After years of purposeless wandering and fruitless searching, you have found your cause. Be it a god/devil or religion, a political campaign, a philosophical movement, or simply promotion of Master Tuckin's fine ales and mead, you have seen the light and are wholeheartedly devoted to furthering your chosen cause. You are dogged and adamant in your promotion of this cause, preaching to anyone and everyone about your truth. You cannot stand to be contradicted and see it as blasphemy. And yes, you drive your party members up a wall on a regular basis. You are not necessarily a cleric— preaching your views & opinions is not the same as performing sacred rites or channeling divine power.

How did you find your cause? Were you led into it by a friend or family member? Why are you so unbending in your convictions? Can you work with those who do not fully subscribe to (or, at least, say that they subscribe to) your ideas? How far will you go to convince others of your truth? 

Skill Proficiencies: Religion, History, Insight, Deception, Intimidation, Persuasion, Performance

Tool Proficiencies: Calligrapher's Supplies, one other tools set appropriate to your backstory

Languages: Two of your choice

Equipment: A holy symbol (an item that reminds you of your convictions), a prayer book or prayer wheel, a uniform or religious vestments vestments, a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 15 gp.

Suggested Characteristics

Zealots are shaped by their convictions & beliefs, not necessarily by their experience in temples or other religious communities. Their study of the history and tenets of their faith and their relationships to temples, shrines, or hierarchies affect their mannerisms and ideals. Their eccentricities could be anything from always blessing doorways, to refusing to hunt in the morning, to only drinking mead in pairs. As long as the are matched to their beliefs & belief structure.

d8	Personality Trait
1	I have to speak with every potential convert, even if we're in a hurry.
2	I mutter to myself constantly about my cause and my conversion plans.
3	I see omens in every event and action. The gods try to speak to us, we just need to listen.
4	I am naturally charming and charismatic, and you don't even realize I've launched into a pitch about my cause until it's too late.
5	I feel the need to bellow everything dramatically, as it seems to add importance to whatever I am saying.
6	I am tolerant (or intolerant) of other faiths and respect (or condemn) the worship of other gods.
7	I am very judgmental and like to whisper sly, cutting comments to nearby party members about other party members (especially if they follow a different religion)..
8	I’ve spent so long in the temple that I have little practical experience dealing with people in the outside world.

d6	Ideal
1	I will save them all. I have been granted a vision of truth, and I will use my knowledge to shepherd all I can into the safety of my flock. (Good)
2	Truth and order must prevail. The world is chaos, and I have found the way to return it to perfect order. (Lawful)
3	This is my Path. What is, is. I have been set on a path and I will walk it, for good or ill. (Neutral)
4	Aspiration. I seek to prove myself worthy of my god’s favor by matching my actions against his or her teachings. (Any)
5	For the Glory. I serve my cause knowing that I will be greatly rewarded for it. (Evil)
6	A Sucker is Born Every Minute. People are so gullible. Dazzle them with a few promises and they're eating out of your hands like street pigeons. (Neutral Evil)

d6	Bond
1	You are itching to make a pilgrimage to the original source of your cause (shrine of a God, meeting with a political figure you are championing, tavern purveying the fine goods you are trumpeting to all who will hear).
2	There is a faction of zealots directly opposed to your goals, and you find yourself competing with them for converts, as well as seeking out fellow believers for support and aid.
3	Your family just doesn't get you. You've tried to explain, but they still don't understand why you're throwing away your life with "this nonsense". You've decided to cut all ties and just hope that you never run into them.
4	You have a direct connection with the God/champion/philosopher/prophet you are representing, and commune/correspond with them often asking for advice.
5	You lived a seedy life before you saw the light and donned your robes. You have tried to leave your past in the past, but inevitably it will catch up to you.
6	Your zealotry includes pursuit of a powerful magical artifact (a Holy Grail), and you will stop at nothing to obtain it.

d8	Flaw
1	I judge others harshly, and myself even more severely.
2	You are blinded by your devotion to your cause, and have difficulty thinking critically and problem-solving.
3	My piety sometimes leads me to blindly trust those that profess faith in my god.
4	I am inflexible in my thinking.
5	You are so obsessed with advancing your cause that you have become an insomniac, and often stay up until all hours of the night writing out pamphlets, making plans, and generally muttering to yourself.
6	Once I pick a goal, I become obsessed with it to the detriment of everything else in my life.
7	Your cause is actually terrible and you know it. The problem is, you are too prideful and have devoted too many years to it to actually admit it, so you keep on keeping on, pretending that everything is fine.
8	Your collected "donations" are actually used to support your addiction, and your God help you if your devotees ever find out about this.