Universal

Before the Gemidiah schism the Church of the Universal was dominant over the entire North Island. However, during the debate over Human exclusivity, another reform took place which now eclipses the racial differences between the two religions. The Light Magic wing of the church accepts the complete necessity for union between the religious and the arcane, to the disgust of the Gemidiahists.

The Universalists have always been fond of missionary work and have maintained an absolute non-racial bias that has brought them into much conflict with political and religious groups across the Island.

Popular in cosmopolitan cities and especially the East, one can find the Universalists almost anywhere that the old Royal Kingdom was strong. The faith is led by the Pope who is chosen by election of all senior priests.

Alignment: Non evil

Races: Any

Specials: Wisdom used for experience bonus and required to be a cleric

Charisma used for spell bonuses

## Religious Overview

### Generally Accepted Origins of the Faith

Universal worship appears to have arrived on the North Island with the initial Human waves of immigration. Central to the faith is the fact that there is a single creator being who embraces all living things, but this creator is so far removed from mortals that he cannot be named or defined in any terms that can be understood. Worship of Universal therefore tends to revolve around ‘Saints’, individuals within the church of great note who have died. A cleric of Universal will tend to have no great adherence to an individual Saint, and the Saints being worshipped will vary by region.

This elevation of individuals within the religion has led to a number of breakaway religions emerging: Gemihadist, Perceval and Shanah being currently known ones.

### Lay Worshipper Notes

Universal worshippers are expected to avoid discriminating against anyone on the basis of race. All are expected to contribute to the growth of the church and the spread of the faith. But above all that, the church seeks to promote unity, finding the split of the kingdom a grievous state of affairs.

If there is one thing that a universal worshipper is expected to do, it is to facilitate the elimination of the undead. Tales are heard of a great undead citadel to the North, and it is believed by most that if the Elves had not invaded, the church would have declared a Crusade against this citadel – “Ghoulagabba”.

## Cleric Benefits

Turn undead at Level + 3

Can wield swords/daggers

Additional Spells

1st Level: Purify Water (Dru 1st)

2nd Level: Strength (MU 2nd)

3rd Level: Suggestion (MU 3rd)

4th Level: Holy Smite (As per MU 5th Lvl “Cone of Cold” but only affects undead)

5th Level: Stone to Flesh (MU 6th)

## Cleric Drawbacks

Cannot cast Cause Wounds spells (including Harm)

Cannot cast Cause Blindness/Disease

Cannot cast Animate Dead

Must tithe 10% to church

Healing

Self: +1 per dice, reroll 1-4

Universal Worshippers: +1 per dice, reroll 1-2

Atheists/Agnostics: -1 per dice

SARN, ToD Worshippers: -1 per dice, reroll 7-8

## Universal Worshippers

The banqueting room for the Pope's farewell celebrations filled slowly. Caution was apparent; no weapons had been allowed, so understandably everyone was a little nervous. And whilst all present were in theory allies, still, with Saurians, Elves, and both Eastern and Western Humans all in one place, some racial tension was inevitable.

Racial diversity was the religion's strength, but also its weakness. For so long as he was the Pope he still had influence, not only over all those present but also those whom they represented. But tomorrow another would replace him. And who knew if the new Pope could hold together so diverse a group of enemies as a single united church? Even the merest factional split within the Church was a potential disaster. The issue of the arcane arts alone had caused him headache after heartache, each piece of ancient arcana passed to him for inspection and approval, with the various factions alert for the slightest hint of personal bias or apparent preferential treatment, seeming on occasion to actually be seeking out excuses to bicker. Oh, he’d tried to avoid antagonising anyone, but you couldn’t please all the people...What was needed was a good crusade, that would bring people together, unite them in struggle against a common foe. Yes, that was it; he would declare a crusade. A final gesture that would not only serve to hold the church together after he’d gone, but secure his place in the histories of the Church. The only question was who to declare it against. Still, such minor points could be worked out later.

## Worshipper Notes

Universal worshippers are expected to avoid discriminating against anyone on the basis of race. All are expected to contribute to the growth of the church and the spread of the faith. But above all that, the church seeks to promote unity, finding the split of the kingdom a grievous state of affairs.

If there is one thing that a universal worshipper is expected to do, it is to facilitate the elimination of the undead. Tales are heard of a great undead citadel to the North, and it is believed by most that if the Elves had not invaded, the church would have declared a Crusade against this citadel – “Ghoulagabba”.

In terms of the other religions:

Barosan: Generally respected, but Universalists regard the Barosan introspection with some suspicion, they feel that Barosans do too little to assist in solving the worlds problems.

Shanah: In some way, seen as the total opposite to Barosa, far too keen to take offence and whilst Universalists recognize the use of force as a justifiable means – the Shanah doctrine of force first is frowned upon. Of course, if influenced to target the correct foe, then Shanah can be seen as just another weapon in the Universal armory.

Perceval: Well respected, a stabilizing force for unity, although it might be nice to see Perceval take more of an active role sometimes.

Wyldwood: An old religion with outdated shamanistic tendencies, primitives the lot of them.