Are all temples devoted to one of the gods in particular?

[Stemwinder]

Based on what Cait says it sounds like that's the idea, and it does make sense. That's how temples actually worked historically and teachings may conflict a bit too much to have a generalized body of scripture and conduct.

I ask because we have a temple there in Hawkethorne with an unclear affiliation and the PC can be an acolyte. The natural question following that is acolyte of whom?

 

[BubbleLord]

AFAIK, Sanders' temple isn't dedicated specifically to anyone; I know I was told it was okay to write some stuff for Tira involving him and his temple, at the very least.

The way I've viewed it in my head is that there are temples for specific gods, but it should be apparently obvious which ones they are. But it's also worth noting that the faith acknowledges the entire pantheon; it's probably something similar to ES where even if they ARE dedicated, they still support worship of the other gods.

But I'm speculating, so who knows.

 

[The Observer]

Savin has mentioned that the pantheon are essentially like the Greek Gods. There're always low-level squabbles, power plays and intrigue, but they don't fight.

I ask because we have a temple there in Hawkethorne with an unclear affiliation

It's said very clearly that this is a chapel of Velun.

The natural question following that is acolyte of whom?

That's up to you to decide. Most references to the acolyte background (at least, from my side) will be generic enough.

 

[Savin]

Most temples/priests are dedicated to one god, but would certainly offer a place to pray for members of all faiths. In huge cities there might be patheon-like temples to all the gods.

 

[Stemwinder]

I might have missed where the Hawkethorne temple gets its affiliation mentioned.

One reason I ask is because I've been messing around playtesting different combinations of characters looking for oddities like this and noticed that some of the dialogue would be very strange if your character is an acolyte. Even just the general question "so what's up with these guys and why should I worship them, huh?" (says the acolyte raised as a devoted member of someone-or-other's cult) sounds odd from this perspective but if, say, a player decides that their character was an acolyte of the same god as another character a completely-ignorant request for exposition would also sound weird. To use Cait as an example: "so who's this god that I've also been serving?".

It might be a good idea to just pin down an affiliation for the acolyte background since generic mentions will inevitably have this why-don't-you-know-this weirdness to them and to tweak PC dialogue for that background when the subject comes up so the ignorance in what should be a specialty tone doesn't clash so heavily with it.

 

[Savin]

and noticed that some of the dialogue would be very strange if your character is an acolyte

The game keeps track of your background, and it can be referenced in dialogue. There are already quite a few variants for BG in the tutorial and townsfolk. If there's a specific line you find awkward as an acolyte, let me know and I'll see about creating an acolyte variant.

 

[Stemwinder]

Of the ones I've checked so far I think these stand out:

You ask Sanders to refresh you on the lore of the Living Gods.

"But of course," he smiles. Sweeping a hand to one of the old pews nearby, he beckons you to have a seat. The two of you sit, with the priest resting both hands heavily on his towering staff. "The gods, my dear boy, are all around us. Their energy suffuses everything, from the air with breathe to the eldest oaks in the Frostwood -- even the stone and wood of the town here. We priests and practitioners of white magic learn to tap into that energy, channel it into the minor miracles we call our spells. Despite this omnipresence, we call them the Living Gods, because this all-encompassing presence and power is but an afterimage of them, like steam radiating from a hotspring."

You glance aside at Sanders, asking him to elucidate.

"The truth of the gods," he answers, leaning against his staff, "is that they're not that different from you and I. Every bit as capable of being capricious, petty, caring, and kind as a mortal... because they are like mortals. Beings of flesh and blood who walk the world among us."

If that's the case, and the gods are mortal and fallible... what do they do that is deserving of worship?

The old priest chuckles. "What would make anyone -- anything -- worthy of worship? The gods guide us, show us the way to good and wise living. They grant us the power to heal and protect, to shape the world around us into one better and brighter than any that's come before. That, to me, is worthy enough."

This one's written from the stance of total ignorance on the subject so this day one question here at the end would sound odd coming from someone who grew up in [someone's] faith. Maybe a variant line like this:

You confess your difficulties reconciling the eminence of the gods with their moral failings. Are they still worthy of our praise and devotion even when we feel that they're wrong?

The old priest chuckles. "Let me ask you this: what would make anyone -- anything -- worthy of worship? The gods guide us, show us the way to good and wise living through their mistakes as well as their triumphs. Believe you me, my young friend, perfection makes for a poor teacher. With the power they grant us to heal and protect, to shape the world around us, so too do they entrust us with the responsibility to make it better and brighter than any that's come before. That, to me, is worthy enough."

A smile blossoms across your face as you consider this fresh perspective.

And then his warrior of white option also assumes total ignorance when an acolyte would have, presumably, at least heard of them. The scholar background is also likely to be familiar with them, so the opening line

"When we met, you said something about having been a Warrior of White?" you ask. "What's that?"

could stand to have a tweak to presume some familiarity, like

"When we met, you mentioned your days in the Order." You begin, eager to hear a firsthand account of a subject that, till now, you'd only read about. "What was it like to be an actual Warrior of White?"

And finally Cait's talk option on her faith (which is bugged, by the way, selecting it first will fire the repeat variant while the second time will show the initial variant):

"So, you're a priestess, right? Tell me about your god."

Cait giggles and laces her fingers together on the table. "Well, technically I'm just a lay priest still, not an ordained cleric, but still, I'm happy to jump on a chance to proselytize to a willing listener!"

That's another instance that assumes either ignorance or detachment (the detachment still works for a scholar, I think) whereas an acolyte would be both knowledgeable and invested. So maybe something like

"So, I've gotta ask: were you in the seminary too? Have you taken your vows?"

Cait giggles and laces her fingers together on the table. "Don't get too excited, technically I'm still a lay priest, not an ordained cleric. But hey, I'm always happy to nerd out with a fellow temple brat!"