| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Razz
Senior Scribe
USA
749 Posts |
 Posted - 14 Jan 2013 : 19:40:04
|
It is well aware that in most cases you must be within one step of the alignment of your patron deity if you're a divine caster. (Sune's and the Elven pantheon's paladins and Veil of Cyric and Heretic of the Faith feats ignore this).
But what about non-divine casters? I have a player who is an air Genasi sorcerer whose personality and outlook on his life reflects Selune's dominion over wanderers, questers, and navigators. He is a Sorcerer with the Stormborn bloodline (using PF rules) but he is Lawful Good and she is Chaotic Good.
Is he still allowed to have her as his patron even though he is not a divine caster?
|
|
|
Jeremy Grenemyer
Great Reader
USA
2717 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jan 2013 : 20:24:37
|
Looking at the FRCS (page 290), I see that it indicates "A character's choice of a patron deity does not create any special obligations for that character." It goes on to state such choices reflect a character's favorite deity, one that matches the character's values, self-image and ambitions.
In the same book, the Arcane Devotee prestige class is listed (page 40). This PrC is for arcane spellcasters that are devoted to a particular faith. In the requirements, it's indicated an Arcane Devotee need only have a deity as a patron to which they wish to be a devotee of. There is no one-step alignment restriction listed.
It reads to me like the character would be OK to pick Selune as a patron. |
Look for me and my content at EN World (user name: sanishiver). |
 |
|
|
Kentinal
Great Reader
4689 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jan 2013 : 20:46:15
|
| The one step rule appeared to indicate Clerics, not followers as such that were not. Non Divine casters do not need to look to a deity granted spells. |
"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon |
|
|
|
Razz
Senior Scribe
USA
749 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jan 2013 : 23:47:45
|
Ok I figured as much. That non divine casters can't really stretch the rules, they have to adhere as close as possible to the faith whereas someone else can just live their life more freely with dedication to a patron but have more liberal views on how they go about their life in such a way.
Thanks for the references, that does help. |
|
|
|
MrHedgehog
Senior Scribe
688 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jan 2013 : 00:16:56
|
| Sune and Selune also have Paladins as well as Monks in 3e |
|
|
|
Mapolq
Senior Scribe
Brazil
466 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jan 2013 : 00:44:58
|
As it was said above, the one-step rule applies only to actual church members/special devotees of that deity (in rules, anyone who receives spells from said deity, I think), with the exceptions also noted above.
That said, I think the one-step rule is a terrible over-simplification and I don't use it in my games. The alignment system itself is such a simplification that I don't like to limit my players based on it, ever. That doesn't mean I hate it, I think it has its purposes, but sometimes it just gets in the way. About the one-step rule again, sure, it makes some sense most of the time, but there's plenty of exceptions (some of which are in the rules, many that are not). For example, it's very much possible to follow the dogmas of Waukeen or Mystra and still have any alignment (check the Scions of Arrabar trilogy for a throughly LG Waukeenar character, for example). |
Never sleep under the jackfruit tree.
Tales of Moonsea - A Neverwinter Nights 2 Persistent World. Check out our website at http://www.talesofmoonsea.com and our video trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=am304WqOAAo&feature=youtu.be, as well as our thread here at Candlekeep: http://www.forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=12955
My campaign thread: http://www.forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=16447 |
Edited by - Mapolq on 15 Jan 2013 00:46:34 |
|
|
|
JohnLynch
Learned Scribe
Australia
243 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jan 2013 : 09:00:19
|
quote:
Originally posted by Mapolq
As it was said above, the one-step rule applies only to actual church members/special devotees of that deity (in rules, anyone who receives spells from said deity, I think)
In Pathfinder there are no restrictions on the alignment of the deity you worship, RAW. As such a true neutral deity could have a LG Paladin RAW if you find a DM willing to let you create that character (I'm one such DM). Technically you could also have a paladin to a CE deity, but I'm personally not willing to go quite that far. |
DM of the Realms: A blog for my Forgotten Realms adventures. |
|
|
|
Razz
Senior Scribe
USA
749 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jan 2013 : 12:56:01
|
quote:
Originally posted by JohnLynch
quote:
Originally posted by Mapolq
As it was said above, the one-step rule applies only to actual church members/special devotees of that deity (in rules, anyone who receives spells from said deity, I think)
In Pathfinder there are no restrictions on the alignment of the deity you worship, RAW. As such a true neutral deity could have a LG Paladin RAW if you find a DM willing to let you create that character (I'm one such DM). Technically you could also have a paladin to a CE deity, but I'm personally not willing to go quite that far.
Actually check the PRD for Pathfinder. Clerics in PF do follow the same one step rule. |
|
|
|
Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jan 2013 : 14:47:37
|
Personally, I ignore all that. I think it is an artificial layer added so gamers don't 'break something' (getting all the benefits of an evil priest without the downside of being a pariah).
I look at it this way - if you are crazy enough to think 'tyranny' is good (because humans are just stupid animals who need to be controlled for their own safety), then there is no reason in the world Bane would not welcome you with open arms.
And by the same token, we have a canon example of greedy priests of Selune (IIRC) selling 'favors' to followers. What are those things called again?* When the priesthood claims you can 'buy your way into Heaven'? Anyhow, seems pretty obvious to me that a priest can get away with a lot without their god even noticing (or caring).
*Indulgences (I Googled real quick - I think thats it) |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
|
Edited by - Markustay on 15 Jan 2013 14:49:23 |
|
|
|
Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7989 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jan 2013 : 15:37:23
|
Some of the Faerūnian deities tolerate a wider range of behaviours among their priests. Others have stricter requirements and will not accept any perceived transgressions; a few constantly test the faith of their priests and weed out all those who falter. Chaotic deities more often embrace faithful across multiple alignments, Lawful deities tend to prefer uncompromised sources of faith with a unified and absolute alignment.
Selūne seems to be a somewhat liberal goddess, especially since she governs such a diverse medley of otherwise-unrelated portfolios and believers. Rules for her priesthood would likely vary considerably in each temple, region, and order.
Tempus seems interested in anyone who is ferocious and warlike. Militant or barbaric, dedicated to living and dying by the sword, or by the axe, or by the pointy stick, or by the siege engine, or by grimacing tooth and nail, it hardly matters to Tempus because more sects and orders of his faith competing and conflicting with each other means more strife and war and power to sustain him.
Tyr is utterly intolerant of justice, specifically his brand of Lawful Good justice. His priests are invariably LG-aligned, and they see that all those who defy Tyr's decrees, his moral and ethical principles, will be brought to face justice. |
[/Ayrik] |
|
|
|
Mystic Lemur
Seeker
58 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jan 2013 : 01:06:37
|
| I admit I've always liked the idea of a Paladin of Bane or Asmodeus, amusing not the least because they would have an aura of evil. However, I don't see a Paladin of Bane lasting long without falling. |
"What mattered our lives now, when our world had been torn from us? Folk wept, or drank, or stood staring out over the land, wondering what new horror each dawn would bring." -A review of the FRCG ;) |
|
|
|
JohnLynch
Learned Scribe
Australia
243 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jan 2013 : 08:53:13
|
quote:
Originally posted by Razz
Actually check the PRD for Pathfinder. Clerics in PF do follow the same one step rule.
Sorry. I meant specifically for Paladins. My original post could have been clearer. |
DM of the Realms: A blog for my Forgotten Realms adventures. |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Deity and Alignment restrictions
