Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Kahless Aug 07, 2015 4:46:25	So I created a half-orc Tempest Cleric for Adventure League (and played him 1 session so far; now level 2). When I went to choose a diety, I noticed that all of the Tempest Domain deities in the FR are evil. Can't play an evil character, obviously, in AL. I noticed that the deity listed "suggested domains" for each, but the AL documents seem to suggest you can only pick from the god's domain or the Life domain. What I did was pick Silvanus (god of wild nature) as his deity and kind of rationalize storms as "wild nature" and made him Chaotic Good. The GM at AL said that was fine. His personality is very big, hard drinking, feasting, loud.   Now I have had a bit of a brianstorm and thought why not tie him into the Kingdom of Many-Arrows (assuming that's still around in 5E). Talos, the storm god with the actual Tempus domain, I read is actually an aspect of Gruumsh, the Orc god, so that fit. But he's also all about destruction. I thought of changing his alignment to CN (still within step of Talos). I don't so much want to emphasize the destruction aspect (I more like Kord, from the 4E pantheon, more about power), but I'm unsure if it's legit. Part of this is because I want to align more with the rules (domain), but also those were some very good Drizzt books that set up Many-Arrows, and it gives him more grounding in the setting than just "Half-Orc. Cleric." Granted, none of this really matters in AL play (RP not important).   So I wanted some opinions on how legit this is? There seems to be a lot of hate on Candlekeep for Many-Arrows and "civilized" orcs. They seem to be an "exception" to normal orcs, and Gruumsh seems to have approved (making Obould an exarch). Does this mean the orcs have "civilized" their gods? Is my cleric still going to be sacrificing living beings on lightning altars? (Evil) Since AL is set in an actual established setting not actually controlled by the DM, I wasn't sure how much leeway we are allowed.   Sorry if I rambled. Trying to get things down to clarify my thoughts. Comments appreciated.   EDIT: I put him in the Emerald Enclave faction based on Sylvanus as the deity. How would changing this background affect that? I suppose I would lose the faction points, or could I retcon them if I need to change factions? (Zhent? Or would EmEn still accept something like this?)
#2 SterlingRat Aug 07, 2015 6:20:40	Technically you need to choose a domain and deity that match.... so you sorta maybe shouldn't have Silvanus messing around in the Tempest domain. On the other hand, a good character who is raised in a society that reveres an evil god (like a half-orc who was raised in a Talosian temple) might take up adventuring because Talos demands sacrifice or he will destroy the planet, and you don't want to sacrifice your clan buddies and your family, so you want to go find bad guys to kill and appease Lord Talos. You want to keep him happy so he doesn't blow the world up because that's where all your stuff is.    Adversity inspires growth. Spread awe and fear of Talos for the purpose of preparing people for the bad things that can happen... if you show up and publicly present a threat to a village, the village prepares for storms and attacks. Then when a group of marauding gnolls show up, the village is ready to defend themselves. You can beat up the bad guys and kill them with lightning as sacrifices to Talos. You have spread the fear of your god and served a good purpose... the village is stronger and able to defend themselves.    Anyway... the AL police are not going to come arrest you for playing Silvanus as a Tempest god. They also won't come get you for being a good cleric of Talos. The worst thing that could happen is a couple frowns when you go to a new table. If your DM isn't that strict, you should be fine.
#3 FarBeyondC Aug 07, 2015 7:15:17	Kahless wrote:
#4 Veleria Aug 07, 2015 9:16:45	The Player's Handbook has a limited list of Dieties in FR. Just the big shots. Other reasonable dieties would probably include Valkur (patron of sailors and foe of Umberlee). Uthgar (god of northern barbarians who has many aspects one of which is the thunderbeast) Marthammor Duin (Dwarven god of Lightning and travellers) Moradin (Dwarven god who gave the spark of life to the world) Just a few off the top of my head.   If you get a sourpuss DM that values rigid adherence to only the gods listed in the PHB then remember many of the gods are worshipped in different ways by different peoples and the basic one sentence version you see in the PHB is the most common. Why not come from a people who worship talos as the rainbringer, bringer of life. Sure Talos is god of destruction, but from the point of view of an orc destruction is normal and not the part of the diety that stands out as unusual. "Dave the orc next door also destroys alot but can he bring rain?"
#5 Kahless Aug 07, 2015 13:47:04	Thanks for the comments. My problem is I didn't start with D&D until 4E, so I am very limited in my knowledge of the Realms and the gods as to what came before (outside of novels I have read). I find it odd to have a Tempest domain, but then link the domain to only evil deities (even Death has a Neutral deity, at least). I liked Kord from 4E. He seemed a natural for a non-evil orc/half-orc.   The PHB doesn't specify you have to take a domain associated with your deity. In fact, the deity list only says "Suggested Domains". AL player guide is where it seems to limit the domains (listed domains or Life; no Death domain), which is why I was unsure. You're right, it also doesn't limit alignment anymore.   I think I still would like to try the CN Talos priest from Many-Arrows. He can be more evil "at home" than abroad, maybe like the Zhent Bane worshippers? Get along fine with the goody two shoes, do your rites in private?
#6 Tempest_Stormwind Aug 07, 2015 17:12:41	Kahless wrote:
#7 Veleria Aug 08, 2015 15:10:48	Religion is a very subjective thing. One can easily equate talos to the Abrahamic god of Earth's major religions for example. Most people think of that god as a greator diety but they exhibit the behavior of a destruction diety.   Some examples... Eve ate an apple: Destroy Eden and curse humanity to eternal pain and suffering. People don't worship me enough: Flood the world killing all creatures not on the arc. Give 10 commandments: kill 3000 Jews to make a point about monotheism Party in Sodom and I wasn't invited: Destroy the city and turn Lot's wife into a pillar of salt because she looked over her shoulder at the sound of explosions. Trouble in Egypt: take over the mind of the egyption ruler so he refuses all reasonable demands and then send a series of plagues to kill everyone because their leader refused the demands.   Point is you could very easily come up with reasons for why Talos or Umberlee ect. does what they do and still remain legal within AL setting. Because a god is in charge of storms and destruction, doesn't mean they might not have some motivation you can add into your roleplaying.   Talos might seek renewal of the world because it has gone astray (Noah) Umberlee may be protecting the seas from the encroachment of man.
#8 Tempest_Stormwind Aug 08, 2015 17:11:12	Veleria wrote:
#9 Veleria Aug 09, 2015 9:12:47	Tempest_Stormwind wrote: