Dragon Priest (Character Kit)

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==Dragon Priest==
In other campaign worlds, the dragon gods do not seek out priests or advocate a formal religion. The Io's Blood setting is somewhat different. Here, the gods still keep a low profile and shun formalized worship, but they tolerate (and some actively seek out) priests through which to express their wills to lesser creatures. 
Though rare, there are dragons that follow the example of a particular dragon deity. They see themselves as defenders and guides for the chosen of their gods. These dragon-priests do not operate quite like the clerics of more traditional player character races, but they do serve as proponents of their faiths. 
As no formal, organized religious groups exist among dragonkind (though the Custodians of Concordance come close), dragon-priests act as traveling centers of worship. They bring the teachings and visions of their gods to the chosen dragon types, traveling the isles to proclaim whatever truths the dragon gods hold dear. 
Between the moment of hatching and the time when a young dragon-priest reaches 1st level, it receives a series of visions that unequivocally tie it to a particular deity. At 1st level, a dragon-priest gains spells as any cleric PC. Before this time, while a dragon-priest gains the experience and treasure necessary to advance to 1st level, it has only its natural dragon abilities to def end itself. 
By learning priestly magic, a dragon-priest loses its innate spellcasting abilities. It no longer follows the spell progression as listed on TABLE 5: DRAGON INFORMATION BY AGE. Instead, it gains and uses spells exactly like a cleric or specialty priest, but using the spell progression given in TABLE 17: DRAGON-PRIEST SPELL PROGRESSION. A 1st-level bronze dragon-priest, for example, receives and can cast one 1st-level spell as an 8th-level priest (base Hit Dice - age modifier + combat modifier). Like other priests, dragon-priests receive bonus spells for high Wisdom. 
Requirements: All dragon types that have Wisdom scores of 13 and Dexterity scores of 13 or better can use this kit. 
Role: The dragon-priest travels far and wide to bring its teachings to the chosen dragon types. Few attach themselves to a single clan. Instead, they administer to all dragons of a certain type. While most clans tolerate the presence of a dragon-priest, some dragons consider them to be strangely touched by the divine. Often thought eccentric (or even slightly crazed), they are nevertheless respected by much of dragonkind. 
Dragons normally respect the dragon gods and pay at least nominal homage to their will. Few, however, consider themselves devoted followers of the gods. Usually, a dragon gains priest spells through its innate magical nature. To actually pray for a particular spell is a foreign concept to dragonkind. Few understand the extreme faith that drives dragon-priests, or the strange way that they receive their spells. 
The dragon-priest receives its spells as insights directly from a deity as a sign of and reward for its faith. It casts these spells exactly like a cleric class character. The dragon-priest either bears a holy symbol or has it inscribed on its scales. 
When a dragon-priest speaks, dragons listen. They may not agree with the words of the dragon-priest or agree with the tenets expounded upon, but they will listen with the appropriate degree of respect and dignity. It falls to the dragon-priests to pass along the will of the gods, to interpret the visions offered in dreams, and to seek ways to convince all of dragonkind to follow the spiritual path. Not all of the dragon gods support these missions, but not even Great Io discourages their efforts. 
A dragon-priest can be a powerful ally to a clan, and the Council seeks spiritually oriented dragons to perform special tasks or to bolster the strength of a group assigned to a mission. Dragon-priests also seek out their own quests to prove their faith, often acting as agents of their gods. 
Combat Proficiencies: A hatchling dragon-priest starts with the Claw Attack as a bonus proficiency. It receives one fewer initial combat proficiency than what is listed on TABLE 11: DRAGON PROFICIENCY SLOTS. For example, a brass dragon-priest would get its bonus combat proficiency plus four others instead of the usual five listed on TABLE 11. 
Noncombat Proficiencies:
* Bonus: racial language, racial bonus (see Chapter 2), Spellcraft (Priest).
* Required-Religion (at 1st level); Kindredbond (by 4th level).
* Recommended (at hatching)- Direction Sense, Fishing, Hunting, Languages (High Draconic), Observation, Survival, Swimming.
* Recommended (after 1st level)-Ancient History, Astrology, Chanting, Debate, Healing, Herbalism, Languages (Ancient), Local History, Lore, Navigation, Reading/Writing, Weather Sense. 
Equipment: None to start with. Later, a dragon-priest is restricted to items usable by a creature of its size and dexterity. What it places in its hoard, however, is never restricted. At 1st level, it receives or fashions a holy symbol dedicated to its chosen god. 
Special Benefits: In addition to the bonus Claw Attack combat proficiency and the Priest Spellcraft proficiency (received at 1st level), a dragon-priest starts with one item in its bonded hoard. A dragon-priest gains and casts spells as any other priest PC, using the dragon-cleric spell progression. It can re search priest spells and at the adult age can make magical items in the same manner as other priest characters. Members of this kit receive one additional noncombat proficiency slot upon achieving 1st level. 
 Table 17: Dragon-Priest Spell Progression
PriestLevel	Spell Level	Spell Level	Spell Level	Spell Level	Spell Level	Spell Level	Spell Level
PriestLevel	1 	2 	3 	4 	5 	6 	7
1 	1 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
2 	2 	1 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
3 	2 	2 	— 	— 	— 	— 	—
4 	3 	2 	1 	— 	— 	— 	—
5 	3 	3 	2 	— 	— 	— 	—
6 	3 	3 	2 	1 	— 	— 	—
7 	4 	3 	3 	2 	— 	— 	—
8 	4 	4 	3 	2 	1 	— 	—
9 	4 	4 	3 	3 	2 	1 	—
10 	4 	4 	4 	3 	2 	2 	—
11 	5 	4 	4 	3 	3 	2 	1
12 	5 	5 	4 	4 	3 	3 	2
Special Hindrances: Dragon-priests do not follow the normal dragon spell progression as noted on TABLE 5 : DRAGON INFORMATION BY AGE (SPECIFIC). Additionally, dragon -priests have no access to wizard spells, regardless of their type. Members of this kit receive one fewer initial combat proficiencies than the number listed on TABLE 11 : DRAGON PROFICIENCY SLOTS. 
To reach every second age category, the dragon must add one or more clerical magical items to its hoard, totalling at least 200 XP per current age category. At least half the total must be clerical scrolls. 
Wealth Options: See page 59 for details.
Category:Character Kit
Category:Character Kit Council of Wyrms