Northlandish
Tokiwa-Dai
Land of Five Cities
Southlandish
Demi-human
Titans |
Vucian
(Intermediate God, LN)
Description:
General Aspect:
God of the Changing Seasons: Vucian is the god who directs the cycle of nature, bringing new life in the springtime,
growth in the summer, maturity at harvest time in autumn, and death and slumber in winter. All aspects of these
changes are his to command and control. As driver of the Chariot of the Sun, Vucian also holds the warmth and life-giving
power of the Sun at his command.
Worshippers:
Farmers, woodsmen, elves, anyone intimately linked to nature.
Holy Items:
Holy symbol (a wheel with four spokes). Holy water (standard).
Holy Areas:
Worship of Vucian is performed in dedicated shrines of natural beauty. Most commonly chosen spots are groves, waterfalls,
natural amphitheaters, and ancient Standing Stone circles.
Restrictions:
Alignment:
Lawful Neutral, True Neutral. Specialty priests of Vucian are sometimes considered druids.
Worshippers: Any.
Racial Requirements:
Any human or demi-human.
Ability Requirements:
Wisdom: 14
Constitution: 9
Preferred Weapons (in order of preference):
Spear, scythe, sickle, sling, club, staff, flail, dagger.
Armor:
Padded, leather, hide, or studded leather. Only small helmets that do not cover the face are allowed, and only
circular wooden shields (bucklers or small shields) are permitted.
Magical Items:
Specialty priests of Vucian can use any magical items normally available to priests and druids.
Non-weapon Proficiencies:
Required: Agriculture, Astrology, Charioteering. Preferred: Fire-Building, Herbalism, Survival, Weather-Sense.
Miscellaneous Restrictions:
Priests of Vucian must wear clothes that pertain to the season. All cloth items worn in Spring (beginning with
the Spring Equinox and ending with the Summer Solstice) must be white, light green, light yellow, or light blue.
Summer clothes (Summer Solstice to Autumn Equinox) must be medium to dark green, blue, or yellow. Autumn clothes
(Autumn Equinox to Winter Solstice) must be brown, red, orange, or medium to dark yellow. Winter clothes (Winter
Solstice to Spring Equinox) must be white, grey, blue, or purple. Failure to abide by these restrictions results
in temporary excommunication and requires atonement.
The changing of the seasons is of vast religious importance to the clergy of Vucian. The equinoxes and solstices
are observed with solemn ritual, lengthy prayer, and celebratory feasting. A priest of Vucian must observe these
customs on these set days or be subject to considerable atonement.
Spheres:
Major:
All
Creation
Elemental (see below)
Necromantic
Plant
Sun
Weather
Minor:
Animal
Law
Time
Priests of Vucian are limited by the seasons in their granted spells of Elemental nature. Each element is associated
with a season: Water with Spring, Fire with Summer, Earth with Autumn, and Air with Winter. During each season,
the priest of Vucian can use all spells of that season's respective element as if he or she were one level higher.
Additionally, he or she can cast one spell per day of the next higher spell level than he or she can currently
cast, so long as it is of the appropriate elemental sphere.
Conversely, he or she can use spells of the opposing elemental sphere only as if he or she were one experience
level lower. Furthermore, of the total number of spell levels cast at any point during the day, only less than
half can be of the opposing elemental sphere. Thus, if a priest in springtime were to cast 3 first level spells,
1 second level spell, and 2 third level spells, for a total of 11 spell levels [(3 x 1) + (1 x 2) + (2 x 3) = 11],
only 5 of those spell levels could be of the sphere of Elemental Fire. If at any time too many spell levels of
the opposing element are cast, all further spells except those of the season's proper elemental sphere fail to
work. If the priest still has an imbalance of elemental energy leaning to the side of the opposing element by midnight,
he or she must properly atone before any further spells of any sort will be granted.
In the winter, priests of Vucian gain access to the spell Conjure/Dismiss Air Elemental as if casting Conjure/Dismiss
Earth Elemental. In the Spring, they can cast Conjure/Dismiss Water Elemental as Conjure/Dismiss Fire Elemental.
Granted Powers:
Ripen
Range: Touch
Duration: Permanent
Preparation Time: 3 seg.
Area of Effect: 1 plant
Saving Throw: None
Frequency of Use: 1/week/level
Minimum Level: 1
This granted power enables the priest of Vucian
to Ripen
the fruit of one plant. Over the course of one round, any fruit, berries, grain, or nuts on the plant will become
full and ready for harvest. Note that the seed or seed-bearing fruit must already be in existence, i.e. the flower
must have already changed into its seed-bearing form. This spell will not make toxic or inedible fruits edible.
Thaw
Range: Touch
Duration: Permanent
Preparation Time: 4 seg.
Area of Effect: 1 cu. foot/level
Saving Throw: ½
Frequency of Use: 1/day/level
Minimum Level: 2
This power enables the priest of Vucian to Thaw
or defrost one cubic foot of material per level. Any frozen object (or part of an object) can be warmed to room
temperature in 3 segments. Use of this power on natives of the para-elemental plane of Ice causes 1d4 HP damage
per level of the priest.
Withstand Weather
Range: Self
Duration: 1 hour/level
Preparation Time: 1 round
Area of Effect: Priest
Saving Throw: None
Frequency of Use: 1/day/level
Minimum Level: 3
Using this power, the priest of Vucian can Withstand
the adverse effects of extreme weather. He or she takes no physical damage from extreme temperatures from -50º
F (-45º C) up to 150º F (65ºC), from precipitation (including hail up to 2 inches in diameter),
of from sand or dust storms. In addition, the priest will not be struck by natural lightning (though supernaturally
directed lightning, as the Lightning Bolt, Chain
Lightning, or Call
Lightning spells, will still strike him
or her). The priest is immune to natural heat dehydration, sunstroke, frostbite, hypothermia, and any other such
afflictions, as well as the choking and blinding effects of sand and dust storms. This does not protect against
attacks by air elementals or against objects borne by hurricanes, tornadoes, and the like. It also is ineffective
against drowning by flash floods.
Bloom
Range: Touch
Duration: Permanent
Preparation Time: 4 seg.
Area of Effect: 1 plant
Saving Throw: None
Frequency of Use: 1/week/level
Minimum Level: 4
This power allows the priest to cause any plant
he or she touches to blossom with flowers, if it ever does so normally. Non-flowering plants (e.g., ferns, aspen
trees) are unaffected by this spell. If the plant is already laden with fruit, the fruit, regardless of its stage
of ripeness, falls off, and the plant blossoms again. If the plant currently is blooming but the flowers are closed,
the flowers will open; if the flowers are open, the spell has no effect.
Change Season
Range: 0
Duration: 1 turn/level
Preparation Time: 1 turn
Area of Effect: 10 feet/level radius sphere
Saving Throw: None
Frequency of Use: 1/week
Minimum Level: 5
The priest of Vucian can call on him to push forward
the wheel of seasons temporarily, in a limited area. Within the sphere of effect, everything will be as though
it were about 3 months later. The temperature will change, the ground will freeze or thaw, plants will bloom or
die, animals will disappear or reappear, even the sun and stars will appear to alter their courses in the sky.
This effect takes 1 turn to complete. Note that the season will be appropriate for the location: a priest changing
polar tundra from winter to spring will not cause grass to miraculously sprout from the permafrost, and likewise
a priest changing a tropical jungle from summer to fall will not cause temperatures to drop nor leaves to fall
from trees. Also unchanged is the nature of the current weather - a snowstorm in winter will still be a rainstorm
in spring. The exception to this is seasonal weather, such as monsoons or droughts, which regularly affect the
location according to the season. A the end of the effect's duration, the season will gradually return to its original
state over another turn.
The sphere is centered on the priest, who must remain within the sphere (although not necessarily at its center)
throughout the duration of the effect. If the priest leaves the area of effect, it immediately, irreversibly begins
to revert to normal. All others may move and see in and out of the sphere of effect freely. The area surrounding
the sphere appears to those inside the sphere to have remained unchanged, even to the extent of the shadows and
weather.
It is not possible to turn the wheel of seasons backwards, but particularly powerful priests of Vucian can turn
it farther forwards. At tenth level and above, the priest can move the wheel forward 6 months over two turns; at
fifteenth level, the priest can move the seasons forward by 9 months over three turns.
Transfer to Elemental Plane
Range: Self
Duration: Permanent
Preparation Time: 1 turn
Area of Effect: Self
Saving Throw: None
Frequency of Use: 1/month/level
Minimum Level: 10
In much the same manner as druids, priests of Vucian
are able to transport themselves from their prime material plane to the elemental planes, and survive and travel
in those environmental conditions. The priest, however, is limited to the elemental plane corresponding to the
current season at the location from which he or she departed. This limitation continues until the priest reaches
15th level, at which point he or she can transfer to any of the elemental planes.
Beginning at 12th level, the priest can bring one other person; however, the passenger is given no protection from
the environment. At each following experience level, that priest can bring one additional person.
Unlike druids, priests of Vucian are required to make their permanent residences on the Prime Material Plane, due
to the imbalance that living on an elemental plane would impose.
Protection from Elementals
Range: Self
Duration: Permanent
Preparation Time: None
Area of Effect: Self
Saving Throw: None
Frequency of Use: Constant
Minimum Level: 10
At the same time as he or she gains the ability
to travel to the elemental planes, the priest of Vucian also becomes inured to the effects of the elements. From
then on, the priest takes only half damage from attacks by the elementals of the current season. Saving throws
which would normally allow half damage instead allow the priest to escape any damage. This protection applies to
quasi- and para-elementals who are partially linked to the current element, as well (e.g., Lightning, Ice, Vacuum,
and Smoke, as well as Air in Winter).
Turning Undead:
Priests of Vucian turn undead as normal. A priest of Vucian can also attempt to control an elemental of the current
season's element (and its adjacent quasi- and para-elements) as an evil priest can control undead, as if a priest
of two levels lower.
Example: An 8th level priest of Vucian adventuring
in the summer happens upon a band of azer. Since the azer are from the elemental plane of Fire, the current season's
element, the priest has a chance to control them. These particular azer have 3+2 HD, so the priest must roll a
4 or greater on a D20 to successfully gain command of 2d6 of them.
The following week, the unlucky priest runs afoul of a mihstu. Since the entity is from the elemental plane of
Air, the priest has no power over it this season, and must flee or combat it using other means.
Ethos:
Vucian is a god of nature, whether it be wilderness
or farmland, a great oak or a potted plant. Anything that changes with the seasons is under his command. This particularly
includes plants and the weather, as well as the sun and stars, which alter their course depending on time of year.
Animals are affected to a lesser extent, as they migrate or change their diets and sleeping patterns, and sometimes
even their appearance, but little else. The cycle of seasons is one of birth, growth, decay, death, and rebirth,
and hence Vucian has great interest in necromantic affairs. The elements are directly linked to the seasons in
Vucian's theology, and thus his priests command great power over this primordial stuff.
As the seasons change, so does Vucian, and so do his priests. Besides the color of their apparel, priests of Vucian
change their rites and liturgies, their powers over the things of the earth, and sometimes their general outlook.
Some folk consider priests of Vucian to be touched, because of the extreme shifts in personality that some experience
with the changing of seasons. The priests must always abide by their canons and attend to their duties, but their
perspective and character often change dramatically.
The solstices and equinoxes are of greatest religious significance to worshippers of Vucian, for they mark the
changing of the season. During these times, priests of Vucian gather with their communities and perform extensive
rituals. Shawven, the Autumn Equinox, marks the end of one year and the beginning of the next. It is celebrated
with feasting to rejoice in the bounty of the harvest, and sacrifices of the best grains and livestock are made
to Vucian in thanks for his generosity.
Tervinn, the Winter Solstice, is the time when the boundaries between Shee, the spirit world, and Airre, the material
world, are believed to be weakest. Ritual bonfires are set alight on top of the highest hills, and music, dancing
and feats of strength, endurance, and dexterity are performed in order to appease the spirits and show them of
the worthiness of mortal men. Dishes of foods and succulents are left on the lintel to appease the spirits, lest
they enter the house in search of living fare.
Baelthan is the Spring Equinox, and marks the return of life to the land. Worshippers observe the day with a fast
from sunset to sunset, remembering the scarcity of Winter, followed by a generous meal in the evening, celebrating
the return of plenty. Baelthan is also the time for prayer and confession, so that Vucian may absolve each person
of the year's sins, and the devout can start afresh. All relationships are best begun on this day: baptisms of
infants born during the year are performed on Baelthan, so that they are brought into the protection of Vucian;
likewise, this is the most auspicious day for the coronation of kings and for wedding ceremonies.
Finally, Greannach is the day of the Summer Solstice. This is a holiday of growth and learning, and the day is
spent in recitation of lore, history, genealogy, legend, and myth. Young men and women are initiated as full members
of society on this day, performing rituals of initiation signifying their new maturity.
Vucian's primary function as a god is to drive the Chariot of the Sun around the earth, taking care to stay on
course and on schedule. The Chariot is pulled by the divine horses Knowledge and Might, who are connected to the
Chariot by the Yoke of Justice and guided by the Reins of Righteousness.
Vucian's clergy and church are mostly concerned with maintaining the status quo. History, from a Vucian perspective,
is a cycle of trends and events which have forever recurred with only minor differences in setting and cast. If
times are hard or injustice reigns, it is important to maintain the faith that prosperity and justice will return
again soon, as the wheel of time turns. This applies both on a historical and an individual level. Even if a person's
entire life seems to be charmed or miserable, the wheel will turn for them in the next life. This is not to say
that devotees of Vucian are inactive or aloof. The wheel of time and history cannot turn without a driving force,
and this force is produced by great heroes and villains, both mortal and divine. An individual's wheel is spun
by his or her own motivation and devotion as well as his or her surroundings and associates. The wheels always
spin, though not at a constant speed. The most heinous sin of the theology of Vucian is the destruction of natural
balance and the disturbance of the life cycle.
Vucian is portrayed as a muscular man with long hair and a full, dark beard. In artwork, he is usually portrayed
driving the Chariot of the Sun.
Hierarchical Organization:
The church of Vucian is loosely knit
but follows a strict pattern. Communication between priests is not extensive nor regarded as particularly necessary.
Once a year, at Tervinn, all the priests of a region (usually a kingdom or country, depending on the size of the
country) gather at a congress to exchange news, discuss doctrine, and trade lore. This is also the time to elect
the new Ardepscop, the highest priest of Vucian in the region, in the event that the previous Ardepscop has died
or retired. The Ardepscop has few duties except to ensure the integrity of the clergy of his or her region. The
Inner Circle of all the Ardepscops of the world meet on Baelthan and Shawven in a secret temple on the Elemental
Plane of Air - it is unknown what they discuss there, but some say that they are visited there by Vucian himself.
The Ardepscop of a region appoints and is attended by a coterie of Banisteors, high-level specialty priests and
druids who act as inspectors, couriers, and representatives at the Ardepscop's direction. New Ardepscops are usually
(but not necessarily) elected from among the Banisteors. Only on being lawfully elected by the Tervinn congress
is the new Ardepscop brought into the fold of the Inner Circle and initiated into the Final Mysteries of Vucian,
allowing him or her to progress beyond the 14th level of experience.
Priests of Vucian, whether cleric, specialty priest, or druid, work alone, or sometimes in pairs during training
of initiates. Not all clergy have human congregations - druids of Vucian sometimes minister to a wilderness area,
protecting its wildlife, flora, and other inhabitants. Even these hermits, however, attend the congress on Tervinn.
Because of the solitary nature of the priesthood of Vucian, there is no set method of succession to vacant seats.
Frequently, the seat remains vacant until another priest is sought out by the congregation, or one happens upon
the unattended area by chance. Vucian's clergy is sparsely spread over the landscape. Priests are in fact more
often found in rural areas than heavily populated urban centers.
|
Exp. Lvl.
|
Title
|
| 1-3 |
Tosicha (Initiate) |
| 4-6 |
Sagart (Priest) |
| 7-9 |
Ardsagart (High Priest) |
| 10-14 |
Epscop (Bishop) (min. rank of Banisteors) |
| 15+ |
Ardepscop |
|
