Lao Tzu (LL)

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==Lao Tzu (lesser god)==
Lao Tzu is the legendary philosopher who compiled the Tao-te-Ching, the basis of Taoist thought. After finishing this wonderful book, Lao Tzu was deified. He mounted a green ox and rode away into the sunset. Lao Tzu is now venerated as the founder of Taoism. He is worshiped by mystical philosophers hoping for assistance in achieving true enlightenment.
Role-playing notes: Lao Tzu is in charge of intuitive knowledge and mystical enlightenment, which he grants sparingly. Lao Tzu is fond of visiting his temples and orders in avatar form. Here, he tests his worshipers' knowledge by drawing them into heated philosophical debates. Omens from Lao Tzu generally assume the form of some natural catastrophe or good fortune, such as an insect plague or a stretch of warm weather in the middle of winter.
Statistics: AL In; WAL any lawful; AoC mystic insight, nature; SY yin-yang circle.
==Lao Tzu's Avatar (druid 12)==
Lao Tzu's avatar appears to be an ancient hermit with a spry step and twinkle in his eye. He can draw upon the all, animal, elemental, healing, plant, and weather spheres for his spells.
: Str 12
: Int 18
: MV 15
: AC 0
: #AT 1	
: Dex 15
: Wis 20
: SZ 6'
: HD12
: THAC0 9	
: Con 18
: Cha 18
: MR 15%
: HP 96
: Dmg 1d6 (staff)
Special Att/Def: Anyone hit by the staff of Lao Tzu's avatar must save versus paralyzation or be permanently paralyzed. Nothing short of a wish can counter this curse.
==Duties of the Priesthood==
Priests dedicated to Lao Tzu or Taoism must preside over a wide range of ceremonies. Their most important duty, however, is achieving their own enlightenment—a process which requires untold hours of meditation. Once per year, each priest makes a roll to determine whether or not he has achieved enlightenment. He stands a 1% chance of success for each year he has been a priest (double the chance of success for priests with a Wisdom of 18 or greater). Priests making a successful roll automatically rise three levels (to minimum Experience Points needed), have their Wisdom increased to 18 or by 1 point if their have already have a score of 18 or better). Further, they receive the ability to commune with Lao Tzu once per week and control weather once per day.
Requirements: AB standard; AL any neutral; WP staff, blowgun (with poison), bow, harpoon, spear, sickle, sling; AR (level 1-10) a, (level 11 +) g; SP all, animal, divination', elemental, healing, plant, weather; PW 1) resist fire/cold (as spell, but constant); TU nil.
==Sage Advice (Dragon Issue #200)==
These are unofficial suggestions for using the optional spheres of priest spells from the Tome of Magic with the deities of the Chineese pantheon in Legends & Lore:
* Lao Tzu: Major: Thought; Minor: None.