Church of Paladine

AD&D (1e/2e) Rules

by Rohan Tolstrup

The Church of Paladine is open to any good-aligned being. Although in the Kingpriest's time the practice was probably different, there is no 'thou shalt worship me only' commandment - worshipers can also belong to any good or neutral aligned faith as well.

There are three castes of members:

• Common worshipers - people who show up on Sundays and donate money and labor.
• Temple followers - sworn clergy who are not actually clerics. They may include temple warriors (numerous warrior-orders devoted to Paladine have existed throughout history. The Knights of the Rose are a special case not under church jurisdiction), scribes, even the odd wizard (the primary loyalty to magic is recognized, but black robes need not apply).
• Clerics - These people devote their lives to embodying the teachings of Paladine. They are trained to channel the power he grants.

The castes indicate function rather than rank, and are informal anyway. The actual ranks are as follows:

• Member Priest - not all clerics are priests and not all priests are clerics. Being ordained a priest entitles the follower to conduct ceremonies. If the church was an army priests would be the sergeants. Usually wear white robes for ceremonies.
• Elder - equal in influence to Priest but not ordained Revered Son/Daughter - this is the 'order of lords' of the church, often an honorary rank. Not all members are priests or even clerics. Huma and Sturm, were posthumously granted this rank for example. Professional warriors/clerics etc of this rank are of at least 9th level, although 0-level characters (every organization needs its administrators) have often been appointed to this rank. To enter this order a test similar to the Tests of High Sorcery is carried out. If the candidate fails he can try again, if he passes he is qualified for command rank. It is from the Revered Order that the hierarchy is chosen. The title is still 'revered son/daughter,' although there is still a ranking - Elistan is senior to Crysania (his deputy and protégé) who is in turn senior to Denubis.
• The Divine Parliament - When Crysania was expanding her church (Elistan really just got it going in Palanthas, and died before accomplishing much) she settled for democracy instead of autocracy. The church is governed by a Westminster system parliament. Every diocese (city-state or province) is represented by its highest-ranking priest and a popularly elected member. In secular matters they are full voting members and Tas' vote is as good as Crysania's, but in matters of philosophy and doctrine it's Crysania's call (although the delegates are free to advise, and a two-thirds majority of both 'houses' can veto any of her rulings). Crysania's actual title is Moderator (titles implying perfection or greater than mortal status are out of fashion for obvious reasons). Only delegates have voting rights, but any member of the public (not necessarily a worshiper of Paladine) may be heard in debate. The Temple of the Divine Parliament is in Palanthas, and meets annually for the winter months. Transport is provided by metallic dragons and contracted sorcerers.

Dogma

Rewards fit the actions ('punishment fits the crime'). We must be free to make our own choices. There is no vow of celibacy, although the general opinion is that sexual relations should be for love, and marriage, unless impossible (as in, the highest cleric of Paladine married to THE black robe), is expected (rationale - commitment is an important part). Good cannot flourish without order, but although the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, the parts must not be forgotten. He who rules least rules best. Conversely, Ergoth and Istar are held as object lessons. The main religious text is the Disks of Mishakal (translated into the language of the reader, although the definitive version is in Silvanesti because the language is unlikely to ever change), as well as the Books of Lives, which contain hundreds of object lessons, such as Raistlin's redemption (a brutally honest chapter written by people who knew him well), Huma's sacrifice and Kith-Kanan's race-transcending love.

Vestments

Officiating priests traditionally wear white robes, although there is no compulsion to wear anything. There is no official holy symbol, and basically whatever is considered by an individual worshiper to be his holy symbol is fine. They don't care about the trappings, only the content.

Ceremonies

Worshipers pray on waking, before sleeping, and before eating. They are expected to attend a ceremony of blessing once per week, usually on Lineras (Sunday, a day of rest in most parts of Ansalon). A priest blesses the congregation and readings from either the Disks or a moral lesson are heard. Like the Solamnic Oath, the beliefs can be summed up in one statement - we are made by our choices, which is carved over the lintel of all temples.

Babies are 'brought into the church' by a ceremony of benediction in which we are made by our choices is whispered into the child's ear after a purifying holy water bath. This ceremony is practiced by all good churches.

Marriage ceremonies are by no means fixed. Essentially, the bride and groom or proxies exchange vows of love and devotion before a celebrant and witnesses.

Funerals are expedient; method of body disposal is not prescribed, although a priest recites a prayer over the dead and casts a spell that prevents the deceased from becoming undead.

Festivals

Heroes' Day begins on the last night of winter ('the Remembrance,' a vigil of fasting and mourning) and concludes with a day of celebration. The Temple of the Divine Parliament in Palanthas maintains a library detailing heroes and their deeds. The Penitence is a fourteen-day period of mortification as penance for the sins of the Kingpriests. During this period, worshipers consume only bread and water, dress in plain clothes and aid the needy - Crysania typically works in a soup kitchen dressed in burlap robes for example.

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