Baltic Death, Underworld, Beasts, Trickery, & Prophecy God
Tenets of Velnias
- Respect Death
- Dwell in the Underworld
- Understand Beasts (whether ravens, snakes, wolves, bears, cats, or horned ones)
- Use Trickery and Prophecy as needed for better understanding
Clerics of Velnias
- Special: Also known as Velinus, he is often followed by clerics, priests and priestesses, žynės (Baltic seers- link, see bottom half of page), and mystics (see the upcoming Companion I). Many warlocks (link), thieves, and assassins follow him too.
- Allowed Weapons: Lance, spear, dagger, noose (treat as a garrote)
- Allowed Armor: Leather or lighter
- Symbols: Tree, Beasts, Caves
- Can Turn: Those who do not respect the tenet that the cleric emphasizes.
- Mysteries of Death, the Underworld, Beasts (pick one), Trickery, or Prophecy: Cleric-types of Velnias can have a number of his tenets as their emphasis. Depending on what that is, whether only one or one of a few, they can gain a +1d3 bonus to one of their rolls while attuning with the spirits, communing with Velnias (for an automatic +2), or engaging in craft. They may do so up to once per day per level. The format of his mysteries is distinct from the other divinities in this series so far, but can be used as a more fundamental alternative to them as well, rather than using emphasis approaches.
For example, if a 2nd level cleric of Velnias's emphasis was the underworld, then he might gain a +1 bonus to find a cave entrance by having local spirits assist him when he used it the first time that day, and a +2 bonus when attempting to navigate an interaction with some thieves for the second, thanks to guidance from Velnias himself. If the cleric also had an emphasis of ravens, then he might assign that to one or more of his daily mystery uses, or roll at random to see if that or the underworld is applicable each time he accesses them.
A cleric of Meness applying this method could do much of the same, though he would use the Moon God's tenets as his emphases instead.
Magical Side-Effects of Velnias
Replace the various Velnias words below with one or more of the cleric’s emphases above, keeping things ironic. Roll 1d12.
1. Rites of Velnias: The Death God calls, and something must be given, said, or awaited unto him. The cleric will have to provide 2 of the 3 requirements below (#2, #3, #4) if he wishes the spell to function.
2. Remaining for Velnias: What would best serve him? If the cleric doesn't crave that the magic be at half its usual might, then something related to the cleric's emphasis must be left behind or left behind in a manner related to the cleric's emphasis.
3. Last Words for Velnias: The spell only emerges after the eloquence of the cleric is shown by making a Charisma check relating to his emphasis. Failure means he can attempt it again 1d3 rounds later, until he finally meets with success.
4. Velnias's Hour: After the next 1d12 hours the spell's effects will only emerge. If the cleric's emphasis is present though, then both Velnias and the spirits will allow it to happen in just 1d3 rounds.
5. Realm of Velnias: The 120’ area has a 25% chance of becoming reminiscent of the cleric's emphasis for 2d6 rounds. All who venture or remain within and who are not partial to that emphasis will take a -1d3 penalty to their rolls.
6-8. Standard Casting: Along with a sign of the cleric's emphasis potentially being shown (a 33% chance), the magic works normally for now.
9-10. Velnias Magic I: If the cleric does something befitting his emphasis, then his spell can improve its effect, range, or duration by 50%.
11. Velnias Magic II: As above, but one can be doubled. What act will the cleric perform?
12. Blessing of Velnias: While the magic happens for twice its usual effect, range, or duration, it is also not expended and can be cast again that day. And as long as they would perform certain deeds that correspond with the cleric's emphasis, then Velnias will give the target a +2 bonus to such rolls for the next 1d2 hours.
For example, if a cleric of Velnias emphasized death, then he might need to leave an offering reflecting that or even amongst graves with Magical Side-Effect #2, calling it Remaining for the Dead, so he could avoid the 50% penalty to his magic. If his emphasis was trickery, then, with a result of Magical Side-Effect #5, all within 120' might suffer a -2 penalty to their rolls when not being so for 5 rounds.
Next week: tests of Velnias, his folk variations, and more.
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