Questors
The term questor refers to someone who has devoted himself or herself to a spiritual quest, in this case devotion to a particular Passion. They dedicate their lives to fostering its ideals in the lives of all people. The characteristics of questors vary from Passion to Passion. Some general traits exist among most or all questors. With the exception of those who follow the Mad Passions, questors with different patron Passions do not bear each other ill will. Each Passion embodies different ideals and emotions, and their questors understand that they are all equally significant parts of a whole that comprises the life of Namegivers.
Though the Passions do not directly support political factions or causes, questors can and often do. For example, many dwarf questors in Throal call Thystonius their patron Passion. Their questor order has a military nature, and they use gifts from Thystonius to give the Kingdom of Throal military protection. If other questors of Thystonius chose to attack Throal, such an act would bring questors of the same Passion into direct conflict with each other. Such a development would gladden Thystonius. Though he would mourn those killed in the conflict, the bravery of his questors on both sides would bring him great joy.
Patron Passions bestow abilities on their questors. Questors cultivate these abilities by focusing their lives around a certain behavior—in this case, spreading their Passion’s ideals across Barsaive. Some abilities are common to the questors of several Passions. Others are unique to a single Passion.
The abilities given are usually tied in some way to the ideals, goals, and powers of a particular Passion. For example, questors of Garlen frequently have the ability to magically seal a home from outside attack, while a questor of Floranuus might have the ability to increase the speed of a ship.
The life of a questor does not typically earn him a living. Questors sometimes form small, loosely organized groups to discuss the creed of their chosen Passion, but no formal institution exists to support their day-to-day needs. Questors sometimes live off the generosity of communities willing to support a strong questor in their midst, but most questors continue to practice the trade they learned in the early years of their lives.
In contrast to adepts, questors are generally respected and trusted throughout the land. Because adepts draw magical power to themselves directly, most common folk are suspicious of them. Many view adepts, especially magicians, as presumptuous and arrogant. Questors, on the other hand, receive their power through the Passions. The people’s warm regard for the Passions includes their questors, and they therefore enjoy the trust of most people. An old Barsaivian saying perfectly expresses these sentiments: “Hide from magicians, hire adepts, and say ‘hello’ to questors.”
Adepts who become questors must try to reconcile the lifestyle and mindset of their Discipline and the actions required of a faithful questor. For some, this is easy. Many Swordmaster adepts have assumed a quest to be like Thystonius. If the two ways of thinking conflict, however, the adept questor must choose which to follow. For example, this conflict could arise for a Thief who is also a questor of Thystonius. The Thief mindset typically demands that he avoid open confrontation, while the ideals of Thystonius drive him to seek it out. The more he relies on the Thief Discipline, the less he behaves like Thystonius, and so receives fewer rewards from the Passion. However, the more he tries to be like Thystonius, the less successful he will be as a Thief.
It might seem odd for adepts to devote their lives to a Passion so different in nature from their Discipline. However, because the Discipline of an adept in many ways limits how the adept sees the world and how he interacts with it, becoming a questor of a Passion of a different nature allows the adept to interact with the world in a way previously unknown.
Though the Passions do not directly support political factions or causes, questors can and often do. For example, many dwarf questors in Throal call Thystonius their patron Passion. Their questor order has a military nature, and they use gifts from Thystonius to give the Kingdom of Throal military protection. If other questors of Thystonius chose to attack Throal, such an act would bring questors of the same Passion into direct conflict with each other. Such a development would gladden Thystonius. Though he would mourn those killed in the conflict, the bravery of his questors on both sides would bring him great joy.
Patron Passions bestow abilities on their questors. Questors cultivate these abilities by focusing their lives around a certain behavior—in this case, spreading their Passion’s ideals across Barsaive. Some abilities are common to the questors of several Passions. Others are unique to a single Passion.
The abilities given are usually tied in some way to the ideals, goals, and powers of a particular Passion. For example, questors of Garlen frequently have the ability to magically seal a home from outside attack, while a questor of Floranuus might have the ability to increase the speed of a ship.
The life of a questor does not typically earn him a living. Questors sometimes form small, loosely organized groups to discuss the creed of their chosen Passion, but no formal institution exists to support their day-to-day needs. Questors sometimes live off the generosity of communities willing to support a strong questor in their midst, but most questors continue to practice the trade they learned in the early years of their lives.
In contrast to adepts, questors are generally respected and trusted throughout the land. Because adepts draw magical power to themselves directly, most common folk are suspicious of them. Many view adepts, especially magicians, as presumptuous and arrogant. Questors, on the other hand, receive their power through the Passions. The people’s warm regard for the Passions includes their questors, and they therefore enjoy the trust of most people. An old Barsaivian saying perfectly expresses these sentiments: “Hide from magicians, hire adepts, and say ‘hello’ to questors.”
Adepts who become questors must try to reconcile the lifestyle and mindset of their Discipline and the actions required of a faithful questor. For some, this is easy. Many Swordmaster adepts have assumed a quest to be like Thystonius. If the two ways of thinking conflict, however, the adept questor must choose which to follow. For example, this conflict could arise for a Thief who is also a questor of Thystonius. The Thief mindset typically demands that he avoid open confrontation, while the ideals of Thystonius drive him to seek it out. The more he relies on the Thief Discipline, the less he behaves like Thystonius, and so receives fewer rewards from the Passion. However, the more he tries to be like Thystonius, the less successful he will be as a Thief.
It might seem odd for adepts to devote their lives to a Passion so different in nature from their Discipline. However, because the Discipline of an adept in many ways limits how the adept sees the world and how he interacts with it, becoming a questor of a Passion of a different nature allows the adept to interact with the world in a way previously unknown.
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