Priest

This article is about the player background. For information on monster priests, see their specific articles.

Priests are religious devotees of Zin, the ancient and revered God of Law. Hill Orc Priests instead serve the Orc god Beogh. All Priests have some training in combat skills, but their main power comes from the Invocations granted by their god.

Priests start with 45 piety.

Racial Restrictions

Demigods, Mummies, Demonspawn, Ghouls, and Vampires cannot be Priests. Hill Orc Priests serve Beogh instead of Zin.

Starting Equipment

Most species receive the following, though some species may receive different items based on their unique restrictions.

• +0 quarterstaff
• +0 robe
• Bread ration
• 20 gold

Hill Orc Priests instead receive:

• +0 orcish hand axe
• +0 orcish robe
• Meat ration
• 20 gold

Starting Skills

These are adjusted by your species' aptitudes.

• Fighting: 2
• Chosen Weapon's Skill: 3
• Dodging: 1
• Invocations: 5

Strategy

Beginners who want to try a Priest should pick Human, High Elf, Hill Orc, or Minotaur. Other species are considered less suitable for playing as a Priest.

Unlike in certain other RPGs, Priests are in no way restricted in their choice of equipment during their adventure (although Beogh strongly endorses the use of orcish gear for his Priests), nor are their powers necessarily healing or buffing in nature. However, they are bound to the behavior restrictions laid down by their chosen god (at least if they want to avoid divine retribution).

As with all religious classes, note that it is not mandatory to play a Priest to worship Zin, Beogh, or indeed any other god. Priests simply get a head start on the Invocations skill and building piety with their god.

Some players start this class for the quarterstaff and Invo skill, and then proceed to ditch Zin at the Temple. Since he doesn't exert wrath unless you join an evil or chaotic god (Beogh, Makhleb, Lugonu, Kiku, Yred, or Jiyva), this is actually safe, although he will silently brood, ready to exhibit wrath on you should you join an evil god.

History

This background will be removed in 0.13.