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pathfinder:npc_classes:adepts [2025/03/02 13:22] – [The Spontaneous Adept] johnbpathfinder:npc_classes:adepts [2026/03/31 09:25] (current) – [Lay Preachers] johnb
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 Adept is by far the most disappointing NPC class.  The other NPC classes have a clear place in the game, while the poor old adept is some sort of strange mix of arcane and divine casting abilities. I use these archetypes to fix that.  Apart from the notes below, these Adept Archetypes conform to the published class specification. Adept is by far the most disappointing NPC class.  The other NPC classes have a clear place in the game, while the poor old adept is some sort of strange mix of arcane and divine casting abilities. I use these archetypes to fix that.  Apart from the notes below, these Adept Archetypes conform to the published class specification.
  
-While NPCs can progress in my games worlds they don't progress quickly or easily.  L1 Adepts are usually in training somewhere, L2 are normally assistants completing their training and Level 3 is the base level for an adept running an establishment or business (such as a Chapel, Library, School) although you may very occasionally find L4 adepts, but after that they are very rare.+While NPCs can progress in my campaign worlds, they don't progress quickly or easily.  L1 NPCs are usually apprentices, L2 are normally assistants completing their training and Level 3 is the base level for an adept running an establishment or business, such as a Craft Workshop, Chapel, Library or School.  You may very occasionally find L4 adepts, but after that they are very rare.
  
 Most adepts fall into the [[consolidated:economy:start#the_silver_economy|Silver Economy]] bracket and have a reasonably comfortable life.  They eat regularly and may even have a very small room to call their own.  However, Adepts are a diverse group -  some have a standard of living similar to commoners, others have a much more comfortable life. Most adepts fall into the [[consolidated:economy:start#the_silver_economy|Silver Economy]] bracket and have a reasonably comfortable life.  They eat regularly and may even have a very small room to call their own.  However, Adepts are a diverse group -  some have a standard of living similar to commoners, others have a much more comfortable life.
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 ===== The Divine Adept ===== ===== The Divine Adept =====
  
-It seemed a shame just to have one Divine Archetype, considering there is such a wide range of clerical classes and that non Clerics can be priests of some gods as well.  I have settled for three that (I think) gives me a lot of flexibility in the way I use them.  Most Divine Adepts take Brother or Sister as a personal 'title'.+It seemed a shame just to have one Divine Archetype, considering there is such a wide range of clerical classes and that non Clerics can be priests of some gods as well.  I have settled for a selection that (I think) gives me a lot of flexibility in the way I use them.  Most Divine Adepts take Brother or Sister as a personal 'title'.
  
-All divine adepts have the ability to 'activate' a shrine or an altar for 24 hours, by praying for their spells at that location.  Shrines and graveyards might just have a single clergyman (low level adept) to look after the shrine and and pray there.  Other religious buildings will have a group of clerics assigned to them to hold regular program of payer meetings and ceremonies, to ensure that the altar stays permanent dedicated to the deity.  A shrine or an altar with these daily prayers becomes inactive and loses many of its benefits.+All divine adepts have the ability to 'activate' a shrine or an altar for 24 hours, by praying for their spells at that location.  Shrines and graveyards might just have a single clergyman (low level adept) to look after the shrine and pray there.  Other religious buildings might have a group of adepts assigned to them to hold a regular program of payer meetings and ceremonies, to ensure that the altar stays permanent dedicated to the deity.  A shrine or an altar without these daily prayers becomes inactive and loses many of its benefits.
  
 All Divine Adepts use the following spell list. All Divine Adepts use the following spell list.
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-==== Collegiate Adepts (Canons Regular) ==== +==== Collegiate Priests ====
-[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canons_Regular | Canons Regular]]+
  
-In the real world most monastics were not clerics  but laymen, however  that doesn't work very well in a fantasy world where the characters who adhere to a Deity actually get spells to prove it.  However, many Collegiate style churches had/have  [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canons_Regular | Canons Regular]] who are often mistaken for monks, and these are represented by adepts.  In my game worlds you will find this Divine Adept Archetype filling the junior roles in Monasteries, Abbeys, temples, Cathedrals etc -  where they make up the bulk of the junior priests.  Known officially as Canons, they generally take the 'title' brother or Sister.  +In the real world most monastics were not clerics but laymen, however  that doesn't work very well in a fantasy world where the characters who adhere to a Deity actually get spells to prove it.  However, large churches had/have  [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canons_Regular | Canons Regular]] who are often mistaken for monks, and both of these groups are represented by collegiate adepts.  In my game worlds you will find this Divine Adept Archetype filling the junior roles in Monasteries, Abbeys, temples, Cathedrals etc -  where they make up the bulk of the junior priests.  Known officially as Canons, they generally take the 'title' brother or Sister.  
  
-Level 1 Canons generally carry out mundane work around the church or monastery or take responsibility for a shrine, they can run prayer meetings and undertake basic religious duties.  +Level 1 Canons are the vast majority of religious people in any monastery, abbey or collegiate church.  While they attend services daily (often more than once) they also undertake the mundane work, such as cleaning, gardening and cooking.  They may also take responsibility one of the shrines associated with the building, or lead occasional prayer meetings.  
  
-A Level 3 canon may oversee a local temple or serve as the Abbot of a small monastery.  However, they may also serve as dean in a large temple or cathedral run by a cleric.+A Level 3 canon may oversee a small temple or monastery.  However, they may also serve as dean in a large temple or cathedral run by a cleric.
  
 //Primary Ability://  Wisdom \\ //Primary Ability://  Wisdom \\
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-==== Independent Chaplains ====+==== Chaplains ====
  
-[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_(priest)|Secular Canons]] \\ +Are recognised are priests by churches and religious orders, but they do not serve in mainstream temples, abbeys or monasteries.   They may run a small Community Chapel, a private chapel, serve in the military, or act as a noble's advisor.
-[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaplain|Chaplain]]+
  
-These adepts work in their community, away from a formal church or monastery and might be multi-classed.  Chaplains might act as Clerk and Religious Advisor to a Noble House, serve as a Military Padre, or tends to a Village Shrine  (Adept/Commoner).  Chaplains may (occasionally) lead minor religious services, although they are more likely to lead prayer meetings and offer simple religious advice.  + 
 +=== Private Chaplains === 
 + 
 +These adepts work in their community, away from a formal church or monastery and might be multi-classed.  Chaplains might act as Clerk and Religious Advisor to a Noble House, run a chapel or tend to a Village Shrine and are often multi=classed.  Chaplains may (occasionally) lead minor religious services, although they are more likely to lead prayer meetings and offer simple religious advice.  
  
 //Primary Ability://  Wisdom \\ //Primary Ability://  Wisdom \\
 //Special Ability: Gained at L1 -// One Domain - spells and abilities.  (This replaces: Familiar) //Special Ability: Gained at L1 -// One Domain - spells and abilities.  (This replaces: Familiar)
  
-==== Military Chaplain ====+=== Military Chaplains === 
  
 Military Chaplains are trained by many of the world's religions and serve with military personnel, helping to keep them healthy in mind and body, boost morale and help them keep to the straight and narrow.  Trained to use armour, many military chaplains march alongside their colleagues in times of war -  even though they often stand at the back and be supportive, rather than fight.   Chaplains may (occasionally) lead minor religious services, although they are more likely to lead prayer meetings and offer simple religious advice.   Military Chaplains are trained by many of the world's religions and serve with military personnel, helping to keep them healthy in mind and body, boost morale and help them keep to the straight and narrow.  Trained to use armour, many military chaplains march alongside their colleagues in times of war -  even though they often stand at the back and be supportive, rather than fight.   Chaplains may (occasionally) lead minor religious services, although they are more likely to lead prayer meetings and offer simple religious advice.  
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 //Primary Ability://  Wisdom \\ //Primary Ability://  Wisdom \\
 //Special Ability: Gained at L1 -// Feat:  Light Armour  (This replaces: Familiar) //Special Ability: Gained at L1 -// Feat:  Light Armour  (This replaces: Familiar)
-==== Nature God ====+ 
 +==== The Green ====
  
 Adepts dedicated to a faith of nature  (Erastil, Gozreh, Green Faith etc) may get an animal Familiar to help them in their work.  However, this isn't always the case, Adepts of Erastil (for example) could use any of the four Divine Adept archetypes. Adepts dedicated to a faith of nature  (Erastil, Gozreh, Green Faith etc) may get an animal Familiar to help them in their work.  However, this isn't always the case, Adepts of Erastil (for example) could use any of the four Divine Adept archetypes.
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 ++++ ++++
  
 +==== Lay Preachers ====
 +
 +The Lay Preacher is not ordained, nor part of a church structure - however, they might be found preaching at shrines, travelling, or even in a very minor role in a temple.  They aren't, generally, able to conduct ceremonies of any sort -  but are blessed by a deity (or philosophy) with the ability to cast divine spells.   They are a bit of a conundrum for most churches.
 +
 +Lay Preachers are Charismatic Spell Casters, they don't pray for their spells in the same way as a conventional priest, but still gain spells through their devotions. They are, by far, the weakest and least able divine casters.
 +
 +//Primary Ability://  Charisma \\
 +//Special Ability: Gained at L2 - //  Feat:Additional Traits - (This replaces: Familiar)
 +
 +++++Spell List|
 +This list is compiled from spells that appear on the spells lists for Oracles, Paladins and Omduras, three Paizo Charismatic Divine casters.  It has then been trimmed slightly, to remove spells that seem inappropriate (to me) and remove spells that on those lists at different levels).  Lay preachers are restricted to spells of L3 or lower -  this is based on a very old interpretation of divine spells that says L3 spells (and lower) are learned  as rituals, and do not need any divine intervention to cast.  L4 spells (or higher) need some sort of divine intervention (sometimes from one of the deity's servants) before they are granted.  
 +
 +**Level 0**
 +Bleed
 +Create Water
 +Detect Magic
 +Detect Poison
 +Guidance
 +Light
 +Read Magic
 +Resistance
 +Stabilize
 +Virtue
 +**Level 1**
 +Bless
 +Bless Water
 +Cure Light Wounds
 +Detect Demon
 +Detect the Faithful
 +Detect Undead
 +Know the Enemy
 +Positive Pulse
 +Sanctify Corpse
 +**Level 2**
 +Delay Disease
 +Delay Poison
 +Daylight
 +Remove Paralysis
 +Resist Energy
 +Sense Madness
 +Soothing Word
 +Zone of Truth
 +**Level 3**
 +Dispel Magic
 +Mantle of Calm
 +Prayer
 +++++
 +
 +++++ Spells Known|
 +
 +^Level^0th^1st^2nd^3rd|
 +|1st|3|1|—|—|
 +|2nd|3|2|—|—|
 +|3rd|4|2|—|—|
 +|4th|4|3|0|—|
 +|5th|5|3|1|—|
 +|6th|5|4|2|—|
 +|7th|6|4|2|0|
 +|8th|6|5|3|1|
 +|9th|6|5|3|2|
 +
 +++++
 ------ ------
  
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 //Primary Ability://  Intelligence \\ //Primary Ability://  Intelligence \\
-//Special Ability: Gained at L2 - // Familiar.+//Special Ability: Gained at L2 - // Scribe Scroll.
  
 [[Arcane Adept Spell List]] [[Arcane Adept Spell List]]
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 ++++ ++++
  
-++Methodology | This is a list of spells that all appear in the Summoner, Bard and Sorcerer spell lists.  I suspect there are a couple missing, because they appear at different levels on different class lists.+++
  
  
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