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Demigod
One of the most widespread beliefs among kender is
that of the legendary hero, Uncle Trapspringer. A role model and
daring adventurer, Uncle Trapspringer is every kender's uncle, who
has been to just about every place imaginable and is always willing
to tell them all about it. Throughout the tales, his deeds, identity
and hairstyle have been so distorted and exaggerated that no non-kender
scholars have been able to ascertain for certain whether he ever
existed. But there is no doubt in minds of the kender. In fact,
there are some who claim that Trapspringer never died, but in fact
ascended to godhood, and some of these have priestly powers to prove
it.
Despite various arguments to the contrary - many
claiming that the supposed diety is in fact an aspect of Branchala
- Uncle Trapspringer and his priesthood are presented here as if
he were a real god, albeit not a very powerful one.
Statistics: AL CG; WAL Any good; AoC Kender, travellers
Uncle Trapspringer has never been 'reliably' sighted,
and thus it cannot be determined if he has an avatar or not. What
follows is a general description of him as the stories and the second-cousin's
best friend's nephew's pen-pals describe. Trapspringer is tall for
a kender, above four feet, and has hair reaching down about to his
waist when let down. He is about middle aged with many wrinkles,
many of which are smile lines. He carries a hoopak, at least five
pouches, and dresses in bright, multicoloured clothing. Most who
have alleged encounters with him report him to talk in a very confusing
way.
The Priesthood
The priesthood of Uncle Trapspringer is mostly a
small one - the only known permanent shrine is in Hylo, but its
followers can be found anywhere kender can. The decision to join
the priesthood is generally made at about the age where one would
embark on wanderlust, and in fact, wanderlust usually follows almost
immediately after. Uncle Trapspringer does not have a fixed holy
symbol. Upon joining (which involves no ritual other than this),
the young kender takes the most interesting object he can find as
his symbol. It is rumoured that this will always find its way back
to the priest after this.
Priests of Uncle Trapspringer must have at least
a 13 in charisma and a 15 in dexterity, and are required to learn
the proficiency 'Direction Sense'. They must, of course, be kender.
They have major access to the spheres of All, Travellers, and Weather,
and minor access to Protection and Charm. They cannot be granted
spells of above fifth level.
Priests never recieve encumbrance penalties, if that
rule is used, and gain a +5 to all handling skills. Upon reaching
third level, can move upon all roads and paths at normal movement
rate. Finally, at eighth level, the priest gains the ability to
know their location at will, once a week, so long as they have seen
it on a map. They may wear any armour, and use any kender designed
weapon.
Priests of Uncle Trapspringer may not own more than
they can carry.
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