Priests and Clerics

In AD&D 2nd Edition rules, the cleric is allowed as an option for those DMs and players who don't want to use specialty priest rules. In the game setting of Iuz, a great deal of character is lost by not using the rules for specialty priests. It is strongly suggested that players and DMs don't opt for the cleric as an alternative, ignoring the special rules for armor, weapon, and spell restrictions of this malign priesthood. This may upset game balance.

The term “cleric” is used in a special sense in this gamebook to apply to a "secondary priesthood." The old priesthood of Iuz, born in his homeland, is very jealous of its privileges and secrets. When it recruits new members from conquered lands, it often does not pass on the secrets of cult spells or important special powers, and these new converts never attain the exalted status of members of the Boneheart. These "foreign" recruits can be termed "clerics," and the following rules apply to them .

Clerics may use any armor or weapons. They can only use spells from the same spheres which priests do. They gain only the first two additional powers of specialty priests at 3rd and 5th levels of experience, but not the fear/enervation powers. These points apply notably to orc, orog and half-orc clerics of Iuz, as such humanoids are not accepted as full priests.