Tag: Divine
Divine Quests
Posted on October 31, 2024 in Aptitude
A Divine Quest is an form of Worship that makes an Offering of the Followers service; Often some sort of Pilgrimage is part of this. Materials, time, money, etc. all spent on a quest has no compensation other than in the further glorification of the Divine Principal in who’s name the character quests. Formal quests may stipulate some expected reward by a Principal Entity (divine or not) such as Blessings (Divine Favor), and Elan is automatically accumulated in recognition of the service itself. Incidental improvements to the questors’ life or condition may be promised, such as Community or Institutional recognition and benefits that may be attached, are not guaranteed, whereas in a simple quest they tend to be.
Surging Quest: A Divine Principal may often collect the Elan their followers gain (who willingly give up claim on it) as temporary power in furtherance of a goal or milestone only their power can unlock. These are often based on the portents of prophecy, and have dire or deep ramifications to the setting they are tied to.
Divine Accoutrements
Posted on December 9, 2021 in Aptitude
Divine Accoutrements are repeatable, commonly created Magical Empowerment items.
Creating Divine Accouterments
These are created using basic Alchemy which leverage Divine Aptitude a a symbolic connection of Sigilry. They require such aptitude, and usually an associated Pool of anima energy (Synergy) in order to craft. The production of these items is typically codified and recorded based on experimentation, and repeated in order to create items which are typically singularly bound to their intended wielder/wearer. High quality versions of these items may be made by master crafters and may signify and gain the benefits of Prestige Marks. The majority of divine items are singularly bound (via an institutional binding association). Items may also aid with the use of Connexion.
Divine Accoutrements Forms
The forms many divine Accoutrements come in are directly reflecting benefits to the community of the faithful. Most forms reflect the symbolism of washing away/cleansing, purification, or consumption/taking in the power of the divine symbolic as an embrace of all it stands for. Almost all forms are consumed in the process of their use – an offering of sorts, reflecting a sacrifice (cost) the follower is willing to pay for their faith. The output of holy item production is typically cleansed, blessed, and made specifically for their purpose and have a Sigil of the divinity associated with them. The most common general forms are:
- Water – This is actively imbibed/drank to empower the character.
- Incense – This is placed in a censor (wide area/up to 10′ radius) or burner (small personal area/5′ cube) and the fumes inhaled to empower the character.
A typical block will last 5 rounds. - Candle – Such things use the energy of flame/purification to release stored power into an area, without the character having to do anything specific to gain the empowerment.
Divine Accoutrements Triggers
Some divine Accoutrements have a requirement of some element of faith. For example, the Follower must possess a Conviction associated with the institutional binding of the item. An item may incorporate multiple manifestations to trigger its powers and/or or have added triggers that realize improved/have additional outcomes.
- Most Common Triggers: Faith items are almost always bonded using institutional binding association, Conviction and/or Connexion.
Divine Ire: A divine item may also have Ire placed upon it – for those attempting to trigger its functions without the requisite capabilities (usually association with the faith), it is empowered to harm them in some way.
Universal – Effects can be triggered by anyone. Universal items are those made to demonstrate the power of the divine to everyone. These are the most costly and can be scarce outside of major centers of operation for the faith. Faith relies more on Followers to be the living and active demonstration of their ideals. Universal triggers are typically used to finance operations of the faithful.
Universal + Aptitude – Effects can be triggered by anyone with Divine Aptitude. Divine aptitude indicates a certain shifted perspective that allows a character to draw out such power.
Universal + Synergy – Effects can be triggered by anyone with Synergy anima. Synergy is used to fuel the power of the item.
- Conviction + Litany/Connexcion
- Conviction + Synergy
iCore™Proclamation of Censure
Posted on September 30, 2021
A Proclamation of Censure is when the authorities (community, institutional, or principal) have decided that the Follower is not allowed to act as a representative among the community. It does not remove any granted individual powers, but it does remove the benefit of offices, community roles, and Empowered Divine Places or Empowered Divine Items. Entities under censure do not necessarily lose their Good Standing.
Withdrawal of Divine Favor: The Principal will make this status manifest. Minor signs, omens, and significations (mystical or mundane) will accompany most Censure. Actions performed under Censure will not trigger any effects that rely on their community standing. Seals and stamps, sigils and signatures are invalid.
Restoration of Divine Favor: The Rite of Atonement will always restore divine favor.
Minor Censure
The authorities or Principal have decided that the character is not a fit community representative. Minor Censure prohibits the character performing any liturgical duties, community roles, proselytizing, and must abstain from speaking or acting in a way that is not clearly exactly inline with the tenets or institutional policies as perceived by the public and without knowingly offending or confronting any section of the populace outside faith authorities. The wearing of a holy symbol is to be covered so that the character is not perceived as speaking for the faith or its institutions by outsiders. Any Follower individual obligations must still be met.
Violating the Terms of Minor Censure: This is typically regarded as imposing a longer period of Censure. The signifying events of Censure will become more prominent and frequent, including minor mystical manifestations. If these events in any way benefit those under censure, the divine will will manifest an angry and obvious persistent effect.
Major Censure
The authorities or principal has decided to make an example of the character or entity for committing to a path or action counter with the withes of said Principal or authorities. They are barred as per Minor Censure, and must also sequester themselves away in contemplation until any other terms of the censure are fulfilled. Any obligations must still be met.
Violating the Terms of Major Censure: Unless they are using their divine powers directly in the service of the faith (a quest, etc.), they operate as if they had one less measure of all factors (Aptitude, Conviction, etc.).
i20™ Censure Details
- Infrequent or persistent Thaumaturgy effects.
Divine Principal (Divine Entity/Voice of Authority)
Posted on July 31, 2021
A Divine Principal is the higher order deity/entity/patron or empowered animus (as spirit or creature) that the Follower is bonded/dedicated to through the Rite of Dedicated Grace. This is regarded as the wellspring and incarnation of the Tenets and actively works toward them through the worship/veneration of followers using Shared Litany and Abiding Litany. These type beings exist out of time for the most part. The bond with the Principal acts as a Higher Order conduit that is the interface point to The Pattern that channels power and perception to the community of faith.
- Bound Principal: Generally, the Divine principal is bound to a locale/planet and/or society or culture; Their divine power does not extend beyond it.
- Anchored Principal: Bound Principal and cannot leave proximity of divine power source; This is typically a sun/system energy.
- Universal Icon: They are a manifestation of some iconic/archetypal idea; They may go by many names and manifestations.
- Universal PResence: They are known and their power extended across the multiverse.
- Material Asperations: By default, almost all divine entities are ego bound and have desires for power and control; Those few who have no aspirations are driven by either pure altruism or pure destructive desires.
Monotheism vs. Polytheism
The truth of any theistic claim can be whatever the setting and Game Master decide. In the iVerse, claims of monotheism apply only locally. Across the galaxy, there is evidence of multiple divine entities, some worlds even having a plurality. Additionally, animism can exist independently of or with a theistic view. False ‘gods’ abound in powerful entities claiming divinity, but offering no Principal Endeavor to its followers. In less primitive cultures, monotheist Omnipotence is expressed as “maximally powerful” instead of “all powerful”.
Within any given setting or locale, a Principal Entity, especially a Divine Principal, will have a Dominant Presentation.
Nature of Divinity
Divine Union: The main qualifying element of being a Principle, or having “Divinity” is the ability to grant and gain Synergy and the ability to be pledged to and channel their power through followers using Conviction and Connexion. Collectively, this is based on Divine Union. A Principle can restrict Divine Union when they need to, and are aware of every pledge, Bond, and draw upon their power.
Principal Endeavor
The effort of manifesting divine power is provided mainly by the Divine Principal and guided with Divine Intent through Conviction. The source of the power is not tied to the time, place and conditions of its manifestation and the power from this makes the endeavor difficult to stop or interrupt.
Principal Dominion A divine Principal’s full power is most often limited to what they claim as their domain (the area their power is greatest in). It is the Conviction generated in this domain that they claim dominion over and concentrates and amplifies their power. The greater the Conviction and recognition, the greater the Principal Endeavor is within a power manifested.
Major and Minor Divine Principals
Generally a character can only possess the benefits of a single Major (elevated above all others), and a number of Minor Principals equal to their Divine Aptitude or Synergy Pool/10 (or a minimum of 1; whichever is greatest). Each entity has its own set of Prime/Principal Pools tied to it. These are measures that ties a Follower to a specific Principal. The measures is granted by and can only be recognized by that specific Principal. Some measures may only be used in service to the Principal they are associated with, depending on the Follower status of the one possessing the pools.
Entity Divine Aspects
An Aspect is a label that represents an ideal, manifestation, type, or kind of place or force in the Multiverse. All Principals and most Prime Entities represent or are associated with one or more Aspects. This relationship between entity and aspect defines the types of powers the entity is able to control and to a certain extent, pass on to Followers. Aspects are not [generally] explicitly unique to Principles. Each entity has many orders, cults, and institutions which each focus on different aspects of the deity in the life of followers and the world at large. Ex: One Aspect of Thor is thunder.
Collective Divine Aspect
Principals do not have to have a singular defined domain of related ideals, power, and causes that they represent. They may be known for, and have extra powers with one type of power, but in general reflect a collective Aspect. This is where a group of Prime Entities are part of a compact and together, collectively represent a set of aspects or ideals. This is typically a Unified Pantheon.
Serving/Service to the Entity
Elan Building: This particular activity, along with Mystic Offerings to or time serving a Prime Entities, Time in Service to Prime Institutions or Entities, acquiring knowledge and experience arduously and over great amounts of game time (beyond Character Inception), Acts altering the outcome of great conflicts or the lives of many in general, and enhancing capabilities to an epic level can all build Elan.