Religious Traits (Greyhawk)

Unofficial rules compendium

Religion offers power not only to divine spellcasters, but to all the devout. These traits are available to all who worship the listed deities. Some will only work for those who have a specific class ability, such as channel energy.

Common Religion Traits

All religions award these.

Birthmark

You were born with a strange birthmark that looks very similar to the holy symbol of the god you chose to worship later in life. This birthmark can serve you as a divine focus for casting spells, and you gain a +2 trait bonus on all saving throws against charm and compulsion effects.

Caretaker

As the child of an herbalist or an assistant in a temple infirmary, you often had to assist in tending to the sick and wounded. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Heal checks, and Heal is always a class skill for you.

Ease of Faith

Your mentor, the person who invested your faith in you from an early age, took steps to ensure that you understood that what powers your divine magic is no different than that which powers the magic of other religions. This philosophy makes it easier for you to interact with others who may not share your views. You gain a +1 bonus on Diplomacy checks, and Diplomacy is always a class skill for you.

Faithful Feedback

A shared religious fervor makes your healing magic more effective. Whenever you cast a spell belonging to the healing subschool on someone of your religion, you get a +1 trait bonus per die - this can be extra hit points, attribute damage, or other healing measured in points.

First Memories

For your whole life, you’ve felt there was a world just beyond the fabric of the material objects around you, and sometimes you can hear the north wind calling you or smell the dread taint of polluted water before you taste it.

Prerequisite: Gnome

Benefit: You do not gain the normal list of spell-like abilities for the gnome magic racial trait. Instead, if you have a Wisdom of 11 of higher, you gain the following spell-like abilities:

1/day—detect poison, know direction, stabilize, and speak with animals.

The caster level for these effects is equal to your character level. The DC for these spells is equal to 10 + the spell’s level + your Wisdom modifier.

Indomitable Faith

You were born in a region where your faith was not popular, yet you never abandoned it. Your constant struggle to maintain your own faith has bolstered your drive. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Will saves.

Sacred Conduit

Your birth was particularly painful and difficult for your mother, who needed potent divine magic to ensure that you survived (your mother may or may not have). In any event, that magic infused you from an early age, and you now channel divine energy with greater ease than most. Whenever you channel energy, you gain a +1 trait bonus to the save DC of your channeled energy.

Zealot

You aren’t just faithful to the worship of your patron deity—you are obsessively loyal to all of the faith’s tenets and guidelines. Your devotion is an anchor that keeps you from drifting away into the throes of the Bleaching, and you cling to it like the life raft it is.

Prerequisite: You must match the alignment of your chosen deity exactly.

Benefit: You gain a +1 trait bonus on Knowledge (religion) checks, and that skill is a class skill for you. You gain an additional +5 circumstance bonus on Knowledge (religion) checks concerning your own religion. If you are a gnome, as long as you remain completely faithful to the tenets of your faith (as determined by the GM), you never suffer from the Bleaching.

Philosophy Traits

These are not exactly religious, but available to those who adhere to philosophies.

Contract Master

Devil Worship

Your facility with contracts makes you good at understanding dense text and obfuscating your intent. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Linguistics checks, and it becomes a class skill for you.

Demonic Persuasion

Demon Worship

Your lord grants you favor when interacting with demonic creatures. You gain a +2 trait bonus on Diplomacy and Intimidate checks when dealing with creatures of the demon subtype.

History of Heresy

You were raised with heretical views that have made it difficult for you to accept most religious beliefs and often caused you or those you love to be treated as pariahs. As a result, you have turned your back on religious teachings. As long as you do not possess any levels in a class that grants divine spellcasting power, you gain a +1 trait bonus on all saving throws made against divine spells.

Synchretist

Greyhawk syncretism

Your knowledge of the gods has given you a broad perspective. You gain a +1 trait bonus on all Knowledge (religion) skill checks, and Knowledge (religion) is always a class skill for you.

Specific Religious Traits

You must have a patron or adhere to an appropriate sect to learn these.

War against Hell

Vatun

Hell must suffer, and the best way to confront devils is with instant violence. While in combat with devils, you gain a +1 trait bonus to melee damage and on Will saving throws.

A Shining Beacon

Hieroneus, Mayahene

You carry a burning hatred in your heart for all things demonic, and have studied their weaknesses carefully. You gain a +1 trait bonus on weapon damage against demons.

Alluring

Lolth, Myhriss, Norebo

You have the art of turning a passing glance into love. You receive a +2 trait bonus on Diplomacy checks with those who find you attractive. You can use daze once per day as a spell-like ability, as a sorcerer of a level equal to your character level.

Alpha Hunter

Llerg, Obad-Hai, Phaukon, Telchur

You are the top predator in your area. You get a +2 trait bonus to initiative in the wilderness.

Ambassador

Al-Akbar, Allitur, Velnius

Your natural abilities at mediation and compromise manifested at a young age. For as long as you can remember, you were always more able to solve disputes and carefully settle violent disagreements than others. You gain a +2 trait bonus to Diplomacy checks.

Arcane Depth

Boccob

You have studied the great masters of spellcraft, and your knowledge is exceptional. You gain a trait bonus of either +2 on Spellcraft checks or Knowledge (arcana) checks. Which bonus you receive is chosen when you take the trait and may not be changed.

Battlefield Caster

Boccob

Your faith protects you even as you unleash spells in the thick of battle. You receive a +2 trait bonus on concentration checks to cast spells defensively.

Battlefield Surgeon

Heal becomes a class skill for you, and you can use the treat deadly wounds aspect of the skill 1 additional time per creature per day.

Beauty of Understanding

Lirr, Lydia

You have learnt that what is beautiful is often also right and true. You gain a +1 trait bonus on all Knowledge checks.

Blade of Mercy

You know that within the heart of even the most hateful and cruel living creature exists a sliver of shame and hope for redemption. You have trained long on martial techniques to use the weapon of your faith not to kill, but to subdue. When striking to inflict nonlethal damage with your patron's favored weapon, you do not take the normal –4 penalty on your attack roll. You can sneak attack with this weapon and still do stun damage if you choose to.

Broken Mind

You are used to living with your own madness. You gain a +2 trait bonus on saves against madness and confusion effects.

Centered

Geshtai

Having anchored yourself in your faith and your knowledge of yourself, you make it difficult for others to dominate you. You gain a +2 trait bonus on saves against charms and compulsions, and the DC of any attempts to use the Intimidate skill on you increases by +2.

Child of Nature

Berei, Fharlanghn, Oerth, Obad-Hai

You have been blessed to be as comfortable in the wilderness as you are at home. You gain a +2 trait bonus on Survival checks to find food and water, and a +1 trait bonus on Knowledge (nature) checks. One of these skills (your choice) is always a class skill for you.

Child of Spring

Atroa, Ehlonna

You have spent long months tending a park or other woodland. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Knowledge (nature) checks, and Knowledge (nature) is always a class skill for you. You may always make Knowledge (nature) checks as though you were trained in the skill.

Child of the Hills

Jascar, Ulaa

You have served your patron on and under hills. You gain a +2 trait bonus on Profession (miner) and Survival checks in hills.

Child of the Temple

Lendor

You have long served at a temple in a city, and not only did you pick up on many of the nobility’s customs, you spent much time in the temple libraries studying your faith. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Knowledge (local), Knowledge (nobility), and Knowledge (religion) checks, and one of these skills (your choice) is always a class skill for you.

Cleansing Light

Celene, Pelor

Your faith is pure and strong, and your positive energy purges undead. When dealing damage to undead with your channel energy, you can reroll any damage die that shows a natural 1.

Cleansing the Twisted

Al-Akbar

You have studied well the many religious texts that chronicle your patron's never-ending struggle against Tharizdun and his monstrous offspring. Your fighting style works particularly well against aberrations. You gain a +1 trait bonus to weapon damage against all aberrations.

Deathspeaker

Nerull

Your experience gives you a +2 trait bonus on Diplomacy checks when dealing with undead, as well as a +2 trait bonus on Charisma checks made to influence undead (for example, as part of the command undead spell).

Deck Fighter

Besmara

You are accustomed to compensating for the pitch and yaw of ocean-going ships. You gain a +2 trait bonus on attacks of opportunity when fighting aboard a ship.

Defensive Strategist

Fortubo, Moradin

Your knowledge of history and religion gives you an excellent mind for defensive strategy and tactics. You are not flat-footed when you are an unaware combatant. This includes a surprise round that you don’t get to act in, and before you get to act at the start of a battle.

Deformed

Beltar, Iuz

You have monstrous deformities. Your deformities grant you a +2 trait bonus on Intimidate checks, and Intimidate becomes a class skill for you.

Defy Madness

Celestian, Tharizdun

Your direct involvement with supernatural and alien forces has left you less vulnerable to the insanity they cause. You gain a +1 trait bonus on any saving throws against confusion, insanity, madness, and Wisdom damage and drain.

Demon Hunter

Pholtus, Rao

Raised in the church, you’ve focused your indoctrinated fervor on the elimination of demons. You gain a +2 trait bonus on Knowledge (planes) checks about demons and a +2 trait bonus on Will saves against mind-affecting spells and effects from demons.

Destructive Blows

Eruthnul

You call on your faith to destroy. You gain a +2 trait bonus on Strength checks made to break things, as well as on combat maneuver checks to sunder.

Devotee of the Green

Oerth

Your faith in the natural world or one of the gods of nature makes it easy for you to pick up on related concepts. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Knowledge (geography) and Knowledge (nature) checks, and one of these skills (your choice) is always a class skill for you.

Devotee of the Market

Mouqol

As an adherent of trade, you understand the importance of a good deal. You gain a +1 trait bonus on all Appraise checks, and a +2 trait bonus on Bluff checks when trying to make a deal with nonbelievers (Those not believing in a deity of your pantheon).

Divine Warrior

Bahamut, Mayahene, Pholtus

From an early age, you were trained by a militaristic order of clerics. You are devoted both to their teachings and to spreading those teachings by force. You gain a +1 trait bonus on melee weapon damage when your weapon is under the effect of a divine spell.

Dust of Ages

Delleb

You have spent a lot of time pouring over old tomes, and have learned to decipher even very odd text. You gain a +2 trait bonus to Linguistics checks, and Linguistics is a class skill for you.

Ear for Music

Lirr, Lydia

You spent countless hours of your youth in temples, listening to wonderful musicians and singers. You gain a +1 trait bonus on one category of Perform checks and a +2 trait bonus on any Knowledge (local) checks that deal with the local art or music scene.

Empty Heart, Full Heart

Because of the strength of your forbidden love you are more resistant to charms. You gain a +1 trait bonus on all saves against charm effects, and any targets of your own charm spells suffer a –1 on their saves.

Eye of the Sky

Phaukon

Your training in archery has given you a sharp eye. Perception is a class skill for you, and you are proficient in the short bow, composite short bow, long bow, and composite long bow.

Eyes and Ears of the City

Daern

Your religious training was entwined with your work serving the city watch of a large city, the primary duty of which was standing sentinel on a city wall. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Perception checks, and Perception is always a class skill for you.

Favor of the Sea

Procan

When you are aboard a water vessel about to suffer some calamity due to a failed Profession (sailor) check, you can make a Wisdom check in place of the failed skill check. If your result is better, use that instead. If it was your own Profession (sailor) check that failed, you can re-roll the skill rather than a raw Wisdom check.

Flame of the Dawn

Bahamut, Joramy, Pyremius

You have been raised to view yourself as a blade in the service of your faith, or you have taken that duty on for yourself. Whenever you score a critical hit with your patron's favored weapon, you deal an additional point of fire damage to your target. This damage multiples as normal for the damage from a critical hit.

Feat of Strength

Kord

You have trained long and hard to be able to do amazing feats of strength. You get a +2 bonus on Strength checks, but not on Strength-based skill checks (including untrained ones) or other Strength-related rolls, such as damage.

Fencing

Rudd

You have learnt fencing form the masters of your faith. You can use the Weapon Finesse feat, but only with the dagger and rapier.

Foraging Raider

Eruthnul, Sevelkhar

You take all you can find and piss on the rest. You gain a +5 bonus on Survival rolls to find food and water in an area with a one-mile diameter. For the next week, anyone (including you) who tries to find food or water in this area suffers a -5 penalty. By striking an object hard, you gain a +5 trait bonus on Perception checks to find hidden compartments or treasure in it - but you create a great amount of noise, are likely to trigger any traps, and may well destroy what you are searching for.

Generosity of the Earth

Ulaa

You gain a +2 trait bonus Perception checks underground and on Profession (miner).

Glimpse of Fate

Istus

When you cast augury, you have 10% greater chance of success. Once per day as spell like power that takes a full-round action to use, you can try to divine the future within the next minute - this otherwise works as the augury spell.

Green Mother

Berei, Merikka, Phyton

You have a gift for fertility, and any life you care for thrives

You gain a +1 trait bonus on Handle Animal, Heal, Profession (farmer), and Profession (shepherd).

Guardian of the Forge

Daern, Bleredd

Your sacred duties are to protect the faithful, take lessons from the great craftsmen and strategists of the past, and prepare against dark times. You receive a +1 trait bonus on Knowledge (engineering) and Knowledge (history) checks. One of these skills (your choice) is a class skill for you.

Hero of the Hall

Kord, Olidarma, Sotillion

You've survived many a night of drunken carousing, and even started a few successful adventures there. You gain a +2 trait bonus on Fortitude saves against poison (including alcohol) and on saves against effects that cause the nauseated or sickened condition.

Honeyed Words

Atroa, Rao, Sotillion

Your tact soothes bristling tempers and cools heated blood. You receive a +1 trait bonus on Diplomacy checks. In addition, you receive a +1 trait bonus to the DC of any charm or compulsion that does not provide ongoing control and results in peaceful acts, such as calm emotions, sleep, or a suggestion to lay down arms.

Inspired Navigator

Osprem

You have good intuition about location at sea. You gain a +2 trait bonus on Knowledge (geography) and Knowledge (nature) at sea or pertaining to the sea.

Keeper of Coins

Mouqol

Commerce is the lifeblood of any great city, and grist for the mill. As a faithful servant of your god, you've served in the market, whether as clergy or laity. You've learned to keep a sharp eye out for the best deal, and gain a +1 trait bonus on Perception and Sense Motive checks.

Lead from Behind

Hextor, Iuz

You have learned to use your allies as protection. When adjacent to an ally, you have cover against ranged attacks, even if the ally is not in the path of the attack.

Magic is Life

Celene, Corellon

Your faith in magic allows you to reflexively use the energy of any spell effect on you to save you from death. As long as you are under the effects of any spell, you gain a +2 trait bonus on saving throws against death effects. If you are reduced to negative hit points while you are under the effects of any spell, you automatically confirm stabilization checks to stop bleeding.

Masked in Shadow

Vecna

Adherents of this faith prefer to conceal their true identities beneath masks. When masked or disguised, you receive a +1 trait bonus on Bluff and Stealth checks. You never risk poisoning yourself when applying poison to a blade or using a poisoned weapon.

Master Smith

Bleredd, Moradin

You forge the weapons of heroes. You can use Craft (weaponsmith) and Craft (armorer) as if you possessed the Craft Magic Arms and Armor feat to create magic weapons and armor with a caster level equal to your character level. You cannot use Spellcraft to create items this way. Unless you are a spellcaster, or work with one, you will usually take crafting penalties because you lack spell prerequisites.

Mercurial

Dalt, Luna, Trithereon

Like the alchemical metal, mercury, your mind constantly darts from one problem to another. The first time you try a skill check that you could normally take 20 on, you gain a +2 trait bonus on the roll. You cannot take 20 on skill checks, and suffer a -2 penalty on skill check retries.

Monster Slayer

Jascar

You have made those travesties called monstrous humanoids into your special foes. You gain a +1 trait bonus on weapon damage against monstrous humanoids.

Face of the Moon

Luna, Sehanine

Your face reflects moonlight and enhances your powers. In direct moonlight, you gain a +1 trait bonus on all Charisma-based checks.

Mystery of the Stars

Corellon

Your charm is strongest under the light of the mysterious stars. In direct starlight, you gain a +1 trait bonus on all Charisma-based checks.

Necrotic Aura

Incabolous

Your exposure to the necromantic arts has strengthened your defenses against its vile rot. You gain a +1 trait bonus on saving throws against spells from the necromancy school or any effect that deals negative energy damage.

Obsessed Craftsman

Dalt

You strive for perfection in a single art or craft - and to testing to destruction any device made by craft. Select one Craft skill. You gain a +1 trait bonus to this craft and to Disable Device checks. One of these skills is a class skill for you.

Patient Optimist

Allitur

You know that all things pass in time, and are used to having to repeat arguments multiple times to convince even the most stubborn believer. You gain a +2 trait bonus on Diplomacy checks to influence hostile or unfriendly creatures, and if you fail at such an attempt you may retry it once.

Hard Worker

Bralm, Lendor, Merikka, St. Cuthbert

Existence is unending toil. By laboring unto exhaustion, greatness can be achieved. You receive a +2 trait bonus when retrying a previously failed skill check or ability check, as well as when taking 20 on skill checks and ability checks.

Ride in Friendship

Ehlonna

You suffer no penalties when you use the Ride skill to ride without a saddle. If you have the Animal Companion class feature or one of it's variants, you can choose a unicorn as monster cohort at level 10 by giving up your animal companion. This functions just like the Leadership feat, except you only gain your unicorn cohort; you do not gain followers.

Covetous Dedication

Kurell, Vecna

You let nothing deter you from finding the object of your desire. Once per week you can dedicate yourself to acquiring something as a full-round action. This can be an object, a piece of information, or even a person's affections. It must be something of significant value, something not trivial. You gain a +2 trait bonus on Bluff, Intimidate, and Sleight of Hand while dedicated in this way - the effect ends when you achieve your objective or after one week. If you fail to achieve your objective by the end of the week, you take 1d6 Wisdom and Charisma damage as your confidence collapses.

Premeditated Murder

Kurell, Nerull, Pyremius

You have a special divine connection that enhances your ability to commit murder. Once per week you can declare a creature your victim. This is a full-round action, but takes 10 minutes to take effect; until the 10 minutes have passed, you gain no benefit. You gain a +2 trait bonus on damage against a creature you have premeditated to murder. You can only have one premeditated murder active at a time, and an old one only ends when the target dies or you atone.

Sacred Fool

Olidarma, Ralishaz, Rudd

When you throw caution to the winds, your patron is by your side. When you use Bluff, Disguise, Disable Device, Sleight of Hand, or Stealth, a die roll of 16 or more always succeeds, no matter the DC. This only applies to your initial check - when others your skills to counter your efforts, they work normally.

Sacred Home

Fortubo

You hold the home sacred, and defend it with all your might. When in a place where you are sleeping or have slept, you gain a +5 trait bonus on Perception checks. This includes campsites, but only if they are in use; a spot reclaimed by nature ceases being a home when you break camp.

Sacred Prostitute

Myhriss, Phyton

You worked as a sacred prostitute, and you know how to flatter, please, and (most of all) listen. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Sense Motive checks and Diplomacy checks, and one of these skills (your choice) is always a class skill for you.

Scholar of the Great Beyond

Cyndor

Your great interests as a child did not lie with current events or the mundane— you have always felt out of place, as if you were born in the wrong era. You take to philosophical discussions of the Great Beyond and of historical events with ease. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Knowledge (history) and Knowledge (planes) checks, and one of these skills (your choice) is always a class skill for you.

Slayer's Oath

Sehanine

You have sworn your life to stopping the propagation of the undead; your patron has heard and approved your choice. You gain a +1 trait bonus on weapon damage rolls when battling the undead.

Sudden Rage

Joramy, St Cuthbert

Your anger flares sudden and hot, but fades just as quickly. Intimidate is a class skill for you. You can attempt to influence a target's attitude in a sudden burst. This is a full-round action and works like the Influence Attitude ability of Intimidation except as noted here. It does not work on people with a hostile attitude. A target whose attitude you have adjusted returns to their old attitude (does not become hostile) after 1d6 + your Charisma modifier minutes. Repeated or abusive use of this ability can worsen attitudes.

Starchild

Celestian, Fharlanghn

Your patron sensed your love of travel and promised you would always be able to find your way home. You can automatically determine where true north is. You can automatically determine where true north is. You gain a +4 trait bonus on Survival checks to avoid becoming lost.

Strength of the Sun

Pelor

You take solace in the purifying light of the sun. In direct sunlight, you gain a +1 trait bonus on all Charisma-based checks.

Time for Wisdom

Cyndor, Delleb

You have access to the wisdom of the ages, if you but give yourself time. You can retry a failed Knowledge check once by taking a full-round action thinking about the problem.

Totem Incarnate

Llerg (bear, constrictor snake, or alligator), Lolth (spider), Osprem (dolphin, barracuda, or sperm whale), Trithereon (canine, bird of prey, and lizard)

Your animal totem speaks to you in the physical world. Choose one of the favored animals of your patron. You can use Handle Animal as if it was Wild Empathy to befriend animals of this type. If you have an animal companion of this type you have a special empathic bond with your familiar; you can feel each other emotions and reactions out to a mile distance, and you can call your companion to you over this distance. If you have a familiar of this type, the range of your empathic link is extended to 1 mile/2 levels. If you summon a creature of this type, you can command it by telepathic means.

Treasure the Hidden

Procan

When you either find or hide a significant treasure, your confidence soars. When you either hide or find a hidden treasure of significant value, you gain a +2 trait bonus to Intimidate, Knowledge (geography), and Perception. The value of the treasure must be at least half your net worth. This bonus lasts until you level up next. If you leveled at about the same time as you activated this ability, it lasts until you next level up (that is, you should be able to enjoy it for almost one complete level).

You can vow to search for a certain treasure, and as long as you are actively questing for that treasure, you also enjoy the above bonus.

Trust in Chance

Norebo, Ralishaz

You gain a +2 trait bonus on Profession (gambler) and on Bluff, Sleight of Hand, and Sense motive when related to gambling.

Tyrant

Hextor, Tiamat

You gain a +2 bonus on Intimidate checks to influence attitude. Intimidate is a class skill for you.

Under Siege

Beltar, Incabolous

In order to maintain your devotion in a hostile land, you and your fellow worshipers developed a complex system of hand signs and facial gestures to identify yourselves as faithful. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Bluff and Sense Motive checks. One of these skills (your choice) is always a class skill for you.

Unnatural Presence

Telchur, Tarizdun

Your prolonged association with alien forces leaks from your pores. You can use your Intimidate skill to demoralize animals and vermin; Intimidate is a class skill for you.

Ward Enemy

Hieroneous (demons),

You have learned the secrets of an ancient prayer that wards off the attacks of outsiders.

As a standard action, you can recite a holy chant that affects outsiders of a certain type as if you were under the effect of a sanctuary spell (Save DC equal to 1/2 your Hit Dice + your Charisma modifier). This is a supernatural ability. The kind of outsider you ward depends on your patron.

Weather Sense

Velnius

The winds whisper to you about coming weather. You gain a +4 trait bonus on Survival checks to predict weather.

Vermin Whisperer

Bralm

You have toughened your flesh against venom and blessed you with the ability to influence vermin. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Fortitude saving throws against poison. You may make Diplomacy checks (or wild empathy checks if you are a druid or ranger) to improve a Hostile or Unfriendly insectile vermin’s attitude toward Indifferent.

Waste Water

Sevelkhar

When you channel negative energy, you have the additional effect of polluting any open collections of water in the area, making it vile-tasting and a carrier of blinding sickness. This can poison a replenishing water source (such as a well), but to infect a body of water larger than the area covered by your channel energy ability you must channel repeatedly to cover all of it, or the effect fades in an hour. Water in closed containers such as water skins are not affected.

Water Seeker

Geshtai

You can find water even in the most arid and desolate land. You gain a +5 trait bonus on Survival checks to find water in arid terrain, and you find water sufficient for one medium sized creature for every point your roll exceeded the difficulty.

Winter's Favor

You gain cold resistance equivalent of that of endure elements.

Wisdom in the Flesh

Your meditation on the nature of strength and speed allows you to focus your thoughts to achieve things your body might not be able to do on its own. Select any Strength, Constitution, or Dexterity-based skill. You make checks with that skill using your Wisdom modifier instead of its normal ability score. That skill is always a class skill for you.