Symbol:  Any animal totem (varies by cleric)

Home Plane:  Happy Hunting Grounds

Portfolios:  Animals

Worshippers:  Druids, Hunters, Farmers, All who use animals

Worshipper’s Alignment:  Any non-evil

Clerics:  CG, NG, N

Domains:  Animal, Chaos, Good, Nobility, Scalykind

Favored Weapon(s):  None

 

Description:

 

Cernan is seldom depicted in human form. However, from the few accounts appearing, he is young, tan, and muscled with long, brown hair either tied back from his face or flowing free. Cernan appears with a host of different animals, mixed groups of predators and prey.

 

History/Relationships:

 

Cernan concerns himself more with the welfare of animals and their habitats than he does with other deities. He works well with Gliddan, since they share part of a domain, and he has a working relationship with Ceiwen that overlaps their interest in the hunt. Cernan opposes the debasement of animals used by Avaia, Galadan, and the Cthons.   He opposes Rakoth for his wanton destruction of nature. However, Cernan places his opposition in the realms of protection and nurture rather than actively striking out against his enemies.

 

Dogma:

 

Animals owned the land before man appeared and will after he is gone. Strive to achieve harmony where animals and men may live together in peace. Protect them from misusing hands when they cannot protect themselves. Where beasts and men coexist, men will care for them as charges. Their gifts of companionship, food, cloth, and travel bear a responsibility in kind. Men who abuse this gift revoke its rights. It is natural for predators and prey to exist; this is not evil and is not to be punished.

 

Clergy and Temples:

 

Cernan has few organized temples within cities. The majority of his clerics in urban areas deal directly with the welfare of animals and not humans. Some governments pass responsibility for animal care to Cernanites, letting them take charge of the welfare of livestock and husbandry. Those temples that do exist on their own are often sanctuaries for exotic and varied animals. Several cities possess reserves where animals roam over larger areas and may be observed by cityfolk, and Aldernon possesses a zoo (of sorts) where animals from tropical climes may be seen. These conservancies are a point of contention between extremists in the Cernanite clergy; the left views them as a way to educate and preserve endangered animals, while the right sees them as exploitation and unnatural. Cernan has voiced no opinion either way. Clerics of Cernan typically pray for spells in the morning when the new day begins; however, those who favor nocturnal animals pray at sun’s set. Clergy tend to develop an empathy towards certain types of animals and devote themselves more towards that charge, but no Cernanite ignores the needs of any animal.

 

Cernanites eschew metallic armor and weapons, preferring the use of animal hides or no armor.  Weapons are seldom used but are made from bone or exoskeleton. Cernanites sometimes multiclass as fighters, druids, and rogues. The learning of magic is not forbidden but is not a traditional path. Cernan does not sponsor paladins of any kind.

 

Special Abilities:

 

Cernanite clergy gain special abilities as they progress in their dedication to the Beastlord. Unless otherwise specified, these powers are supernatural abilities usable at will by the caster only.

 

3rd level –   the cleric gains the ability to speak with animals as the spell with unlimited duration.

7th level –   the cleric gains use of a Bull’s Strength (1/day).

9th level –   the cleric gains use of a Cat’s Grace (1/day).

12th level – the cleric gains the ability to Wildshape as a druid (1/day).

 

Rituals:

 

Cernan makes several rituals available to those who please him. They are detailed below along with costs and other pre-requisites. Before any of these rituals will be performed, Unless otherwise specified, these powers are usable only by the recipient of the ritual.

 

Beastfriend -- This ritual produces an aura of protection equal to a sanctuary spell, specifically versus hostile animals. Against neutral or friendly animals, it offers a +5 enhancement bonus to all checks involving animal handling. The ritual drains 500XP from the recipient.

 

Tongue of Beasts -- This ritual grants the recipient the permanent ability to speak with animals as the spell with unlimited duration. The ritual drains 500XP from the recipient. Totemic mark: This ritual calls upon the spirit of one animal type to permanently increase a desired ability score. A recipient may only receive this enhancement benefit once per score at a cost of 500XP per score increased.