GODS: the Art of Clericism

The Anarea Clerical System

2^nd edition (1998): effective 1 V 2503

systems changes noted in italics, with dates if effective earlier

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Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Faith ("Ft")
3. Clerical Gods
4. Cleric Level ("ClL")
5. Wishes
6. Base Chance ("B")
7. Clerical Spells
8. Casting Spells
9. Joint Requests
10. Clerical Counterspells
11. Clerical Magical Items
12. Clerical Scrolls

1. Introduction

The Cleric ("Cl") uses the magic of Gods. To do so, he must first put Faith ("Ft") in a Clerical God Who has accepted that Faith. He then makes a Clerical Request of that God, by Casting a Clerical Spell. The God then decides whether, and how, to grant that Request. That decision may be influenced by the Cl’s standing with the God, as represented by his Base Chance of Success ("B") and Clerical Credit ("cr").

2. Faith ("Ft")

Ft can be put in anyone, anything or any concept. It can only be allocated in whole points of Ft, but can be split between several Gods (or whatever) and/or withheld. Gods are aware of the Ft put in Them, and may decide whether to accept or reject it. Accepted Ft gives Gods knowledge (Their chance of knowing what a follower is doing or thinking = (Accepted Ft) * 5%) and power. But if the putting in of Ft is not sincere, it will not reach the God, or only at a reduced level. Gods may also be unwilling to accept Faith from those of different Alignments, or who also have Ft in Their rivals, even if such people are able to put it in sincerely.

3. Clerical Gods

Only certain Gods are known to be Clerical: i.e. to grant the Clerical Requests of Their Faithful followers. Those Gods are:

An objective observer might wonder why anyone should put Ft in a non-Clerical God (or other Being or concept). The answer is that it is a matter of Faith. It is also a commonly-held belief (especially amongst the followers of non-Clerical or False Gods) that once a God achieves a certain amount of accepted Ft, He will become Clerical, and that the converse may also be true.

4. Cleric Level ("ClL")

ClL is the basic measure of a Cl’s proficiency at Clerical Magic-Using. Non-Cls have ClL 0. ClL 1 is gained by completing Clerical Initial Basic Training ("IBT"). ClL above 1 is gained by earning Clerical Experience. Continuous Level Advancement ("CLA") applies, in that the exact ClL (usually expressed to 4 decimal places) is used in all calculations involving ClL.

5. Wishes

Wishes are a measure of the current level of support a Cl may expect from his God. They are granted in two ways. Separate totals are calculated for each Clerical God Who has accepted Ft from the Cl.

5.1 Caeriadal Wish Allocation ("CWA")

CWA is the number of wishes the God grants to the Cl for use each Caeriad, calculated as follows (FRD):

CWA = (ClL(ClL+1)/2) + ClL + (Ft Accepted by God) - 11 wishes

CWA is never less than 0. It is renewed in full each Cd, at the CWA Renewal Time specified for the God in the above table of Clerical Gods. Wishes not used during the Cd are lost. If the Cl’s CWA changes during the Cd (e.g. due to Clerical Experience or a change in Ft), the revised CWA does not take effect until the next renewal.

5.2 Clerical Credit ("cr")

Credit is the Cl’s current standing with his God, expressed as the number of wishes into which it may be converted. Cr is gained by behaviour of which the God approves, and lost by behaviour of which the God disapproves (This depends upon the God’s Alignment and Aspect.). There is no maximum amount of cr that may be accumulated, and it is not lost with time (though failure to keep earning it may count as behaviour of which the God disapproves). The Cl may also go negative on cr (into Debit ("dr"), either by the God allowing him to expend more cr than he has, or by inappropriate behaviour.

Cr or dr is essentially awarded subjectively by the DM, though the Creeds of the more Lawful Gods may contain published tables of the cr awarded for particular activities or the dr incurred as penance for various sins. As a rough guide the following awards would be typical:

Cr or dr may also be awarded to non-Cls. However, the God must be aware of their actions. It would be unusual for a God to award cr or dr to someone with no Ft in him. Faithful non-Clerical followers of a God who have significantly advanced their God’s cause may in this way earn enough cr for a Final Appeal.

A Cl (or non-Cl) may ask his current cr in a Commune.

6. Base Chance ("B")

B is the base percentage chance that the God will grant a Clerical Request, calculated as follows. A Cl may ask his current B in a Commune.

6.1 Maximum B

Maximum B = 5 * (Ft Accepted by God) %

The Cl’s B may never exceed his Maximum B, subject to bonuses or minuses for sanctified ground or (for MIRIMI Clerics only) Phase of the Moon.

6.2 God’s Usual B

The Usual B for each God is specified in the above table of Clerical Gods. This is the average B the God grants to His Cls. Subject to the other factors specified in this section 6., the Cl’s B will be equal to the God’s Usual B. Usual B depends on the God’s Clerical power, and may be increased or decreased from time to time (in multiples of 5%), depending on how Clerically active the God and His followers are. The more Ft there is in the God, the higher His Usual B, but the more He is granting Requests, the lower the Usual B He can give to all his Cls. Gods may also increase Their Usual B at crucial times for the advancement of Their causes, and reduce it at quieter times. (MIRIMI's Usual B, and therefore the B of Her Clerics, also varies by the Phase of the Moon, as stated in Her Spell List.)  A Cl may ask his God’s current Usual B in a Commune.

6.3 Credit / Debit

For each 100 cr or dr (FRD) the Cl has, he takes + or - 5% respectively to his B.

The God may override this rule at His discretion, to ignore short-term fluctuations. It reflects the Cl's longer-term standing with his God, and so (for example) the God may allow the Cl to earn back the cr lost before reducing his B.

Note that this is a change to the 1^st edition of this System, which included the same factor but was less formalised.

6.4 Lack of Fluency in Alignment Tongue

If the Cl is not fluent in the God’s Alignment Tongue (in which Clerical Requests are made), multiply B by:

(LP in Tongue) / (LP required for K+F)

If the Request is being read (e.g. from a Scroll), multiply B by:

(LP in Tongue) / (LP required for K+F+R)

6.5 Sanctified Ground

If the Request is made on Ground Sanctified / Consecrated / Desecrated to the God to Whom it is made, add the bonus for that Ground to B.

If the Request is made on Ground Sanctified / Consecrated / Desecrated to another God, deduct half the bonus for that Ground from B per point of Alignment difference. The minus for Ground Sanctified to another God is therefore 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 or 2 times its bonus. E.g 5% FIDAR Consecrated Ground gives +5% to FIDAR Cls, +0% to PAREL Cls, -2.5% to ESCUS or SARAN Cls, -5% to WAGREN, TIPRE or KOROS Cls, -7.5% to DALA or ALTIS Cls, or –10% to ZAKEL Cls.

A Cl may ask the Sanctification of his current location in Commune.

7. Clerical Spells

Clerical Spells are graded by Spell Level ("SL"), and must be learnt before they can be Cast (except that Spells which have not been learnt may be cast by Credit Request). The typical Usual Learning Time ("ULT") of a straightforward Clerical Spell is 5 hours, irrespective of its Spell Level. The ULTs for specific Clerical Spells are stated in their respective Spell Specifications. Each Clerical Spell learnt counts as ½ a Spell Learning Level ("SLL"), irrespective of its Spell Level. Overlearnt Spell Levels give a penalty of –5% to % chance for each 2 SLL overlearnt (FRU).

Each God has a standard Clerical Spell List. Any Spell on this list may be learnt from Scrolls available to the God’s Cls from His major Temples (though not necessarily freely). The level at which a particular God grants a particular Spell, or even grants it at all, depends on His Alignment and Aspect. KOROS, being Neutral/Neutral, grants most Spells at their average level, except in relation to the Undead. A Clerical Spell once learnt may be Requested of any God Who grants it, without relearning it for a different God. Cls may Commune to be granted non-standard Spells. There is a one-off cost in cr for this, depending on the God's view of the Cl, the unusualness of the Spell and its appropriateness to the God's Creed (but as a guideline assume 10Cr/SL). Non-standard Spells are normally recorded on a scroll, but other Cls of the God must be granted permission by Commune (and pay the cr) to be granted the Spell as well.

Some Clerical Spells have variable Spell Levels, depending on the effect requested. But so long as they are specified as one Spell in the Clerical Spell List, they count as one Spell for learning purposes. Additional ULT may be required for different versions of the same Spell, e.g. if a different God grants the Spell in another version.

8. Casting Spells

8.1 Percentage Chance ("% chance")

The % chance of a Clerical Request being granted is:

% chance = (B * (ClL/SL) * ((Wishes used)/SL) * ((SP used)/(SP required))) – (5*IST)

% chance is never FRU or FRD, and may be expressed to any number of decimal places (Gods can easily cope with such calculations!).

8.2 Incantation

The Request must be clearly incanted in the God’s Alignment Tongue, taking:

• 1 second to invoke the God

• 1 second to name the Spell

• 1 second to name each other participant in a Joint Request

• 1 second to state the wishes used (including any extra wishes)

• 1 second to state each variation of a parameter

• If Prayer is used to put in extra wishes, this follows as part of the casting time.

Word Spells take 1 second, but additional time is still required to name each other participant in a Joint Request or for Prayer. The other factors are covered by inflection of the Word.

Casting time may be reduced and/or the incantation not clearly declaimed, provided it is necessary in the circumstances and at a cost in cr. Typically it costs:

• -5 cr to mumble the incantation (Thievish Whisper may be used)

• –10 cr to cast as a 1 second Word Spell

• -25 cr to cast as a 1/2 second thought Spell

• -50 cr to cast as a 1/10 second reflex Spell (e.g. Final Appeal)

If the God does not consider the reduction in casting time to have been absolutely necessary, He may deduct additional cr and/or apply a ratio to % chance of (Casting time taken)/(Casting time God requires).

8.3 Actions / Materials

Most Spell Specifications require certain actions or materials. In some cases they are absolutely necessary, and the Spell cannot therefore be Cast without them (e.g. Sticks to Snakes requires at least one stick). Otherwise they may be dispensed with, provided it is necessary in the circumstances and at a cost in cr. Typically it costs –10 cr to dispense with an action or material. If the God does not consider the dispensation to have been absolutely necessary, He may deduct additional cr and/or apply a ratio to % chance (which may well reduce it to zero). Failure to have the right materials to hand because one has not prepared for the Casting of the Spell is unlikely to be considered a necessary dispensation by Lawful Gods. Chaotic ones may be impressed by the improvisation of alternative materials.

8.4 Wishes used

Up to SL wishes may be used from CWA. When CWA is expended, they may be used from cr (if available) or from wish-storing Magic Items (if available).

8.4.1 Extra wishes from cr

Extra wishes in excess of SL may be put in out of cr (if available) as follows:

n extra wishes cost (n+1)(n+2)/2 cr i.e.

NB Prior to 1 VIII 2500, n extra wishes cost only 2n cr.

8.4.2 Extra wishes from Prayer

Extra wishes may also be put in by Prayer, as well as or instead of out of cr as above. The wishes put in by Prayer may be taken from CWA. When CWA is expended, they may be taken from cr (if available) or from wish-storing Magic Items (if available). To apply the nth extra wish by Prayer, the Cl must pray for n minutes, in addition to the Incantation and to any Prayer already offered, and 1 extra wish is gained by Prayer for each 2 wishes applied, as shown by the Prayer table:

Where h = hours / m = minutes / a = wishes applied / g = extra wishes gained

Prayer extending over the normal CWA Renewal Time postpones CWA Renewal Time until after Casting.

If Prayer lasts less time than required for the extra wishes specified in Incantation, the remainder are put in out of cr (if available). If Prayer lasts more time than required for the extra wishes specified in Incantation, the Request is resolved once the specified extra wishes have been Prayed for, and further Prayer is just taken by the God as the thanks which is due.

8.4.3 Extra wishes from items

Extra wishes may also be put in from wish-storing Magic Items (if available). Such wishes are put in on a 1 for 1 basis, having already been discounted in the storing process.

8.5 SP used

As with all Magic-Using, Spell Points are expended by effort rather than by Incantation.

SP Required = SL/2 (FRU)

NB Prior to 2 XII 2501 SP Required = SL.

SP used in excess of SP required have no effect on % chance, but do count for IST.

Where the Cl does not know the SL (e.g. in a Credit Request) he must estimate the SP he expends. Underestimation may reduce the chance of success or cost more cr to achieve success. The DM may determine the SP expended on reflex Requests.

8.6 Interspell Time ("IST")

Each second of outstanding IST gives –5% to % chance.

8.7 Variable Parameters

The variable parameters of each Spell are listed in its Specification. Except where specified otherwise, the minuses for varying parameters are applied to % chance. They are not applied to Throw. FRU on all variable parameters: e.g if the Range parameter is:

10d ft - 5 d(d+1)/2 %

to cast the Spell with a 25 ft range, d = 3, giving –30% to % chance.

8.8 Granting Requests

Spell Roll ("R") = d100 (no RUD)

• If R > % chance, the Spell is Refused by the God.

• If R = % chance + 1, it may be necessary to roll R to sufficient decimal places to determine whether the Spell is Refused or Granted, as % chance is never FRU or FRD.

• If R = 100, the Spell is Refused by the God, irrespective of % chance.

• If R < = % chance, the Spell is Granted by the God, with:

Spell Throw ("T") = R + (% chance – 100, if +ve)

T may never exceed 500 less all minuses deducted from % chance. NB This is a return to the way the 1^st edition of the Clerical System was played.  Under the 2^nd edition up to 26 Oscow / Day 177 2503, minuses were deducted only from % chance and did not reduce the maximum possible T.

See the Specification for the Spell for the Effect of T.

To compare the power of a Clerical Spell with that of a Druidic or Elementalist Spell, divide T by 5 (FRU).

8.9 Refused Requests

If a Spell has been Refused to a Cleric, the God will not Grant it to him again until after his next CWA Renewal Time.

If a Spell is Refused and R < = (25 – (Ft Accepted by God)), the God will punish the Cl for his presumption with a Blowback effect of a reversal of the Spell’s effect, with T at the God’s discretion.

If a Spell has failed against a particular target (e.g. the target has saved against Hold Person), the God may be expected to exercise His discretion to Refuse a second Request for the same Spell against the same target before the next CWA Renewal Time. NB This is effectively a systems change from 1 V 2503.

9. Joint Requests

Any number of Cls ("Participants") may jointly Request a Spell of the same God by simultaneous Incantation, as follows. Each participant must name each other Participant in his Incantation. Only those whose lists of Participants (including themselves) all include each other count as making the same Joint Request. Anyone so excluded counts as making a separate Request.

9.1 ClL

The ClL of the Participants in a Joint Request is the square root of the sum of the squares of the ClLs of all Participants, i.e.:

ClL = Ö (A² + B² + C²) for Cls of ClL A, B & C

This is only for calculating % chance of the Joint Request, and does not affect the Participants’ respective CWA, SP or SLL.

9.2 B

The B of the Participants in a Joint Request is the average of the Bs of all Participants. Any Sanctified Ground modifier is applied to the joint B after averaging.

9.3 Wishes

No more wishes are required for a Joint Request than would be put in by a single Cl. The total wishes put into a Joint Request may be contributed by the Participants in any proportions, provided each Participant puts in at least 1 wish. Anyone who fails to put in at least 1 wish is excluded from the Request. Each Participant states in his Incantation the number of wishes he personally is putting in. If extra wishes are put in by Prayer, all Participants must pray for the same time as it would take a single Cl to pray in the total number of extra wishes put in by Prayer. Where Prayer and credit are combined, it may be necessary during the Incantation and Prayer to specify exactly who is contributing which wishes, including those lost in putting in extra by Prayer or credit, failing which the God will decide.

9.4 SP

All Participants in a Joint Request must individually expend the full SP cost for the Spell Requested. The ((SP used)/(SP required)) ratio is applied separately to % chance for each Participant who fails to expend the full cost.

NB Prior to 2 XII 2501, the SP cost could be shared, subject to a minimum of 1SP per Participant, as for wishes.

9.5 IST

The outstanding IST of all Participants has a cumulative effect on % chance. E.g. if Cl A has 5 sec IST, Cl B has 2 sec IST and Cl C has 0 sec IST, they take 7 sec IST, and therefore take –35% to % chance.

9.6 Extension Spells

If a Jointly Requested Clerical Spell is Extended, all Participants must expend the full number of SP. However, it is open to any Participant to "drop out" at any time, without affecting the Throw, in which case he does not have to expend SP on Extensions, but no longer has the option to assist in doing so. A Participant who drops out will cease to benefit from any continuing effect.

NB This took effect 2 XII 2501, but replaced previous ambiguity, so should be played retrospectively.

10. Clerical Counterspells

All Gods have a Counterspell and a Word Counterspell on Their standard Clerical Spell Lists. These are Pure Counterspells of variable level, the level being set in naming the Spell in Incantation (NB It was previously by the number of SP expended, but this no longer worked after the SP cost of Clerical Spells was halved on 2 XII 2501.). Counterspells may not be cast using Prayer (as this could postpone incoming Spell effects indefinitely), so extra wishes may only be put in from cr or wish-storing Magic Items. Counterspells may be Jointly Requested, protecting all Participants. The Subtraction Effect of a Clerical Counterspell is T/2 (FRU). The Protection Period cannot be Extended.

11. Clerical Magic Items

Clerics may obtain Magic Items from their God at a cost in cr (never dr) by asking for them as a Commune Question. The cost is at the God’s discretion, and will be advised as a separate Commune Question, but the minimum cost for a Magic Item is 100 cr.

Wish-storing Items have a maximum capacity of wishes that may be stored. They are charged by Prayer. To charge the nth extra wish by Prayer, the Cl must pray for n minutes, in addition to any Prayer already offered (praying for that same time again without expending wishes if the previous wishes were charged in an earlier session), and 1 extra wish is charged by Prayer for each 2 wishes applied, as shown by the Prayer table above. Stored wishes discharge at the rate of 1 wish per CWA Renewal Time. Stored wishes are not transferable, and must be expended by the Cl who prayed them in. If a different Cl prays wishes into an Item, all previous wishes stored are discharged. Wish-storing Items are specific to the God Who granted them, but are not usually personal to the Cl to whom they were granted (i.e. personal Items do not cost less cr). An Item which stores n wishes typically costs 100 + (n(n-1)/2) cr.

Note that the Item will not usually appear magically.  For standard Items such as Wish-storing Rings, the Cleric must produce his or her own ring to be Enchanted by the God in Commune.  For example a gold ring (expected by SARAN) typically costs a minimum of 2GP plus any (optional) gem set on it (for which see the Jeweller).  Particularly special Items may be Teleported in by the God, but it would be more usual for the God to send the Cleric on a Quest to find them, and so prove him or herself worthy of the Item.  Chaotic Gods may require random objects to be produced for Enchantment or may hide the Item somewhere and give a cryptic clue where it may be found.

12. Clerical Scrolls

Any Cl who Reads his Alignment Tongue may write a Scroll by writing down the Incantation for a Request, Incanting and Praying for it normally, and specifying that it is a Scroll (1 sec extra Incantation). The SP and wishes cost is as normal, but there is an additional cr cost equal to the total wishes expended (including those lost in putting in extra wishes). The wishes put into the Scroll are stored as in a Wish-storing Item, and discharge at the rate of 1 wish per CWA Renewal Time.

The Cl who wrote the Scroll may cast the Spell at any time by reading the Scroll with clear declamation and paying the SP cost again. No wishes may be put in, other than those stored in the Scroll. Casting time may not be reduced, and Word Spells read from a Scroll take the full casting time of a non-Word Spell. Variable parameters are set as they were written. Any target may be specified on casting. The Request is then resolved as normal. Sanctified Ground modifiers are determined by the place of casting, not the place of writing.

Scrolls are not transferable. Scrolls may be written by Joint Request, but all Participants must cast the Spell, reading it in unison.

Go to standard Spell lists / Spell specifications

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© P.R. Wild, 1 November 1998

version 2.3: amended 25 December 2000, 17 November 2001, 4 May 2503, 28 February 2004, 17 November 2021