Priesthood of Hermes

Overview

Hermes is the God of Rogues, Messages, Trade, and Crossroads.


In Homeric Hymns he is described: “For then she bare a son, of many shifts, blandly cunning, a robber, a cattle driver, a bringer of dreams, a watcher by night, a thief at the gates, one who was soon to show forth wonderful deeds among the deathless gods.” – Homeric Hymn to Hermes, line 14

The Priesthood of the Hermes is not a popular one, often the Priests are dual class Rogue/Priests or former Rogues who have become priests of Hermes.

This is a mistrusted priesthood due to its ties to robbery, but not when it comes to the tasking of messages or even gifts - in such functions it is the 'go to' priesthood. Indeed the underworld connections allow it to move items into nearly impossible areas to get to their destination. An offering must be made to Hermes and the messenger/courier must be paid of course as a part of this. The priesthood is universally popular among rogues and messengers.

Holy Symbol

The Holy Symbol of Hermes is the Caduceus.

Chronic Anachronism Control

Hermes uses the regularity of the pace of running messengers as the Hermetic metronomic measure to aid in the support of maintaining time.

Priesthood Requirements

The Priests of Hermes must have 15 or higher in Constitution and Wisdom.

Skill Acquisition Requirements

The Priesthood of Hermes must gain the Non-weapon Proficiency Skills of Running and Diplomacy (Dragon Magazine #169 (pg. 21)) by level 5.

They must also master a Musical Instrument by 9th Level, in recognition of Hermes creation of the Lyre, and the power of music to convey messages to the masses, all news is conveyed to the general population through rhymes and music.

The Priests and Priestesses of Hermes will always protect messengers and couriers and assist them whereever possible.

Weaponry

The Priests of Hermes are permitted to use normal cleric weaponry, but focus more on staff use.

Armour

The Clerics of Hermes cannot wear any Armor but, gain a reduction of 1 in their Armor Class for every level gained up to and including level 10. (Page 115 Legends and Lore) They will always seek to emphasize their movement rate. They may use shields.

Spheres of Magic

The Hermes Priesthood provides access to:

All
Astral (Major)
Charm (Major)
Combat (Minor)
Creation (Major)
Divination (Major)
Elemental (Major - Air Spells)
Guardian (Major)
Healing (Major)
Necromantic (Major)
Protection (Major)
Summoning (Minor)
Weather (Major)

Granted Powers

Hermes as the God of the Thieves empowers his Priests to work alongside Rogues of all types. The cleverness of their escapades is said to be enjoyed by the God. Hermes Clerics are permitted (but do not need) to learn the specialised skills of Camouflage (Complete Ranger's Handbook Pg. 82), and Fast Talking (The Complete Thief's Handbook (pg. 17).

Hermes Clerics may choose Teleport (Level 5 ) as one of their spells, and also gain Detect Lie (No save) once per day at 5th Level (Page 115 Legends and Lore).

Higher Level Revelations

Pony Express Turning: The Hermes Priest can turn undead (ONLY WHEN allowing passage for delivery of a message or gift, or passage to another location (NO LOOTING PERMITTED) - no other purpose is allowed, as if they are 5 levels higher. This allows clerics of Hermes to gain passage through areas that are otherwise barred to them. But in the land of the dead, this is to only allow passage and delivery of items nothing else. (Consider Persephone and how the eating of some Pomegranate seeds prevented her passage as a measure of how strictly this is enforced.)

Level 10  - The Priest of Hermes will always move as if under the effect of a haste spell. (Page 115 Legends and Lore).

Structure

The Priesthood is loosely organised around four levels

Joggers Level 1 - 4

Sprinters Level 5 - 8

Runners Level 9 - 12

Flyers Level 13+

Subscriptum, Signati, Tradatur (Signed, Sealed and Delivered)

Founding Date

unknown

Type

Religious, Organised Religion

Alternative Names

The Hermetics

Demonym

The Messengers

Parent Organization

The Olympian Pantheon

Location

Atlantis