toodeep wrote:
Disciple of Jeggal Sag says that it is open to any ssethric race. Obviously this is essentially true, but my character has received some education in the teachings of Jeggal Sag (from a PC disciple). Though I have not dedicated myself to him, it was implied that the Shaman of Jeggal Sag would be open to a convert and if I would pledge myself I could become one.
That raises the question of non ssethric converts, not just to Jeggal Sag, but also possibly of the fire dragon. While I understand these would essentially be unique circumstances, I could see someone who regularly gets saved by BEAST, say, converting to the fire dragon despite not being a ssethric race.
Are the ssethric gods open to mammalian worshippers, and just as importantly, our their clergy open to teaching them? My opinion has always been probably no for the Fire Dragon (or at least his church) and probably yes for Jeggal Sag (if you consider that worship) since they seem a pretty open organization; but based on these rules I'm inclined to say no for both.
Can you tell us the church's viewpoint on converts? If Jeggal Sag is open to converts, would it be appropriate to change the racial requirements for the path?
You seem to be showing a major misunderstanding how a shaman's pact works. They do not simply 'worship' the primal beings and spirits who grant them their power, the forge PACTS with them. As such, simply 'worshiping' Jeggal Sag does absolutely nothing, and for one of his followers to teach you their spells means literally nothing because it is Jeggal Sag who provides the power, and the shaman is merely a conduit. In terms of Jeggal Sag being 'open to converts', as it stands right now there are no known examples of non-Ssethrics joining the Cult. The ssethrics tend to be VERY isolationist on their religion (read the Black Talon section for an example), and the Cult is that: a cult. It is a closed society of like-minded people who worship Jeggal Sag and make deals with him for magical abilities.
In terms of beings like Kassegore and the Fire Dragon, we know that non-ssethrics CAN worship them, just like we know that non-humans can worship the Pantheon of Man (dwarves, Ashen Hides, etc). The issue with how divine spells work is "who will teach you?" These are cants, which means they are rituals learned by rote and not gifted by the Gods. As such, you can worship Illiir all you want, but if nobody teaches you how to cast His spells, you can't do much. This matter is complicated further by the rather. . . sensitive views a lot of these churches have for 'foreign' Gods. A Black Talon worshiping Hurrian is likely to get a firm talking to by the Ssethric Inquisitors of the Fire Dragon.