RE: Elven Priests

[Jevan Furmanski <furmansj@expert.cc.purdue.edu>]

If anyone was thinking that being a priest of tor would make them a lean
mean killing machine, then I would say "read the manual."

Always_  it is more effective to just be a warrion than to be a priest of
tor.  With 4 groups at base 600, I would rather have one at 300 or 360.  I
think some people were concerned with roleplaying, and not power-gaming.

I believe that from the beginning priests of Tor were suposed to be
martial artists  and not strict priests.  Their abilities came in the form
of spiritual enlightenment and not spell units and spells.  How many times
do you remember the reply to the question for punching and kicking (as
well as defensive and grappling) skills  "no, martial arts are for the
priests of Tor."  If no one else remembers these times without wrestling
skill and punching and kicking skill, they might remember the rationale
behind Dan's hesitance to introduce them.

Jevan

On Mon, 2 Nov 1998, Lyle H Janney wrote:

> Thank you, Steve.  I agree and add the suggestion that there is no
> real _need_ for elven priests of T'or.  If you (any GM) really need a
> lean, mean elven killing machine, just create a kick-butt warrior with
> some appropriate skills.  The elven equivalent to a Surma guard
> would have a high ambush score (to be aware of possible ambush
> situations and, coupled with enhanced hearing/sight, gain something
> akin to the T'orite danger sense), very high weapon skill, lots of DP,
> and a good smattering of street skills.  They would basically be a
> good all-around mercenary who's willing to take the hit for their
> employer.  Sure, its great to be different/special (like an elven priest
> of anything would be), but not when it is counter to the whole flavor
> of the system.  Any existing priestly elves are abominations and
> examples of a poor precedent taken too far.
> 
> Now, if there are still any real proponents for elven priests, bring it
> up as a proposal at the next GM's meeting.  I think we've heard
> enough of the arguments one way or the other and can make a final
> vote to end this thread once and for all.  If it comes up that a majority
> vote calls for elves to be allowed as priests, then we can put the idea
> before Dan as endorsed by the local GMs.  In any case, the topic
> will no longer exist on the mailing list and we can get back to dealing
> with the real issues in our campaign.
> 
> Lyle
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Steve Ames [SMTP:steve@ns1.cioe.com]
> 
> Gotta ask. Why is there so much "demand" for Elves to be priests?
> Used to be the answer was a quick and emphatic "NO". Now they can
> be lay priests and *gasp* even real priests (of T'or). What up?
> 
> Being a priest is all about the "soul" thing. You don't have one,
> you can't be one. Pretty cut and dry.
> 
> A priest without a soul is like a Nomad without a spirit. It cannot
> happen. It does not happen. Whatever bad rulings allowed elves to
> be priests of T'or should be stopped. If T'or is spiritual rather than
> soul drivin then it leaves the realm of the divine and moves towards
> philosophy/way of life. If this is the case we don't really need a
> T'or... just a 'Way of T'or'.
> 
> 						-Steve
> 
>