Character Classes: Clerics

A cleric is someone who is able to access the inherent magic of the world through the power of their conviction. Traditionally, the majority of clerics are members of the clergy, who use their faith in the Almighty One to work miracles. The Church has the most knowledge and structure of how to use this magic. Religious clerics devote themselves to a particular saint, and develop magic based upon that saint's sphere of interest. But not all members of the Church are clerics, and many who are have only achieved a low level of power. Centuries of corruption has eroded the faith of the clergy. There are also other religious movements, particularly in other countries, which have their own clerics.

It is not necessary for a cleric's faith to be religious. A new group of clerics have arisen in recent years. Humanist clerics reject the teachings of the Church to a greater or lesser degree, and in some cases they are even atheist or agnostic. But the conviction that they have in their morality means that they are able to work miracles - which makes them a serious threat to the authority of the Church.

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Art: 'Portrait of Fra Teodoro of Urbino as Saint Dominic.' Giovanni Bellini, c. 1515.

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