Priest's of the dead and missing Gods? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Priest's of the dead and missing Gods?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
kave99
Aug 25, 2008 0:19:28 So I was reading the entry to the 4th ed Paladin for the first time today(never much liked them) and I was struck by this.

PHB 4thED pg 91
Paladins are not granted their powers directly by their deity,but instead through various rites performed when they first become Paladins. Most of these rites involve days of prayer, vigils, tests and trials, and ritual purification followed by a knighting ceremony, but each faith has its own methods. This ceremony of investiture gives a paladin the ability to wield divine powers. Once initiated,the paladin is a paladin forevermore.
#2
pamela
Aug 25, 2008 1:34:15 Wasn't there a prestige class for Amaunator clerics in one of the 3e/3.5 FR books? Gods seem to be tricky things to kill off, particularly in FR. ;)

On a more serious note, it reminds me of Terry Pratchett's Small Gods. Do religions become great because their gods are bigger, or because of the devotion and charisma of their worshippers? The spiritual reserves of the paladin is not solely based on a god who acts like an electric or gas company, fuelling her powers. The strength of her belief and devotion empower her. "God helps those who help themselves..."

Referring again to the Amaunator prestige class, there were clerics (if not paladins?) who did preach the old faith about. It does leave room open, as you suggest, for clerics and paladins to hold to their faith. There've been quite a few deaths and resurrections of gods in FR in the last 130 years. I think they'd have more than ample proof that their gods and temples would stand tall again in some future, near or far, if they believe long enough.
#3
naex
Aug 25, 2008 2:40:24 This has been discussed at length here
I don't think we ever came to a consensus regarding it, but the general feel was that it was counter to FR cannon. So your choice, use it as written, or simply rule that all divine power is directly from the gods. Good Luck.
#4
lord_karsus
Aug 25, 2008 10:58:22 -If the deity dies, his/her/it's Cleric/Paladin can receive his/her powers from another deity, but think it stems from his/her dead deity.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 kave99 Aug 25, 2008 0:19:28	So I was reading the entry to the 4th ed Paladin for the first time today(never much liked them) and I was struck by this. PHB 4thED pg 91 Paladins are not granted their powers directly by their deity,but instead through various rites performed when they first become Paladins. Most of these rites involve days of prayer, vigils, tests and trials, and ritual purification followed by a knighting ceremony, but each faith has its own methods. This ceremony of investiture gives a paladin the ability to wield divine powers. Once initiated,the paladin is a paladin forevermore.
#2 pamela Aug 25, 2008 1:34:15	Wasn't there a prestige class for Amaunator clerics in one of the 3e/3.5 FR books? Gods seem to be tricky things to kill off, particularly in FR. ;) On a more serious note, it reminds me of Terry Pratchett's Small Gods. Do religions become great because their gods are bigger, or because of the devotion and charisma of their worshippers? The spiritual reserves of the paladin is not solely based on a god who acts like an electric or gas company, fuelling her powers. The strength of her belief and devotion empower her. "God helps those who help themselves..." Referring again to the Amaunator prestige class, there were clerics (if not paladins?) who did preach the old faith about. It does leave room open, as you suggest, for clerics and paladins to hold to their faith. There've been quite a few deaths and resurrections of gods in FR in the last 130 years. I think they'd have more than ample proof that their gods and temples would stand tall again in some future, near or far, if they believe long enough.
#3 naex Aug 25, 2008 2:40:24	This has been discussed at length here I don't think we ever came to a consensus regarding it, but the general feel was that it was counter to FR cannon. So your choice, use it as written, or simply rule that all divine power is directly from the gods. Good Luck.
#4 lord_karsus Aug 25, 2008 10:58:22	-If the deity dies, his/her/it's Cleric/Paladin can receive his/her powers from another deity, but think it stems from his/her dead deity.