Priest Kits of the Realms (WPR)

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: In numerous tavern tap rooms, I have sung many a song about heroic warriors who've swung swords in the name of glory. Many are the tales that I have spun by the fireside about mighty mages who, with simple waves of their hands, can change the course of nature around them. I have even had the occasion to recite witty poems of a clever rogue or two, whose stealth and cunning enabled them to win the day. These songs and poems I wrote myself, thank you very much for asking. But few tales, if any, are written about priests.
: Why is that so? Could it be that most such tales would end with "And so Nimrod the Holy cried out to his god, who in turn came clown and smashed his servant's enemy to a pulp." or somesuch finale? Is that how we see priests? Are they naught but wound healers or simple mindless channelers of divine power?
: If that is how we see priests, then what you are about to read may change that. For the gods, in their supposedly infinite wisdom, have created a special set of priests, each tailored to suit the varied natures of the creating deity. Unlike crusaders, they are no more or less capable of fighting than the standard priests of the gods. However, like the crusaders, they each possess special powers and a unique way of acting and seeing the world.
: Some deities have more than one such priest class. After all, Selûne is goddess of navigation, the moon, sailors, and more. It stands to reason that there would be a different type of priest for each of those portfolios.
: There are many folk who are ignorant in the ways of the gods and their servants, such as what the hierarchy is like. Allow me to enlighten you, and at the same time amaze you with the extent of my knowledge.
: At the bottom of the divine ladder, you have us loyal worshipers. It is our faith that gives the gods their power. Then comes the clerics, who act as sort of lay priests, not completely devoted to one god's sphere or ethos. The crusaders stand beside, if not above, the clerics as the faith's holy warriors, battle priests, and the most extreme defenders of the faith. Unlike the cleric, they have pledged themselves to one god only, and seek to emulate that god's behavior. Above the crusaders are the priests that are covered below. Like the crusaders, these priests are devoted to one god and a particular aspect of that god's portfolio. Above these priests are the specialty priests. The specialty priest is the pinnacle, the apex, the paragon of the worshipers of his respective god.
: Oh, and above the specialty priests are the gods themselves, of course. They are just a little less high-and-mighty since the Time of Troubles, but you need not mention that I said that.
: Anyway, read on, good gentles, and be amazed. It seems like the gods of Faerûn are making sure that we do not lack surprises in our mortal existences.
:: Mendryll Belarod