| Chapter 3: Kits |
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| Kits |
| Proficiencies |
| Kit Descriptions |
| Warrior Kits |
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Askar · Corsair · Desert rider · Faris · Mamluk · Mercenary barbarian · Outland Warrior |
| Wizard Kits |
| Sorcerer · Elemental mage · Sha'ir · Ajami |
| Rogue Kits |
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Sa'luk · Barber · Beggar-thief · Holy slayer · Matrud · Merchant-rogue · Rawun |
| Priest Kits |
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Pragmatist · Ethoist · Moralist · Hakima · Kahin · Mystic · Outland priest |
The Land of Fate is host to a large number of gods.
Some are powerful, others not, but all grant powers to their holy followers. Characters who follow the same god (or gods) are joined together in the same faith. Differences between the faiths are mainly political; there are no "specialty priests" in Zakhara. Unless otherwise noted, priests do not gain unusual powers solely by virtue of the gods they worship.
This section describes seven kits available to priests in the Land of Fate, including one for foreigners. All six native kits are for clerics only. The kits can be divided into two categories: Clerics of Order and Free Priests. Clerics of Order are more common. (They may be of any alignment; "order" refers to their religious hierarchy.) They also are more organized than Free Priests, with standard clergy and mosques throughout the Land of Fate. In contrast, Free Priests are rarely tied to a specific church.
Clerics of Order do not always share the same religious views—far from it. They worship a number of different gods, many of which are in open conflict. But regardless of the god or gods venerated by a given faith, all clerics within it belong to one of three philosophical groups: pragmatists, ethoists, and moralists. Each group shares certain powers and abilities that transcend the boundaries of faith.
- Pragmatists are the most liberal of all priests, as well as the most common. While certain faiths have only a few pragmatists, as a whole most organized clerics in Zakhara take this liberal and tolerant approach to worship. Pragmatists believe that the ethos of the gods must be fitted to the problems of the contemporary world. In fact, most pragmatists believe in the validity of all gods, with none superior to another. The most popular faith in Zakhara, the Temple of Ten Thousand Gods, is composed primarily of pragmatists.
- Ethoists are more conservative in their viewpoints. While each seeks to encourage others to follow in his or her own path, ethoists are still tolerant of those who choose to seek another.
- Moralists are the most narrow-minded and intolerant of all organized clerics. Each believes in the ultimate truth of his or her god's teachings over all others. Unless two moralists are of the same or a similar faith, they are bitter rivals. Normally, only one moralist faith prevails within a given area of Zakhara, though most seek to expand their realm of influence.
Beyond the Clerics of Order are the Free Priests. These clerics have been "touched" by the greater powers, yet do not belong to an organized faith. Four kits are Free Priests:
- Hakimas, or wise women, are clerics who benefit from their own form of special sight. While there are technically no "specialty priests" in the AL-QADIMTM campaign, hakimas best fit that description.
- Kahins, or idol-priests, are similar to the northerly druids, but they are in tune with the varied and wondrous nature of Zakhara.
- Mystics are recluses who live in isolation, journeying among men only to make great revelations and predictions.
- Outland priests come from outside the Land of Fate and worship strange pantheons of cold gods. These characters are tolerated unless they pose a threat to the clerical hierarchy. "Standard" priests of the AD&D game become outland priests. If the DM allows kits from The Complete Priest's Handbook, those are considered outland priests, too.
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