The gods cannot directly affect the world of matter, nor can they force a person's will. These are the two great limits on their power. They can suggest through dreams and use persuasion to convince a person to open up to them so that the gods can act through on the world through them, but the gods often can’t or won’t communicate entirely clearly. Some who have had close encounters with their god report great understanding while in Their presence outside the material realm, but can’t properly remember or translate that understanding when they return to the material realm, although gifted bards can sometimes come closest through poetry and music.
In addition to being able to act through people who They convince to open to them, the gods can affect the world through their gifts of power, and the world recognizes six such power sources: Arcane, Divine, Intrinsic, Martial, Primal, and Psionic.
Arcane power
Drawing on the power of elemental demons to control the material world, the arcane power source can be used for a wide variety of effects, from fireballs to flight to invisibility. Arcane powers are called spells and are considered gifts of the
Bastard of the Unseason, although not all characters with arcane abilities worship the Bastard. Practitioners of arcane magics are called arcanists or mages generally, and they are generally recognized to fall into four professions:
Runewitch,
Sorcerer,
Weaponmage, and
Wizard.
All types of arcane magic users can learn to have his or her arcane power source (generally a demon of chaos) take the form of a familiar.
Divine Magic
Divine magic comes from the gods directly - the divine casters gives some of their will over to their god and act as a channel through which their god can act in the material world Divine powers are called prayers. Divine character should choose a god that they worship. Practitioners of divine magics are generally recognized to fall into four professions:
Cleric,
Inquisitor,
Paladin, and
Saint.
On Channeling Divinity
“The gods love me as a caravaner loves his mules, whipping them over the high passes”--Saint Cazaril dy Chalion (Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold)
The gods strive for love and beauty and are attracted to great souls. Their aims are towards eternal things that are beyond human understanding. As many of the priests have attested, their love and attention does not generally make for easy life for the object of their regard. Practitioners of intrinsic crafts are generally recognized to fall into four professions:
Alchemist,
Artificer,
Bard, and
Paladin.
Intrinsic
Intrinsic powers are not magic in the traditional sense, although some intrinsic powers stand well beyond the capabilities of ordinary mortals. Intrinsic characters use their own talents and skills to overcome their challenges, often with a good helping of luck and good fortune. Intrinsic powers are called gifts. Intrinsic powers are considered the province of the
Daughter of Spring, although not all intrinsic characters worship the Daughter.
Interventions
All intrinsic characters benefit of the intervention of the Daughter of Spring - gifted by Her generous hand with luck and talent and destiny.
[h2[Martial Power
Like Intrinsic powers, Martial powers are also not magic in the traditional sense. Martial characters use their own strength and willpower to vanquish their enemies. Training and dedication replace arcane formulas and prayers to grant martial characters their abilities. Martial powers are called exploits and are considered the province of the
Father of Winter, although not all martial characters worship the Father.
Practitioners of martial skills are generally recognized to fall into four professions:
Captain,
Fighter,
Martial Artist, and
Ranger.
All martial characters are experts in making the most of the special characteristics of their weapons.
Primal Magic
Primal magic usually draws on the spirits of beasts. More rarely it draws on the spirits of plants or places or forces. Those who can see these primal spirits and forces can use rituals to harness them directly or to bind them to the souls of others so that they can use them. Primal powers are called orisens and are considered the province of the
Son of Autumn, although not all primal characters worship the Son. Practitioners of martial skills are generally recognized to fall into four professions:
Barbarian,
Druid,
Shaman, and
Warden.
On Primal Spirits
A hallowed beast is created by sacrificing the soul of one beast into another, compatible one with sacred rites and careful preparation. Over many generations, these beasts become something greater than a natural beast, each new heir becoming more and more wise and powerful and uncanny. These beasts live their generations being cherished and challenged and groomed by companions who care for them and help them pass into their heirs. Sometimes these hallowed beasts are consecrated to an area, becoming a primal spirit that can sustain itself indefinitely through the tie to that area.
Psionic Power
Psionic ability is bred into certain individuals who can tap into the uncharted powers of the mind to affect the material world. Psionic powers are called disciplines and are considered the province of the
Mother of Summer, although not all psionic characters worship the Mother.
On Mutations
Unlike the other power sources, psionic power is bred in the blood. People either have psionic power or not, and no amount of study or esoteric rituals can change that. Orthodox theologians hold that psions are descendants of the recipients of miracles of healing. Many theologians believe that when the saints of the Mother subsume their wills to Hers, She sometimes takes the opportunity to change bloodlines of the healed according to some far-reaching plan of Hers.
Of course, once released into the material world, the gods cannot control what people do with the powers they’re gifted. Some cynics think that healers, especially psionic healers, may be able to induce such mutations absent the Her intervention, and that they do so for their own ends. What no one denies is that the emergence of psionics is a relatively recent and growing phenomena. That more mutations with different psionic gifts are evolving, and that the children of psions often inherit the powers of their parents.
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