Savage priest was a broad term for priests that lived beyond "civilization", in societies that were considered "primitive"[3] by the standards and opinions of some Faerûnians,[2][4] the unifying factor between the disparate cultures host so such priests being low technological progress and a lack of agriculture.[3][5] For example, it would be quite unlikely to encounter such priests in the Dalelands.[4] They were distinct from shamans, which were the more common form of priest for barbaric and savage societies,[6] but could be misidentified as such. The term could also refer to priests who originated from such cultures and maintained a connection to them whilst living in another land or culture[3] and priests that were adopted by such a culture.[7]
Culture[]
Savage priest were finely in tuned with the nature and varied quite considerably in their faiths, with some even using animal totemss,[8] but regardless of faith their rites were often viewed by "civilized" lay folk and priests as being flawed compared to their own.[9] In terms of portfolio, a savage priest typically followed deities that represented animals, hunting, nature, the sky and weather, vegetation, earth, fire, or elemental forces in general. They were never found to follow deities representing evil, good, or disease.[8]
The regions and cultures in the Realms where one could encounter those labeled as "savage priests" included Evermeet, among the most primitive tribes of green elves[1] and possibly the Mazticans of Maztica, particularly the Dog People.[2]
These priests usually ceased to be considered "savage" once they renounced their tribal membership and accepted being part of some other culture. This frequently occurred with priests that traveled far afield in adventuring companies, as they grew to learn so much of the outside world that they would feel less attached to their tribe.[8]
Abilities[]
Depending upon their tribe, a savage priest was typically skilled in the arts of fishing, forestry, hunting, or trapping, as well as a variety of other nature and survivalist related skills.[8] Due to their connection to nature, such priests had an innate ability to sense the presence of magic in their vicinity, which functioned similarly to the spell detect magic.[9]
Combat[]
The weaponry typically found in the hands of a savage priest included the likes of blowguns (mainly in jungle environs), clubs, daggers, javelins, knives, longbows and shortbows, slings, and spears.[5][8]
Appendix[]
See Also[]
- Savage druid
- Savage warrior
- Savage wizard
- Shaman
- Witch doctor
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Anne Gray McCready et al. (March 1994). Elves of Evermeet. (TSR, Inc), pp. 4, 108. ISBN 1-5607-6829-0.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Douglas Niles (August 1991). “A Journey to the True World”. Maztica Campaign Set (TSR, Inc.), p. 47. ISBN 1-5607-6084-2.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Aaron Allston (1990). The Complete Priest's Handbook. Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR), pp. 107–108. ISBN 0-88038-818-8.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Richard Baker (1993). The Dalelands. (TSR, Inc), p. 63. ISBN 978-1560766674.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Douglas Niles (1995). Player's Option: Skills & Powers. (TSR, Inc), p. 79. ISBN 0-7869-0149-7.
- ↑ Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 182, 187. ISBN 978-0786903849.
- ↑ Aaron Allston (1990). The Complete Priest's Handbook. Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR), p. 95. ISBN 0-88038-818-8.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Aaron Allston (1990). The Complete Priest's Handbook. Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR), p. 107. ISBN 0-88038-818-8.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Aaron Allston (1990). The Complete Priest's Handbook. Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR), p. 108. ISBN 0-88038-818-8.