Messengers

This god is the messenger of the gods. When the rulers of the gods want an order conveyed to lesser gods, it is given to this deity.

And so this god's priests are also messengers. They are trained in diplomacy and are often charged with the duty of conveying important messages (whether letters, verbal messages, codes, or threats) from one person to another... usually from one ruler or nobleman to another. The priests take great pride in their role as neutral conveyers of information, and for the reputation for accuracy and honesty they enjoy.

This god is also a favorite god of heralds, spies, and bards, all of whom have to perform messenger-duties at one time or another.

Messenger-gods are as likely to be male as female.

The priests of this god are on good terms with the priests of Community, Mischief/Trickery, Peace, Rulership, Trade, and War.

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 12, Charisma 10. Wisdom or Charisma 16 means +5% experience; Wisdom and Charisma 16 means +10% experience.

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

Nonweapon and Weapon Proficiencies: Nonweapon Proficiencies Required: Reading/Writing. Nonweapon Proficiencies Recommended: Etiquette, Heraldry, Modern Languages, Navigation, Religion. Weapon Proficiencies Required: None. Nonweapon Proficiency Group Crossovers: Priest, General.

Duties of the Priest: Guidance, Marriage. Missions: These priests are often asked by rulers and required by their temples to go on missions of communication, where they are supposed to convey important letters or verbal messages to others. Often, they are asked to act as negotiators between two warring groups or nations.

Weapon and Armor Restrictions: Weapons Permitted: Club, javelin, mace, maul, polearm, quarterstaff, spear, trident. Armor Permitted: All non-metal armor and all shields. Oriental Campaigns: Also bo stick, sai. All together, these constitute Medium combat abilities.

Other Limitations: None.

Spheres of Influence: Major Access to All, Charm, Divination, Protection, Sun. Minor Access to Elemental, Guardian, Necromantic, Plant.

Powers: Language/Communication (as per the Designing Faiths chapter): From 1st level to 8th, each level the priest receives one additional language (or a nonweapon proficiency slot which may only be used for languages); the language chosen must be of a sentient humanoid race. Soothing Word (as per the Designing Faiths chapter). At 8th level: Charm/Fascination (as per the Designing Faiths chapter).

Followers and Strongholds: The followers are received at 8th level, and consist of five third-level priests and five first-level priests of the same order (most act as messengers, too), one third-level bard and one third-level thief (who act as fact-finders and agents), and eight Normal Men and Women, all of whom have the Reading/Writing nonweapon proficiency. The priest may take the following on adventures: Two priests, the bard, the thief, and two Normal Men and Women of his choice. The priesthood will pay for half of the cost of stronghold construction at 8th level. The stronghold must be built with a large library, where the accumulated correspondence and diplomatic writing of the order accumulates.

Possible Symbols: Winged Creatures, Wings.

Notes: When on duty, priests of this order must always carry sceptres, staves, poles, or banners/flags on poles indicating their status. When carrying messages in their official capacity, these priests carry no obvious weapons at all. However, they can use a sceptre as a club and a staff or pole as a quarterstaff if they are attacked.

Table of Contents