The priests of the gods serve their deities and their deity’s faithful through commonplace tasks that don’t necessarily require magic. The majority of priests aren’t Clerics. Indeed, the gods invest power in Clerics and other divine spellcasters (see “ Divine Magic ” below) in accordance with their own whims and needs. The kind of person attracted to a deity’s priesthood depends on the tenets of…

Ardev is a Vassal town. The largest temple is the Church of the Nine, which is dedicated to the Sovereign Host. The priest, Cantor Devir (that’s his name, not a title!), is a Magewright adept who can only cast Thaumaturgy and Ceremony, but he always has good advice for the faithful and gives an inspiring sermon. While the church serves its purpose, the Vassals of Ardev are more excited about…

The Seekers of the Divinity Within are the largest and most widespread tradition associated with The Blood of Vol. The faith isn't as formally structured as the Church of the Silver Flame or even the Sovereign Host. For the most part, Seekers keep to themselves, living in their own villages and small towns or in isolated neighborhoods of larger communities, where they can practice their…

The Sovereign Host is by far the dominant faith of Khorvaire, followed by the Church of the Silver Flame, which has churches and shrines all across the Five Nations. While The Blood of Vol is a distant third, it has been well established in Karrnath and the Lhazaar Principalities for over a thousand years. However, there are many other religions in the world. These include the druidic traditions…

Druids belong to ancient orders that call on the forces of nature. Harnessing the magic of animals, plants, and the four elements, Druids heal, transform into animals, and wield elemental destruction. Revering nature above all, individual Druids gain their magic from nature, a nature deity, or both, and they typically unite with other Druids to perform rites that mark the passage of the seasons…

The moral and ethical values of the deities in Faerûn express a range of predilections and are embraced by mortals who share those ideals, from principled agents of good to vicious proponents of evil. As a result, worship of certain deities might be frowned on in some places. It’s impossible to prevent individuals from innocuously or secretly worshiping whichever deities they choose, so…

Priesthood is a vocation, where those who undertake the profession hone their abilities through a system of apprenticeship. At a small temple, a novice or an acolyte studies under the single priest available. Larger temples accommodate groups of acolytes, each learning under the direction of one or more mentors responsible for training them in performing the gods’ rites and tending their…

The murals in the antechamber show the seven Zussra gods interacting with the people in their day-to-day lives in the lands around the Nyr Dyv centuries ago. Broadly, each god’s portfolio is represented clearly, so the murals confirm the domain of each if the characters didn’t know it before. There is additional information that can be gleaned related to each god from the murals. A character can…

You have learned that the dominant religious beliefs of your region are lies. The corrupting forces may be in charge, but you will not rest until you have shown their lies as corrupt and untrue. Your beliefs, and your willingness to speak that truth, have put you in danger from the authorities. You travel the road or live in hiding, trying to stay one step ahead of those who wish to silence you.…

Cultists devote themselves to their faith’s leaders and otherworldly masters. While this zeal grants cultists no magical powers, it gives them remarkable resolve in the face of threats. Cultists perform much of a cult’s mundane work, which might include evangelism, criminal acts, or serving as sacrifices. Cultists Cultists use magic and extreme measures to spread radical beliefs. Some privately…

You have been inducted into a secret society that venerates or pursues power from some otherworldly source. The cultists might serve as minions of an entity they worship, or they may seek to understand and claim its might for their own. Depending on the malevolence of the cult’s patron or the malefic purposes they may serve, cultists could be a force of wickedness or a group of closely bonded and…

Dragonborn walk with pride through a world that greets them with equal parts fear and admiration. Their powerful resemblance to dragons makes them remarkable among other common folk. Thick scales cover their bodies, sharp claws tip their fingers, fangs line their jaws. They do not possess the legendary size or impressive wings of their presumed ancestors, but to be dragonborn is to be blessed…

Dragonborn make zealous inquisitors. They hunt heretics through mist-shrouded villages, and their intimidating draconic features make them perfect enforcers of religious orthodoxy. A fanatical dragonborn inquisitor can be a terrifying antagonist hunting your players for real or imagined transgressions against the faith. However, if the characters convince the inquisitor of their innocence, they…

The Ankylier of Blazestone Gully have a long history of conflict and warfare. Their stern attitudes and aggressiveness often land them in hot water with other species, and their politics are no different. Harsh words and bruised egos tend to cause a backlash in smithing pricing, and if another city backs out of a large contract, the Ankylier armies will be sent to recover costs by force. Given…

Due to their remarkable memories, the Children of Seth have no written records. Despite this, most can read and write multiple languages. As they do not record their own history, they have no sacred texts or religious scriptures. Instead, their religions and ideals are composed of a series of fables and tales that have, naturally, changed over time. Some contain deep truths about their society…

The history of Un Grazook is one wrought with strife, violence, and ultimately prosperity. When the Manyhorn first arrived at the small port, they were a disparate people of many different cultures pressed together by circumstance. Species prejudice gave rise to clans that fought in gang warfare for generations before the fallout of their battles brought the city to near destruction. This turning…

The Pluvenn of Bristlebush Vale have a relatively simple history of village life. Their ancestors arrived in the region centuries ago as several disparate travelling tribes, composed of different species of raptorfolk. Over time, these intermingled until a single cohesive culture was formed. Since then, they have had a docile history with no major conflicts beyond the repelling of unwanted…

The Ankylier of Blazestone Gully have a long history of conflict and warfare. Their stern attitudes and aggressiveness often land them in hot water with other species, and their politics are no different. Harsh words and bruised egos tend to cause a backlash in smithing pricing, and if another city backs out of a large contract, the Ankylier armies will be sent to recover costs by force. Given…

List of Sacred Services Handout from the Heroes of the Borderlands.

You can cast this spell only during the duration of a Contact Deity spell you also cast. You cause the deity you contacted to manifest in the nearest unoccupied space. For 1 hour, it acts as it wishes but treats you as an ally if you don’t take actions against it. It doesn’t extend this courtesy to your allies and interprets your attempts to protect others as acting against it. Available For:…

The guild’s influence is apparent. It is the most prominent money-lending entity in Morencia. As such, it provides loans to citizens, guilds, and government, with privately negotiate terms. Guild vaults offer asset protection bolstered by the Misty Reefs and magically warded by the Maegilate. The merger with the Augustine Trading Company expands their reach throughout Etharis and allows for…

You contact a deity of the Cthulhu Mythos. You can ask the entity 1d6 questions that can be answered with yes or no. You must ask your questions before the spell ends. You receive a correct answer for each question. Old Ones aren’t necessarily omniscient, so you might receive “unclear” as an answer if a question pertains to information that lies beyond the Old One’s knowledge. In a case where a…

You are a steadfast disciple of the Radiant Church, filled with an unwavering faith and a holy zeal that drives you to root out any threats to the Church and its teachings. Your duty might involve questioning potential heretics, investigating signs of corruption within the Church, or combating the enemies of the faith. You walk a fine line, enforcing the laws of the Church and ensuring the purity…

Clerics draw power from the realms of the gods and harness it to work miracles. Blessed by a deity, a pantheon, or another immortal entity, a Cleric can reach out to the divine magic of the Outer Planes—where gods dwell—and channel it to bolster people and battle foes. Because their power is a divine gift, Clerics typically associate themselves with temples dedicated to the deity or other…

A raised platform with a bloody altar stands toward the east side of this roughly triangular cavern. A constant orgy of bloodletting goes on in this chamber, all part of the strange and gory urdefhan religion. If interrupted, the participants are anxious to cover their altar with fresh blood. Creatures: Two Urdefhan Lashers are led in the rites by two Urdefhan Cult Fanatics. All of them attack…

The grim, crowded city of Baldur’s Gate sits alongside the River Chionthar. Its nobles, called patriars, reside in the Upper City while most of the rest of the populace lives in the Lower City. Refugees and the destitute make what homes they can in the Outer City. A short way to the east sits the walled district of Little Calimshan, a thriving neighborhood of immigrants from that southern realm.…

When human settlers came from Sarlona, they brought the Sovereign Host with them. While some traditions have evolved over the course of centuries and civilizations, the Pyrinean interpretation of the Sovereigns is part of the very foundation of the Five Nations, and its creed is reflected in their values. You should follow the laws (Aureon) and value the traditions of your community (Boldrei).…