Votary
A more selective group within the Divinates, the devoutly religious Votaries also function as soldiers of their Church. But Votaries are far more militant, considering devotees of "false" religions as the epitome of evil. Additionally, Votaries follow an unusually strict ethos that includes vows of poverty and chastity.
Ministration
Church
Role
The typical Votary is grim, self-obsessed, and quick to judge. She believes the Templars are the only true faith path and she is suspicious of all other religions. She behaves with stony civility to priests of other orders and open skepticism to Druids. Vingaarites, she believes fervently, deserve nothing less than death.
The Votary maintains an ascetic, ordered life. She owns few personal possessions, avoids strong drink, and even declines to eat heavily seasoned food. She disapproves of gaming, dancing, and other entertainment as childish distractions. Concern for personal grooming is a distasteful affectation (and not a requirement of the Votary's ethos). Some votaries leave their hair uncombed and beards shaggy "as Palanos intended," devoting only as much effort to personal hygiene as necessary for good health and minimal courtesy. Whereas a Votary is as susceptible to courtly love as any other Templar, she would never consider approaching the person she desires; her passion would likely manifest as guilt and shame.
Many commoners admire the Votary for her dedication and discipline, but some see her as an intimidating, even frightening, fanatic. Her humorless outlook and self-righteousness attitude tend to discourage close friendships.
Distinctive Appearance
Symbol: A Votary displays the holy symbol of the Church only on her shield. She never carries a flag or banner except on official business, nor will she attach her symbol to her armor, mount barding, or other possessions; she considers such displays gaudy and vulgar.
Special Benefits
Because of her intense devotion to his deity, the Votary has more spells than other paladins and learns them when she reaches 6th level. Table 22 details the spell progression.
The Votary earns a combat bonus when fighting enemies of a particular evil faith. The evil faith must be designated at the outset of her career; only a single faith may designated, and once chosen it will never change. Acceptable choices include faiths of a particular being (such as an ogre religion) or region (a religion indigenous to a particular jungle or mountain range). A Votary earn a +4 bonus to her attack rolls when fighting priests or followers of the hated faith. The Votary must recognize the priests and followers of the hated faith in order to receive the bonus, identifying them by symbols, gestures, garb, or rituals.
Special Hindrances
A Votary displays obvious enmity toward priests of other faiths. Lawful good priests of faiths other than the Votary's suffer a -2 penalty to their reaction rolls; their reaction can be no better than Indifferent. Neutral priests suffer a -4 penalty; their reaction can be no better than Cautious.
A Votary must donate 50% of all income to her church.
The Votary must incorporate a vow of celibacy into her ethos.
By choice, a Votary never builds a stronghold; instead, she lives in a church, monastery, or temple. Nor does she hire henchmen or other hirelings, a wasteful expense.
Class
Attribute Requirements
None
Barred Beliefs
None
Race Requirement
None
Bonus Weapon Proficiencies
None
Required Weapon Proficiencies
None
Recommended Weapon Proficiencies
None
Barred Weapon Proficiencies
None
Bonus Non-Weapon Proficiencies
None
Recommended Non-Weapon Proficiencies
History (Ancient), Endurance, Healing, Language (Ancient), Language (Modern) Religion, Tracking
Barred Non-Weapon Proficiencies
Brewing, Cooking, Dancing, Etiquette, Gaming, Jousting, Musical Instrument, Poetry, Pottery, Singing.
Equipment
A Votary owns no possessions aside from her weapons, armor, and the minimal gear and supplies necessary to carry out her missions. She never purchases the formal attire described in the Clothing and Special Items section of Chapter 6, nor will she decorate her armor or clothing with jewels, gold trim, or ornaments.
Wealth Options
Normal
Homeland Terrain
None
Economic System
None