Don’t Read the Dungeon Master’s Guide
I often tell players, don’t read the manuals that go outside of the player’s direct purview like Dungeon Master’s Guide or Monster Manual. This bit of advice is mirrored in the First Edition DMG by the authors as well. Reducing Advanced Dungeons & Dragons to numbers and tables detracts from the immersion the game embraces. Keep the mystery. Relish gameplay in the abstraction and enjoy the story aspect rather than the calculations and statistics. Dump that sorry bit of banality on the Dungeon Master.
That said, there are some tidbits in those extra-player manuals that player’s ought to know and understand. One of those tidbits is wrapped up in Clerics and their Deities. To a much lesser extent, the following is germane to all classes but none more than To save the players from the trauma of having to read directly from Deities & Demigods where this is discussed in the greatest detail, I am offering a non-spoiler summary here. This should be particularly helpful for players new to AD&D 1e.
Praying for Spells
Unlike those weaselly staff-wielding nerds with their spellbooks and pointy hats, the noble Cleric obtains his/her spells through the dignified effort of intense prayer. Promotion and worship of a cleric’s Deity will ensure those spells keep on coming so that the cleric can advance the agenda of his patron spirit. Failing to do so adequately will quickly catch the attention of said Deity and result in unfortunate, and ultimately, disastrous consequences.
First and second level spells are obtained on a daily basis via the Cleric’s general faith and knowledge. Third through fifth level come directly from the “supernatural servants” and demigods of the Deity. Sixth and seventh are granted in direct communication from the Deity. The DMG and PHB have a conflict amongst themselves in that they differ on which spell levels come from servants and which from the Deity itself. In this article, I have deferred to the DMG as it is a later publication and generally accepted as the primary authority.
Expected Behavior
Clerics are the agents and representatives of their Deity in the Material Plane. As such, they are expected to embody the teachings of their church and to behave in accordance with their alignment in all things. No opportunity should be passed up to educate others on these teachings. Rituals, quests, services and actions of sacrifice are often required. Each DM will likely have different ideas on what these entail for their campaign. As in the law, ignorance of these expectations is not an adequate defense for failing to manifest them.
It is often a good idea to learn what you can of the Gods available in the pantheon of your campaign and make wise choices. Once you do, check in with higher-ups within the church hierarchy as available to you and regularly assess that you are keeping in good standing. Contribute to that church/religion when you can. Making monetary donations are an obvious gesture but spiritual ones are equally, if not more, important. Build a simple roadside shrine or large churches and temples in later levels. Teach others about your beliefs in distant lands. Assist the less fortunate in the name of your Deity, outwardly offering all glory to your benefactor.
In all that you do, behave in ways that are commensurate with your alignment! Your God is likely omniscient and judgey. They will take note of any transgressions and too many little ones, maybe even only one bigger one, will lead to problems.
Omens
So how does one know how they are doing in the eyes of their Deity? Omens are a great tool that can be a discreet indicator. DMs should take care to assure these are overtly obvious as being communicated from the Deity. As in, not likely to occur other than from divine intervention. Otherwise, how is the player to know that his behavior needs correction.
Penitence
When the player character strays from the divine path, atonement is required of them. This penitence ought be commensurate with the degree of the transgression(s). It will require some sort of sacrifice in service of the Deity. It may have a financial component to it as well. Greater or repeated transgression have more severe consequences and more significant requirements for atonement. Completion of a dangerous quest, a large construction project, or aggressive action upon those in opposition to the Deity are all possibilities.
Church Hierarchy
As a cleric of a particular Deity/Faith, there will likely be some sort of hierarchy within the mortal worshipper structure. It would behoove each cleric to discover that hierarchy and report to higher-ups from time-to-time. Offer penance, tribute, and allegiance. Volunteer for quests or work that needs doing. Make sure you understand any expectations your superiors or the faith has on you as a cleric of your Deity.
