I am interested in how things work on EfU when it comes to those who are servants of the divine (or infernal). Specifically Clerics, Paladins and Blackguards.

Paladins seem to get most of the attention when it comes to breaking their code, but I have never really heard or seen "fallen" Clerics. (Actually, I've seen one fallen Cleric but that's because they switched deities and were in the process of earning their divine powers from their new deity.) If I am playing a cleric, as I currently am, I take the role very seriously. I don't see Cleric's as being insanely common, as in anyone who devotes themselves to a deity can become one. They have to embody the ideals of their deity (or at least strive to), uphold their deities dogma and beliefs, as well as spread the faith of their deity.

A Cleric of Ilmater might, for example, should actively be trying to alleviate the suffering of others. Different priests might have different methods, but in the end the goal is the same. A Cleric of Loviatar should actively seek to spread pain and torment, and through doing that bring people closer to her goddess.

It seems that, over all, Clerics get a huge free pass on EfU while Paladins are heavily scrutinized for every minor infraction. Certainly, it is rare that a Cleric will receive the personal attention of a deity - but every deity has scores of servitors that do just that. I've always imagined the gods watching over their priests as Santa Clause. They know when you've been naughty or nice, and if you've been naughty - if you're straying - they'll send you reminders.

These reminders might come in the form of dream visions. According to Ed Greenwood such visions are common within the Forgotten Realm's. (View what he has to say on that here, it is at the bottom of the page. It more or less sums up how I view the gods, so tell me if things are different on EfU.) I would imagine that a Cleric would receive these types of visions as a way for their deity to communicate to them what they want them to do. I would imagine that a Cleric (and even Paladins and Blackguards) would receive dream visions as a way for the divine to better align their actions with the deities goals.

In my mind, faith plays a hugely important part of the Realms even more so than faith in the real world, because the gods have been known to strike people down. Sometimes on a regular basis.

I'm not sure how the DM's view Clerics in general, but I would certainly prefer the DM's to scrutinize my Cleric(s) for spreading the word, the message and the influence of their deity, rewarding and punishing as necessary.

We already do this to a certain extent.

We can give the clerics who fail to live up to their doctrine spellcasting failure if we deem it appropriate as things are already.

Or, we can change their alignment if we feel their actions are unsuitable (probably the majority of cases fall under this category).

Clerics don't have an easy ride.

HOWEVER.

Paladins and Blackguards are supposed to be an absolute. They are supposed to be paragons of virtue, the living embodiment of justice or malevolence. Clerics simply preach the word, these guys -live it-.

I understand what you are saying in regard to Paladin's and Blackguards, but do Cleric's not also have to not only embrace, but strive to live the teachings of their deity?

From my point of view, I don't view a Cleric as a simple preacher. Anyone can preach the word of a god, all they require is the proper training. The difference between a preacher and a cleric is that a cleric possesses divine powers from a deity. The powers, in my view - and correct me if I am wrong, are not simply an open ended contract. "Go forth and preach my word, and try and stay within my dogma." It's more along the lines of, "I've given you this great gift in exchange for your service. You will obey me in all things, above all others, working toward my ends. You will live as I have outlined in my dogma, and in return for your service and obedience I grant you these powers and a place in my realm upon your death."

Therefore, when a cleric begins to stray from the core teachings of their deity, the deity (or more likely - the servitors of the deity - it is unlikely the cleric would know the difference) would begin letting the cleric know. It might come in a strange sensation that correlates to their deity. (Example: A Cleric of Ilmater who turns away someone who is suffering because of a personal grudge, might gain the feeling that their deity is disappointed in them. Or a Cleric of Ilmater who willingly allows himself to be tortured to prevent others from having to endure it, would feel Ilmater's presence there with him - helping share and endure the pain.)

I guess what it comes down to, it seems that Clerics seem trivialized in a way. I agree with what you are saying, but that is because Paladin's and Blackguards have codes that they uphold in addition to the things that bind the cleric. Clerics are given more leeway in their actions, but I still see their role as very (very) serious. The divine power they wield comes with strings attached. Am I incorrect in that understanding?

Obviously, a DM can't always be watching the players. So when is it necessary for a player to contact a DM as a Cleric (is it even necessary at all?) For example, should I contact a DM if my Cleric has just done something that would be pleasing to the deity? (Example: Cleric of Ilmater just prevented a character from committing suicide after a tragic loss.) Or something displeasing to their deity? (Example: My cleric serves a deity who forbids the drinking of alcohol, and my cleric is so intoxicated that they can't even walk.)

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On a less generalist note, the reason this is so important is because my current cleric is as you put it, 'an absolute, the living embodiment of her deity.' I generally look at things this way for most if not all of my clerics, but this character is working exceptionally hard and I'm not sure how or when I should get a DM involved. And it is important to my character to know if her actions are pleasing or not.

We try to pay extremely close attention to clerics. I don't think any of us disagree with you that it is a very key thing for DMs to monitor as clerics have a very important relationship with their deities. Lots of clerics have lost spells, and lots of well roleplayed clerics have received enormous rewards for their service. It is definitely a big deal to us. The one thing I'd say is that we can't be everywhere, and we don't regularly give specific visions and direction direct from a deity. I suppose we deviate from canon in this way, but I strongly object to having deities intervening directly. At most, we have NPC Servants of <deity> give visions or get involved, but even that is a rare occurrence.

Thanks Howland that helps a lot. I don't mind deviating from cannon or anything like that, it is just helpful to have a good idea of what my character goes through or should expect to happen.

I understand that DM's can't be everywhere at once, and perhaps one of my shortcomings as a player is my reluctance to pester the DM's as I know you guys are constantly busy. Can you outline some general examples of when it might be a good time for me to send a message to the DM channel when playing a cleric? When would it be a good time for a DM to be notified that there is something happening that their god might take an interest in?

For example: Should I contact a DM if I were playing a cleric of Ilmater, and entered into a group with an open follower of Loviatar? Should I contact a DM if I were playing a cleric of Loviatar and was tormenting someone / causing them pain (either emotional or physical)?

What would the DM's consider too trivial to be bothered with when it comes to dealing with clerics who are striving to uphold their deities dogma?