How to roleplay a Favored Soul?

[Twisted-Indoctrine]

Key thing is to remember they might not want anything to do with the God in question. It could be very interesting playing a favoured soul of Bane for example who wants nothing to do with the deity but finds himself shunned because of the association and forced to take control of things with brutal finality just to reach a semblance of peace in their own lives (which honestly sounds a lot like what Bhaal did to his children in many cases - "If you do not murder to survive they will kill you... they will kill you because of me - murder to survive, if nothing else child.").

I would think destiny would inevitably follow a favoured soul. There's only so long you can deny yourself what you are before you must embrace it or die.

[TakenByTheStormX]

I think favored souls could use a buff, they're a little underpowered right now. Good class otherwise, though.

[OnyxTigress]

I think favored souls could use a buff, they're a little underpowered right now. Good class otherwise, though.

Alright, who is the goon that left his cage unlocked again?

[TakenByTheStormX]

[GodBeastX]

Key thing is to remember they might not want anything to do with the God in question. It could be very interesting playing a favoured soul of Bane for example who wants nothing to do with the deity but finds himself shunned because of the association and forced to take control of things with brutal finality just to reach a semblance of peace in their own lives (which honestly sounds a lot like what Bhaal did to his children in many cases - "If you do not murder to survive they will kill you... they will kill you because of me - murder to survive, if nothing else child.").

I would think destiny would inevitably follow a favoured soul. There's only so long you can deny yourself what you are before you must embrace it or die.

I'm going to crap on this one. Remember, gods CHOOSE someone to favor for a reason, and Bane is one of, if not the, most unforgiving gods in FR. In fact, he's like, the only god where when his avatar appears his minions shit themselves, because they know somebody is about to get their asses kicked.

I can't imagine Bane ever choosing and supporting a favored soul who does nothing for him. I'm voting him #1 likely to make Kasso's thumb appear.

[[DM] Grinning Death]

Well, that kinda fits in with what he's saying. If he/she didn't conform to doing Bane's will, they'd in all likelihood be killed anyway for simply being associated with him (either by pissed off minions or angry good guys).

If the FS didn't do anything for him, there would be a very good chance they wouldn't survive long. And to survive, they'd have to act in accordance with the brutal tactics that Bane professes.

[Doubtful]

Agreed, I don't see Bane favouring people at random or in order to frustrate or cause moral conflict - If Bane hands out power it's for a pretty damn good reason or as part of some plot.

Cyric on the other hand...

"This guy's been a thorn in my side for years, wouldn't it be funny if his surly teenage son suddenly got a load of powers from me... *malevolent laughter*"

[Spacedog]

A friend and I tried that once. He was going to play a lawful good char given powers by Cyric, in effect, purely to mess with the poor schmuck. Unfortunately, Favored Souls do still have to be within an alignment of the deity's, and I think DMs wouldn't allow an exception to that. It's been ages; I've forgotten the details.


Edit: Thinking about it further, I think we might have just not bothered asking, as it would have been such a pain to do, basically.

[Kaybrie]

A friend and I tried that once. He was going to play a lawful good char given powers by Cyric, in effect, purely to mess with the poor schmuck. Unfortunately, Favored Souls do still have to be within an alignment of the deity's, and I think DMs wouldn't allow an exception to that. It's been ages; I've forgotten the details.


Edit: Thinking about it further, I think we might have just not bothered asking, as it would have been such a pain to do, basically.

Gods vary a lot and what conditions need be met can change depending on what deity is choosing to grant his favor. Some examples;

Lathander; A renowned hero of the Order of Aster slays some great enemy of the church, to commemorate his favor on this Paladin's family he blesses his first born son with his favor, in good faith that it'll be raised as a true and trusting servant of the deity. This plays into Lathander's favor in new beginnings with the child of the hero becoming chosen rather then the hero himself.

Cyric; More likely, Cyric would be a deity that plants his favor as more of a seed in a specific individual, and otherwise has no interference in the mans life. The dude would go on to live life, worship his own deity, do his own deal and advance through a social structure using his god-granted powers as the catalyst to his success. Then one day, when the conditions are right Cyric just pulls the curtain and dude goes insane, chaotic evil and pulls all the strings in his hands at once to throw an entire city/nation into chaos.

Shaukendal; As the god of adventurers, he may well be inclined to grant his favor to just that, an adventurer. A traveling hero, this relationship may be born and conveyed between the god and favored with relative ease, so the favored would feel more of a friendly kinship toward a deity who looked down and just said "Hey, this guy travels around a lot helping people out, I'm going to have words and see where it goes."


The three examples aren't even definite within the scope of those gods reasons behind making favored souls, they're just meant to portray the huge variety of reasons that a god might have to make a favored. Though it's always with purpose, a god's power is finite so they need to be given a return for every ounce of power they give out. No favored soul can be born, live out his life, and just die of old age without doing something their god wants them to do, unless they completely denounce the god and never call upon their power.

[Dihydrogen Monoxide]

Wow, that was very detailed and descriptive. Can we get an example for something a bit more slippery, like for Jergal or Siamorphe?

Also, do a favored soul's powers differ from a god who is dead, as compared to one who is alive? (This is probably more of a tabletop argument, but the clarification you guys provided is so excellent, I want to see what people will say. )

[Shedboy]

Also, do a favored soul's powers differ from a god who is dead, as compared to one who is alive? (This is probably more of a tabletop argument, but the clarification you guys provided is so excellent, I want to see what people will say. )

depends on your definition of "dead". Forgotten Realms deities seem to have more comebacks that boxers or football teams. Death seems to be an inconvenience rather than a permanent state (and sometimes an advantage - a bit like dying with a horde of quest goodies, dying then re-spawning back in town forgoing a long walk home :P ).

live-dead, not really terms that apply to gods. Exists or no longer exists might be a better descriptor. Or Active vs inactive, afterall they embody an ideal, and i am not sure they can "die", only not be thought or ascribed too. Hey I sound like a FS of Jergal talking!!

[Satoshi]

As long as the God still has enough of it's essence active in the world and/or enough true worshippers, even the clerics can still maintain their powers. We saw this during Myrkul's death through the 'True Believer' feat that allowed his clergy to continue casting divine spells even though he was a dead power and another god had his portfolio. I'm not certain how it would work for a Favoured Soul, but I assume that it wouldn't be too much different... unless your DM hates players and say, "No. You get sick, and slowly waste away until you too are dead."

[Lothoir]

As long as the God still has enough of it's essence active in the world and/or enough true worshippers, even the clerics can still maintain their powers. We saw this during Myrkul's death through the 'True Believer' feat that allowed his clergy to continue casting divine spells even though he was a dead power and another god had his portfolio. I'm not certain how it would work for a Favoured Soul, but I assume that it wouldn't be too much different... unless your DM hates players and say, "No. You get sick, and slowly waste away until you too are dead."

Just claim to be an Ur-Priest.

[Shedboy]

Just claim to be an Ur-Priest.

you ur sir

[Twisted-Indoctrine]

I can't imagine Bane ever choosing and supporting a favored soul who does nothing for him.

I can. Cruelty and a sick sense of satisfaction knowing you've left this innocent mortal with nothing to do but submit and embrace the might you dangle before him - a living beacon of your idea of a "gift" in all its terrible unavoidable and inescapable majesty.

It's kind of like being the ultimate crack dealer on a power trip. How could you not love doing that once and a while?