Editing FANGS: Appendix D - Priest (section)

==Priests & Other Magics ==

===Alchemists ===

In the largest cities, the "Art and Mystery of Alchemy" has been practiced for only the last ten years or so. This body of knowledge was first brought to Alvatia by scholars from Voland. Alchemists do not claim any "mystic calling" or supernatural talent -- just the benefit of thousands of years of study in natural philosophy. 

Most churches and Priests tolerate Alchemy, as they tolerate most forms of Science and Engineering, however, most churches are concerned that Alchemy can lead to other, more vile practices. 

Alchemist must take care that all proprieties are taken care of as they are always under the watchful eyes of the Priests. They resent this. 

===Artificers ===

A few Suthrian immigrants to Alvatia practice Artifice -- the creation of objects (or even buildings) by magical means, or which channel Power themselves. Not much in known in Alvatia academic circles about how this is done. 

Most churches and Priests tolerate Artificers, as they tolerate most forms of Science and Engineering. However, they are more worried about about Artificers then they are of Alchemists as they fear that the ultimate goal of Artificers might be life itself, which would be a sacrilige. 

Like Alchemists, Artificers must take care that all proprieties are taken care of as they are always under the watchful eyes of the Priests. Worse, as recent immigrants from Suthria, they are politically vulnerable. 

===Wizardry ===

In some cities and counties of Alvatia, Wizardy itself is legal, though some acts of Wizardry are not. However, even tolerant Priests frown down upon Wizards as they believe that they take on to themselves the power of the Presences that is not meant for mortal kind. 

In turn Wizards find most Priests to be obnoxious and sanctimonious. Many feel that the sacrifices made by a Priest to to a Presence is a repugnant act just short of necromancy. In addition, most are saddened that Priests seem unable to see the true reality and beauty of the world around them. 

Relations are usually worse, as in most counties these practices may be used as evidence of Sorcery or even Necromancy and thus prosecuted as a crime against the church. Certain Priests of St. Carmund, in particular, have taken the vow "Thou shall not suffer a witch to live" and actively seek out to destroy any Wizard, Sorcerer, or Necromancer they can identify. 

===Shamanism ===

Shamans do not use the ceremonies and rituals of the Priesthood, but instead cajole and persuade untempled spirits join and partner with them. Shamans generally see Priests as servants of greater spirits, rather then be partners with them, but in general they do respect Priests as they would respect any other kind of servant of a greater spirit. 

Priests either see Shamans as primitive or lesser Priests and ignore them, or as Sorcerers deserving to be squashed -- it depends of the church they serve. St. Carmund is against spirits or daemons of any nature, so are quite opposed to Shamanism. Priests of Churches that themselves make use of lesser spirits as servants are more tolerant. 

===Sorcery ===

Sorcery is in a sense a intersection of priesthood and wizardry. It deals with the summoning and compulsion of spirits, demons, and otherworldly things. Sorcerers use variations of the ceremonies and rituals of the Priesthood to capture (i.e. temple) various daemons and spirits and have them do the Sorcerer's will to empower Wizardy type spells. 

Nobody is really too comfortable with sorcerers, especially as most 'known' Sorcerers are usually excommunicated priests from the Hierarchy of Saints. Most all priests consider Sorcery a most vile and corrupt version of worship, almost a form a Necromancy, and are violently opposed to its practice. 

Sorcerers consider Priests to be weak, as they are servants of greater daemons rather then being their true masters. 

===Necromancy ===

Necromancy is a corrupt form of Sorcery. Necromancers intend to speak with the dead, control the dead, and ultimately to conquer Death itself. They are known to sacrifice PW (typically WITHOUT the permission of the sacrifice) to an Presence, or to bind and control a living being, or to animate the dead. 

The knowledge of Necromancy most often comes from the churches; most Necromancers are former (or corrupted current) priests. Others have stolen texts from shrines or monasteries. They are, of course, totally outlawed everywhere in Alvatia; however, one or two nobles have found it useful to hide some necromancers for "interrogations" of slain enemies. 

All alchemists, artificers, shamans, wizards, and even sorcerers consider Necromancy to be to most vile and anathematic practice of magic of all, and most will go to any measure to capture and bring a Necromancer to justice. 

Priests, in particular those of St. Carmund, claim to be the most vowed enemies of those suspected of Necromancy. However, as many high circle spells and rituals of the priesthood edge against Necromancy (in particular the 13th circle spell of ressurection) many priests find that they the difference between their magic and that of the Necromancer to be quite narrow.