Priests on a long leash

[Calantyr]

This is merely a lore discussion, not what would be most 'optimal' in-game.

Which Diety has the broadest range of 'acceptable' actions permitted by it's adherants, with respect to game mechanics (alignment/domains)?

Oghma seems a solid choice, he's worshipped by an extremely broad spectrum of people, and almost anything seems to be permitted so long as it advances the pursuit of knowledge (be that an individuals knowledge, or passing it on to a wider audience).

Kossuth seems to be largely self-centred and doesn't care so long as he is glorified and his power expands, so a third of his priesthood are good, a third evil, and a third keep the balance. The same is probably true on the law/chaos axis, since even though the priesthood is hierarchical he encourages both creation and destruction in equal measure. A Paladin of Kossuth seems just as likely as a Blackguard, which must be great fun at family reunions.

Uthgar also seems an option. Divine magic seems to be permitted for pretty much anything so long as it supports the independence and power of the tribe, and each tribe has a different opinion as to what is most important. You can find tribes that are good (so good acts are fine, evil wrong), but there are also evil tribes where this is reversed and Uthgar has no trouble with it so long as the tribe is placed above all other concerns. A tribe that forms hordes to burn and pillage cities (such as Black Raven) get the same priority as those who adopt agriculture and build towns (Black Lion). Fiercely self-centred tribes that kill for sport (Gray Wolf) don't get any more favour over those who are selfless and hunt down evil monsters (Great Worm).

Are there any other examples?

[TarnishedSoul]

Speaking as someone who plays a cleric of Oghma, the dogma reads as "don't lie." It's not quite on the same level as paladins, but it can be pretty restrictive if you look at it from that perspective.

Knowledge, particularly the raw knowledge of ideas, is supreme. An idea has no weight, but it can move mountains. The greatest gift of humankind, an idea outweighs anything made by mortal hands. Knowledge is power and must be used with care, but hiding it away from others is never a good thing. Stifle no new ideas no matter how false and crazed they seem; rather, let them be heard and considered. Never slay a singer, nor stand by as others do so. Spread knowledge wherever it is prudent to do so. Curb and deny falsehoods, rumor, and deceitful tales whenever you encounter them. Write or copy lore of great value at least once a year and give it away. Sponsor and teach bards, scribes, and recordkeepers. Spread truth and knowledge so that all folk know more. Never deliver a message falsely or incompletely. Teach reading and writing to those who ask (if your time permits), and charge no fee for the teaching.

[metaquad4]

Any of the elemental deities are reasonably restriction-less. Istishia, Kossuth, Grumbar, and Akadia.

Uthgar is, of course, pretty liberating as well.

Leira wouldn't be too bad. Just don't get caught in your lies?

Shaundakul I think would be too.

Waukeen? Maybe $he is pretty ok for what you want.

Gond should be fine, just invent stuff in your RP or encourage others to do so as well. Share knowledge of inventions, all that.

Sharess as well.

[Deathgrowl]

No gods are restrictionless. They all have pretty clear dogmas and goals for their priests.

I'm sorry, but choosing to go a divine class is always going to come with divine RP that you have to adhere to.

Easier to ask which god fits what you want to do the best.

[aaron22]

with regards to easiest to adhere to while just being a regular dude playing a video game. perhaps Myrkul. may be asked to preside over some postmortem activities, but we are all immortal so that is pretty easy.

[Calantyr]

No gods are restrictionless. They all have pretty clear dogmas and goals for their priests.

I never implied they were restrictionless, in fact that's kind of the point. To reiterate, which gods have such a broad remit or methodology that different worshippers can have completely opposite outlooks and still be favoured due to fulfilling a key point of dogma.

I'm sorry, but choosing to go a divine class is always going to come with divine RP that you have to adhere to.

Which, again, is absolutely fine and completely illustrates the point of the question.

Easier to ask which god fits what you want to do the best.

Which misses the point of the question. "What I want to do" is completely irrelevant in this hypothetical. It's an investigation into whether it is *possible* to RP two (or more) characters that worship the same god, and yet them be so different that to outsiders they might be considered heretics or enemies.

[chad878262]

Helm is an interesting one as you can have Paladins of Helm, but can also have LE Warriors (maybe even blackguards?) that take a less benevolent view of the protector/guardian bit.

Hoar is similar in that he has Paladins, but there can also be the nastier side of retribution.

In fact I would say looking at many of the LN and CN deities offers a broad range of dogma that supports varying degree's of interpretation. Less so along the NG/NE between law and chaos, since in general D&D focuses a bit less on that, except with regard to the blood war between Demons and Devils.

[Deathgrowl]

It's an investigation into whether it is *possible* to RP two (or more) characters that worship the same god, and yet them be so different that to outsiders they might be considered heretics or enemies.

Oh yeah, absolutely. There are good aligned cults of Kossuth focusing on the purifying properties of fire and evil aligned cults of Kossuth focusing on the destructive properties of fire. And they clash. (I don't think Kossuth supports paladins and I am unsure if he supports blackguards, given their ability to animate the dead [Kossuth is kind of a nature god and all that])

There are certainly faiths that have split churches to the point of open, violent hostility.

I was under the impression when you asked "Which Diety has the broadest range of 'acceptable' actions permitted by it's adherants?" you meant, which god cares the least what his or her followers do with the powers they are granted.

Hoar is also likely to have a severe split in his church, given that he supports Paladins and lawful good clerics, but also lawful evil clerics. The evil clerics are probably not opposed to torture, for instance as a means of vengeance, whereas a lawful good cleric and paladin would definitely be fiercely against it. It's indeed maybe in Hoar you will find the most distance between followers among active player characters on the server right now.

Hoar is a lawful neutral god who is being torn between Tyr and Bane. I don't think you'll find as clear splits on the chaotic neutral side for gods, as their churches aren't as often organised enough to form great opposing factions.

Helm is an interesting one as you can have Paladins of Helm, but can also have LE Warriors (maybe even blackguards?)

I don't think Helm supports blackguards, given his opposition to undeath (which blackguards get the ability of creating, as noted). Could be wrong though.

[chad878262]

I don't think Helm supports blackguards, given his opposition to undeath (which blackguards get the ability of creating, as noted). Could be wrong though.

Good point, but he does support LE worshipers and clerics so there is still potential for differing views within the clergy as to how to go about protecting the flock.

Shaundakul is an example of a CN deity that supports any cleric with Chaotic alignment (good, neutral, or evil). However, as DG states Clergy are expected to live off the land so it's unlikely they meet each other very often. Doesn't mean that on occasion when they do meet there won't be the potential for disagreements in interpretation of the Dogma between a CG priest and a CE priest.

[Calantyr]

Hoar seems an interesting and dynamic option, the thirst for vengeance opposed to the desire for poetic justice. I can imagine individual good/evil adherants becoming vigilantes that outsiders might think were complete opposites to each other, however they are able to work together as long as criminals 'get their due'. Outside observers may not be able to appreciate this at all.

Jergal also seems to be an option rife with potential clashes (from the outside), but internally I see good/evil completely able to work together so long as the dead are respected. Raising the dead seems completely okay as long as it is done with reverance and to serve the greater purpose of life dying at it's apointed time. The RP practically writes itself, even though outsiders might consider one half to be nothing more than power-hungry necromancers.

Eilistraee could work as well, she seems to have a very 'live and let live' approach to inclusiveness, and a desire to see her followers find new ways to achieve her goals rather than simply following her dogma. That leaves plenty of options for miscommunication and strife (from the point of view with outsiders) as traditionalists clash with progressives.

I can't think of anything else off the top of my head though.

[V'rass]

The elemental gods would be the most tolerant. One of them does not even care if his servants worship him or not as long as they use his power to further the traits and philosophy he represents. Given that said elemental lord has always and will always exist and does not need worship to survive its understandable why.

[Tsidkenu]

If you want to play a priest on a long leash, roll a Favoured Soul. 'Nuff said.

[Calantyr]

If you want to play a priest on a long leash, roll a Favoured Soul. 'Nuff said.

I was under the impression that Favoured Souls didn't need to justify their actions at all, they just got their powers regardless. That's no fun.

[Zanniej]

I think that a lot of great suggestions have already been given. However, I did want to mention Gond once more, as I think clerics of Gond can live alongside each other, while still seeming to be two completely different clerics.

For example, I once had a neutral evil cleric of Gond. He was all about creation! ... of bombs ... and anything that can create as much destruction as possible...
That he intended to use those bombs to bomb whatever he could find (living or dead) is not relevant... he was creating bombs, that could be used for mining, or other handy things!

A neutral good cleric of Gond might be acceptant of that, as he is furthering knowledge and invention. He might not agree with the purpose it's used for ... but still...

Other than that, indeed, the clerics of Hoar might fit well, where only the method of retribution defines whether you're good or evil.

And Helm is all about protection. That might even go as far as Helmites protecting a group of orcs from a group of raiding paladins, just because those orcs require protection... (though I'm not sure about that one but I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong)

Lot's of possibilities. Just look for neutral gods, and be creative!

[Nyeleni]

I think any true neutal god allows for great freedom as long as the tenets of that god are followed. Silvanus for instance allows a great spread of alignments too. But due to the nature of that god it might be less interesting.