Priesthood of Dionysus

Overview

Dionysus is god of choice, the god of alcohol and revelry. The Priesthood of Dionysus is popular among the entertainer professions and night time revelers.

Holy Symbol

Thyrus, Wine Jug

Chronic Anachronism Control

Dionysus does not care for the flow of time - it is of no value except to age wine. So he has linked the aging of wine to the rhythm of time but that is the limit of his interest.

Priesthood Requirements

The Priests of Dionysus range from drunken 'fools' who speak truth, and party goers, to wine connoisseurs seeking the best of vintages. If a character is a Priest of Dionysus they must have a Constitution of 15 or greater.

Clerics must be Chaotic Neutral or Evil
NOTE: To recognise the mellowing of age - if a character chooses to start 'middle-aged' this allows the Cleric to be true Neutral.
Druids: Yes, however Druids of Dionysus being Neutral seek to return the Wilderness to it's wildest untamed form.
High level clerics of Dionysus are protected by him personally if endangered too much - madness at -4 on save.

Weapons

Clerics use a Thyrus (Pine cone tipped staff entwined with a vine), and wear the skin of Fauns (Baby Deer).
Thyrus Weapon Source: (The Bacchae and Other Plays, trans. by Philip Vellacott, Penguin, 1954.) To raise my Bacchic shout, and clothe all who respond/ In fawnskin habits, and put my thyrsus in their hands–/ The weapon wreathed with ivy-shoots..." Euripides also writes, "There's a brute wildness in the fennel-wands—Reverence it well."
The Thyrus should be treated as a Staff - however the secret use of it is to treat it as a spear - as such the damage is 1d6+1 and 1d8 for Large creatures. The 'pine cone' tip can in fact be made sharp and of metal - allowing it to puncture, rip and cut when used in combat.

Armour

Standard Priest Armor options.

Spheres of Magic

The Priesthood of Dionysus provides access to:
All
Charm (Major)
Creation (Major)
Divination (Minor)
Elemental (Minor)
Healing (Major) - and Reversible also
Necromantic (Minor) - and Reversible also
Summoning (Minor)
Sun (Minor) and Reversible
Weather (Major)

Granted Powers

Priests of Dionysus are strongly linked to Illusionary spells that enhance the effects of alcohol and drugs. Therefore Priests of Dionysus (including Druids), can also choose from:

Illusion/Phantasm Spells (Minor) - from the Wizard Spell Listing.

Structure

The structure is based on the personal achievement of goals of the Clerics involved. Dionysus rarely establishes any plans or goals for the clergy beyond the enjoyment of the moment.

Culture

The Clerics are highly chaotic and generally are not trusted or relied upon for anything. Some have even been known to cast illusions of healing on individuals seeking their aid rather than truly healing them.

Public Agenda

The Clergy of Dionysus stress the pursuit of the pure emotion of any given moment. This includes the use of alcohol and revelry to make each moment a joyous one.

Vox Clamoris (Voice the Shout)

Founding Date

unknown

Type

Religious, Sect

Alternative Names

The Bacchae

Demonym

The Bachantes

Parent Organization

The Olympian Pantheon

Location

Atlantis