Rulership, Kingship (CPrH)

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This god is a god of authentication: He bestows his blessings on the kings of various cities or countries so that all will know the god supports that king and his family. Usually, the god provides the king with some artifact indicating his approval... and magically takes back the artifact when he withdraws his approval. (The artifact is usually a crown or a sceptre; these are two near-universal symbols of kingship.)
The god's priests are advisors to kings. They analyze politics and make recommendations. They intensively research the genealogy and history of the king's families, the better to authenticate his hold on the throne. At their god's behest, they may participate in the overthrow of a king. Many of these priests do travel, in order to acquire more information about the king or to head off plots against him.
In a male-dominated society, this deity will be male. In a female-dominated society, this deity will be female. In a more equal society, the god may be of either sex.
The priests of this god are on good terms with the priests of Community, Culture, Messengers, Peace, and War.
Alignment: The deity is true neutral. The priests may be neutral evil, true neutral, or neutral good; evil priests have their own sect and the other priests don't have to tolerate them. The flock may be of any alignment.
Minimum Ability Scores: Wisdom 10, Charisma 11. Wisdom or Charisma 16 means +5% experience; Wisdom and Charisma 16 means +10% experience.
Races Allowed: Dwarves, elves, gnomes, half-elves, humans.
Nonweapon and Weapon Proficiencies: Nonweapon Proficiencies Required: Etiquette. Non-weapon Proficiencies Recommended: Heraldry, Ancient History, Ancient Languages, Local History, Reading/Writing, Religion. Weapon Proficiencies Required: None. Nonweapon Proficiency Group Crossovers: Priest, General.
Duties of the Priest: Guidance, Marriage. Missions: When a ruler sees opportunities to strengthen his throne or eliminate problems that might endanger his throne, he often asks for priests of this sect to accompany the adventurers he dispatches; the local temples usually cooperate and provide adventurer priests to accompany those parties. Vigilance: These priests are required to stay alert against forces which threaten the local thrones. This includes foreign intrigue and even internal problems; if a local king has become corrupt and tyrannical, and the local population is edging toward rebellion, these priests may put pressure on the king to shape up... or may even oppose or depose him, so that the throne will remain strong under a new, better ruler.
Weapon and Armor Restrictions: Weapons Permitted: One type of bludgeoning weapon (the DM chooses one from the following list, choosing the preferred bludgeoning weapon of the culture: Club, flails (both), mace, morning star, warhammer), and one type of sword (DM chooses one type from following list, choosing the preferred sword of the culture: Bastard, cutlass, khopesh, long, rapier, sabre, short, or two-handed). Armor Permitted: All metal armor, all shields. Oriental Campaigns: Also katana and wakizashi added to the list of sword choices. All together, these constitute Good combat abilities.
Other Limitations: None.
Spheres of Influence: Major Access to All, Charm, Elemental. Minor Access to Healing, Protection.
Powers:  Soothing Word (as per the Designing Faiths chapter). Incite Berserker Rage (as per the Designing Faiths chapter). At 8th level: Inspire Fear (as per the Designing Faiths chapter).
Followers and Strongholds: The followers are received at 9th level, and consist of one fifth-level priest, one third-level priest, and two first-level priests of the same order, plus three third-level fighters and six first-level fighters to act as guards; each fighter must have one of the following Nonweapon Proficiencies: etiquette or heraldry. The priest may take the following on adventures: Two priests and three fighters (only one of whom may be third-level) of his choice. The priesthood will pay for half of the cost of stronghold construction at 9th level.
Possible Symbols: Crown, Sceptre.