Divine Magic is the direct correlation between a deity and their devout. A mage of the divine draws their power from those they worship, be it a lawful, righteous god, or one representing war, despair and pain. A deity may bestow upon those that pledge their lives to their cause a wealth of power to call upon that share their alignment and/or affinity. A mage's resolve, frequent communion with their deity through prayer or ritual, and devotion to their cause will typically determine their prowess and ability as a divine spell-caster.
Background
Divine Magic has been in practice as far back as records date, and even further still, to the time when the races of Arethil first began to worship deities. Each civilization, culture, and subculture therein pay tribute or sacrifice to varying numbers of divine entities. While some are revered as harbingers of war, others the graceful hands of blessings and charity, and others still of wealth and fortune, each entity of the divine nature may grant a portion of its own strength and energy to those who channel its energy through prayer, sacrifice, ritual, or other communion. It is these mages that are referred to as divine spell-casters.
Though considered limited in nature by some scholars, in particular those who study College Magic, Divine Magic can bestow upon individuals great power. The ability to cure deadly diseases, plagues, or heal the gravest of wounds are but a single example, while another deity may grant the ability to manifest powerful illusions, perhaps even utilize the senses of an animal or another person. A divine mage is limited only by the affinity and alignment of their deity.
Divine spell-casters, though perhaps fewer in number than their sister disciplines, are still widely taught throughout Arethil. These mages are most typically found in connection within their race or tribe's chantry, church, or similar place of worship. Though it is not unheard of for any one individual to practice or pray to any particular deity of their choosing, or even for a deity to bestow their blessing upon someone themself, it is less frequent.
Though considered limited in nature by some scholars, in particular those who study College Magic, Divine Magic can bestow upon individuals great power. The ability to cure deadly diseases, plagues, or heal the gravest of wounds are but a single example, while another deity may grant the ability to manifest powerful illusions, perhaps even utilize the senses of an animal or another person. A divine mage is limited only by the affinity and alignment of their deity.
Divine spell-casters, though perhaps fewer in number than their sister disciplines, are still widely taught throughout Arethil. These mages are most typically found in connection within their race or tribe's chantry, church, or similar place of worship. Though it is not unheard of for any one individual to practice or pray to any particular deity of their choosing, or even for a deity to bestow their blessing upon someone themself, it is less frequent.
Description
Through daily ritual, prayer, worship, song, or other offering to their chosen divine, it is common reciprocation that a deity bless upon those mages who follow in their path a boon of their power. However, it should be noted that no mage will ever receive the strength of multiple deities, nor will their magic inherently contradict the alignment held by their deity. Furthermore, the strength of a mage is determined in part by their level of devotion, in part by the strength of their individual deity, and in part by the strength of their own soul.
By decree of the gods, no mortal shall ever be bestowed such a boon that would elevate them to the status of demi-god. Additionally, it is possible for divine spell-casters whose devotion to their deity wanes to be stripped of their magic and connection to their divine. Forsaking the path set before them by acting in contradiction to their deity's own alignment or life governing rules will also permanently sever a mage's connection to their magic.
The access one has to the six aspects of divine magic are decided upon by their chosen god. Deities who offer blessings will rarely offer their contradictory aspects of curses or evocations, and vice versa. However every deity is an individual, and perhaps there may be exceptions to this common rule.
A key component of Divine Magic is daily sacrifice. To receive the blessing of their deity, each day a mage must make time to offer penance, sacrifice, ritual, prayer, or other form of worship to appease their divine. Without this, a follower of divine magic will be temporarily severed from their ability to cast even the simplest spells for the next day.
In order to become a divine spell caster there are a few basic requirements, however perhaps fewer than certain other disciplines. Provided these conditions are met, it is possible to become a powerful divine spell-caster, even if you are otherwise illiterate.
- One must have the innate ability within them to cast or conjure magic.
- They must swear devotion to a deity, offering daily worship.
- One must follow that deity's path.
Six Aspects of Divine Magic
There are six aspects of divine magic. These are:- Blessings - Cure diseases, enhance physicality or mentality, create hallowed grounds.
- Curses - Cause diseases, cripple physicality or mentality, create cursed grounds.
- Wards - Create barriers, traps, and alarms.
- Conjurations - Summon spirits, demons, speak with the dead, or manifest weapons.
- Evocations - Manipulation of the elements. (Air, Water, Earth, Fire) - *Less common among good alignments.
- Illusions - Manifest powerful illusions, disguises, creatures, etc in the minds of others. Make them believe what you want them to see.
Seven Principles of Divine Magic
- No deity will ever bestow the blessing of demi-god status upon any mortal.
- To perform magic, a divine mage must have sated their deity through some form of worship that day.
- Forsaking one's divine through any of the following will permanently and, in most cases, irreversibly sever their connection to that deity's magic:
- Disavowing one's devotion to their deity.
- Acting in contradiction to the path, alignment, or duties set forth by one's divine.
- Failure to commune, worship, and/or pray to one's divine for one month's time.
- A divine caster may only perform magic associated with their divine's alignment and affinity.
- A divine caster may only receive the blessing of one deity, regardless of any number of those they worship.
- Divine Magic must always follow the core rules of magic.
- The cost of magic for a divine mage comes from the strength of their bond with their deity, as well as their own bodily strength. Divine Magic still has a price to be paid, and with it, the danger of magic.
Lore
"My father serves as the high priest of my tribe back home. Think of it like your chantry leaders. Our magic comes from the divine. Our gods lend us their strength and with it we are able to utilize magic that most are unfamiliar with. In a way some might find it limiting. It is why I cannot throw fire, or summon terrible storms like your dreadlords, though I suppose if I served an evil deity I may be able to do so. That is a question for the dark elves."
Eirika had not in fact ever met a dark elf, they were not welcome among her tribe, branded as evil and tainted by evil gods. Some associated with them, Eirika herself had a curiosity for them, but it was forbidden and she was not one to disobey, except of course when her father's life was on the line.
"I am able to heal to great effect. I can summon the spirits of my ancestors, as well as create powerful wards and speak with the dead, so long as they are willing. Divine manifestations and conjuring are easy enough as well. I can return the dead to life both temporarily and permanently, as they were in life, but the latter is forbidden among our people. It is said that a life can only be traded for a life."
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