Lethean (Character Kit)

Lethean (Priest)
Description: The
letheans are a rare sect of priests that hold the soul sacred and believe that it is an incorruptible force. However, the soul may become dormant or forgotten, and the flesh surrounding it can suffer with ills and sins because of this. A vibrant soul ascends to the Upper Planes when its host expires. A dormant soul becomes trapped with the corpse and must be freed. Even worse, the flesh and bone might become tainted by negative essences and walk the land as undead. The dormant soul still dwells within the creature, and the letheans are driven to release a trapped soul so that it returns to the Blessed Realms.
Letheans have a few temples scattered around the land, but they are a small sect. They do not worship a god but rather the power of the soul. The Upper Planes are the holy repository for such forces and with faith, a lethean may tap into such power to help others. Of course, others even the ones who profess to be knowledgeable on matters
of the spirit often react to such theology with scorn. The letheans have learned to endure such derision; they see their purpose too holy to be swayed
by the heathen ignorant.
Role: Letheans do a great deal of missionary work, traveling the land hoping to instill in others a sense of health and well-being. Their day is full of lengthy prayers, with a good deal of physical exercise. When necessary, a priest depends upon the hospitality of others, offering guidance and occasional workings of magic in return for
room and board.
When word of the undead reaches the ears of a lethean, she bristles with purpose and departs with all due haste to locate the creature(s) and rescue the trapped souls.
Letheans must be lawful good in alignment. Though most letheans are human (elves seem unable to understand their theology, and halflings nearly faint at the strict regimen), of late a number of dwarves have taken up the faith, enjoying the strenuous lifestyle.
Weapon Proficiencies: Letheans are not trained for combat. They are restricted in their initial pick of weapon proficiencies to a simple quarterstaff. Later on in her adventuring career, a lethean may choose to learn any one handed, light weapon.
Duties of Priest: Funeral, Guidance. Letheans always attend funeral services, offering comfort to the mourners. They also preach how the soul must be kept vibrant through faith and healthy practices. Sick and wounded individuals should be healed, first in spirit, then in flesh.
Nonweapon Proficiencies:
* Required: Religion, undead lore. Recommended:
Ancient history, ceremony, investigation, local history, reading/writing.
Spheres of Influence: Major: All, Astral, Healing, Necromantic, Wards.
Minor: Divination, Protection. Though they have access to Necromantic spells,
a lethean would never use her magic to create undead or inflict damage upon a
living being.
Special Benefits: Though letheans use the normal turn undead chart, the end result is different from other clerics' power. These priests are not seeking to chase away creatures but rather awaken the dormant souls within them. Should the die roll indicate a successful turn, the affected undead stops any current action and wanders off aimlessly at the end of the round. The lethean has only touched the trapped soul but was unable to fully waken the spirit. A die roll that would normally destroy the undead creature does so with spectacular results. Around the midsection of each affected undead appears a glow that slowly rises and brightens. On the following round, before anyone or anything can react, the trapped souls are awakened and liberated, shooting up into the sky and consuming the foul undead imprisoning them. All good-aligned creatures watching this display feel suddenly inspired and, for the rest of that day, make all saving throws versus fear and
death magic at +1. This effect is not cumulative.
Letheans are not as afraid of death as others and receive a +2 on all saving throws versus magical and natural fear. When a lethean reaches 9th level, she becomes immune to fear.
Special Hindrances: Letheans lead strict lives to ensure that their souls do not fall into slumber so that their flesh suffers. Food is consumed in moderation, with everything being well cooked as fire is a reminder of the soul's light and smoke rising to the heavens is an inspiration. Alcohol is allowed, but only distilled spirits and nothing base like beer or ale. Slothful behavior is decidedly frowned upon: no lethean sleeps more than five hours, let alone naps during the daylight hours. A lapse
Some letheans proselytize others to adopt their habits, if not their faith.
Wealth Options: 2d8 x l0gp
Category:Character Kit Dragon Magazine
Category:Character Kit