I have looked at the downtime section of the books and as a Life Cleric who doesnt have arcana proficiency I am not finding many things to do for income besides the adventuring.
also not proficient in any tools, just a Firbolg with 6 Languages so I guess I can translate a book.
Have you looked at Xanathar's expanded downtime rules? There's one for holding religious services. You get favors instead of money, but still, they can be very useful.
The tool and arcana proficiency requirements are only from XGtE, not the DMG, so your DM might waive them. My DM agreed it would make sense for my Life Cleric to be proficient with the herbalism kit, which allowed him to make healing potions. Or possibly you could train to gain a proficiency.
You can still cast spells for money, which includes creating holy water, which is a spell component for some spells. Detecting poison and purifying food and drink would probably be useful things to offer.
You speak multiple languages so maybe offer you're healing services around town for extra coin?
Speaking someone's native language will put them more at ease while being treated and arguably help their treatment be more successful.
If there's another doctor in town maybe it becomes a mini rivalry plot for your character depending on what the DM and you want to do together. :)
Speaking multiple languages also leads itself to being a general translator so yeah maybe you translate books or scrolls for someone and it unlocks something for them and you get some reward for reading great grandma goblin's recipe since the half-elf alchemist can't and now you get a free fire bomb to use a potion of Strength which raises your score by 1. :) There's other bonuses in the game worth something besides money. Ha. Maybe you don't make money right off but you invest in some business with what you do have so you get a share of profits later in the game.
Problem with that option is that unless your cleric is a hustler, it costs them as much to make the holy water as they'd make from selling it, as the value is 25 gp and it requires 25 gp of silver to make it.
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What level are you and what is your setting? Some of those "situational" spells could be turned into coin. I would look at what you could cast over an over as rituals.
Detect magic (bring me your objects) Detect Poison and Disease (The local doctor) Purify Food and Drink (Depending on sanitary conditions of setting) Augury ( Let me tell your future) Silence (Who knows who may want 10 minutes of quiet or insurance vs. spells -- local school, church, people with kids, theatre)
Of course there are the others that cost a spell slot, but seem transactionable -- enhance ability, aid, lesser restoration, Zone of truth. Not to mention mending.
Seems like there are plenty of ways for a cleric to make money during downtime by going to their own wheelhouse. Of course, you have to develop a client base for your services first.
I have looked at the downtime section of the books and as a Life Cleric who doesnt have arcana proficiency I am not finding many things to do for income besides the adventuring.
also not proficient in any tools, just a Firbolg with 6 Languages so I guess I can translate a book.
Any creative ideas?
This question is unanswerable without knowing your skill and tool proficiencies. How poorly did you choose your skills? And how do you know 6 languages? Volo's Firbolgs have 3 languages and backgrounds only grant 2, which sums to 5. Here are some suggestions without knowing any answers:
Spend your downtime training in tool proficiencies or more languages (the languages worth learning are, in approximate order, Common, Undercommon, Infernal, Draconic, Sylvan, Primordial, Abyssal, Deep Speech, Giant, Celestial)
As a Cleric, Celestial, Infernal, and Abyssal are the most in-character for you to know.
Modron and Sphinx are also spoken by extremely specific Celestial agents, but to be honest they're both wastes of your downtime.
Which tool proficiencies are best depends a bit on your intended use for the character, but Chef's Utensils are low-hanging fruit for any healer.
If you aren't qualified to perform religious services for favors, your skill proficiency selection is deeply sus - you should be proficient in Insight, Persuasion, Perception, and a 4th skill that is at worst Religion. As a Life Cleric with proficiency in Heavy Armor, I have serious questions if you're not proficient in Athletics.
Prepare enhance ability, cast it on yourself, go nuts with a variety of ways to earn money.
Hey Everyone,
I have looked at the downtime section of the books and as a Life Cleric who doesnt have arcana proficiency I am not finding many things to do for income besides the adventuring.
also not proficient in any tools, just a Firbolg with 6 Languages so I guess I can translate a book.
Any creative ideas?
What's your background?
Have you looked at Xanathar's expanded downtime rules? There's one for holding religious services. You get favors instead of money, but still, they can be very useful.
If the languages aren't too exotic, work as a translator in the merchant's quarter.
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
The tool and arcana proficiency requirements are only from XGtE, not the DMG, so your DM might waive them. My DM agreed it would make sense for my Life Cleric to be proficient with the herbalism kit, which allowed him to make healing potions. Or possibly you could train to gain a proficiency.
You can still cast spells for money, which includes creating holy water, which is a spell component for some spells. Detecting poison and purifying food and drink would probably be useful things to offer.
Birgit | Shifter | Sorcerer | Dragonlords
Shayone | Hobgoblin | Sorcerer | Netherdeep
Make holy water.
Sell holy water.
You speak multiple languages so maybe offer you're healing services around town for extra coin?
Speaking someone's native language will put them more at ease while being treated and arguably help their treatment be more successful.
If there's another doctor in town maybe it becomes a mini rivalry plot for your character depending on what the DM and you want to do together. :)
Speaking multiple languages also leads itself to being a general translator so yeah maybe you translate books or scrolls for someone and it unlocks something for them and you get some reward for reading great grandma goblin's recipe since the half-elf alchemist can't and now you get a free fire bomb to use a potion of Strength which raises your score by 1. :) There's other bonuses in the game worth something besides money. Ha. Maybe you don't make money right off but you invest in some business with what you do have so you get a share of profits later in the game.
Problem with that option is that unless your cleric is a hustler, it costs them as much to make the holy water as they'd make from selling it, as the value is 25 gp and it requires 25 gp of silver to make it.
Former D&D Beyond Customer of six years: With the axing of piecemeal purchasing, lack of meaningful development, and toxic moderation the site isn't worth paying for anymore. I remain a free user only until my groups are done migrating from DDB, and if necessary D&D, after which I'm done. There are better systems owned by better companies out there.
I have unsubscribed from all topics and will not reply to messages. My homebrew is now 100% unsupported.
What level are you and what is your setting? Some of those "situational" spells could be turned into coin. I would look at what you could cast over an over as rituals.
Detect magic (bring me your objects)
Detect Poison and Disease (The local doctor)
Purify Food and Drink (Depending on sanitary conditions of setting)
Augury ( Let me tell your future)
Silence (Who knows who may want 10 minutes of quiet or insurance vs. spells -- local school, church, people with kids, theatre)
Of course there are the others that cost a spell slot, but seem transactionable -- enhance ability, aid, lesser restoration, Zone of truth.
Not to mention mending.
Seems like there are plenty of ways for a cleric to make money during downtime by going to their own wheelhouse. Of course, you have to develop a client base for your services first.
This question is unanswerable without knowing your skill and tool proficiencies. How poorly did you choose your skills? And how do you know 6 languages? Volo's Firbolgs have 3 languages and backgrounds only grant 2, which sums to 5. Here are some suggestions without knowing any answers:
I think you actually lose money at book values because you need a vial to put it in. Need to negotiate some cheaper supplies, I discovered. 😁