Sacrificing to the Cimmerian Pantheon, not necessarily Crom.

[Spectator]

OK, I am totally bored and decided to create an NPC.
I decided to create a Cimmerian Scholar. (1st lvl BARB/ 10th lvl scholar)
Essentially the backstory is she was taken in a slave raid by Hyperboreans as a young female (hence the level in BARB) and eventually sold to a Turanian nobleman/ scholar who became enamored with her and she seduced him to teach her sorcery... or something corny like that, but you get the point. Her scholar background would be acolyte (of the Turanian dude or possibly independent), not lay priest, since there are priests of Crom.

1. I don't own faith and fervour so I have no clue what Vincent von D. wrote about the Cimmerian pantheon. Any insight would help, unless I don't like it (LOL).
2. I'm still operating under the Atlantean Rule system (I never bought the 2nd Ed. sorry.).

My question is can the chick sorceror sacrifice people to Crom (or one of the other demi-gods of the Pantheon) and get Powerpoints? Would Crom or his fellow Demi-gods give powerpoints to followers.

On a side note, reading the feat Ritual Sacrifice it talks about the effect without the feat under the "Normal" section, and it implies that powerpoints are earned irrespective of the God's choice.

On a really side note, could a Nemedian "sceptic" ever gain any power points from a sacrifice, if they have no faith?

But I digress...

Any thoughts and commentary would be greatly appreciated, Thanks!

 

[PrinceYyrkoon]

A Cimmerian may not have any other religion other than the Cimmerian religion, and they never benefit from this religion in any way.

She would have to 'convert' effectively, and be considered a shamed weakling to worship any other god, and, in doing so, would lose the +2 bonus from STR, and her +1 bonus to Will saves.

As far as the Nemedian goes, it doesnt matter whether he believes or not in the existence of any god, or has any faith as long as he takes the right carreer path, feats and skills.

 

[kintire]

The Cimmerian pantheon is a gloomy version of the Celtic one.

There are two sorts of sacrifice. If you sacrifice someone for power, to turn their soul into power points. Anyone can do that (with various levels of skill and efficiency). It is not a religious act, and faith is not required.

You can also sacrifice people to a deity. In that case you don't get the power, the deity does, and presumeably provides you some benefit in return (or not, in the case of Crom).

In short, your Cimmerian sorceress can sacrifice people for power quite happily, as could a Nemdian sceptic. Sacrificing people to deities would be possible, but a deity you have no relationship with would be under no particualr obligation to give anything back.

 

[PrinceYyrkoon]

Actually, in 2nd edition, it states that a Cimmerian cannot gain benefit from the worship of any pantheon.

 

[Spectator]

Actually, in 2nd edition, it states that a Cimmerian cannot gain benefit from the worship of any pantheon.

YEah it says pretty much in the same thing in the Atlantean Edition.

I should have clarified myself. The chick was not seeking to leave the Cimmerian pantheon.

 

[Spectator]

OK, yeah sorcerous chick in a silk bikini and a broadsword! Hubba hubba!!!
On a side note, I ended up giving this broad the Meditation feats and oriental magic due to the education she achieved in Turan. Meditation and the Greater Meditation feats are truly great in terms of the potential power they can bring, without any pesky sacrifices or villagers chasing your character on a witch-hunt.

Enjoy the cliche'


Fiona Mac Conal
Cimmerian Female; 1st lvl Barbarian/ 10th level Scholar
Age 28, Height: 5’9”, Weight: 138lbs, black hair, grey-blue eyes.
Hit Die: 10 +9d6 +10+1=55
Initiative: 12 (Ref +5, Dex+3, Improved Initiative +4)
Speed: 30 feet
Dodge Defense: 16 (+3 level, +3 Dex)
Parry Defense: 15 (+3 level, +2 Str)
DR: 0
BAB: +10/5
Full Attack: Akbitanan Broadsword +11/+6 melee
Damage: Broadsword 1d10+2 (19-20/ x2/ AP:5)
Special Attacks: Versatility (-2 penalty) & Sorcery Styles.
Special Qualities: Cimmerian Traits, literacy, fearless, scholar, acolyte background, base power points, knowledge is power, +3 power points, advanced spell x10, increased maximum power points (triple), sorcery styles x4, Speak languages: Cimmerian, Hyperborean, Turanian, Shemite, Kothian, Zamoran, Vendhyan.
Saves: Fort: +6 Ref: +8 Will:13 (+15 for terror)
Abilities: Str14 Dex 16 Con 13 Int15 Wis16 Cha 20
Skills (124pts): Appraise 6, Bluff 11, Climb 6, Concentration 14, Gather Information 18, Heal 13, Knowledge-arcane 15, Knowledge-geography 12, Knowledge-local 9, Listen 10, Move Silently 8, Perform-dance 11, Ride 5, Search 9, Sense Motive 16, Spot 7, Survival 5, Swim 6.
Feats(5): Track, Eyes of the Cat, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Meditation, Greater Meditation, Magic Power Attack.
Base Power Points: 10 (+4 base, +3 Wis, +3 bonus; 30 maximum).
Magical Attack: 10 (+5 level, +5 Cha)
Sorcery Styles: Counterspell, Divination, Hypnotism, Oriental Magic.
Spells Known: Warding*, Astrological Prediction*, Dream of Wisdom, Mind-Reading, Psychometry, Visions, Entrance*, Domination, Dread Serpent, Enslave, Hypnotic Suggestion, Illusions, Mass Suggestion, Calm of the Adept*.
Corruption: none
Possessions: Turanian black silk bikini, sandals, jewelry (600 s.p. worth).

 

[kintire]

Actually, in 2nd edition, it states that a Cimmerian cannot gain benefit from the worship of any pantheon

Given the "benefits" most religions offer, thats mostly a plus.

I don't use the rule myself though. I see no reason at all why it should be, and Phoenix on the Sword looks a lot like Conan getting some benefit from Mitra to me.

Anyway, be that as it may, there's nothing to stop her sacrificing for power!

 

[digipen13]

Actually, in 2nd edition, it states that a Cimmerian cannot gain benefit from the worship of any pantheon

Given the "benefits" most religions offer, thats mostly a plus.

I don't use the rule myself though. I see no reason at all why it should be, and Phoenix on the Sword looks a lot like Conan getting some benefit from Mitra to me.

Anyway, be that as it may, there's nothing to stop her sacrificing for power!

Me too, as far as I can remember I've only use the Phoenix on the sword once or twice..

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Livescribe Smartpen

 

[Jotenbjorn]

You're the GM so it's all you guy. When I run I just ignore the whole gift of Crom bit, a Cimmerian shouldn't magically become a weakling just because he changes religion. I think it's possibly the worst rule in the game, so I ignore it. If none of the Gods presented seem appropriate, add a new one. This is Hyboria, every adventure seems to include a new god practically. I have no problem envisioning an evil crone of a God who is part of the Cimmerian pantheon and provides power to those who sacrifice to her. She could even be a mother to or nemesis of Crom.

 

[Kortoso]

That doesn't seem right to completely exclude all magic-working and worship among Cimmerians.
The Hour of the Dragon: "Wizards and sorcerers abounded in his barbaric mythology..."