(DRAGON WARRIORS): Why no clerics?

[AURIKALKO]

Hiyas.

...If this has been answered before, sorry...

Why can't PCs begin as Clerics? (ie. I see no religious/priestly profession in the DW rulesbook for PCs at least) - Why?


Thanks
A+

 

[kintire]

I don't see why they can't. However, Cleric in DW is a social position, it does not in and of itself conver any abilities as such. Though Clerics probably quite likely to be Mystics (That is, likely compared to a random member of the population. There still probably won't be many). DW doesn't define a character's social position much.

 

[jason.richardson]

I personally think the clergy of the True Faith would view mysticism (and the other "wizardly" professions) as heretical. Mysticism smacks of the "old ways" and isn't far removed from the practices of the northern pagans (who are mostly elementalists, but most folk can't tell the difference).

At least that's how I run my campaign.

 

[jason.richardson]

I don't see why they can't. However, Cleric in DW is a social position, it does not in and of itself conver any abilities as such. Though Clerics probably quite likely to be Mystics (That is, likely compared to a random member of the population. There still probably won't be many). DW doesn't define a character's social position much.

It is interesting that you say DW doesn't define a character's social class, when in fact there is an entire chapter devoted to developing your character's social class and background.

 

[Jiminy]

All of the DW PC professions must have some form of deadly active fighting ability. The DW version of a cleric/priest is a character without any magical or combat training/skill that would usually - when faced with an armed & deadly adversary - get chopped up into tiny bits unless a trained Knight/Sorceror/etc. intervenes. Clerics/priests are therefore usually only found as NPCs.

However... personally I don't see why a PC can't be some form of holy or saintly warrior (e.g. 'Paladin'=Knight or 'Martial-artist Priest'=Mystic, etc.). The True Faith has it's own views on overt magic, which might be a problem - as Jason mentioned - but the Mystic profession itself does not appear to be connected with any specific religion. Therefore, as Kintire inferred, the 'power of the mind' could easily be misinterpreted as 'divine intervention'.

The great thing about DW is that it gives you some breathing space to permit ninja priests as PCs or not, whichever you prefer! That being said, who knows what new DW professions might appear in the future...?

 

[jason.richardson]

All of the DW PC professions must have some form of deadly active fighting ability. The DW version of a cleric/priest is a character without any magical or combat training/skill that would usually - when faced with an armed & deadly adversary - get chopped up into tiny bits unless a trained Knight/Sorceror/etc. intervenes. Clerics/priests are therefore usually only found as NPCs.

However... personally I don't see why a PC can't be some form of holy or saintly warrior (e.g. 'Paladin'=Knight or 'Martial-artist Priest'=Mystic, etc.). The True Faith has it's own views on overt magic, which might be a problem - as Jason mentioned - but the Mystic profession itself does not appear to be connected with any specific religion. Therefore, as Kintire inferred, the 'power of the mind' could easily be misinterpreted as 'divine intervention'.

The great thing about DW is that it gives you some breathing space to permit ninja priests as PCs or not, whichever you prefer! That being said, who knows what new DW professions might appear in the future...?

Yes, the example you give of a holy knight works well.

There is even a good example if this type of character in the Betrayal at Desolate Mountain adventure with the NPC Leofric. He is a Knight that has turned away from his violent ways (at least he's trying, the poor fellow) and taken the monastic vows of the monastic order of the True Faith as practiced in Cornumbria. He now wears the monk's habit, cuts his hair in the traditional style, and has abandoned his plate and sword.

 

[Blackyinkin]

Hi,

There was a Priest profession made by a fan, it can be found here at
http://members.iinet.net.au/~schibeci/material/dragonwarriors/priests.shtml
There was some debate as to the nature of magic and faith, some like priests to have magic others don't. I liked this Profession, but felt it only covered a True Faith type of priest with magic, I think the system could do with a Shamanic magic Profession doing officially. James Wallis has talked about producing a True Faith sourced book with Priest (probably non-magical) in that. I used this priest in my game and it did not unbalance the game in any major way.

There is also a Paladin profession, which I like the look of, but have never allowed in my games yet. It can be found on the following link with three other professions, which I think were derived from the Blood Sword Fighting Fantasy style books...http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Chasm/7207/newprofessions.html

 

[Sir Brad]

Their are a number of Saints who where Practising Magic Users, though they for ease where refereed to as "Sorcerers" a more correct term would be Thurgests (Practitioners of Holy Magics) or Kabalists of the True Faith. Mystics also can represent Spiritualist of most forms including those of the True Faith, and Warlocks could just as easily be users of Battle Thuergy as those who practice Pagan Battle Magics, of cause you may have to change the description of some Spells and drop most of the Necromantic type spells.

 

[barasawa]

The world of legend has many similarities to a fantasy medieval europe and nearby regions for it's cultures. In those types of cultures, clerics would make rotten adventurers. The don't fight, aren't trained in any combat arts, or really anything useful other than reading an ancient language.

Please remember, this isn't D&D where the cleric is a backup fighter with armor, big smashing weapons, and spells that fry and heal both...

As to having the clerics in your campaign have special powers. If you want to, but to not change the feel too much, limit it to the saints. Choose a magic using class and have your saint actually be a member of that class. Maybe adjust the special effects to look holy instead of something else. Recharge their mp through a ritual of prayer and supplication (or something religious like that).

Remember, in a fantasy world, the difference between magic and a miracle is who it's attributed to...

Falddin the Mystic puts his right pinkie on his left eye, and mutters something in an unknown language while making strange gestures with his left hand. With a sudden flourish he points at you and declares, "Invigorate"! You are healed for 2 points.

Urfla Godson brandishes his holy symbol while praying outloud with a fervored intensity. As his voice begins to strain, he reaches out and grasps you. Suddenly a beautific expression crosses his face as he cries out to the heavens, "Oh Great And Merciful God! Bless this poor sinner and grant ease from his suffering!". You are healed for 2 points.

 

[kintire]

It is interesting that you say DW doesn't define a character's social class, when in fact there is an entire chapter devoted to developing your character's social class and background.

I was careless. What I meant was that the Character Class system does not define your social class: there is no equivalent of the Conan "Noble" class. hence, since Cleric is a social role, there won't be a Cleric character class.

The world of legend has many similarities to a fantasy medieval europe and nearby regions for it's cultures. In those types of cultures, clerics would make rotten adventurers. The don't fight, aren't trained in any combat arts, or really anything useful other than reading an ancient language.

And medicine, history and natural philosophy...

Also, clerics did fight, from time to time. Warrior Bishops were common, especially in the Holy Roman Empire, and of course there were the fighting orders. But in DW terms, these would all be Knights.

Remember, in a fantasy world, the difference between magic and a miracle is who it's attributed to...

That's not necessarily true at all. Miracles are divine iruptions into the natural order. The fact that many fantasy worlds have a natural order that includes things we can't do doesn't mean you can't have miracles still.

However, I would avoid producing mechanics for them. Miracles do not appear on demand except for the saints, and I suspect few people can roleplay a saint. if they can, miracles should be done ad hoc.