AD&D - Holy Water Creation Process
Today's podcast is talking about the holy water creation rules found in the DMG on page 115!
Today's podcast is talking about the holy water creation rules found in the DMG on page 115!
Only clerics, except druids, can create holy or unholy water using a special basin and font made of precious metals. The process requires casting specific spells and can only be done once a week. The amount of water produced depends on the metal used. If defiled, the font must be remade at a significant cost. Consuming holy water can delay lycanthropy or becoming undead.
Highlights -💧
Cleric Exclusivity: Only clerics (not druids) can create holy/unholy water.
Special Basin Required: A blessed/cursed basin made of precious metal is essential.
Spell Sequence: Specific spells must be cast in order for creation.
Weekly Limit: Creation can only happen once per week.
Defilement Consequences: Fonts can be desecrated, requiring costly remaking.
Consumption Benefits: Drinking holy water can slow lycanthropy or undeath.
Metal Capacity: The capacity of the basin varies by metal type.
Key Insights -🔍
Clerical Authority: Clerics hold a unique spiritual authority, emphasizing their role as mediators between the divine and mortals. This exclusivity underscores the gravity of their responsibilities. ⚔️
Material Significance: The choice of metal for the basin and font reflects the belief that offerings of higher value are more pleasing to deities, reinforcing the idea of sacrifice in worship. 💰
Ritual Complexity: The intricate process of creating holy/unholy water highlights the importance of ritual in religious practices, serving as a means of connecting with divine forces. ⛪
Limitations on Power: The weekly limit on water creation illustrates the balance of power in the universe, indicating that even divine blessings come with restrictions. ⏳
Risk of Defilement: The potential for fonts to be desecrated adds a layer of danger and vigilance to clerical duties, emphasizing the need for respect in sacred practices. ⚠️
Healing Properties: The medicinal benefits of holy water suggest its role as a protective agent against evil, reinforcing the cleric’s role as a healer and protector within the community. 💊
Economic Implications: The costs associated with creating holy/unholy water and the penalties for defilement suggest that religious practices have significant economic aspects, impacting the resources of clerical institutions. 📈
