"Hello, I'm not interested."
Antonio wanted to say exactly that. He was no mage who believed gods were merely somewhat stronger beings whose secrets he might one day uncover on a dissection table, as the forebears of the Netherese Empire had hoped to do. Nor did he share the contempt many Legendary Professionals held for the clergy serving under gods. To them, such clergy were frauds forcibly elevated by their gods, whose Class Level would plummet the moment they lost divine support.
Even so, he did not want to change class and join the clergy.
The reason was simple: once he joined a god's clergy, that god could easily influence him, shifting his Faith, alignment, and beliefs.
The closer one stood to a god, the more one came to resemble that god.
But can I refuse a god's invitation? Antonio looked up at the deity, who appeared as kindly as an elderly neighbor.
A god's nature could not be judged by outward appearance. Gods often adopted forms that appealed to their Believers. Those whose True Form was not human, in particular, often created human avatars to spread their faith among humanity.
For example, many of the Platinum Dragon God Bahamut's Believers saw him as a young adventurer just starting out. Anyone who knew a little about him, however, knew his true form was a long, sinuous platinum dragon.
After a moment's thought, Antonio lowered his head. "I pay you my respects, my lord."
The instant he bowed, Jiang Hao sensed a connection forming between himself and the Druid before him: a thread of Faith so faint it was nearly transparent, as though it might vanish at any moment.
It was a Faith even weaker than shallow Faith. For Jiang Hao, though, establishing a connection was enough.
His True Form seized