Hi, everyone! I'm working in a series of articles for my blog dedicated to each of the 13 classes, and I plan to finish each one with a short list famous examples of such class in fantasy tropes, be it novels, movies, TV shows, comics or video games.
(Extra XP if you also include some details about the reason for your ideas and what you like or don't like about the class, both as a player or DM)
Having said that, what characters come to your mind when thinking of CLERICS?
Abe no Seimei is about the closest I can think of when I think of a legendary priest or cleric. If I were to make a character based on him, the Arcane domain cleric pretty much hits every note. He was a diviner, a fortune teller, and one who dispelled spirits and demons.
I was thinking of the named apostles in the bible, prophets of the Hebrews, and great Christian writers since the Dark Ages. I don't know many Eastern Orthodox bishops, but I am certain there are many listed among them that should qualify. In the Middle East I don't know of anyone aside from Mohammed, and I would recommend you not include him because of the sensibilities of the Muslims. The other Muslim figures I recall are probably all "political" figures. In the far east I can only think of one or two names, but an Internet search should turn up a handful. Likewise in the Hindu religion and Internet search should provide many names. There are surely many names in Egyptian culture prior to the year 700AD. I can't say much about the African continent, South America or even the Native Americans. Their comparative dearth of written history makes this a real challenge.
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Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt
I think popular culture prefers superheros to have the power themselves rather than reling on their God for it. I remember reading a contrast between war of the worlds (written in 1898) and the film Independance day. In the former the aliens were killed of by a pathogen so which they had no immunityt "slain, after all man's devices had failed, by the humblest things that God, in his wisdom, has put upon this earth". Such an ending would be acceptable to modern audiances so the hero put the virus into the aliens computrer system.
As others have said to find legendary clerics you need to look to religion, I must admit virtually all of my knowledge on the history of religion is on Judo-Christianity. I am not sure where the line is drawn between a divine soul sorcerer and a cleric (and I don't want to get into that debate, there is already one on whether clerics and warlocks are thematically the same). I think Aaron as the High Priest is the most obvious Cleric but here are a few other ideas from the bible:
Moses Ezekiel Elijah Daniel Paul John Peter
If you want someone a bit more recent how about Smith Wigglesworth.
Hmm, that's challenging actually; my first thought was Pike Trickfoot from Critical Role, which is probably cheating since she is a D&D cleric.
Other than that, I thought of Yuna from Final Fantasy X; she's referred to as a Summoner in the game as she can summon various creatures as well, but really she's your classic Final Fantasy White Mage (cleric) who keeps your party fighting, removes or prevents debuffs and so-on. There are probably White Mages from the other games that might fit better, but I've not played every game in that series.
Definitely not a common archetype to see, makes it very tricky to think of more!
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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.
I think it is wise to leave the name of the Lord out of D&D so we don't offend some folks. I do the same for "special' names in other religions out of respect for their traditions.
Good luck and enjoy the game.
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Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt
There was a high level cleric of legendary status in DnD history who happened to be a Deep Gnome (Svirfneblin). His name is "Golden Gorger" Suntunavick.
Awesome story about the Svirfneblin city-state of Blingdenstone, ruled by a monarch named King Schnicktick, and the plight of the Deep Gnomes.
Coming in WAY late to this party, Lol, but What about Saint Markovia in Ravenloft series (aka. Curse of Strahd)? She was a great cleric that devoted her life to serve the Morninglord who lived at the Abbey located in Krezk. She led a party of those who opposed Strahd and his wickedness in order to stop his tyranny. Unfortunately, this was after Strahd became a Vampire, so their efforts were in vain. They named the Abbey in her honor. I always try to play a cleric in any game. I think it depends on your personality type, but I'm not one for being the big guns, or care if I take the big bad boss out; I like buffing up my team, giving them all the advantage and knowing that when my extra d4 was the result of them attacking and finishing the last blow...I was a part of that. When my team has to make that saving throw and succeed because of a buff...that was me protecting my homies. I also like ensuring my party is protected, and if they do get harmed or have a condition that needs attention: I'm there. It's difficult keeping up with everyone on the field plus myself...but I wouldn't want it any other way. I love being a cleric!!!
Hi, everyone! I'm working in a series of articles for my blog dedicated to each of the 13 classes, and I plan to finish each one with a short list famous examples of such class in fantasy tropes, be it novels, movies, TV shows, comics or video games.
(Extra XP if you also include some details about the reason for your ideas and what you like or don't like about the class, both as a player or DM)
Having said that, what characters come to your mind when thinking of CLERICS?
"Let your dice roll"
codexanathema.com
Abe no Seimei is about the closest I can think of when I think of a legendary priest or cleric. If I were to make a character based on him, the Arcane domain cleric pretty much hits every note. He was a diviner, a fortune teller, and one who dispelled spirits and demons.
It reminds me the Ortodox popes and clergys there.
It reminds me about The legend of Jean D'Arc ( The Orleans' Lady who was burned by the ........... )
It reminds me about some Catholic Priestesses who were forgotten by the time.
My Ready-to-rock&roll chars:
Dertinus Tristany // Amilcar Barca // Vicenç Sacrarius // Oriol Deulofeu // Grovtuk
I was thinking of the named apostles in the bible, prophets of the Hebrews, and great Christian writers since the Dark Ages. I don't know many Eastern Orthodox bishops, but I am certain there are many listed among them that should qualify. In the Middle East I don't know of anyone aside from Mohammed, and I would recommend you not include him because of the sensibilities of the Muslims. The other Muslim figures I recall are probably all "political" figures. In the far east I can only think of one or two names, but an Internet search should turn up a handful. Likewise in the Hindu religion and Internet search should provide many names. There are surely many names in Egyptian culture prior to the year 700AD. I can't say much about the African continent, South America or even the Native Americans. Their comparative dearth of written history makes this a real challenge.
Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt
It's called religion. Name any named human in the bible that did a miracle.
Moses
Muhammad
Any saint
Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel (Golem)
I think popular culture prefers superheros to have the power themselves rather than reling on their God for it. I remember reading a contrast between war of the worlds (written in 1898) and the film Independance day. In the former the aliens were killed of by a pathogen so which they had no immunityt "slain, after all man's devices had failed, by the humblest things that God, in his wisdom, has put upon this earth". Such an ending would be acceptable to modern audiances so the hero put the virus into the aliens computrer system.
As others have said to find legendary clerics you need to look to religion, I must admit virtually all of my knowledge on the history of religion is on Judo-Christianity. I am not sure where the line is drawn between a divine soul sorcerer and a cleric (and I don't want to get into that debate, there is already one on whether clerics and warlocks are thematically the same). I think Aaron as the High Priest is the most obvious Cleric but here are a few other ideas from the bible:
Moses
Ezekiel
Elijah
Daniel
Paul
John
Peter
If you want someone a bit more recent how about Smith Wigglesworth.
Hmm, that's challenging actually; my first thought was Pike Trickfoot from Critical Role, which is probably cheating since she is a D&D cleric.
Other than that, I thought of Yuna from Final Fantasy X; she's referred to as a Summoner in the game as she can summon various creatures as well, but really she's your classic Final Fantasy White Mage (cleric) who keeps your party fighting, removes or prevents debuffs and so-on. There are probably White Mages from the other games that might fit better, but I've not played every game in that series.
Definitely not a common archetype to see, makes it very tricky to think of more!
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.
the red witch Melissande in games of throne would definetly be a light domain cleric.
king Anduin in world of warcraft probably alife domain cleric.
How about Jesus, the famous Aasimar Cleric of old times ;-)
Edit: Could have been a divine soul sorcerer or Celestial warlock as well I guess...
I think it is wise to leave the name of the Lord out of D&D so we don't offend some folks. I do the same for "special' names in other religions out of respect for their traditions.
Good luck and enjoy the game.
Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt
There was a high level cleric of legendary status in DnD history who happened to be a Deep Gnome (Svirfneblin). His name is "Golden Gorger" Suntunavick.
Awesome story about the Svirfneblin city-state of Blingdenstone, ruled by a monarch named King Schnicktick, and the plight of the Deep Gnomes.
Coming in WAY late to this party, Lol, but What about Saint Markovia in Ravenloft series (aka. Curse of Strahd)? She was a great cleric that devoted her life to serve the Morninglord who lived at the Abbey located in Krezk. She led a party of those who opposed Strahd and his wickedness in order to stop his tyranny. Unfortunately, this was after Strahd became a Vampire, so their efforts were in vain. They named the Abbey in her honor. I always try to play a cleric in any game. I think it depends on your personality type, but I'm not one for being the big guns, or care if I take the big bad boss out; I like buffing up my team, giving them all the advantage and knowing that when my extra d4 was the result of them attacking and finishing the last blow...I was a part of that. When my team has to make that saving throw and succeed because of a buff...that was me protecting my homies. I also like ensuring my party is protected, and if they do get harmed or have a condition that needs attention: I'm there. It's difficult keeping up with everyone on the field plus myself...but I wouldn't want it any other way. I love being a cleric!!!
Derrial Book.
Pilgrim, from the comic of the same name.
Cadderly Bonaduce (Forgotten Realms)
Yvonnel Baenre (Matron Baenre from Forgotton Realms)
Goldmoon (Dragonlance)
Manato (Grimgar anime)
Shepherd Derrial Book from Firefly TV show and the Serenity movie (Sci-fi)
History:
Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin from Russian history (a mystic and self-proclaimed holy man).
Moses
Jesus
Siddhartha Gautama (The Buddha)
The Dalai Lama
Mother Theresa could be a model for a Priestess of Ilmater
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