View source for Publication:Unearthed Arcana/Religious Character Background

===Religious Background===

Obviously, [[SRD:Cleric|clerics]] dominate this background category. In a larger sense, it represents all activities that have a strong religious element, and in the generally pious societies that dominate most campaigns, that's a pretty wide spread.

Recognition is by ascension in rank, with a character's ranks in [[SRD:Knowledge (Skill)#Religion|Knowledge (religion)]] providing a bonus on his recognition check.

====Example Religious Ranks====

The following ranks are loosely drawn from the Christian church as it existed in the Middle Ages. Accordingly, they won't be appropriate for all the fantasy religions in your game.

Religious Ranks (Highest to Lowest): acolyte, abbot, deacon, priest, high priest, bishop, prelate, archbishop, patriarch, cardinal.

{| class="zebra d20"
|+ Religious Background Activities
! align="left" | d100
! align="left" | Activity
! align="left" | Class
! align="left" | Feats
! align="left" | Skills
! align="left" | Gear
! align="left" | Contacts
! Rep
! align="left" | Recognition
|- class="odd"
| align="center" | 01-12
| Temple leader
| [[SRD:Cleric|Cleric]]
| [[SRD:Leadership|Leadership]], [[SRD:Spell Focus|Sp Focus (Ench)]]
| [[SRD:Diplomacy (Skill)|Diplomacy]], [[SRD:Sense Motive (Skill)|Sense Motive]], [[SRD:Knowledge (Skill)#Religion|Know (religion)]]
| Item that employs divine magic
| Influence
| align="center" | +½
| Rank, DC 26
|- 
| align="center" | 13-24
| Evangelist
| [[SRD:Cleric|Cleric]]
| [[SRD:Negotiator|Negotiator]], [[SRD:Spell Focus|Sp Focus (Conj)]]
| [[SRD:Diplomacy (Skill)|Diplomacy]], [[SRD:Knowledge (Skill)#Religion|Know (religion)]], [[SRD:Spellcraft|Spellcraft]]
| Item that aids interaction
| Influence
| align="center" | +1
| Rank, DC 28
|- class="odd"
| align="center" | 25-33
| Sacred librarian
| [[SRD:Bard|Bard]] or [[SRD:Cleric|Cleric]]
| [[SRD:Diligent|Diligent]], [[SRD:Investigator|Investigator]]
| [[SRD:Gather Information (Skill)|Gather Info]], [[SRD:Knowledge (Skill)#Religion|Know (religion)]], [[SRD:Knowledge (Skill)#History|Know (history)]], [[SRD:Spellcraft (Skill)|Spellcraft]], [[SRD:Search (Skill)|Search]]
| Item with divination aura
| Information
| align="center" | +0
| Rank, DC 30
|- 
| align="center" | 34-42
| Keeper of the dead
| [[SRD:Cleric|Cleric]]
| [[SRD:Extra Turning|Extra Turning]], [[SRD:Spell Focus|Sp Focus (Necro)]]
| [[SRD:Knowledge (Skill)#Religion|Know (religion)]], [[SRD:Spellcraft|Spellcraft]], [[SRD:Concentration (Skill)|Concentration]]
| Item with necromancy aura
| Skill
| align="center" | +0
| Rank, DC 30
|- class="odd"
| align="center" | 43-51
| Cultist
| [[SRD:Cleric|Cleric]]
| [[SRD:Spell Focus|Sp Focus (Conj)]], [[SRD:Spell Focus|Sp Focus (Necro)]]
| [[SRD:Disguise (Skill)|Disguise]], [[SRD:Concentration (Skill)|Concentration]], [[SRD:Spellcraft (Skill)|Spellcraft]]
| Item that aids disguise or secrecy
| Information
| align="center" | +0
| Rank, DC 26
|- 
| align="center" | 52-64
| Inquisitor
| [[SRD:Cleric|Cleric]]
| [[SRD:Spell Focus|Sp Focus (Dlv)]], [[SRD:Investigator|Investigator]]
| [[SRD:Sense Motive (Skill)|Sense Motive]], [[SRD:Intimidate (Skill)|Intimidate]], [[SRD:Spellcraft (Skill)|Spellcraft]]
| Item with divination aura
| Information
| align="center" | +½
| Rank, DC 28
|- class="odd"
| align="center" | 65-77
| Exorcist
| [[SRD:Cleric|Cleric]]
| [[SRD:Spell Focus|Sp Focus (Abj)]], [[SRD:Spell Penetration|Spell Penetration]]
| [[SRD:Spellcraft (Skill)|Spellcraft]], [[SRD:Concentration (Skill)|Concentration]], [[SRD:Knowledge (Skill)#The Planes|Know (the planes)]]
| Item that affects extraplanar creatures
| Influence
| align="center" | +½
| Rank, DC 30
|- 
| align="center" | 78-88
| Temple guardian
| [[SRD:Paladin|Paladin]], [[SRD:Fighter|Fighter]], or [[SRD:Blackguard|Blackguard]]<sup>1</sup>
| [[SRD:Power Attack|Power Attack]], [[SRD:Cleave|Cleave]]
| [[SRD:Knowledge (Skill)#Religion|Know (religion)]], [[SRD:Spot|Spot]], [[SRD:Climb|Climb]]
| Armor
| Skill
| align="center" | +0
| Rank, DC 28
|- class="odd"
| align="center" | 89-100
| Cloistered
| [[SRD:Monk|Monk]]
| [[SRD:Dodge|Dodge]], [[SRD:Mobility|Mobility]]
| [[SRD:Tumble (Skill)|Tumble]], [[SRD:Jump (Skill)|Jump]], [[SRD:Balance (Skill)|Balance]], [[SRD:Hide (Skill)|Hide]], [[SRD:Move Silently (Skill)|Move Silently]]
| Item that provides protection
| Skill
| align="center" | +0
| Rank, DC 28
|}

1. Sp Focus = [[SRD:Spell Focus|Spell Focus]]; Know = [[SRD:Knowledge (Skill)|Knowledge]]; Gather Info = [[SRD:Gather Information (Skill)|Gather Information]].
2. Indicates a prestige class. Only available if the class is allowed in the campaign.

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