FrankTrollman at [unixtime wrote:1153625323[/unixtime]]
Really I'm suggesting that you should probably do it like actual Pantheistic systems. So in this model, a "Cleric" is just a Wizard who happens to pay homage to a particular deity. And if they become more powerful than that god, they just get counted as a god.
That ain't a god, that's a high cleric.
If gods don't grant spells, then why have them at all? I mean a "god" by this definition is no more a god than some beholder who starts a cult. If you don't perform miracles, answer communes and grant spells, then you're really not much of a god in the D&D sense.
Seriously, if this is your paradigm, why have gods at all? They really have no power over their worshippers and are more just like priest kings. And it's totally in their best interest to off their followers before they get too powerful and depose them, especially if they're evil gods. If Gods can't control granting followers spells, then they're nothing.
ANd I can just see the commune results. That would be laughable.
"You know, I havent' been to waterdeep in a couple months... I got no clue what's going on there. To be honest, I'm not even still sure if my temple is still standing. Look, why don't you commune back to me when you figured some stuff out, I'm kinda curious what's going on out there myself. And seriously is sunday a holy day still? I always have trouble remembering that. I been wanting to put the ranks in knowledge religion, but I never quite got around to it. Knowledge skill dont' help ya kill the last god. heh. Seriously those holy scriptures were just some drivel I came up the last time I got really wasted... I don't even remember saying all that stuff..."
"WHat? You want to know where I'm hiding... um... I'm not telling... Why? Um... cause I don't want you to come kill me and try to become the next god. The spell text says I have to answer? Are you fucking shitting me? Alright fine... It says I have to give a yes/no, have fun playing 20 questions asshole... You'll never find me... Now stop contacting me... no wait, actually this is costing you XP to cast isn't it... actually keep calling me... I seriously don't care if you ask questions.. you can just babble incoherently.. I um... value your correspondence and stuff..."