DM Q&A Cleric spells, and holy symbols

[MTGPackFoils]

From my understanding if a holy symbol is worn on a necklace, or displayed on a shield, then that would suffice in regards to casting spells provided by your deity.

However that is pen-n-paper not FRC.

So if someone has Cleric levels, and is casting a spell in game, how does this work? Do other PCs notice what symbol is being used to grant access to the spell? Is a spot check needed? Does the other PC need to be facing the character, or next to the casting PC?

I need a lot of guidance on this please.

[Munroe]

Jul 29, 2020 7:47:46 GMT -5 MTGPackFoils said:

From my understanding if a holy symbol is worn on a necklace, or displayed on a shield, then that would suffice in regards to casting spells provided by your deity.

However that is pen-n-paper not FRC.

So if someone has Cleric levels, and is casting a spell in game, how does this work? Do other PCs notice what symbol is being used to grant access to the spell? Is a spot check needed? Does the other PC need to be facing the character, or next to the casting PC?

I need a lot of guidance on this please.

We haven't required holy symbols to be visible during clerical spellcasting. There's no mention I've seen of this requirement for general cleric spellcasting in D&D 3.x either. D&D 3.x clerics require a divine focus for only certain spells when it's listed as a spell component (divine focus) of the spell. (Paladins also use their holy symbols as a divine focus for spells that call for one.)

In D&D 3.x, a holy/unholy symbol serves as a divine focus spell component, as mentioned, and the holy/unholy symbol is used to Turn/Rebuke Undead.

(At least some of) The holdable holy symbols available on FRC provide an unlisted bonus to Turn Undead checks when equipped.

[MTGPackFoils]

So one could just tuck their holy (or unholy) symbol under their armor to keep it out of sight, and cast their spells as much as they want/need in FRC?

[Munroe]

Jul 29, 2020 12:31:06 GMT -5 MTGPackFoils said:

So one could just tuck their holy (or unholy) symbol under their armor to keep it out of sight, and cast their spells as much as they want/need in FRC?

Yes, assuming they have the spell slots. A cleric prays to prepare spells, not to cast them. (Although some pray when they cast them as a matter of presentation.)

Of course if they're casting known divine spells, or casting spells in heavy armor, that's going to clue people in that they're divine spellcasters. Characters familiar with how spellcasting works may challenge them about their faith. Clerics at that point have to decide how they think their deity would feel about them denying their faith.

Some spells are inherently evil so known clerics casting those spells are kind of giving themselves away.

[MTGPackFoils]

Excellent. This is what I thought, and wanted to be sure I understood how this works (especially from a RP pov) here. Thank you.