Clerical
Clerical magic is a form of magic that relies mainly on the mental energy of the caster, but a bit on the energy of the soul. It is similar to shamanism, except that instead of channeling spirits, clerics channel the power of their god. However, it is a rather simplified version of shamanism in some ways as shamanism includes a number of other practices. Shamanism also requires much more effort on behalf of the caster as spirits are not so ready to oblige a shaman as a god is to his clerics.
Clerical Magic
Clerical magic is most commonly practiced by followers of the third generation gods, mostly humans, who become priests. While in many elemental races there are individuals who call themselves “clerics” or "priests", they rely on their own natural ability with elementalism rather than channeling the power of their god. In that way, an Idayn calling himself a “Priest of Idraen” is actually more of a mage than a cleric.
To use clerical magic, one must join a religious order, undergo training, and finally be recognized as a priest or priestess of a specific god. Once this is completed, the god which a priest follows will recognize them, and when the priest calls upon their god, their request will be judged by their god, and if found worthy, they will be allowed to use their god’s power. Individuals who make frivolous requests, or who have displeased their god by straying from their religious path may find their requests denied.
Clerical magic is most often used for blessings and healings. Depending on the size of the blessing (say, blessing an item or person as opposed to blessing a congregation or crop), a god may or may not actually intervene. In cases of small blessings, gods generally don’t waste their time in providing a cleric with any of their power. Instead, blessings may either have no actual effect (though, they may act as a sort of “placebo” to the one receiving the blessing), or may draw on the cleric’s own spiritual power—only requiring a small amount of energy in most cases.
When it comes to healings, gods are not willing to heal every little bruise or scrape a person receives, regardless of whether or not a cleric wants to heal it. Instead, healing magic is reserved only for serious ailments such as broken bones, fatal wounds, serious infections, and illnesses. Clerics may use healing magic at their own discretion, but most temples require donations to limit the amount of sick and injured people coming to them to demand healing. While it may not seem very charitable, it is necessary to keep from taxing the clerics and basically annoying their god. Most priests will do their best to help people in need, but they know they must be frugal with their healing spells.
Schools of Clerical Magic
There are several specific groupings of spells within clerical magic, though each religion has different spells, prayers, rituals, and rules. Not all religious utilize each school of clerical magic, but there is an underlying uniformity of clerical magic.
Healing
Healing spells are one of the most sought after and familiar spells from clerics. By requesting their god to descend into them, clerics can direct the power of their god into healing. However, gods will not respond to every request. Healing magic is generally reserved for those who are most deserving, and for grievous wounds and illnesses. Gods will not bother, and frankly, be offended, if their clerics called upon them to heal every little scratch, bruise, and sniffle.
There are other ways to heal others, though not as efficient or often as complete. Some clerics teach healing spells that utilize the soul energy of the cleric themselves, as well as the use of certain herbal compounds and medicines.
Blessings
Blessings are positive energy that focuses the power of a god or individual on benefiting others. True holy blessings are often done only in important circumstances and traditions—such as blessing a newly crowned king or blessing the land before a harvest. However, small, personal blessings provided to practitioners are not often granted with true holy magic, though the blessing cleric may transfer some good will from their own spiritual power that can act as a temporary boost to a person’s ego or luck.
Subjugation
Subjugation spells are meant to sooth or calm those within its radius. When tempers run high, or if a fight breaks out, a cleric can cast spells that will subdue and relax the ones it is focused on. Under the influence of a Subjugation spell, the “victim” will feel lethargic and less aggressive. Typically, the spells are used as a last resort when a conflict gets out of hand.
Exorcism
While exorcism can also be a class of magic on its own which requires spiritual power, clerics can use many exorcist rituals as well, but instead rely on their god’s power (though sometimes, their own spiritual power). Clerical exorcism relies on “holy” powers to break through dark magics. Many religions have rituals for dealing with hauntings, possessions, and curses.
Warding
A rather small school in clerical magic, as most of their warding spells only apply to keeping things “unholy” outside of a barrier. Clerical barriers guard against evil spirits, committed followers of the dark gods, undead, and other things considered “evil” or “unholy”. Clerical barriers have a very narrow band of usage, and so are not as reliable as wards from other magic systems.
Curses
Used solely by the religion of darkness, curses done by clerics are carefully crafted so that the rebounding curse will not affect the caster. Instead, the clerics use effigies to absorb all the negative energy of the curse to circumvent the rule of threefold.
Religious Orders
Clerics of Seasonal and Weather Goddesses
Clerics who follow the seasonal goddesses and the goddess of weather mostly assist in agricultural concerns. They bless the land, pray for good weather, bless crops, and heal the sick. Most of the work done by the temple is in farming communities, though their temples are based mostly in cities.
Clerics of Saeven
Priests of Saeven have spells for healing, subduing, and blessings. There are two schools of thought for followers of Saeven; complete pacifism or conflict is sometimes necessary to protect or establish peace. The monks of Saeven from the Temple of Serenity are focused on pacifism, and so are their spells. Peacekeepers have spells that are useful on the battlefield and during peacetime.
Clerics of Acoassa
Priests of Acoassa use very little magic, instead they devote themselves to legal matters of their home nation. They have a limited amount of spells for subduing and exorcisms, but they rarely dabble in healing and blessings. However, if a priest must heal someone, they can request Acoassa to grant them the power to do so, but there are no formal spells or prayers for healing in the Acoassa clergy.
Clerics of Erada
Priestesses of Erada use many of the same forms of magic as other clerics, but the way in which it is used is drastically different. While most clerics in other religious orders do most of their spells vocally, Erada priestesses cast their spells through soft whispers and physical contact combined. This can include kisses, embraces, and in special circumstances, sex, but much of their casting techniques, while intimate, are innocent. It should be noted that the usage of sex in spells is generally reserved for individuals who already have a relationship with a priestess.
Clerics of Casril
Priests of Casril, the god of luck, specialize mostly in blessings that increase the luck of those receiving it. This is often sought by merchants and traders, and paid for with a hefty sum. Casril clerics have some limited knowledge of healing spells, but these are only used in emergencies.
Clerics of Essan
Priests of Essan and the muses actually use very little clerical magic, though they do have a vast knowledge of holy spells. Much of their time is spent in research, or in teaching others, and the most spell casting they do are blessings and prayers for muses to grant inspiration to artists and inventors who seek their help. In times of need, a cleric of Essan can be of use with holy magic, however.
Clerics of Darkness
The priests of darkness have a rather different use of clerical magic, often putting it to use for purposes generally deemed evil. In the Forsaken Land, priests do not follow specific gods, instead they serve the pantheon of darkness equally, calling upon each god as they see fit. They do have some healing spells, but these spells only heal what is necessary for survival and often leave scars as a reminder of the price paid for whatever led to their wound.
Curses are an especially strong suit of the dark religion, while exorcisms are not. As for blessings, they do provide some services, but generally not for the same purposes as light followers. For example, a warrior can receive blessings from Craeseth, the god of war, from a cleric, or a pimp could receive a blessing from Suldra, the goddess of lust.
Subjugation spells are another commonly used spell, and they are far less gentle than they are for clerics of light. While a light cleric will make combatants relax, a dark cleric will simply strip their strength.
