Editing FANGS: Appendix D - Priest (section)

==Training ==

Most churches are organized in "circles," although they are not often called such. Each circle requires an additional sacrifice of at least one additional PW, and may require some more dedication to a Presence. The innermost circles have the closest relationship with a Presence and thus the greatest power. 

PW loss can be regained through normal Characteristic Training (which is extremely laborious and costly, and typically takes several months.) 

===The Supporter -- Outer Circle ===

The Outer Circle refers to the supporters of a particular church that contribute to a a church in money, services, or kind, and may follow the tenets of a church, but have not in fact made any permanent sacrifice to a church. Typically these are called supporters of a church. 

===The Follower -- First Circle ===

Becoming a follower of a Presence is to join the First Circle. The applicant first has to find a church to accept him (most will.) A full Priest performs a ceremony over him and the new follower loses 1 PW (this can also be bought during character development as an Advantage of 5 points). 

The benefits of being a follower of a Presence is that you have the sanctuary and training in the Presence's church, and can, in dire need, call on the Presence for assistance (which may or may not be granted.) A follower may be a devotee of several Presences if the Presences allow it, but each would require a sacrifice of 1 PW. Followers are expected to tithe 10% of their earnings and/or services to their church. Followers of multiple gods are expected to tithe 10% of their earnings to each church. 

Followers do not gain magical powers other then their connection to the Presence, however, the training available to followers can be quite valuable, including literacy, various forms of combat, etc. depending on the church. 

A follower may also be required by some churches to take a Vow. 

===The Initiate -- Second and Third Circles ===

Initiates (sometimes called acolytes or deacons, depending on the church) are of the Second and Third Circles, thus they have sacrificed 2 or 3 PW to his Presence, and may have been required to have certain minimum skills. (An Initiate of the Second Circle can also be obtained as an advantage of 10 points.) 

Most churches will also require an initiate to accept a Vow. A full Priest must act as act a witness to the vow. If a Vow is broken, a curse may fall on the breaker. The curse can be as simple as the spell, but could be different based on the whim of the Presence. If the follower continues to break a promised ow, he may loose all all of the powers granted by the followers previous sacrifices to the Presence, and the curse made permanent. 

The benefits of being a second-circle Initiate are very limited spells, typically minor divinition spells as Detect Evil (sense opposed Presences) and Augury (chance to get hints of the future or about a Presences will.) 

A third-circle Initiate has a few more spells. These typically affect others, but not the Initiate himself. Typical spells might include ability to heal by the spell Lay on Hands (healing HP 1d4, and twice the result to SP) and Bless Other (temporary +1 to all skills). 

Initiates are not accepted if they are followers of any other Presence. Once an Initiate of a Presence, an Initiate may not become the follower another Presence without first losing all of the powers granted by the Initiate's previous sacrifices. Initiates are expected to tithe 20% of their earnings to their religion. 

===The Priest -- Fourth Circles & Higher ===

Members of the Fourth Circle or higher are considered full Priests -- thus have sacrificed 4 or more PW to a Presence, as well as fullfilled other requirements to their church, and will likely have to accept one or additional Vows. 

Priests have access to many more spells (more with the number of PW sacrificed) and to advanced training. Priests are expected to tithe at least 50% their earnings and labors to their religion, of course, the members of their religion, in turn, will support a Priest with no income. High Priests of the innermost circles may be called on by to rescue followers who call on the Presence (a religion whose high Priests help the followers the most will have the most followers.)