Spirit Shamans and Ancestor Worship

[Kitsunestume]

I was trying to make a spirit shaman, and it seems that the deities are limited to the nature-y and elemental deities. I recall that there was a related discussion some time back, but is there a problem with making a spirit shaman of another deity, and stating that one's power is granted by one's departed relations?

As a related note, would it be acceptable to make a char with one of the limited deities and have it changed shortly after creation?

Cheers,
Kit

[Doubtful]

Unfortunately it turned out not to be possible to open up the deity selection for Spirit Shaman, they use exactly the same table as druids do, so changing it isn't really viable. Changing it after creation wouldn't work either, you'd only have to reselect it on level up.

Your best bet is to choose a nature deity that in some way ties to your ancestors, after all your ancestors must have worshipped some kind of deity as they'll hardly be funneling power to your character while they're embedded in the wall. Generally we try to avoid situations where god x is a stand in for entity y.

[Vladadier]

Hmmmm... There are a few of the Nightjaws who wish to be Shaman... Perhaps we can fiend a diety that they would also accept simply for the fact they they speak with the ancestors, but the issue again comes where they RP their deity as Shargaas.

[Satoshi]

You'll have to stick to a cleric. Sure, it's not a spirit shaman, but goblins call their clerics of Mulgubyet shamans anyway. It's not a spontaneous spellcaster, but for roleplay purposes it's just as fitting of the role the 'shaman' is looking to fill for the tribe.

[Torgar]

You can also just wait until you hit level 20, and ask for a deity change to the proper intended deity, since although it is very possible to hit 21, it does take a bit of time. I meant to do that with my Lathandarite SS, but just decided to have him call himself a lathandarite, because the deity on your character sheet isn't the only deity you worship.

[kuscotopia]

Aye, has the staff considered reflecting worship of many gods in Spirit Shaman by granting Knowledge: Religion as a class skill?

At least then a shaman could tend to the rituals of a particular set of gods with less baggage from the NWN2 side of things.

[Doubtful]

I'm all for opening up the knowledge skills for all classes, lay priests, scholar warriors and all sorts should be encouraged, however I'm pretty sure we'd need to check for any unintended issues with PRCs first.

Satoshi is right about the clerical side, if you want everyone in your group to follow the same deity then cleric is your only option for divine spellcasters. I wouldn't get to hung up on class names, a cleric can be just as shamenly as a spirit shamen.

[Vladadier]

What if they hit level 20 then asked for the diety change? Not trying to be difficult, just some of them are set on wanting a spirit shaman. Not sure why, as I have never used one. A couple already made them with different gods... We want everyone to be Shargaas for grey orc thing, but I don't want to be the one saying nah the class you want cant be used with shargaas, conform or don't play.

[Farmboy2003]

Sorry to butt in, but isnt there a clear distinction between deity and spirits in regards to spells? The spirits grant the spells and abilities, don't they? Mechanically they just got thrown in with druids. What I mean is, can't you pick any diety ame worship it like any other character, and then commune with spirits for spells?