Cleric Character Handbook
The Simple Approach Edition November 2024
So you want to play a cleric, but you're tired of the same old healing-and smiting-routine? The Cleric Character Handbook is here to shake things up. This system-agnostic sourcebook will give your cleric character the attention they deserve, without chaining them to outdated tropes or mechanical limitations. It’s designed for fantasy roleplaying settings, so no matter what system you’re using, this book will fit right into your game. Whether you’re working in high fantasy or something a bit grittier, you’ll find something in here to elevate your cleric character beyond a walking first aid kit.
This isn’t another spell list or a rehash of cleric abilities. This handbook is all about character-driven storytelling. It gives you the tools to make every decision, every action, and every conversation matter. The focus is on narrative depth, letting your cleric be more than a divine mouthpiece or a healer. Whether grappling with faith, striving to balance personal goals with divine duties, or navigating complex political landscapes, this guide has you covered. It's time to give your cleric character agency and let them steer their own path.
Imagination, collaboration, and storytelling take center stage here. With this handbook, your cleric can become a dynamic part of the story, influencing outcomes and driving the narrative in creative and unexpected ways. You and your group will get more out of each session because this sourcebook encourages deeper character interaction and meaningful choices, giving clerics a chance to stand in the spotlight. It doesn’t matter if your cleric follows a deity of light, darkness, or something in between, the Cleric Character Handbook provides the tools to bring out the complexity in their faith and personality.
This sourcebook is perfect for anyone who’s been playing fantasy roleplaying games for years, but still wants something fresh. It offers new ideas, innovative character options, and plenty of narrative hooks. Fans of classic roleplaying settings will appreciate the familiar framework while enjoying a more nuanced and modern approach to cleric characters. It’s not about reinventing the wheel, but making sure that wheel rolls a little smoother, and with a lot more style.
Your cleric isn’t a glorified support character anymore. The Cleric Character Handbook gives them the chance to shine in any situation. Want to shape the destiny of kingdoms? Great. Trying to balance divine commands with personal ambition? That’s here, too. Whether you're tackling complex moral questions or leading from the front lines, this book is built to let your cleric stand tall, metaphorically or literally, depending on their stature.
Get ready for a roleplaying experience that puts your cleric front and center, with the freedom to chart their own course in a world full of uncertainty, faith, and adventure. The Cleric Character Handbook is where storytelling and strategy meet, giving you everything you need to take your cleric to the next level.
A Universal Sourcebook
An earlier edition of this book was created as a system-agnostic toolkit, and retails that function in this edition. However, it’s now fully compliant with The Simple Approach and games using that system and philosophy, including The Foragers Guild. You don’t need it to play one of our games to use this material, so feel free to throw its elements into any other roleplaying system your choice.
If you’re looking to use it with a different roleplaying system, don’t worry. For advice on translating material between systems, grab the Lightspress Handbook, available wherever you found this book.
Navigating This Book
Here’s a breakdown of the tools and resources you’ll find inside these pages:
Background: The first section covers the foundation of the Cleric profession. We dig into what makes the Cleric compelling as a character type in modern roleplaying and explore their appeal for players who want more than a healer or a holy fighter. This section examines the role of faith, the complexities of devotion, and how Clerics can challenge the boundaries between divine duty and personal motivation. Whether they’re walking the path of a true believer or questioning the divine plan, the Cleric is full of opportunities for character-driven storytelling.
Traits: Clerics bring a unique set of skills to any table, and this section covers all the core abilities that define the character type. You’ll find a range of traits common to Clerics that can be used as-is or adapted to fit your system. These traits provide the backbone of any Cleric build, offering both divine magic and martial prowess. It’s more than “heal this” and “smite that”, the traits presented here can inspire new ways to think about Clerics, from the powers they wield to the way they interact with the world around them.
Resources: Every Cleric needs the right tools for the job, and this section focuses on the valuable resources your character might have access to. Whether it’s sacred relics, powerful equipment, or connections to influential figures, your Cleric won’t have to go it alone. This section provides a wealth of options to outfit your Cleric, both materially and socially. It covers everything from blessed weapons to political contacts, offering ways to make your Cleric more than another adventurer, they can be a key player in the wider world of your setting.
Variants: The Cleric archetype is versatile, and this section explores how you can tweak the template to create something unique. From different religious sects to Clerics who operate outside the bounds of organized faith, this section shows how flexible the class can be. Whether you're looking to play a wandering ascetic, a zealous crusader, or something else entirely, the Cleric Character Handbook gives you the tools to build a Cleric that fits into any setting or story. The variants here provide fresh takes on the character type, offering you inspiration to create your own Cleric spin-offs.
Worldbuilding: To support a Cleric character, your setting needs to reflect the existence of their faith and its impact on the world. This section offers insights into what your setting should include to make a Cleric’s presence feel organic. It covers religious institutions, holy sites, and the societal implications of having divinely empowered individuals walking around. From small village chapels to sprawling theocracies, the Cleric Character Handbook will help you build a world where Clerics matter.
Factions: Clerics don't operate in isolation, they’re usually part of larger religious orders or organizations. This section introduces several faction concepts that your Cleric can belong to or interact with. These factions range from secretive cults to well-known religious institutions, each with its own agendas and influence. Whether your Cleric is a high-ranking member of a powerful church or a rogue agent on the fringes of society, this section provides groups that can add depth and intrigue to your campaigns.
Adventures: What makes a Cleric-driven story stand out from other professions? This section explores that question, offering advice on crafting adventures that center around Clerics. Whether your story involves divine intervention, moral dilemmas, or ancient prophecies, the Cleric Character Handbook shows how Cleric characters can be at the heart of any adventure. The focus is on creating narratives where faith, divinity, and personal choices collide in meaningful and exciting ways.
Artifacts & Relics: What’s a Cleric without their sacred tools? This section is full of powerful artifacts and relics tied to divine magic, offering Clerics unique items to wield in their quests. Whether they’re legendary MacGuffins or deeply personal items with meaningful backstories, these artifacts can be central to your story or provide your Cleric with an edge in combat or diplomacy. They add depth to the character and can serve as the key to unlocking greater mysteries.
Characters of Divinity: Clerics aren’t the only ones connected to divine power, and this section explores the creatures and beings that share a divine connection. From celestial allies to divine adversaries, the creatures in this section can enhance your Cleric’s story by challenging their faith or aiding them on their path. The relationships between these divine beings and Clerics can add layers of intrigue and conflict to your setting, giving your character more than worldly obstacles to overcome.
Reference: Finally, this section wraps it all up with practical tools. You’ll find stock characters, factions, creatures, and equipment that can be used in any game, along with notes on how to adapt everything into your system of choice. There’s also a glossary to clarify terms and a bibliography for further reading. It’s everything you need to make the Cleric Character Handbook a seamless addition to your roleplaying experience.
196 pages. PDF and epub files included.
The Simple Approach Edition November 2024
So you want to play a cleric, but you're tired of the same old healing-and smiting-routine? The Cleric Character Handbook is here to shake things up. This system-agnostic sourcebook will give your cleric character the attention they deserve, without chaining them to outdated tropes or mechanical limitations. It’s designed for fantasy roleplaying settings, so no matter what system you’re using, this book will fit right into your game. Whether you’re working in high fantasy or something a bit grittier, you’ll find something in here to elevate your cleric character beyond a walking first aid kit.
This isn’t another spell list or a rehash of cleric abilities. This handbook is all about character-driven storytelling. It gives you the tools to make every decision, every action, and every conversation matter. The focus is on narrative depth, letting your cleric be more than a divine mouthpiece or a healer. Whether grappling with faith, striving to balance personal goals with divine duties, or navigating complex political landscapes, this guide has you covered. It's time to give your cleric character agency and let them steer their own path.
Imagination, collaboration, and storytelling take center stage here. With this handbook, your cleric can become a dynamic part of the story, influencing outcomes and driving the narrative in creative and unexpected ways. You and your group will get more out of each session because this sourcebook encourages deeper character interaction and meaningful choices, giving clerics a chance to stand in the spotlight. It doesn’t matter if your cleric follows a deity of light, darkness, or something in between, the Cleric Character Handbook provides the tools to bring out the complexity in their faith and personality.
This sourcebook is perfect for anyone who’s been playing fantasy roleplaying games for years, but still wants something fresh. It offers new ideas, innovative character options, and plenty of narrative hooks. Fans of classic roleplaying settings will appreciate the familiar framework while enjoying a more nuanced and modern approach to cleric characters. It’s not about reinventing the wheel, but making sure that wheel rolls a little smoother, and with a lot more style.
Your cleric isn’t a glorified support character anymore. The Cleric Character Handbook gives them the chance to shine in any situation. Want to shape the destiny of kingdoms? Great. Trying to balance divine commands with personal ambition? That’s here, too. Whether you're tackling complex moral questions or leading from the front lines, this book is built to let your cleric stand tall, metaphorically or literally, depending on their stature.
Get ready for a roleplaying experience that puts your cleric front and center, with the freedom to chart their own course in a world full of uncertainty, faith, and adventure. The Cleric Character Handbook is where storytelling and strategy meet, giving you everything you need to take your cleric to the next level.
A Universal Sourcebook
An earlier edition of this book was created as a system-agnostic toolkit, and retails that function in this edition. However, it’s now fully compliant with The Simple Approach and games using that system and philosophy, including The Foragers Guild. You don’t need it to play one of our games to use this material, so feel free to throw its elements into any other roleplaying system your choice.
If you’re looking to use it with a different roleplaying system, don’t worry. For advice on translating material between systems, grab the Lightspress Handbook, available wherever you found this book.
Navigating This Book
Here’s a breakdown of the tools and resources you’ll find inside these pages:
Background: The first section covers the foundation of the Cleric profession. We dig into what makes the Cleric compelling as a character type in modern roleplaying and explore their appeal for players who want more than a healer or a holy fighter. This section examines the role of faith, the complexities of devotion, and how Clerics can challenge the boundaries between divine duty and personal motivation. Whether they’re walking the path of a true believer or questioning the divine plan, the Cleric is full of opportunities for character-driven storytelling.
Traits: Clerics bring a unique set of skills to any table, and this section covers all the core abilities that define the character type. You’ll find a range of traits common to Clerics that can be used as-is or adapted to fit your system. These traits provide the backbone of any Cleric build, offering both divine magic and martial prowess. It’s more than “heal this” and “smite that”, the traits presented here can inspire new ways to think about Clerics, from the powers they wield to the way they interact with the world around them.
Resources: Every Cleric needs the right tools for the job, and this section focuses on the valuable resources your character might have access to. Whether it’s sacred relics, powerful equipment, or connections to influential figures, your Cleric won’t have to go it alone. This section provides a wealth of options to outfit your Cleric, both materially and socially. It covers everything from blessed weapons to political contacts, offering ways to make your Cleric more than another adventurer, they can be a key player in the wider world of your setting.
Variants: The Cleric archetype is versatile, and this section explores how you can tweak the template to create something unique. From different religious sects to Clerics who operate outside the bounds of organized faith, this section shows how flexible the class can be. Whether you're looking to play a wandering ascetic, a zealous crusader, or something else entirely, the Cleric Character Handbook gives you the tools to build a Cleric that fits into any setting or story. The variants here provide fresh takes on the character type, offering you inspiration to create your own Cleric spin-offs.
Worldbuilding: To support a Cleric character, your setting needs to reflect the existence of their faith and its impact on the world. This section offers insights into what your setting should include to make a Cleric’s presence feel organic. It covers religious institutions, holy sites, and the societal implications of having divinely empowered individuals walking around. From small village chapels to sprawling theocracies, the Cleric Character Handbook will help you build a world where Clerics matter.
Factions: Clerics don't operate in isolation, they’re usually part of larger religious orders or organizations. This section introduces several faction concepts that your Cleric can belong to or interact with. These factions range from secretive cults to well-known religious institutions, each with its own agendas and influence. Whether your Cleric is a high-ranking member of a powerful church or a rogue agent on the fringes of society, this section provides groups that can add depth and intrigue to your campaigns.
Adventures: What makes a Cleric-driven story stand out from other professions? This section explores that question, offering advice on crafting adventures that center around Clerics. Whether your story involves divine intervention, moral dilemmas, or ancient prophecies, the Cleric Character Handbook shows how Cleric characters can be at the heart of any adventure. The focus is on creating narratives where faith, divinity, and personal choices collide in meaningful and exciting ways.
Artifacts & Relics: What’s a Cleric without their sacred tools? This section is full of powerful artifacts and relics tied to divine magic, offering Clerics unique items to wield in their quests. Whether they’re legendary MacGuffins or deeply personal items with meaningful backstories, these artifacts can be central to your story or provide your Cleric with an edge in combat or diplomacy. They add depth to the character and can serve as the key to unlocking greater mysteries.
Characters of Divinity: Clerics aren’t the only ones connected to divine power, and this section explores the creatures and beings that share a divine connection. From celestial allies to divine adversaries, the creatures in this section can enhance your Cleric’s story by challenging their faith or aiding them on their path. The relationships between these divine beings and Clerics can add layers of intrigue and conflict to your setting, giving your character more than worldly obstacles to overcome.
Reference: Finally, this section wraps it all up with practical tools. You’ll find stock characters, factions, creatures, and equipment that can be used in any game, along with notes on how to adapt everything into your system of choice. There’s also a glossary to clarify terms and a bibliography for further reading. It’s everything you need to make the Cleric Character Handbook a seamless addition to your roleplaying experience.
196 pages. PDF and epub files included.
The Simple Approach Edition November 2024
So you want to play a cleric, but you're tired of the same old healing-and smiting-routine? The Cleric Character Handbook is here to shake things up. This system-agnostic sourcebook will give your cleric character the attention they deserve, without chaining them to outdated tropes or mechanical limitations. It’s designed for fantasy roleplaying settings, so no matter what system you’re using, this book will fit right into your game. Whether you’re working in high fantasy or something a bit grittier, you’ll find something in here to elevate your cleric character beyond a walking first aid kit.
This isn’t another spell list or a rehash of cleric abilities. This handbook is all about character-driven storytelling. It gives you the tools to make every decision, every action, and every conversation matter. The focus is on narrative depth, letting your cleric be more than a divine mouthpiece or a healer. Whether grappling with faith, striving to balance personal goals with divine duties, or navigating complex political landscapes, this guide has you covered. It's time to give your cleric character agency and let them steer their own path.
Imagination, collaboration, and storytelling take center stage here. With this handbook, your cleric can become a dynamic part of the story, influencing outcomes and driving the narrative in creative and unexpected ways. You and your group will get more out of each session because this sourcebook encourages deeper character interaction and meaningful choices, giving clerics a chance to stand in the spotlight. It doesn’t matter if your cleric follows a deity of light, darkness, or something in between, the Cleric Character Handbook provides the tools to bring out the complexity in their faith and personality.
This sourcebook is perfect for anyone who’s been playing fantasy roleplaying games for years, but still wants something fresh. It offers new ideas, innovative character options, and plenty of narrative hooks. Fans of classic roleplaying settings will appreciate the familiar framework while enjoying a more nuanced and modern approach to cleric characters. It’s not about reinventing the wheel, but making sure that wheel rolls a little smoother, and with a lot more style.
Your cleric isn’t a glorified support character anymore. The Cleric Character Handbook gives them the chance to shine in any situation. Want to shape the destiny of kingdoms? Great. Trying to balance divine commands with personal ambition? That’s here, too. Whether you're tackling complex moral questions or leading from the front lines, this book is built to let your cleric stand tall, metaphorically or literally, depending on their stature.
Get ready for a roleplaying experience that puts your cleric front and center, with the freedom to chart their own course in a world full of uncertainty, faith, and adventure. The Cleric Character Handbook is where storytelling and strategy meet, giving you everything you need to take your cleric to the next level.
A Universal Sourcebook
An earlier edition of this book was created as a system-agnostic toolkit, and retails that function in this edition. However, it’s now fully compliant with The Simple Approach and games using that system and philosophy, including The Foragers Guild. You don’t need it to play one of our games to use this material, so feel free to throw its elements into any other roleplaying system your choice.
If you’re looking to use it with a different roleplaying system, don’t worry. For advice on translating material between systems, grab the Lightspress Handbook, available wherever you found this book.
Navigating This Book
Here’s a breakdown of the tools and resources you’ll find inside these pages:
Background: The first section covers the foundation of the Cleric profession. We dig into what makes the Cleric compelling as a character type in modern roleplaying and explore their appeal for players who want more than a healer or a holy fighter. This section examines the role of faith, the complexities of devotion, and how Clerics can challenge the boundaries between divine duty and personal motivation. Whether they’re walking the path of a true believer or questioning the divine plan, the Cleric is full of opportunities for character-driven storytelling.
Traits: Clerics bring a unique set of skills to any table, and this section covers all the core abilities that define the character type. You’ll find a range of traits common to Clerics that can be used as-is or adapted to fit your system. These traits provide the backbone of any Cleric build, offering both divine magic and martial prowess. It’s more than “heal this” and “smite that”, the traits presented here can inspire new ways to think about Clerics, from the powers they wield to the way they interact with the world around them.
Resources: Every Cleric needs the right tools for the job, and this section focuses on the valuable resources your character might have access to. Whether it’s sacred relics, powerful equipment, or connections to influential figures, your Cleric won’t have to go it alone. This section provides a wealth of options to outfit your Cleric, both materially and socially. It covers everything from blessed weapons to political contacts, offering ways to make your Cleric more than another adventurer, they can be a key player in the wider world of your setting.
Variants: The Cleric archetype is versatile, and this section explores how you can tweak the template to create something unique. From different religious sects to Clerics who operate outside the bounds of organized faith, this section shows how flexible the class can be. Whether you're looking to play a wandering ascetic, a zealous crusader, or something else entirely, the Cleric Character Handbook gives you the tools to build a Cleric that fits into any setting or story. The variants here provide fresh takes on the character type, offering you inspiration to create your own Cleric spin-offs.
Worldbuilding: To support a Cleric character, your setting needs to reflect the existence of their faith and its impact on the world. This section offers insights into what your setting should include to make a Cleric’s presence feel organic. It covers religious institutions, holy sites, and the societal implications of having divinely empowered individuals walking around. From small village chapels to sprawling theocracies, the Cleric Character Handbook will help you build a world where Clerics matter.
Factions: Clerics don't operate in isolation, they’re usually part of larger religious orders or organizations. This section introduces several faction concepts that your Cleric can belong to or interact with. These factions range from secretive cults to well-known religious institutions, each with its own agendas and influence. Whether your Cleric is a high-ranking member of a powerful church or a rogue agent on the fringes of society, this section provides groups that can add depth and intrigue to your campaigns.
Adventures: What makes a Cleric-driven story stand out from other professions? This section explores that question, offering advice on crafting adventures that center around Clerics. Whether your story involves divine intervention, moral dilemmas, or ancient prophecies, the Cleric Character Handbook shows how Cleric characters can be at the heart of any adventure. The focus is on creating narratives where faith, divinity, and personal choices collide in meaningful and exciting ways.
Artifacts & Relics: What’s a Cleric without their sacred tools? This section is full of powerful artifacts and relics tied to divine magic, offering Clerics unique items to wield in their quests. Whether they’re legendary MacGuffins or deeply personal items with meaningful backstories, these artifacts can be central to your story or provide your Cleric with an edge in combat or diplomacy. They add depth to the character and can serve as the key to unlocking greater mysteries.
Characters of Divinity: Clerics aren’t the only ones connected to divine power, and this section explores the creatures and beings that share a divine connection. From celestial allies to divine adversaries, the creatures in this section can enhance your Cleric’s story by challenging their faith or aiding them on their path. The relationships between these divine beings and Clerics can add layers of intrigue and conflict to your setting, giving your character more than worldly obstacles to overcome.
Reference: Finally, this section wraps it all up with practical tools. You’ll find stock characters, factions, creatures, and equipment that can be used in any game, along with notes on how to adapt everything into your system of choice. There’s also a glossary to clarify terms and a bibliography for further reading. It’s everything you need to make the Cleric Character Handbook a seamless addition to your roleplaying experience.
196 pages. PDF and epub files included.