Ishapian Novitiate (Path of Balance)

You spent your formative years in a temple or monastery of Ishap, God of Balance... You act as an intermediary between the realm of the holy and the mortal world, performing sacred rites and offering sacrifices in order to conduct worshipers into the presence of the divine. You are not necessarily a cleric—performing sacred rites is not the same thing as channeling divine power.

Skill Proficiencies: Insight, Religion

Tool Proficiencies: Calligrapher's Supplies or Herbalism Kit.

Languages: One extra standard language.

Equipment: A holy symbol (Holy Symbol of Ishap, a gift to you when you entered the priesthood), prayer book/treatise on Balance, simple grey/neutral robes, scholar's pack, pouch with 15 gp.

Suggested Characteristics

Acolytes are shaped 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 flaws might be some hidden hypocrisy or heretical idea, or an ideal or bond taken to an extreme.

d8	Personality Trait
1	I idolize a particular hero of my faith, and constantly refer to that person’s deeds and example.
2	I can find common ground between the fiercest enemies, empathizing with them and always working toward peace.
3	I see omens in every event and action. The gods try to speak to us, we just need to listen.
4	Nothing can shake my optimistic attitude.
5	I quote (or misquote) sacred texts and proverbs in almost every situation.
6	I am tolerant (or intolerant) of other faiths and respect (or condemn) the worship of other gods.
7	I’ve enjoyed fine food, drink, and high society among my temple’s elite. Rough living grates on me.
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	Balance: All things must be kept in equilibrium; I strive to counteract extremism in all its forms. (Neutral)
2	Truth: Uncovering and upholding objective truth is paramount to understanding and maintaining the world's delicate harmony. (Lawful)
3	Understanding: I seek to comprehend all viewpoints and motivations before passing judgment or taking decisive action. (Any)
4	Impartiality: Justice must be rendered without prejudice, ensuring fairness and equality in every interaction. (Lawful/Neutral)
5	Mediation: I am driven to resolve conflicts and restore harmony between opposing forces or people. (Good/Neutral)
6	Knowledge: The pursuit of wisdom illuminates the path of balance and dispels the shadows of ignorance that breed discord. (Any)

d6	Bond
1	I would die to recover an ancient relic of my faith that was lost long ago.
2	I will someday get revenge on the corrupt temple hierarchy who branded me a heretic.
3	I owe my life to the priest who took me in when my parents died.
4	Everything I do is for the common people.
5	I will do anything to protect the temple where I served.
6	I seek to preserve a sacred text that my enemies consider heretical and seek to destroy.

d6	Flaw
1	I judge others harshly, and myself even more severely.
2	I put too much trust in those who wield power within my temple’s hierarchy.
3	My piety sometimes leads me to blindly trust those that profess faith in my god.
4	I am inflexible in my thinking.
5	I am suspicious of strangers and expect the worst of them.
6	Once I pick a goal, I become obsessed with it to the detriment of everything else in my life.