Domain Spells

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Algon
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Domain Spells

Post by Algon » Tue May 30, 2006 10:40 pm

I was looking over my spell list and came across something that confused me.
Loviatar gets Orders Wrath as a domain spell. Now what confused me is that this spell is only to be cast by lawful casters. Why would I get a domain spell that I cant use? Never having played tabletop the whole domain thing is a bit confusing to me.
Was just hoping someone could clear it up for me :)
Thanks,
jeff
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Dalvyn
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Post by Dalvyn » Wed May 31, 2006 2:26 am

First, a word about tabletop.

- You should play if you have the opportunity, if only to see what it is like. ;)

- In tabletop, the system is a bit different. Each deity is associated with 2, 3, 4, 5, or more domains. For example, Loviatar is associated with the domains Strength, Retribution, Suffering, Evil, and Law. Each domain is a list of 9 (domain) spells, one from each level.

In tabletop still, clerics can choose two domains amongst the list. They automatically have access to the spells of those domains and can prepare one domain spell (from either of those two domains) at each level.

Now, in FK...

When we set up the domains, we could not bring in ALL the domains, for several reasons: That would have required two hundred or more additional spells to be coded (spells that would have been seldom used). Another reason is that some of those spells would not work well in FK (because they require intervention from the Dungeon Master, or because they simply wouldn't work in a MUD).

We therefore made several modifications. Some domains were ignored. Other domains were merged into a single domain. The major aim was to try and have 2 complete (= with 9 spells) domains for each deity. Another big change is that clerics on FK cannot choose their domains: they have to use the domains we have chosen for them.

Order's Wrath is the 4th level domain spell for Law. It's part of the domains that Loviatar possesses (she's lawful, orderly, her followers like to control people in an "orderly" fashion, and so on). Now, it works well for her LE and LN priests, but not that well for her NE priests. In tabletop, a NE priest of Loviatar would not select Law as one of their domains... but here they do not have a choice.

So... that's why you might have a spell that you cannot cast. Hopefully, the other 4th level domain spell is not restricted to lawful casters. If it is, then that is really bad luck... but you can still fill up the 4th level domain slot with a domain spell from a lower level (e.g., one of your 3rd level domain spell, or 2nd level domain spell, ...), and you will be able to enhance that other domain spell with metamagic feats (empower, ...).
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Algon
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Post by Algon » Wed May 31, 2006 2:57 am

Ahhh thank you for the explanation. It makes alot more sense now :)
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Kregor
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Post by Kregor » Wed May 31, 2006 5:42 am

As Loviatar is a LE deity, you could always consider your RP, and see if it leans him toward the LE side. Take the "what alignment are you" quiz here on the boards as your PC, answer as he would, and see.

As Dalvyn said, Loviatar is a goddess who symbolizes discipline, and punishment. She is, for all intents and purposes, the flip side of Tyrran goodness, that of compliance thru coercion and torment. A CE would be likely tormented themselves until they leaned toward NE, even if it was begrudgingly. Those who truly wished to ascend the heirarchy, and keep themselves there, would likely begin to embrace the structure and discipline.

Align change is allowed for 50 kismet. One of my chars did so after I realized with the alignment test that he was definitely more toward the neutral side of good than the chaotic. :)
"There is no safety for honest men except by believing all possible evil of evil men."

Kregor - Ranger of Tangled Trees
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Tygen - Ranger-Bard of Mielikki
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