Priest
This article is about the obsolete 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
Like Monks, Priests start with worse gear and weapons, but have a head start with their god. Recommended species include High Elf, Minotaur, and Hill Orc which are strong in the early dungeon. As with all religious classes, it is not mandatory to play a Priest to worship Zin / Beogh, but priests start with Invocations skill, and start gaining piety earlier.
Unlike in certain other RPGs, priests are not restricted in their choice of equipment - though Beogh boosts the power of orcish equipment. Priest's powers are not tied to healing or buffing, either. However, they are bound to the behavior restrictions laid down by their chosen god (at least if they want to avoid divine retribution).
Zin does not inflict wrath on abandonment, unless you switch to an evil or chaotic god (Makhleb, Lugonu, Kiku, Yred, Jiyva, Xom). Some priests may find it reasonable to switch to another god, using their background for the quarter staff and Invocations skill.
History
- The Priest background was removed in 0.13.
