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This is a witch dedicated to more priestess-craft and worship aspects of the witch. A true "Priestess of the Old Ways." More so than the generic cleric or shape-shifting druid.
Like the Archwitch, a Witch-Priestess (or Witch-Priest) begins as a witch, but then transitions to more priestly and religious duties. While the Archwitch leans more into the Arcane side of witchcraft, the Witch-Priestess focuses on the divine. Again my model for this class is the Bard (PHB), Thief-Acrobat, the Archdruid (UA), and the Wizards of High Sorcery from the Dragonlance Adventures book. I am just codifying something that was already there. (An aside. I'd love to see other "Advanced Classes" anyone else come up with these?)
In my current 1st Edition AD&D game, I have two witches, I am hoping to get each one to choose one of these other paths.
WITCH-PRIESTESS
Advanced Class for Witches
The Witch-Priestess is the spiritual and ritual leader of the Old Faith, bridging the gap between arcane witchcraft and divine mystery. Where the ordinary witch communes privately with her Patron, the Witch-Priestess embodies that relationship in public rites, seasonal festivals, and sacred duties. She does not merely cast spells; she invokes the will of the gods and spirits of nature, channeling divine energy through her well-honed arcane focus.
Only witches who belong to a coven and who have demonstrated piety, wisdom, and leadership are called to walk this sacred path. The calling is not common, and the burden is great, but the rewards are divine.
Requirements
To become a Witch-Priestess, a character must:
- Be a Witch of at least 7th level
- Have a Wisdom of 16 or higher
- Be a member of a coven
- Have performed a significant religious service to the Old Faith, such as leading a solstice rite, sacrificing personal power for the good of the land, or invoking a successful blessing that saved a community
Restrictions
- The character ceases to gain new Witch Occult Powers after 6th level (or if not yet acquired, forfeits future access)
- Must maintain a leadership role within her faith. Either with respect to her tradition or coven.
Spellcasting
The Witch-Priestess continues to cast Witch spells as normal
In addition, she gains access to Divine spells drawn from the Cleric and Druid lists (Old Faith Spells list).
Occult and divine spellcasting remain separate; she prepares them independently
Divine Favor (Channeling Powers)
At 7th level and again at 9th and 11th levels, the Witch-Priestess may select a Divine Favor. Each may be used once per day unless otherwise noted.
Sample Divine Favors:
- Blessing of the Grove: Allies within 30' gain +1 to attack rolls and saving throws for 1 turn
- Turn Spirits and Undead: Functions as Cleric turning Undead but also affects spirits and fey as a cleric of the same level.
- Healing Hands: Cure 1d8+level hp with a touch (one creature)
- Nature’s Wrath: As Call Lightning or Earthquake (minor effect), save for half
- Invoke the Ancients: Ask a yes/no question (as Augury or Commune, once per day)
- Occult Insight: The Witch-Priestess may select one Occult Power from her tradition.
Sacred Coven
At level 9 or later, she may form her own coven. She attracts 1d6+Charisma modifier witches of 1st–5th level, with total levels equal to her own Witch-Priestess level. These followers are loyal but not fanatical, and expect guidance and regular rituals.
Charge of the Goddess
Once per day, the Witch-Priestess may enter a trance to regain spell energy lost. After 1 full round of ritual casting, she regains a number of spell levels equal to half her combined level (rounded down). She may not exceed her usual spell limits.
Drawing Down the Moon
At the 11th level, she may invoke the divine power of her Patron in full. For a number of rounds equal to her Wisdom score modifier:
- Radiates a 15' aura of fear to enemies (as Fear)
- Gains +2 to all saving throws and Armor Class
- Gains +3 to all attack rolls and damage rolls
- Usable once per day, requires a full round to activate
Experience Progression and Saving Throws
The Witch-Priestess continues to use the Witch experience table, attack matrix, and saving throws.
(unless I change my minder later on)
Multi-Class and Dual-Class Use
This path is open only to single-classed Witches. Dual-classed characters must fulfill all entry requirements. A typical dual-class would be a character who begins as a cleric but does not go past 6th level, then becomes a witch till 7th level, and then switches over to Witch-Priestess. Divine abilities from cleric do not stack with divine abilities from Witch-Priestess
Elves and other non-human multi-class witch characters must seek DM approval for entry.
Optional Rule - Ritual Dedication
To fully embrace this path, the character must undergo a Ritual Dedication during a solstice, eclipse, or conjunction. The rite must be overseen by another Witch-Priestess or a powerful druid, or by divine vision if none are present.
The Witch-Priestess is the living bridge between mortal and divine, arcane and natural. She is the last light of the Old Ways, a candle in the night when the stars fade.
- Command
- Faerie Fire
- Portent
- Purify Food and Drink
- Sanctuary
- Speak with Animals
- Augury
- Chant
- Charm Person or Mammal
- Obscurement
- Slow Poison
- Spiritual Hammer
- Call Lightning
- Continual Light
- Meld into Stone
- Remove Curse
- Prayer
- Speak with the Dead
- Call Woodland Beings
- Divination
- Neutralize Poison
- Protection from Evil, 10' Radius
- Speak with Plants
- Spell Immunity
- Animal Growth
- Commune with Nature
- Dispel Evil
- Flame Strike
- Insect Plague
- Moonbeam
- Aerial Servant
- Heal
- Forbiddance
- Part Water
- Word of Recall
- Weather Summoning
- Control Weather
- Earthquake
- Fire Storm
- Gate
- Holy Word
- Regenerate
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