Wednesday, March 28, 2018

The Alphabet of Outer Beings - D is for Disapproval

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D is for Disapproval

Gods, even the most benevolent, are often petty and jealous beings. Many do not tolerate their follows to worship other Outer Beings, and even among the loose associations of pantheons many deities bicker and squabble for the devotion of mortals, often taking action on followers who dare to even question their beliefs. For clerics and others in direct service to such beings disapproval of deity is often a tangible thing that can be felt and carries lasting repercussions. What follows is a table for use of in determining the results of a divinely aligned character disappointing their god.

Table D1: Disapproval (roll 1d20 or appropriate for your system)
  1. (or lower) Busy signal. There is a loud repetitive buzzing as the cleric's power utterly fails. For the next 1d3 rounds the cleric is unable to use any divinely derived power as their deities attention is elsewhere.
  2. With an audible "Tsk" the deity voices their disapproval and unnerves their errant cleric. The character is -1d on their next action.
  3. Divine energy coalesces into a hand with slaps the cleric in the back of the head dealing 1d3 damage. 
  4. The character's holy symbol momentarily flashes white hot inflicting 1d4 damage to the cleric.
  5. The character's deity sends a holy envoy to the cleric who does nothing but mock and belittle them for 1 turn. 
  6. The cleric is made to feel the weight of the deity's lasting displeasure. Until the cleric converts a new follower to the deity's worship their Disapproval resets to 2 each morning instead of 1 (or one higher than it was resetting to previously).
  7. Are you there [god], it's me [cleric]? As soon as they are next able (e.g. out of combat and not in immediate danger) the cleric must spend 1 turn per CL in communion with their deity who asks some very pointed questions about the cleric's place in the deity's flock. The judge is encouraged to role-play this dialog as much as possible.
  8. Vow of silence. The cleric is immediately rendered mute by their deity. This does not impact their ability to lay on hands or cast spells. This imposed vow of silence lasts for 1 day per CL. 
  9. Self-flagellation. The cleric's deity requires a sacrifice of blood from the cleric themselves. The  cleric must spend 1 hour performing self-flagellation and inflicting 1d3 damage per CL on themselves. Until they do their Disapproval resets to 2 each morning instead of 1 (or one higher than it was resetting to previously). This damage resists healing and the cleric only receives the minimal healing result from Lay on Hands to restore this damage. 
  10. Vow of poverty. The cleric is required to donate 1d30 per CL gold to their church at the next available opportunity. Until they do their Disapproval resets to 2 each morning instead of 1 (or one higher than it was resetting to previously).
  11. A divine light in the shape of the character's holy symbol momentarily flashes white hot on the character's forehead, inflicting 1d6 damage on the cleric and branding them with the shape of the holy symbol. 
  12. Stigmata! Until the cleric converts a new follower to the deity's worship 1d3 Hit Points of damage cannot be healed by any means. If the character is not wounded at the time they receive this result they immediately suffer 1d3 damage. 
  13. Confession. The Cleric must seek out another cleric of their deity and confess their actions. Until they do their Disapproval resets to 2 each morning instead of 1 (or one higher than it was resetting to previously).
  14. With an audible groan the deity voices their displeasure with the cleric. For the remainder of the day (until their disapproval resets) any and all attempts to cast spells, lay hands, or turn unholy have only the minimal effect as their deity just can't be bothered right now. 
  15. The character's god demands a test of loyalty for a period of 1d3 hours! During that time the character cannot heal, bless, or otherwise aid people or creatures who are not worshippers of the same deity and must always attempt to turn any unholy creatures they encounter. Attacking an enemy in combat does not count as aid.
  16. The character's god demands zealous loyalty for a period of 1d3 days! During that time the character cannot heal, bless, or otherwise aid people or creatures who are not worshippers of the same deity and must always attempt to turn any unholy creatures they encounter. Attacking an enemy in combat does not count as aid.
  17. Divine ire! The character has drawn the ire of their deity who does the opposite of what miracle was requested. This requires Judge adjudication but usually takes the form of damage in place of healing, a curse instead of a blessing, or another opposite intended effect. 
  18. The deity punishes the errant cleric with Minor Corruption for their sinful use of divine power. (Refer to C is for Corruption, Table C1: Minor Corruption)
  19. The deity punishes the errant cleric with Major Corruption for their sinful use of divine power. (Refer to C is for Corruption, Table C2: Major Corruption)
  20. (or greater) The deity punishes the errant cleric with Greater Corruption for their sinful use of divine power. (Refer to C is for Corruption, Table C3: Greater Corruption)