from? Or if they are all clerics, why not just call them clerics?
quote:
Originally posted by Kentinal
Well it is not fully explained when one selects the career path, it clearly might be decided or decided for them when they are children.
I see, but this part is hard for me to understand because how would the gods know what type of person they would turn out to be? |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 15 Jun 2014 : 22:03:15
Since everyone in the realms is trained to read, I'd bet we'd see less of the having to take in kids at like age 8 and train them until 18 to become clerics. The majority of the work (basic math, basic reading, and most likely basic knowledge of their patron deity) will likely already have been taught to them while growing up. I'd imagine they spend a year (maybe two) learning the essence of divine spellcasting (which is probably more forgiving than arcane magic since its more focused on moral/ethical/wisdom-related arts than intellectual understanding), and probably a little more depth in divine knowledge in general. The rest they learn as part of leveling (i.e. a 1st level priest is still probably green as can be around the gills about how gods work, more than a layman, but not much more). |
| sfdragon |
Posted - 15 Jun 2014 : 21:46:46
they prostrate themselves before Helm's Alter and swear to protect the weak, defend the innocent, house the homeless children and smite the wicked. and them Helm appears and makes them a .... oh wait you do know that I am bsing right??? just laugh and move along |
| Faraer |
Posted - 15 Jun 2014 : 17:26:16
Yup. Elminster's Forgotten Realms p. 134 discusses how most would-be priests receive dream visions. |
| Eilserus |
Posted - 15 Jun 2014 : 05:40:58
I could be wrong, but I believe Ed or THO have stated many priests start off as orphans or children raised by the temple. Some people also receive visions in their dreams that direct them to the service a deity. Those are the two I seem to recall off the top of my head. |
| lordsknight185 |
Posted - 15 Jun 2014 : 04:12:15
quote:
Originally posted by Chest Rockwell
I guess I'm wondering about Druids too, are they just born with their magic? I know some get their powers from gods(usually ones involved with nature, etc.) but as I understand that isn't the case for everyone.
Int he core D&D it isn't the case for everyone, but in the realms all Divine Powers come from the gods, and most druids are worshippers of Silvanus or Chauntea. |
| Kentinal |
Posted - 14 Jun 2014 : 19:42:00
Well it is not fully explained when one selects the career path, it clearly might be decided or decided for them when they are children. Looking at starting ages of classes the choice appears to be made at about 15 or 16 (for humans) that they dedicate their life to serve. [1] Then they go to the Temple of their choice and dedicate them to service of the deity and take training in the duties and history of the faith. Again there is no set rules that say it always takes 3 [2]years before becoming first level and clearly some might learn quicker or slower.
[1] The estimate of when training selected based on starting age of classes, a Fighter needs less training then a Wizard or a Cleric explains why some classes start out at first level at different ages, in my understanding.
[2] SRD 3.5 indicates starting age Human:
Barbarian, Rogue or Sorcerer 15 years +1d4
Bard, Fighter, Paladin or Ranger 15 years +1d6
Cleric, Druid, Monk or Wizard 15 years +2d6 |
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