Adept of a Circle

There are many who are raised by religious communities; babies abandoned on the door or orphans with no future. They grow up following their cult or community’s own strict rules, learning hard work and developing skills useful to the circle that hosts them. These characters may have been raised by specific cults such as the Old Tradition or the Lunar Cult. Their life of commitment, study and work makes them skilled thinkers or fundamental components in towns and outposts, where they give aid and teach lessons.

• Skill Proficiencies: Religion
• Equipment: An alms box*.

*Negligible item of no value.

Ability: Support of the Circle

All members of a cult recognize other members instantly, thanks to small details that are insignificant to those who have not spent years in a monastery, circle, or community. Members of a circle respect a code of mutual aid throughout their lives, providing help and support to other members. After spending an hour demonstrating your knowledge of the divine and succeeding on a medium-DC Intelligence (Religion) check an Adept can expect the support of the other members they meet, who will expect similar treatment in turn.

Variant: Circle of Apostates

Among the several communities in which the characters may have grown up, there are the druids and sages of the Apostates. These characters have the same characteristics mentioned above, with the variant of being particularly devoted to what remains of the natural world, to the people who protect Rahidra and to a wilder lifestyle.

• The traits below replace the “Skill Proficiencies” and “Equipment” entries listed above
• Alternative equipment: sheets with drawings, charcoal for drawing, a wooden toy carved at a young age, simple clothes, food supplies for a day, a torch.
• Alternative Skills Proficiencies: Nature

While Apostate titles are listed for each rank, the following is presented from an Adept of the Circles prospective, those using the variant Circle of Apostates would adapt the following for the most suitable alternative – work with your NM.

Ranks

Rank 1 – Adept / Novice

You were welcomed into a humble temple where you assist in religious services and ceremonial duties, such as lighting altar candles and distributing prayer books to the congregation. Additionally, a deacon educates you in religious scripture and doctrine.

Holdings:

• You possess knowledge of a senior clergy member whose teachings undermine the faith for personal gain allowing you to perform /pc-profession to advance your career.

Progression: You are recommended for advancement by a senior clergy member who has overseen your study of divine texts. Subsequently, you will be assigned a religious task to complete.

• Spend a total of 1,200 hours educating.

Rank 2 – Deacon / Guardian

You oversee a local temple with a sizable following, conducting rites, delivering sermons on the teachings of your faith, and offering spiritual guidance to followers experiencing wavering faith. You utilize your modest influence to inspire virtue, uplift the downtrodden, or instill fear when necessary.

Holdings:

• You manage a modest temple, including humble lodgings, and regularly meet locals for rites.
  • When you and your allies spend an uninterrupted hour in meditation or prayer in this chamber, you each gain the benefit of a guidance spell with an extended duration of 24 hours.
• You are aware of a wealthy noble who possesses a coveted first edition book of scripture desired by the church.

Progression: You must either expose the senior clergy member exploiting the faith for personal gain or obtain the coveted first edition book of scripture.

• Spend a total of 2,400 hours educating.

Rank 3 – Bishop / Elder

In recognition of your dedication to the faith, you have attained the title of Bishop, residing in your own diocese within a major city. You supervise a group of senior clergy who seek your guidance in all matters divine. Bishops are elected from senior priests within their Order and maintain their title as long as they uphold the doctrine faithfully.

Holdings:

• You serve as the steward one of the largest temple of your faith in the region, with well-appointed lodgings nearby.
  • When you and your allies spend an uninterrupted hour in meditation or prayer in this chamber, you each gain the benefit of a guidance spell with an extended duration of 48 hours.

Progression: You ascend to the position of Metropolitan in the event of a Metropolitan’s passing or retirement, appointed by the head of your faith in recognition of your unwavering dedication to the faith.

• Spend a total of 4,800 hours educating.

Rank 4 – Metropolitan / Hierophant

As a Metropolitan, you directly report to the head of your faith. Your responsibilities include overseeing the dioceses within your province, aiming to eradicate corruption and heresy from positions of authority. Metropolitans are appointed by the head of their faith and hold significant influence in both spiritual and political matters.

Holdings:

• Free lodging is provided at any parish or diocese acknowledging your appointment, as well as any institution under the control of the faith.

Source: Adapted from Grim Hollow Campaign and Nightfell © Angelo Peluso & Mana Project Studio 2021.