Art of Narkissos

Some scholars dismiss the 'Art of Narkissos' as a mere myth amongst magical lore. The supposed precepts of the Art are that an individual can believe in themselves to such a degree that the powers of Faith, restricted to objects of fervent religiosity like deities, flow through them. But the scale of self-belief required for such power ranges beyond mere confidence, the tales tell, but megalomaniacal egocentrism. The practitioner must believe in their superiority and power to a solipsistic degree, and often becomes dangerous to those around them.

The Art has long been relegated to the thought experiments of bored students, as few instances of it existing have been recorded outside the odd madman. Those willing to venture into obscure, heretical texts find allegations that the practitioners of the Art are the priests themselves, too self-interested and deep down cynical to be selflessly serving their divinities. The boldest of heretics go to venture that the great prophets of history and even the gods themselves are all products of the Art, ordinary mortals whose delusions of grandeur resulted in true grandeur.

Needless to say, this opinion is considered ridiculous even by religiously skeptical scholars, and those that espouse it either find themselves laughed out of rooms, or branded apostates and punished as such.