In Taranche, priestly magic is more reliable than wizardly magic but less flexible as well, since it is an expression of the power of a deity and thus dependent on the deity's good will toward the character.  As such, while priests do not have to make a skill roll in order to cast a spell, they are far more limited in their choices of spell available to them.

In addition to the spells that all priests gain at the beginning, a priest character may buy individual spell-like abilities with character and experience points, and always have these ready. Individual spell-like abilities cost a great deal, and feel more like super powers, but have the advantage of always being there like a good friend. This option will result in a very reliable, but limited Priest with few magical abilities of generally lower power.  This is subject to GM approval.

Spell Multipowers

Each priesthood has a small number of spells available to it at the beginning, depending on the faith of the priest and the choices he makes regarding customization of his spell availability.  This is based on a Multipower, hereafter referred to as a Spell Multipower, with a slew of modifiers on it to define the divine power of the priest.

The Spell Multipower is a Multipower with the following modifiers on it:

• Only Divine Magic (-½)
• 8 Charges (-½)
• Must Pray and Meditate for One Hour to Gain the Day’s Charges (-½)
• Only Usable While in Good Standing With the Priest's Faith (-¼)

He Knows When You've Been Sleeping, He Knows When You're Awake...

As mentioned above, all Spell Multipowers have the limitation Only Usable While in Good Standing With the Priest's Faith (-¼).  This is perhaps the most important of all of the modifiers placed on the Spell Multipower.  Simply put, if the priest violates the tenets and strictures of his faith, he loses the ability to use his spells until such time as he has returned to the good graces of the God.  Note that its "in good standing with the faith" and not "in good standing with the church".  The two are not necessarily the same (though in the case of some gods, it is... Ausonius is the best example).

Once a priest has fallen out of the good graces of his god, getting back in requires atonement.  The specific form the atonement takes depends on the deity in question and the offense committed by the priest.  In some cases, the priest may be required to take a vow of silence and poverty while doing good works for a year and a day.  In other cases, the priest may have to undergo some form of durance vile (that is, a scourging or some other form of ritual punishment involving pain and injury).  In rather extreme cases, the priest may be required to undergo some quest on behalf of the faith.  The exact specifics are up to the GM, but should always be some form of test to the faith and dedication of the priest in regard to his atonement.

Power Skill: Faith

As opposed to wizardly Power Skills, Power Skill: Faith is not used by priests to cast spells.  Rather, it can be used in several ways as an expression of the priest's trust in his god.  Minor miracles that have no combat effect, as a complement to any Ego roll the priest might have to make to check his willpower or determination, or even as a last ditch prayer for help.

The GM may feel free to adjudicate the use of this skill as he sees fit.

Learning New Spells

When a priest gains new spells, he becomes aware of his new abilities through omens, visions, portents, and similar divine signals, or through the visitation of an angel (or demon, depending on the nature of the deity) who serves the god in question.  For the most powerful levels of priestly magic, the god may appear before the priest to personally endow his servant with the new ability.

In meta-game terms, when the player has an appropriate amount of experience points built up and wants a new spell, he can ask that the GM approve his acquiring new spells.  The spells in question must be ones his deity are likely to grant (a god of peace is unlikely to grant a spell that causes widespread destruction, for example).

Players are always free to come up with new spells for their characters, but all such spells are strictly under the approval of Jack and Rebecca.