My character and questions.

[Emwiz]

yea ive been thinking on doing a cleric, and of course it would be of the source, but as i got explained to me the view of the source is different from person to person, so basically how you worship him/her/it is up to you or what?

Any guidelines i should know about for clerics?

Oh and another question, will you be using a good ecl system, for example when it comes down to subraces and such?

[Boomer]

We'll write-up some guidelines today for clerics. But its pretty much seen as there is one supreme power in the world, and that is the source of all things. All power is drawn from that one source.

Some beleive that the source of all things preachs peace, love and harmony, and to strike down anyone is against the ways of the source - all life should be loved and cheerished, for the source of all things created all (One of the popular views).

There are some who had the same view, but then people have asked "Why would the source ask us to stand by and watch our loved ones murdered by brigands and cutt throats? - obviously he would encourage us to stand up to such evil?" this sort of view became a popular one over the years, as family men could relate to this - how couldn't they want to stand up for their children?

But as the years pass, some take a more... Fanatic approach? - they determine what is good and what is evil, some become warrior priests of the source... Intent on good, of course, but their view of good differs - just like it does everywhere in real life. An 'evil' source knight would have no problem laying waste to a town with women and children, if he beleives their belief in the source of all things (The loving one) is blasphemy and beleives they are a plague to be purged from the world.

You understand what i'm getting at?

Of course, if you are roleplaying your character is from another land entirely, you could follow Zeus if you like, just don't be surprised if you raise a few eyebrows. Faerun, Rome, Egypt, all these gods are unheard of in Ayden, and its wildly disbeleived there is even another land beyond their own.

[Emwiz]

well i had some ideas to it, one was the aspect of balance between life and death (healing and death domain) that must be preserved. For example, undead is disrupting that balance as death if a natural part of life, life should be preserved BUT death through murder etc. etc. is natural as well as its in the nature of humans to turn on eachother, my cleric would try and teach the ways of balance and root out any disruptions to it.

Was also having another thought about it to have an aspect of the source that is the thrive for personal benefits, the individuals contest to overcome all for a better position in life.. uh.. kinda hard to explain but to simplify it, it would be all about how humans try and achieve as much as they can in their short lifespan and thats what that aspect of the source would be about, the struggle of man to achieve wonders. Hence the source would be the beacon of hope for their struggle and something to turn to in times when our personal struggles seem impossible

[Boomer]

Undead are pretty much unknown in the lands, but its not to say your character doesn't beleive in them or the priority of balance.

But aye, if your character wishs to take on that view, he can try. The popular view will be different, though, and i doubt that will change within the next century or so. We will be monitoring people on how they worship the source, we don't want ridiculous character ideas just so people can uber their characters. And don't be surprised if your views are insulting the more popular ones, and you get yourself in trouble.

Religion has always been a soft-spot in life, and it can land you dead in a street corner if your not careful.

[Bane]

The problem myself and bryan have in explaining this diety if you like, is because we have both come to understand and relate to its principles through the many books of David gemmell, who writes fantasy based on our own history.
In nearly all respects the 'source' is the christian 'god'.
People all beleive in 'God' a higher celestial being of infinate power... But people portray him in different ways, the father the son, holy spirit, to some he is Alah, etc etc.
Through history, people have tought that our god is loving etc etc.
But then also the pope used religeon to become a great powerfull figure etc. abusing his religeous power.

The source is like this. a largely unexplained deity, of infinate power, the source of all things.
and because he doesnt speak to us directly. People lead to twist or turn their views on him, usualy to suit them.

The best way to explain it is to quote what somone says in one of these books.
when a new religeon is accepted. of love and peace. They preach that you should offer your love to everyone.
Like Boomer said, this view would be hard pressedfor everyone to hold... and people would say. The source wouldnt want us to stand by and let our family be killed. So you should love all but defend your family.
then they would speak of The city as one big family... Those enemies of the city are therefore threatening the family of the city. Next thing you know. the city is making war on other cities in the name of a god that preaches love?

Religeon will always be manipulated in this way.

[Emwiz]

Righto, good, so now ill be waiting for those guidelines