Hunting

This god is a patron of the hunter, and is a provider of foods and furs; thus he is a god much loved of woodsmen. Though he hunts animals and encourages his flock to do likewise, he is usually a wise hunter; like the god of Animals, he is often a patron of animals and their protector from needless destruction at the hands of too-greedy hunters and poachers.

The god's priests, too, are hunters, and their mission is to teach the flock sound principles of hunting: Not killing mothers with young, not depopulating the wilderness of whole species, etc.

An alternate aspect of the god would be a god of Fishing.

The god of hunting is as likely to be male as female.

The priests of this god are on good terms with the priests of Animals, Darkness/Night, Light, Moon, and Sun.

Alignment: The deity is true neutral. The priests may be true neutral or neutral good; most are true neutral. The flock may be of any alignment.

Minimum Ability Scores: Wisdom 10, Dexterity 12. Wisdom or Dexterity 16 means +5% experience; Wisdom and Dexterity 16 means +10% experience.

Races Allowed: Elves, gnomes, half-elves, halflings, humans.

Nonweapon and Weapon Proficiencies: Nonweapon Proficiencies Required: Hunting. Non-weapon Proficiencies Recommended: Direction Sense, Fishing, Reading/Writing, Religion, Animal Lore, Mountaineering, Running, Set Snares, Survival, Tracking. Weapon Proficiencies Required: Bow. Nonweapon Proficiency Group Crossovers: Priest, General, Warrior.

Duties of the Priest: Guidance, Marriage.

Weapon and Armor Restrictions: Weapons Permitted: Blowgun, bows (all), crossbow, harpoon, javelin, lasso, net, sling, spear, trident. Armor Permitted: All non-metal armor; no shields. Oriental Campaigns: Also daikyu. All together, these constitute Medium combat abilities.

Other Limitations: None.

Spheres of Influence: Major Access to All, Divination, Guardian, Protection, Summoning. Minor Access to Animal, Healing, Plant, Weather.

Powers: Permanent +2 to hit with bows, above and beyond all other bonuses.

Followers and Strongholds: The followers are received at 9th level, and consist of one third-level priest and two first-level priests of the same priesthood, plus one fifth-level ranger, three third-level rangers, and six first-level rangers to act as "forest rangers," and ten Normal Men and Women, all of whom have the Veterinarian nonweapon proficiency. (This proficiency doesn't appear in the Player's Handbook. It is identical to the Healing proficiency, except it can only be used to heal animals and monsters.) The priest may take the following on adventures: One priest and two rangers of his choice. The priesthood will pay for half of the cost of stronghold construction at 9th level. The stronghold can be built in a city or in the wilderness, but must work principally to protect the animal-life of the surrounding wilderness. (This does not mean to stop hunters if the hunting is carried out at a level that does not threaten the animal population. But any factor which does endanger animal species -- such as drought, excess hunting, deforestation, etc. -- will bring on the wrath of the priesthood.)

Possible Symbols: Bow and arrow crossed.

Notes: The harpoon and trident may only be used by priests whose god includes attributes of the sea or fishing. If the god is devoted to land-hunting, the priests cannot use the harpoon or trident.

Table of Contents