[Balanor]

As for temples well advancement only goes so far unless you are a cleric and some of the Temples which may not require clerics your character may not be interested in or you as a player.

I want to clarify/correct this statement so people don't get the wrong idea from it. Temple clergy advancement occurs for clerics, paladins, and druids as well as blackguards and divine champions (CoT). All other classes can rise from initiate to a member at least - which does give them the faction item and access to merchants/restricted areas of the temples.

Clergy Initiate - Lay Member who has at least 1 Cleric, Druid, Paladin, Blackguard, or Divine Champion level. Note that not all faiths allow Druids, Paladins, or Blackguards so review the in-game list of Forgotten Realms gods in the Player Guide for those that do.