Acolyte

You have spent your life in the service to a Philosophy and/or secretly to a god or pantheon. You act as an intermediary between the realm of the holy and the mortal world, performing sacred rites and offering sacrifices in order to conduct worshipers into the presence of the divine. You are not necessarily a cleric – performing sacred rites is not the same thing as channeling divine power.   Choose a god, a pantheon of gods, or a philosphy, and work with your DM to detail the nature of your service. Were you a lesser functionary in a temple, raised from childhood to assist the priests in the sacred rites? Or were you a high priest who suddenly experienced a call to serve your god in a different way? Perhaps you were the leader of a small cult outside of any established temple structure, or even an occult group that served a fiendish master that you now deny.

Features

Shelter of the Faithful

As an acolyte, you command the respect of those who share your faith or philosophy, and you can perform ceremonies. You and your adventuring companions can expect to receive free healing and care at a secret temple or a philosophy Hall, though you must provide any material components needed for spells. Those who share your religion and/or philosphy will support you (but only you) at a modest lifestyle.   You might also have ties to a specific temple dedicated to your chosen deity, pantheon or a specific philosophy Hall, and you have a residence there. This could be the temple where you used to serve, if you remain on good terms with it, or a temple where you have found a new home. While near your temple, you can call upon the priests for assistance, provided the assistance you ask for is not hazardous and you remain in good standing with your temple.

Suggested Characteristics

Acolytes are shaped by their experience in temples or other religious communities. Their study of the history and tenets of their faith and their relationships to temples, shrines, or hierarchies affect their mannerisms and ideals. Their flaws might be some hidden hypocrisy or heretical idea, or an ideal or bond taken to an extreme.   Use the official Acolyte background tables.