DM Note: Before beginning the discussion of Religion, Miracles, differing Faiths, God vs Gods and Goddesses, True vs False and all the related issues of the Religious Minefield; lets get a few things straight. THIS IS A GAME! Though the names, titles and symbols of ‘real’ religions have been used, the interpretations and ‘game’ features are purely fictional and intended to work with the game mechanics. This is NOT a reflection of my beliefs or how I value, rate or view ANY religion or culture. I have selected a few high profile religions, out of the hundreds, maybe thousands, the have and do exist. Not selecting one is not meant as a slight on my part, just an effort to keep things manageable as a DM. The choices were also meant to try and reflect the faiths most likely to be found in Victorian England and the immediate Continent in the late 19th century.
If you have an issue with how I have written up your particular faith, feel free to contact me with some constructive suggestions for changes or improvements. Keeping game balance in mind, I am open to ideas. If you are angry, offended, outraged, distressed or otherwise put out by what you read, well… I politely suggest that you move along to another game.
Mystic Class
Although there are many religious teachers, leaders and practitioners in the world, only a very few are Truly Touched and Blessed with the Power to do more then just talk their faith. Curiously, the Power to perform these seeming Miracles is NOT limited to any one faith but can in fact manifest itself in almost any religion. It is a very rare gift, perhaps not as rare as the Arcane Adept, but still most unusual.
Divine Power does not seem to care about Gender. Mystics can be male or female! However, religious institutions often DO care about gender!
Unlike Adepts, the power tapped by Mystics is not Arcane, but rather Divine (or so they believe.) Whether they are right or not, it is clear that the Power displayed and the ‘spells’ performed by Mystics are different in nature to those done by Adepts.
Mystics are by nature more then just ‘Believers’ in their chosen Deity(s.) First, the fact that Mystics can and do occur in a variety of faiths leads to the conclusion that there is more at work then mere Belief in ______. If it were only a matter of Belief in ______, then the occurrence of Mystics should be limited to one Faith. Indeed, it seems likely that despite the superficial differences of the various religions, in the end they are in fact all worshiping the Same Thing/Being(s). Since it is not a matter of a particular belief, at least in the matter of the ‘Right’ Belief, what is the quality that makes a Mystic as opposed to a run of the mill Priest, Minister, Rabbi, Mullah or Parson?
Perhaps it is the degree of Faith or ‘Holiness.’ Or, perhaps there is some trait in the individual Mystic’s psychic that makes them open to channeling the Power they use. The few experts who have studied the lean in the latter direction. Despite the differences of Faith, culture, nationality and language, the manifestation of Mysticism seems consistent across the board.
Mystics generally reject the idea that they are ‘casting spells’ when they utilize their Powers. Some see it as Prayers or Miracles. Others may view it as Manifestations of nature or spirits… Whatever their explanation they do not believe that they ‘cast’ or in anyway control the Power beyond seeking its aid. Most Mystics will object to descriptions or characterizations of their work as being ‘Magic’ or ‘Arcane’ in nature.
Mystics (in VD) are, most commonly, Christian, Islamic or Jewish. The connection that these faiths have with the written word, the Bible, (Old and New Testament) the Torah and Kabbalah the Quran, Zabur and Sunnah and others, may have set the tone for Mystics of these faiths and their manifestations of Power. Many of the Powers displayed are centered on maintaining order, controlling and guarding against incursions of Evil from Outside.
Mystic’s Hit Dice is a D8
Weapon Proficiency
| Class | Initial Number | Non-Proficient Penalty | Added Weapon Proficiency Per Level |
| Mystic | 2 | -4 | 1/4 |
Mystics Abilities
Non Magical Rituals and Abilities of Mystics
Within a particular faith its leaders and teachers, Priests, Rabbis, Mullahs or whatever, have certain powers and responsibilities that are largely universal in nature and are (mostly) recognized by the secular authorities. These are not magical in nature and can be conducted by authorized non Mystics as well as authorized Mystics. In general they are a part and parcel of the title as defined by the Faith’s hierarchy. Some of these abilities are limited to Senior leaders in the particular faith.
For a Mystic Character to have these abilities, the Mystic must ALSO be a Cleric in good standing with the religious (and secular) authorities of the Faith. (See Clergy for more details.)
Mystical or Magical Abilities
Orisons
All Mystics have the ability to perform certain minor Orisons in addition to the more powerful ‘miracles’ (spells) that they learn as they advance in level These are IN ADDITION TO any spells the Mystic may pray for. See the page on Orisons for more information.
Miracles (Spells)
Most Mystics object to the term ‘spell’ when it comes to describing their abilities, preferring instead the term ‘Miracle’ or ‘Prayer’ or even ‘Power.’ These Miracles are prayed for at the start of each day and the scope of their power (spell level) is limited by the degree of enlightenment and ability of the Mystic (Level.) See the page on Mystic Spells.
Mystics are known for their Powers versus the Undead and Demonic and Diabolic creatures. They are able to Turn some Undead as well as Exorcise, Banish and Control Demons and Devils. Create Consecrated Weapons, Armor and Holy Water.
In addition to a Focus, Monotheist Mystics will also have a Holy Book (or two!) that contains rituals, ceremonies and prayers to assist them in invoking their Power.
Focus
One common feature of all Mystics is the use of a Focus to aid in using their Powers. the Focus can take various forms, largely dependent of the Religion or Cultural group the Mystic hails from.
Roman Catholic Mystics universally use a Crucifix.
Protestant Mystics a Cross or Fish
Eastern Orthodox Christians use a Byzantine or Russian Cross or a Greek Cross or a Sigla (Chi-Rho)
Jewish Mystics a Star of David or the Jewish Hamsa also called the ‘Hand of Miriam’
Islamic Sufi Mystics often use the Winged Heart or the Khamsa the ‘Hand of Fatima.’
The Focus is a primary material component for most Mystic Powers. In some cases the Mystic may also employ prayer books, incense, oils, candles, etc along with their focus.
Inherent Skills (No Point cost for the Basic ability (IN-1)
Literate (All Mystics can read and write their native language.)
Literate in Latin, speak, read and write (Catholic and Protestant Christian Mystics only)
Literate in Hebrew, speak, read and write (Jewish Mystic only)
Literate in Greek, speak, read and write (Greek Orthodox Mystic only)
Literate in Arabic, speak, read and write (Islamic Mystic only)
NOTE: As with any character, a Mystic may opt to learn other languages, including those listed above, but they must be paid for with skill points.
Mystic Experience Levels
| Level | Experience Points | Weapon Proficiencies | Skills | AC Bonus | Hit Dice (d8) |
|
1 |
0-2,500 |
2 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
|
2 |
2,501–4,500 |
2 |
4 |
2 |
|
|
3 |
4,501-7,000 |
2 |
4 |
3 |
|
|
4 |
7.001–14,000 |
2 |
5 |
1 |
4 |
|
5 |
14,001-28,500 |
3 |
5 |
5 |
|
|
6 |
28,501-57,000 |
3 |
5 |
6 |
|
|
7 |
57,001-114,000 |
3 |
5 |
1 |
7 |
|
8 |
114,001 -228,000 |
3 |
6 |
8 |
|
|
9 |
228,001-456,000 |
4 |
6 |
9 |
|
|
10 |
456,001-681,000 |
4 |
6 |
1 |
9+2 |
|
11 |
681,001–906,000 |
4 |
6 |
9+2 |
|
|
12 |
906,001 — 1,131,000 |
4 |
7 |
9+2 |
|
|
12 |
1,131,001 — 1,356,000 |
5 |
7 |
1 |
9+2 |
|
14 |
1,356,001 — 1,581,000 |
5 |
7 |
9+2 |
|
|
15 |
1,581,001 — 1,806,000 |
5 |
7 |
9+2 |
Each level after 15 is 250,000 Experience points
Mystic Spell advancement
Mystic Level |
Spell Level |
|||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | ||
| 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 4 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | |
| 6 | 4 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | |
| 7 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | |
| 8 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | |
| 9 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| 10 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| 11 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | — | — | |
| 12 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | — | |
| 13 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 2 | — | |
| 14 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 1 | |
| 15 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 1 | |
| 16 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 2 | |
| 17 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | |
| 18 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | |
| 19 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | |
| 20 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | |
Mystic bonus spells
| Mystic’s Wisdom Score |
Bonus Spells |
||||||
|
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
|
|
| 13 |
1 |
— |
— |
— |
|
|
|
| 14 |
1 |
— |
— |
— |
|
|
|
| 15 |
1 |
— |
— |
— |
|
|
|
| 16 |
2 |
1 |
— |
— |
|
|
|
| 17 |
2 |
2 |
— |
— |
|
|
|
| 18 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
— |
|
|
|
| 19 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
— |
|
|
|
| 20 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
|
Mystic Saving Throws Attack to be Saved Against
| Mystic’s Level | Paralyzation, Poison or Death Magic | Rod, Staff or Wand Magic Item, Spell** | Petrification or Polymorph* | Breath Weapon** |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1-3 |
10 |
15 |
13 |
16 |
|
4-6 |
9 |
14 |
12 |
15 |
|
7-9 |
7 |
12 |
10 |
13 |
|
10-12 |
6 |
11 |
9 |
12 |
|
13-15 |
5 |
10 |
8 |
11 |
|
16-18 |
4 |
9 |
7 |
10 |
|
19+ |
2 |
7 |
5 |
8 |
NOTE: ALL spells are cast by wands, staffs or rods
*Excluding polymorph wand attacks. **Excluding those that cause petrification or polymorph.
***Excluding those for which another saving throw type is specified, such as death, petrification, polymorph, etc.
| Available Weapon Proficiencies | |
| Firearms: Pistol | Light Club/Baton |
| Firearms: Long gun | Staff |
| Swordsmanship | Crossbow |
| Fencing | Archery |
| Knife | Brawling |
| Knife Throwing | |