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JohnLynch
Learned Scribe
Australia
243 Posts |
 Posted - 05 Oct 2015 : 13:35:31
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I'm currently working on a 1357 era campaign to be run in D&D 5th edition and am working on writeups for the various priesthoods. I've embraced 5th edition's philosophy in that to be a priest you need only have the background and you're class is largely irrelevant (thus allowing the most powerful priest to be a mere fighter). However there's no denying that cleric's are amongst the most important so I'm bringing back the idea of specialty priests and creating unique subclasses that cleric's can choose to take in place of the standard domains available to priests of that god.
So here's my writeup on Deneir's priests and the Glyphscribe cleric subclass for D&D 5e.
Creed of Deneir
Written and drawn information harnesses what it describes, enabling readers and viewers to better live in harmony with the world around them and with each other. In this way, over time the world itself will be improved. Information should be freely available to all, everyone should be literate, and those who destroy or despoil writings, or conceal them, should be punished. Glyphscribes (priests of Deneir) must gather information, copy it, and share it with those who desire it and with their fellow Glyphscribes. Additionally, they should catalog and clearly identify the context of all writings for not to do so is to spread the three sins: ignorance, uncertainty, and speculation. Travel the Realms for at least one of the four seasons of the year and seek out records that are lost in tombs, ruins, and abandoned dwellings; forgotten in storage or in the homes of folk who don’t read; or suppressed by courts, governments, and guilds.
Churches
Churches of Deneir are the public faces of the faith. Their churches can range from the simple to the ornate. Each church is somewhat uniform in that someone will be present at the front entrance to welcome those who enter. The front foyer can have enough opulence to match the grandest cathedral or simply be the beginning of a plain hallway. In either case beyond the foyer will be a series of private reading rooms. Those who are ushered into these private reading rooms will make their request which is then assessed. Simple requests, such as seeking a specific book by a known author, can be determined within an hour. However anything beyond such a basic request will typically require time to determine how great the cost will be. In all cases, any request must be paid for before the written works can be handed over. Typically such factors as the station of the person and the nature of the works will be taken into consideration when determining the cost. In lieu of payment in coin, the faith is always willing to barter in return for books that the petitioner may have access to, or services that can be rendered to the faith. Those who know what they are looking for can skirt the need to pay anything by waiting until the next Shieldmeet which occurs every four years and then enter a Deinerrath temple and identify a single specific works. The temple, if it has a copy, is obligated to provide the book to the petitioner free of charge.
Once the work has been handed over they can only be read within the private reading room where an acolyte is present. Ostensibly the acolyte’s duty is to meet any new needs the patrons might require. In truth they are present to ensure the works aren’t stolen, defaced or copied in their entirety. The church requires a separate copying fee be paid, but do allow notes to be taken. How broad or specific these notes can be varies wildly and not all acolytes are above taking bribes to look the other way.
While providing access to their works is one of the most well known functions of church, it is by no means the only duties the Glyphscribes are called upon for. In poorer towns, such as those overseen merely by a baron, mayor or governor, the local church of Deneir may take over certain administrative duties, such as recording decisions made in the court along with notable events. Such churches are usually all too happy to take on such duties as it gives what would otherwise be a minor church some much needed funds and access to a court that would ordinarily be hidden.
All Glyphscribes are required to swear a vow of charity and to always scribe anything for whomever might ask so long as it is not magical in nature and does not require the priest to call upon his own personal knowledge. And yet no priest carries out this function better than those who choose to wander the world, giving up the right to call a temple their own. Such priests are seen among the common people to truly be one of them. They may be called upon to read a letter for an aging mother or to draw up copies of a contract for two merchants who cannot write in the others language. Such priests may receive small donations, but have sworn to never require more than someone can afford. Taverns in smaller towns will typically put up such priests for free and spread the word that the priest is available, easily making up the cost of the priests stay by those who get a drink as they wait to speak with the priest. In return the priest waives any token fees he may have required.
Abbeys
Abbeys of Deneir can be some of the most involved abbeys as their inhabitants work tirelessly in preserving ancient records by cataloging, copying and disseminating the copies. The largest can hold up to 1600 members who tirelessly work at these tasks, sparring what time they can for contemplation. Unlike other abbeys, however, it is rare for Deneirrath abbeys to grow their own food. Instead they rely on donations from their local churches and devote all of their time to the tasks of their faith. All who seek refuge at a Deneirrath abbey are welcome, so long as they are willing to contribute to the abbey’s upkeep. Many a great scholar have been borne in this manner whether they were a ruthless general or a duplicitous noble, the quiet solitude provides them with a new perspective on life. However those who are suspected of simply wanting to peruse the library for free are given short shrift.
Glyphscribe (Cleric Subclass)
Clerics of Deneir can either choose the knowledge domain or this subclass and become a specialty priest.
Domain Spells
1st – Comprehend Languages, Illusory Script
2nd – Detect Thoughts, Skywrite*
3rd – Glyph of Warding, Tongues
4th – Arcane Eye, Confusion
5th – Legend Lore, Commune
*This spell is from the Evil Elemental Player’s Companion
Linguistic Lore
You add the Amanuensis cantrip to the cantrips you know if you don’t know it already and gain 4 bonus languages. At least half of these languages must be used to learn how to read and write in a language you know how to speak.
Channel Divinity: Share Language
Starting at 2nd level you can use your channel divinity to communicate with others. You can touch a single language and grant them the ability to speak and/or read a single language that you know for 10 minutes.
Channel Divinity: Learn Language
Starting at 6th level you can use your channel divinity to learn a language. By touching a creature or a written text you immediately know hot speak and read and write a single language that a creature knows (it’s native tongue if it knows multiple languages) or the language that a text is written in for 10 minutes.
Potent Spellcasting
Same as the Knowledge domain.
Body Language
Starting at 17th level you have advantage on all Wisdom (Insight) checks as your ability to read the body language of other creatures is impeccable.
Amanuensis (Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard Spell)
Cantrip transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action.
Range: 30 feet
Components: V, S, M (writing implement of some kind)
Duration: 1 hour
The spell imbues a writing implement with life allowing it to move unaided and begin writing on the nominated surface. So long as there is enough material to write with, whatever the caster says directed to the writing implement will be transcribed in the same language. The hand writing style is specific to the spell and can be changed at the direction of the caster.
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DM of the Realms: A blog for my Forgotten Realms adventures. |
Edited by - JohnLynch on 05 Oct 2015 13:39:02
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5e: Priesthood of Deneir and Glyphscribes
