Sister Clairese, Cleric of Nirvana

[Terran]

On 9/23/2023 at 4:21 PM, DoNotFearToTread said:

Character Information

Name	Sister Clairese	Title	Priestess
Race	Human	Class	Cleric 3
Alignment	NG	Religion	Niro & Ivana

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Age	25	Gender	Female
Height	5 ft. 9 inches	Weight	167 lbs.
Eyes	Green	Hair	Brown

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Language Proficiency
Common

Personality

Wise, responsible, charismatic, highly educated, strong, dexterous, hearty, martially trained, tactically sound, loyal to her word and vows, serious in nature, but with a good sense of humor, who is far from prudish and always confronts evil which she won't tolerate to the best of her ability, one way or another.

Appearance

Clairese makes no attempt to hide her true calling and faith as a human Cleric in the service of Niro and Ivana, the Mother Church and most importantly the steadfast followers of true faith. Wearing a heavy cloak and bedecked in intricate form fitting chain mail, the holy woman sports a plethora of high-quality weaponry including a heavy flail and composite short bow.

Furthermore, Sister Clairese is clearly marked as marital priestess of Niro and Ivana by the holy symbol of entwined twin bows that is painted on the minster's buckler, which also matches the tiny silver holy symbol that hangs from a strong pewter chain worn about her well-muscled neck, both obvious symbols of her well-known world-wide faith.

Background

Born in Nirvana and having been raised as a child in the faith of Niro and Ivana, Sister Clairese always seemed to be destined to serve Mother Church one way or another, as are most children who grow up in the theocracy.

Soon identified as 'special' in the eyes of the gods during her early adolescence, Clairese was taken into 'official' church training so she could not only be educated, but also so she could refine her ability to interact with the gods through prayer.

It was during her training that the young holy woman was identified as proficient both with bow and blade, thus earning her admission into the well-trained, hard-disciplined, ranks of the Church's Martial Order, the 'Blue Sh'iare,' evidenced by her notable blue-sheen armor.

After spending over a decade learning, training and praying in the faith, eventually Clairese has increased in both rank and privilege and, following her practical work with the public for several years, she was promoted to her current position in the Church hierarchy.

Presently, Sister Clairese serves as an official 'Investigator' for the Church of strange doings and happenings in the world, which gives her relative freedom from the normal institutional church hierarchy, a recognized independent empowerment to act on behalf of the faith, as well as the ability to travel about the realms as she deems necessary.

MAGIC ITEMS

Potion of Cure Serious Wounds - In addition to healing per the spell, this will also restore 1 spell slot of each level except the highest that the drinker can cast.

Potion of Invisibility - As this was designed with escaping a bad situation in mind, it will also add +15 feet to the drinker's speed while active.

Scroll of Dispel Magic - This scroll is keyed to wisdom (rather than intelligence) for the check to overcome magical effects.

 

Main Statistics

Primary	Attribute	Mod		Saves
x	Strength	15	+1	Paralysis, Constriction
	Dexterity	15	+1	Breath Weapons, Traps
x	Constitution	13	+1	Disease, Energy Drain, Poison
	Intelligence	9	+0	Arcane Magic, Illusions
x	Wisdom	17	+2	Confusion, Divine Magic, Gazes, Petrification, Polymorph
	Charisma	13	+1	Death Attack, Charm, Fear

 

 

Racial Abilities

Name	Effect
Three Primary Attributes Movement 30 feet Racial Affinity - Friendly most Races	Third Level Cleric Experience Points = 7501 + 42 + Hit Points = (8+1) + (6+1) + (6+1) +

 

Class Abilities

Name	Effect
Weapon Proficiency	Special (Deity - Bow), club, crowbill hammer, dagger, light or heavy flail, light hammer, light or heavy mace, morningstar, quarterstaff, war hammer
Armor Proficiency	Any Armor and Shield
Spells, Turn Undead	See below, (60 ft., 1d12+1 number of undead turned, cleric 5 or more levels higher than level of undead destroy them instead)

 

Combat Statistics

AC (Total)	Base	Armor	Shield	Dexterity Mod	Misc.
18	10	6	1	1	x

To Hit (Total)	Base	Attribute	Level Bonus	Misc.
+2	1d20	Strength/Dexterity	1	x

Current HP	Maximum HP	Wounds	Hit Die	Encumbrance
23	23	0	3d8	30.5/31

 

Equipment

Weapon	Bonus To Hit	Bonus Damage	Base Damage	Notes
Heavy Flail Composite Short Bow Dagger Silvered Dagger	+3 all attacks	+1 melee, +0 ranged attacks	1d10 1d8 1d4 1d3	Total EV all weapons = 11 20/20 Arrows/ 6/6 Silvered (70 ft) (20 ft) (20 ft)
Armor / Shield	AC Bonus	Weight	Encumbrance	Notes
Full Chain Suit Chain Mail Coif (+4 Head) Iron Buckler	+7	47	4 - 1	'Blue Sh'iare' blue-sheen armor

Item / Clothing	Weight	Encumbrance	Notes
Large Expert Shoulder Pack Quick-release mechanism (3 seconds, 1 with a successful dexterity check (CL 9) External - Summer bedroll, tied to bottom, 2 torches in bedroll, 50’ silk rope on outside back, two 1 quart waterskins each side, small shovel, Dual-headed hatchet/hammer Cloak Holy Symbol, Silver Scroll Case Magic Items: Potion Cure Serious Wounds, Potion Invisibility, Sroll Dispel Magic, Light of the World (Continual Flame - Wisdom Bonus applies to rolls for curative magic)	58 lb. - - - - 3 lb. 1 lb. .5 lb.	12.5 - - - - 1 0 1	Internal Contents - 5 Bandages (2 wounds each), Razor, Soap bar, Sewing kit, small steel flask, Whistle, Flint & steel, 100’ silk rope, 4 splitting Wedges, 10 Spikes, Whetstone, 5 Candles, 2 Oil flasks, Extra set of clothing (Includes Scarf, Leather Gloves, Belt, Soft Boots, Hat), Iron rations (7/7 days), 2 small belt pouches, 3 vials, string, tinder, ink, 5 paper, 10 parchment, quill, wax, small sticky balls of tree sap, stick, wolfsbane, hair brush, perfume, Vial Belt, corks, small magnet, marbles, Towel, Honey, Tea, Wooden Spoon, Metal Bowl, "Light of the World" Continual Flame Feather, Prayer Beads, Incense, Signet Ring Church, Prayer Book, Pouch of Broken Glass, Bag of Dust

 

Money

Platinum	Gold	Silver	Copper	Jewels
x	0	11	4	x

 

Mount / Animal Companion / Familiar

Name	Type	HP	AC	Move	Attacks	Damage	Saves	Notes
N/A	x	x/x	x	x	x	x	List+x vs. Paralysis, Constriction +x vs. Breath Weapons, Traps +x vs. Disease, Energy Drain, Poison +x vs. Arcane Magic, Illusions +x vs. Confusion, Divine Magic, Gazes, Petrification, Polymorph +x vs. Death Attack, Charm, Fear	x

 

Spell Book

0th Level
Spells / Day	Bonus Spells	Total Known
4	+0	All
Name	Amount Prepared	Notes
Detect Alignment Detect Magic First Aid Light	1/1 1/1 1/1 1/1	x
1st Level
Spells / Day	Bonus Spells	Total Known
2	+1	All
Name	Amount Prepared	Notes
Cure Light Wounds Bless	2/2 1/1	x
2nd Level
Spells / Day	Bonus Spells	Total Known
1	+1	All
Name	Amount Prepared	Notes
Hold Person Spiritual Weapon	1/1 1/1	x
3rd Level
Spells / Day	Bonus Spells	Total Known
x	x	x
Name	Amount Prepared	Notes
x	x	x
4th Level
Spells / Day	Bonus Spells	Total Known
x	x	x
Name	Amount Prepared	Notes
x	x	x
5th Level
Spells / Day	Bonus Spells	Total Known
x	x	x
Name	Amount Prepared	Notes
x	x	x
6th Level
Spells / Day	Bonus Spells	Total Known
x	x	x
Name	Amount Prepared	Notes
x	x	x
7th Level
Spells / Day	Bonus Spells	Total Known
x	x	x
Name	Amount Prepared	Notes
x	x	x
8th Level
Spells / Day	Bonus Spells	Total Known
x	x	x
Name	Amount Prepared	Notes
x	x	x
9th Level
Spells / Day	Bonus Spells	Total Known
x	x	x
Name	Amount Prepared	Notes
x	x	x

 

Here is an excellent template for your C&C character sheet, provided graciously by Malkavian Grin.

 

Edited March 10 by Terran (see edit history)

[Terran]

ITEMS TO DISCUSS WITH DM AS STANDARD CHURCH ISSUE:

Mundane Religious Paraphernalia - Prayer Beads, Incense, Censer and Prayer Book - (Issued to all Acolyte Trainees)

"The Light in the Dark" - (Continual Flame Feather awarded to a Priest or Priestess upon their accession as an ever-lasting symbol of the "Light" of the faith) - Approved

Holy Symbol, Silver - (Issued to Members of the Blue Sh'iare upon their ascension into the ranks of this martial order)

Investigator's Kit consisting of a Scroll Case with Writing Utensils - (Ink, Quill, Wax, 5 Paper, 10 Parchment, 2 Vellum, Charcoal Pencil, & Official Journal)

Signet Ring for Official Church Use Only - (Issued when promoted to Church Investigator)

DM - I will address your other equipment thoughts a little later when I talk about the magical items you have each gathered during your prior adventures.

__________________________________________________________________________

POWERS TO DISCUSS WITH DM

Bonus Healing - Positive bonus to healing spells equal to cleric level, but only if the healer devotes themselves exclusively to the gods by focusing only the class of Cleric to the exclusion of all others, except Prestige or similar high-level related classes.

For example, a 2nd level cleric casting Cure Light Wounds on a companion would heal 1d8+2 points of damage, a 3rd level cleric 1d8+3 points of damage, a 4th level cleric 1d8+4, etc., with such bonus being limited by any restrictions specifically mentioned in the spell description.

The Light in the Dark is an approved item and symbol of her office, and it will also allow her to add her wisdom bonus to any curative spell healing totals. The other things you listed are all also fine inventory additions as they are mostly sundry items that add flavor and basic utility.

___________________________________________________________________________

Spontaneous Casting of Curative Spells (I like praying in the morning and trying to anticipate a day's needs, with the knowledge that a primary tenant of the faith is healing thus divinely empowering the release of spell energy to be channeled into healing for others)

DM - Agreed. See below for explanation as to why this is occurring.

It would seem that a Holy Symbol would not really have a +1 Encumbrance Value for a small sigil on a necklace? It is really a bulky pound of silver? Also, curious if it grants any bonus to turn undead? The basic players handbook doesn't provide details regarding the equipment listed in it.

DM - I agree that a holy symbol should not have an EV at all so ignore that.

___________________________________________________________________________

PACK

Sold small steel mirror (10 gp) for 1/2 price in order to lose the point of encumbrance.

Edited October 11, 2023 by Terran (see edit history)

[Terran]

What is Clairese's relationship with her immediate family?

Clairese was an only child, whose parents, John and Olivia, both are loyal members of the church and generally support the Theocracy. Her father and mother live in Nirvana and own a small bakery, 'The Upper Crust,' with a tiny apartment located above the business. Small and barely profitable, the pair are proud to serve their community often sacrificing profit for charity to help those in need and, as required by law, by tithing ten percent to the Church. Clairese loves and gets along well with her parents, but after having lived in church dormitories and quarters since she was young, her relationship with them tends to be adult to adult rather than child to parent. All of her grandparents are deceased, and as an only child she has no other familial relationships.

Who would they consider to be their best friend?

Clairese has many friends in the church and Nirvana, but her best friend in the world is Sir Oldheim, a very old knightly priest of the martial order of the church who has been the lass's unofficial mentor in the Blue Sh'iare since Clairese was first promoted to this special combat group. Even though the holy man is ancient, crippled and half-blind, Clairese doubts she would be able to defeat the old warrior in hand-to-hand combat. Folks say that the priest has forgotten more combat techniques than most people have even heard of, much less ever seen. Even though it's never been discussed, Clairese believes that Father Oldheim recommended the Priestess for promotion outside the Blue Sh'iare to the rare position as Church Investigator, even though such a role physically separated the pair because of her new duties.

What about their worst enemy, or perhaps greatest rival? 

Clairese has no known open enemies, but her rivals are many since the Church, and most especially the Blue Sh'iare, are organized to use competition to ensure that the best candidates are promoted, or in other words it's more of what you know rather than who you know. While the vast majority of the participants realize that this 'ordering' is not personal and take no offense to the 'rankings' and related promotions, however, one girl in particular has always hated Clairese since both were very young members of the Church. Eventually, her nemesis Glenda joined the "Hooded Ones," which is the Church's special police force that has a notorious reputation and, according to rumors, at times has used assassins to promote church policy. Even though both took opposite roads in the church's hierarchy, Glenda is on a parallel path of growth and power in the institution as is Clairese and, while both support the Church in their own way, it's foreseeable that the two will clash in the future given their past problems and the fact that the Hooded Ones tend to be radicalized as compared to the bulk of the faithful and Clairese herself.

Who in the church does she absolutely not trust, and does she have a reason? 

Early in her career with the Church, Clairese would have been offended by anyone just asking this question. However, with experience has come some doubts as to the long-term viability of certain aspects of the Church. While the faith remains strong and directly supported by the gods, nonetheless the institution has some rot in its core after centuries and centuries of existence, which is not surprising. Even though she rarely speaks of the matter, the Priestess keeps her eyes on the situation and has begun to have doubts about certain aspects of the church's bureaucratic leadership, most notably the Mother Calderone, who is in charge of the Church's vast treasury and who seems to worship worldly things over godly things. While Clairese has no proof whatsoever, she suspects that the Church has a 'black budget' kept off the books that is used for questionable, nefarious, or even worse activities not sanctioned by the holy see.

What deed has been demanded of her by her faith that she is most conflicted about to this day?  

This may sound funny to some folks, but in her heart, Clairese has regrets that she will never likely bear children as a result of her vows, and most especially her duties to the Church. Since she was a little girl, Clairese had always dreamed of being a good mother and having children of her own to raise. That dream is likely gone. Furthermore, as an only child, she also knows this will likely dictate the end of her family's lineage in the planes forever. However, this is one of the prices she is willing to pay in her service to the gods.

For what deed is she most known among the faithful in Nirvana? 

Most likely as a result of her strong desire to have children and knowing that she is unlikely ever to fulfill that dream, and perhaps as overcompensation, the Priestess has always been highly devoted to serving the public and the faithful of the congregation, especially any young ones who find themselves in need of a helping hand in the midst of life's never-ending chaos. This not only has made her well known among the faithful in Nirvana, but also has led to her having a high degree of popularity among the lessors of society, something which is not always favored by those in charge. To date, it's not caused her any career problems, however she is well-known and semi-famous for intervening to end the physical abuse of children, having even cuffed a few men on their ears to stop an unnecessary beating. This makes her popular with most folks, but she is also despised by a few ruffians who were publicly embarrassed by her interruption of their so-called 'discipline.'

Tell me about a person or society/faction outside of Nirvana that she has angered while performing her duties as a church investigator.

As discussed above, Clairese has ruffled the feathers of a few individuals inside the church hierarchy and even angered a few undisciplined bullies in the city of Nirvana, but unbeknownst to the investigator, Clairese's work and ministrations have had a tangential impact on the machinations and worldly intrigues subtlety sponsored or indirectly supported by the Twilight Court.  This has brought Clairese to the attention of the Dusk Queen's Dust Daughters and the possibly the Dusk Queen herself and, while the cleric might not be hated or even targeted, just being noticed by the Twilight Court is bad enough.

As above but tell me about a person or faction that she's endeared herself to by performing her role.

Clairese loves the gods, loves the faithful and actually loves the unwashed masses truly in her heart, mind and soul. It's not fake, it's not for show, and it's not political. It's real and people can sense this about the Priestess. Always helping those in need, the Priestess is renowned for freely using her healing prayers to help those who can't afford to tithe and are truly in need of help. While not necessarily a faction and definitely not organized, nonetheless Clairese has endeared herself to the public in Nirvana. Her love seems to be infectious and positively buoys the emotions and faith of those around her. This is inversely linked to those few in the Church who resent Clairese because of her special relationship with the community of Nirvana and congregation of the Church.

Spontaneous healing as a clerical ability is not common in the church or world for that matter. Since most individuals are unable to perform this sort of thing, why does Clariese feel like she can do this when others cannot?

Sister Clairese has no idea how she can spontaneously heal others or why she has this special ability from the gods, or even how long such powers will be available to her as a result of her daily prayers. As far as she knows, it's more of a function of the gods than any special prayers she says, holy songs she sings or other rituals of the Church she practices. Unbeknownst to the Priestess, the gods have granted her this supernatural ability because she has proven willing to heal those who can't pay, those who have nothing to give her, and those who cannot help her in any way, and yet she never hesitates to offer her all to the downtrodden. Frankly, it's her true love for the public, service to the masses and her selfless actions for the faithful, that caught the notice of Niro and Ivana and prompted them to touch Clairese with a spark of the divine and allow her to spontaneously utilize curative spells and prayers in their service.

Edited October 6, 2023 by Terran (see edit history)

[Terran]

If you had your choice of 3 consumables (potions/oils/scrolls) to reflect things she'd collected in her travels (or gifts presented to her by whoever sent her on her quest), what would you most like for them to be?

Potion of Cure Serious Wounds - (To be kept in reserve should the Priestess go down so others can revive her)

Potion of Invisibility - (To be kept for emergency escapes/avoid death)

Scroll of Dispel Magic - (Awarded by Temple for use in the field)

 

Edited October 11, 2023 by Terran (see edit history)

[DoNotFearToTread]

Okay, so let's talk religion.

First, easy question. I've spelled Nir'-v'a-na like a hundred different ways since we got started and I should probably not do that. Do you want Nirvana or Nir-vana to be the official name for the city?

Secondly, tell me as much as you care to about the official line for the state religion. What do they proclaim is their gods' ultimate goal? Are there any prohibitions on behavior for followers? Who is the top dog in the church? This is, of course, in addition to the great details you've already given me in the Nirvana entry in your application, which I will transpose over to a thread in The World shortly, so you may be comfortable with the info already provided. That's cool, I just don't want to miss anything.

Next, did Clairese realize something is wrong with the way the church presents Niro and Ivana after she became an investigator? Was the revelation something she found in an old hidden book in the church basement? A visit from a Humanist with some secret knowledge? Or was there a divine visitation style moment that initiated this quest?

Lastly, how much do you as a player want to dictate regarding what Niro and Ivana actually want for their followers vs. the line that the church is currently holding?

Edited October 30, 2023 by DoNotFearToTread (see edit history)

[Terran]

1. Nirvana

2. The goal of the faith is pure, being based on the historical inertia of the divine site itself, to heal those who are hurting. These are gods of nature, hunting, healing and communion with others and the nature of the hidden mountain valley reflects the same. The valley is blessed and exudes the divine power, the church merely grew over the centuries on the holy site.

Prohibitions are staying in the city beyond need without paying the tithe. Of course, there are secular laws similar to the rest of society to deal with murder, theft, rape, etc. The enforcement of these laws is supported by the church, but they are not holy tenants. Absolutely prohibited is the worship of evil deities/beings in the church's geographical confines, as that would be considered an afront to the holy site of Niro and Ivana.

Top dog in the church is an elderly man who seems to be honest and good-hearted, Father Elektro, the Pious. Physically enfeebled, but intellectually sound, the leader of the faith does not appear to be involved or even knowledgeable about the corruption suspected to exist in a few parts of the institutional hierarchy of the church, such as the Treasury. Some even refer to him as the "Last of the Good Ones," but Sister Clairese hopes and prays that's just a saying and not a prophecy.

3. So far, Sister Clairese has been sent to the edges of the church's sphere of influence on investigations, almost as if the powers that be want her to be focused on tasks that often keep her far, far away from the church's headquarters. The corruption she suspects has less to do with a corruption of the faith and more to do with a clandestine accumulation of wealth, land, power and influence that threatens to corrupt the faith.

No, the local clergy, the boots on the ground, are good evangelists and present Niro, Ivana and the calling with truth and accuracy. So far, any rot seems to lie in the upper ranks of the priesthood and seems limited, but Clairese suspects that there is a secret group, a Star Chamber, that operates outside the church's supervision and possibly outside of its primary goals and work, but of course that is all supposition based on having thought too much and too long about the issues.

The revelation is from years of experience and simply paying attention, mentally assembling a myriad of scattered, seemingly unrelated, pieces of the puzzle, one by one to form the basis of her suspicions. That's why it's impossible to bring the matter to the direct attention of her superiors at the moment. It's more clues that lead her gut to reach these conclusions, which is nothing that would ever hold up in an ecclesiastical court of equity. Thus, she continues to collect clues and log scraps of evidence that, for now, paint a partial picture of mystery that she hopes to someday turn into a masterpiece of proof that corrects these problems!

4. As far as Niro, Ivana and the Church, it would seem logical for you to have that role, so that the story line will maintain the mystery and the chase for clues for me as a player, some real and some likely red herrings, exciting and unknown. That seems to be the divine path that Sister Clairese is currently on, in addition to her normal duties to the church and responsibilities to the public and parishioners.

Edited November 2, 2023 by Terran (see edit history)

[Terran]

Sister Clairese, Church Investigator & Priestess of Niro and Ivana

QUICK STATS:  AC = 18, Touch = 12, FF = 16 / HP = 23/23 / Init = 1 / Turn Undead = 4/4   ______________________________________________________________________

Text here

Show Mechanics

Free Action:   

Move:  

Swift Action:   

Move Action:   

Standard Action:  

Continuing Effects:  None

Edited November 2, 2023 by Terran (see edit history)

[Terran]

ORACLE

"To claim to know the will of the gods is folly and yet it forms the basis for established religion." Pressing her fingers to two of the squares, she pulls them across the table to sit directly in front of herself. A twisting snake around the outside of the first, a series of circle clusters like berries around the second.

Clicking her tongue against the back of her teeth, she levels her gaze on the priest as she draws one heavy braid away from her face. "Those who elevated you to your role in the church would likely second guess their choices if they knew where your instincts will take you. Many daggers at your back, the future does hold. The tale of Regalis Thrice-Mourned may be your guide." 

"I sense already a pattern in this, and with it a task that will be required. A friend, long known to me but recently silent, keeps many books long thought destroyed or never known to be written. These things I see are spoken of in those books, and must be read by those of you who will carry out the quests to which they relate."

If the worst be true and she is dead, collect the sending box that mirrors this one and place a message into it for me to read. My response will come the next day. Oh, and take this seeing stone. Things are often not what they seem in the Grove.