Faith comes in many shapes and forms.

Part and parcel of these belief structures are Clergy – people who guide and comfort the faithful, or, at the very least, work to bring more believers into the fold.

Though Clergy sometimes appear to perform miracles, their “powers” are mainly secular. Their faith in their beliefs guides them through difficulties and lets them set an example to others. The provide inspiration and solace, and just as often, leadership and direction. Of course, some Clergy are little more than charlatans and confidence tricksters, taking advantage of those who need the most protection. Even so, a significant portion of the Stellar Ring’s population places a great deal of trust in their priests, and worthy ones do their best to honor that trust.

Not all who cal themselves “Clergy” need take the Clergy prestige class; this class is for those who derive special benefits from their faith.

Requirements

To qualify to become a Priest, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.

Base Attack Bonus: +4 Skills: Diplomacy 6 ranks, Knowledge (Religion) 8 ranks

Feat: Influence

Special: The Clergy must have acquired the inspire confidence ability and must belong to a religious organization.

Hit Dice: Priests gain 1d6 vitality points per level. The character’s Constitution modifier applies.

The Priest’s Class skills, and the key abilities for each skill, are as follows.

Appraise (Int), Bluff (Cha), Computer Use (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Gather Information (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Sense Motive (Wis), Treat Injury (Wis)

Skill Points at Each Level: 6 + Int modifier.

The following are features of the Priest prestige class.

At 1st level, a Clergy may designate any one cross-class skill as a class skill. Once designated, the skill is considered a class skill every time the character adds a new level of Clergy. The skill must be one relatively common to the campaign.

At 1st and 4th level, the Priest gets a bonus feat. These bonus feats must be drawn from the following list, provided he meets the prerequisites.

Fame, Headstrong, Persuasive, Trustworthy, Worldwise

The Clergy’s standing within his religious order grants him a certain amount of authority. When dealing with other members of his faith whose character levels do not exceed his own, the Clergy’s Reputation bonus from levels of the Priest prestige class is doubled.

Beginning at 3rd level, the Clergy can use oratory to inspire faith in his allies, filling them with confidence that their beliefs can sustain them through adversity. An ally must listen to and observe the Clergy for a full minute for the assurance to take hold. The effect lasts for 10 minutes per Clergy class level. The Priest can inspire a number of allies equal to his Clergy levels. He can inspire faith once per day.

An ally inspired with faith gains a +3 morale bonus on saving throws or a +3 morale bonus on attack rolls. The Clergy chooses which upon commencing the oratory. The Clergy cannot inspire faith in himself. The ability only aids his allies.

When a Clergy spends a Action Point to roll bonus dice, he adds an extra die to the number of dice rolled. For example, if the Clergy would normally roll 3d6 bonus dice, he rolls 4d6 instead.

LevelBase Attack BonusFort SaveRef SaveWill SaveSpecialDefense BonusReputation Bonus 1 +0 +0 +1 +2 Bonus Class Skill, Bonus Feat +1 +1 2 +1 +0 +2 +3 Authority +1 +1 3 +1 +1 +2 +3 Inspire Faith +2 +1 4 +2 +1 +2 +4 Bonus Feat +2 +2 5 +2 +1 +3 +4 Act of Faith +3 +2

To qualify to become a , a character must fulfill the following criteria.

Base Attack Bonus:

Skills:

Feats:

The following information pertains to the advanced class.

Hit Die: 1d

Action Points: + one-half character level, rounded down, every time the attains a new level in this class.

The ’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are:

Appraise (Int), Autohypnosis (Wis), Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Computer Use (Int), Concentration (Con), Decipher Script (Int), Demolitions (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disable Device (Int), Disguise (Cha), Drive (Dex), Escape Artist (Dex), Forgery (Int), Gamble (Wis), Gather Information (Cha), Handle Animal (Cha), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Investigate (Int), Jump (Str), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Navigation (Int), Pilot (Dex), Repair (Int), Research (Int), Ride (Dex), Search (Int), Sense Motive (Wis), Sleight of Hand (Dex), Spot (Wis), Survival (Wis), Swim (Str), Treat Injury (Wis), Tumble (Dex)

Skill Points at Each Level: + Int modifier.

The following features pertain to the advanced class.