Roleplaying: Believers of the Source

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*Bloodlines
Posts: 139
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am

Posted by *Bloodlines »


The Believers of the Source have a simple, yet very complex philosophy. They espouse that all cutters are created to improve themselves, to learn new tricks and new darks. When they die, they're recycled souls come around again, learning a little more each time. You might think that was hard to prove, but the Godsmen, as they are called, (for many reckon that after enough learning, a cutter'll eventually get to the top of the ladder and become a power!) love to tinker with memories of past lives. Many of 'em can trace their own soul's history back generations.

They don't just look backwards though; the Believers are very forward-thinking too. Always planning and pushing themselves to the limit, these bloods make the boldest adventurers, the most diligent workers (bar the Bytopian gnome, naturally), and the hardest thinkers.


Roleplaying the Believers of the Source

Despite their concerns for others, don't call the Godsmen softies. They insist a basher learn from his mistakes, and they won't interfere in "life lessons." Sure, a body can count on a Godsman to help out in a pinch, but the blood'll never rob another of a learning experience.

'Course some lean on the notion that these lessons of the multiverse act as a forge, while failing to recognize that this forge works equally on everyone. These bashers figure some sods have more potential than others, so they have no qualms about contributing to the tough "education" of those that come up short. So, bubbers wanting sympathetic handouts from these Believers had better look elsewhere.

ALIGNMENT: Having what looks like a compassionate outlook doesn’t mean a Believer has to espouse the principles of goodness. Many Godsmen are evil (wanting to inhibit others’ progress toward godhood) or neutral (professing that noninterference in othen’ lives allows the multiverse to do its best work).

Lawful Godsmen view regulations as essential in the process of evolving toward divinity. “Follow the rules and a body’ll pass all the tests the multiverse offers up,” they insist. Chaotic Godsmen evaluate all situations case by case. After all, giving one beggar a free dinner might give him the energy to play a pennywhistle for the entertainment (and coins) of passersby. Feeding another might just convince him to put off doing anything for himself yet one more day. ’ Sometimes killing a sod is the best thing a body can do for him. Neutral Godsmen fall somewhere in between.

CLASS A Godsman has two preoccupations: his own progress up the chain of evolution and the progress of the rest of the bashers in the multiverse. ’Course, no two will express these concerns quite the same way - it depends on a body’s area of expertise. Fighters think battle teaches a basher life’s lessons, so they press conflict on others to help them grow. Godsman paladins believe they evolve by helping others and expect those they aid to offer succor, too. Rangers, biased towards beasts, frequently see their animal friends' potential unmatched in sentient races.

Godsman priests seek to emulate the divine evolution of their deities, yet they know that no power leads to the Source. Druids, trusting in the cycles of the natural world, believe these cycles will bring into a body's life the appropriate level of testing and illumination. Believer wizards, frequently arrogant, believe magic is the key to evolution and pity those who don't dabble in this art. Godsman thieves think secrets're best stolen and love forbidden knowledge. Bards know they can spark inspiration: After a heroic ballad, they want listeners to emulate the song's hero.

RACE: Due to their belief in the divine potential of every being, Believers of the Source welcome a diverse membership. Wemics, pixies, satyrs, bariaur, tieflings, dwarves, and half-elves mingle with one another and the odd erinyes, lammasu, githyanki, slaad, or moon dog.


FACTION ABILITIES
RP Abilities only: Requires consent of a DM/EM or all players involved/affected by its use if no DM/EM is present. (per Server Rules)

Regardless of rank, all Godsmen gain the same special benefits and hindrances. Their belief that everyone can achieve godhood generally translates into fair treatment of all they encounter. This reputation for a consistent lack of prejudice makes them well received throughout the Great Ring. They gain a +2 to all encounter reactions with planar beings (or +10% of the DC). However Godsmen cannot be resurrected or raised.
 
Godsmen priests that follow a specific god suffer a -1 penalty on all saving throws as they suffer from lack of ultimate faith, unless the power they worship is the Source. After all, to them, powers are nothing special. Powers just occupy the next-to-last rung on the ladder of evolution.
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