Clerics using talismans/ wands of other deities

[Coldburn]

Alright; as topic. In the first place I wanted to put this in the DM Q&A, but I decided perhaps a more general discussion might be fruitful, until a DM hates on trolls, locks this thread and gives a final ruling.

There's many items in this server, like Talisman of Moander, Ring of Maglubiyet, etcetc., that have an affinity to a certain Deity. How should, notably Clerics, but other divinely-inspired classes react to these? Would it be viewed as a sign of victory over another faith, or an affirmation that you need the other Deities 'power' in that item to protect you.

Similarly; crafted wands.

Discuss, and press 'Z' to chase your dreams again.

[Lenthis]

For example, With my paladin of Lathander. His holy symbol is a small mace with a sunburst at its top, enruned with holy scripture and blessings from his order back home, He is often when turning undead seen smashing in skulls and punching his foes with it for destructive effect.  A holy symbol is an object inwhich your cleric/paladin sees his faith channeled threw. So it can be anything, for moander it could be a bit of grime hardened into the shape of his symbol, Talona a fang from a particularly large snake, Torm a judges gavel, Helm a watchers spear, Lathander of course- A mace, or some sort of sun inspired object.
 
That is my take on it, and the rp I will continue to use for it.

[AllMYBudgies]

Personally, none of the Clerics or faith based characters that I have played have worn items blessed by a God that isn't their patron.
It would just feel wrong using items such as these that do not directly link to the faith of my character.

Clerics direct all of their attention to one Deity, and I am of the opinion that they wouldn't adorn themselves in holy symbols of any but their patron. Symbols are especially important to Faith characters, they are a visual representation of their beliefs. Displaying the symbol of a rival God would be in essence promoting a faith other than their own.
 
The Forgotten Realms deities are all fighting for power which they gather through worshippers, their clerics are an extension of their power through the realms. It seems a little strange to me that a Cleric would consider wearing anything other than the Holy relics of their own patron, unless they were following a Faith of secrecy; Shar, Mask, Cyric for example.

In real world terms, to me it would be like a Catholic Priest considering wearing a Pentagram, or some other religious symbol and still going about their day to day worship. It would no doubt cause confusion from their followers, and undermine a majority of their teachings.

[MrGrendel]

Let's not take the judeochristian and monotheistic viewpoint that priests should be hostile towards all other deities, because in that particular case being another deity is synonymous with being another faith and hence false by default. That is not the case at all in FR.
 
It could be like a priest of Thor wearing a ring blessed by Odin, and if it's discreet, I see no problem with that. It could also, however, be like a priest of Thor wearing a ring blessed by Loki, and that could be questionable - but maybe not as much as we would think, given our backgrounds.
 
In other words, my view is...
 
1. If the deities in question share goals or have a similar nature, I see no issue with it at all.
 
2. If they are opposed to each other or really share no common ground, that might be questionable.
 
3. How opportunistic or pragmatic is the priest's deity? Trickster deities might be amused by the idea that their priest is using an artifact of Good to further their agenda.
 
Despite their differences, the gods are part of the same faith. A priest that too strongly denounces the other gods in this sort of system is less realistic and more likely to be scoffed at by the populace than a priest who aknowledges them as valid choices in their own right (and domains), but continues to preach the virtues of his own deity, which he considers best.

[AllMYBudgies]

Let's not take the judeochristian and monotheistic viewpoint that priests should be hostile towards all other deities

I can see how my post came across like this, however I am not of the opinion that in the Forgotten realms setting that any character, Cleric or otherwise, should be played in this way. Obviously there are some exceptions to the rule, however a majority would believe that each God has a place, and every character should have some understanding what it is to live in a polytheistic society.  

In the case of Races with smaller pantheons (Gnomes, Hin etc.) then I can see the use of other holy symbols being much more acceptable and normal practice. Generally there is much less rivalry between these deities, and many faiths in these races are interchangeable.
In the human Pantheon, however I feel there is much more divide. The greater number of Gods are mostly struggling for power, and even the closest of allies often have clergy that will be at war in some respect; be it social, or martial.

I agree totally that with Faiths that share similar goals and ideals then wearing symbols of these deities would be acceptable, although not to the point where they would wear large or ornate symbols. In my opinion, anyway.
My point really in mentioning the 'Priest' comment above was in respect to opposing, rival faiths.

[WIZURD]

I'd say if a cleric of Tyr was using a relic of Bane, like an Amulet. I would see an IC justification of this as the Tyrrian cleric has conquered the evil within the bane's amulet to further it's use of law and good. However this doesn't mean you can go around wielding a potent relic of your god's foe.

If that made no sense I'm sorry. :D

[The Beggar]

I could totally see a Cleric of Lathander using an evil tribal totem of a goblin god to ward his mind to fight of evil and win gold. [/end sarcasm]

[Random_White_Guy]

Burn'em.

DMs have a habbit of throwing smite on clerics who wear other emblems of faith.

[Irregular]

I have played a Banite in the past. And agreeably some clerics would be wary to use the divine powers of other gods. (Good example: Lathander using a Velsharoon talisman to destroy or command undead creatures). However, as some clerics, Including my Banite, where the power comes from isn't really an issue. I mean, Bane himself stole all the power he has now. My cleric isn't going to fuss where the power comes from, he will steal it and take it for himself. Just make the power submissive. Done through using an item.

I'd say its up to the character and the item in question.

[Equinox]

I see nothing wrong with using wands of another faith, provided your faith isnt opposed to them. E.g. A Tormite using a banite crafted wand.

My clerics would never wield a holy symbol of another faith though. Its like insulting your god.

[Disco]

A thing like this should lead to spell fail imo. Unless the gods are allies.. Torm/Tyr style.

[AceOfSpadesX]

I've been hit with spell failure for this. It doesn't make much sense for a cleric. Most of the arguments to allow this kinda seem like justifications rather than genuine roleplay.

[Divine Intervention]

Paladin of vaprak represent.

[Divine Intervention]

On a more serious note, it seems stupid to me that a cleric would be wearing a talisman of another faith as this would be be spreading the other gods image and thereby increasing their influence?

[Garem]

Burn'em.

DMs have a habbit of throwing smite on clerics who wear other emblems of faith.

Indeed. You CAN do it, but be prepared to suffer for it. I learned this the hard way...