Branding

[Sonder Fantasy]

Branding​

The "Faithful" are devout worshipers of deities ranging in various tenants and beliefs, reaching a higher epitome of power and purpose to which there are few comparisons. They wield the living power of the divine; Vitality, as well as the favor of the deities they worship throughout life. Of all of the mystical methods, the Faithful are the most favorably looked upon - so long as their practices do not stray from the moral compass of a collective settlement.

Those who become the Faithful undergo a branding by the gods by taking an oath. Once they have been filled with the essence of their god, a symbol of their worship will appear somewhere on their body. It is often accompanied by a painful burning sensation as their skin will melt into the shape. This symbol is unique to their worship, and may go unnoticed to the naked eye.

As the Faithful becomes more in tune with their god, and in return receiving more power, this mark will grow and change with their progression. The Faithful are tasked with upholding the unbreaking tenants of their god, often facing punishment amidst rebellion.

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Branding Initiates (Level 1)

Spoiler: Becoming an Initiate

When one becomes branded by their deity, they are blessed with power unique to the one they worship. Many of the Faithful seek to perfect their craft through dedication, worship, and offering.

However, initiating this awakening is not something considered easy. Through pain and suffering, the future Faithful must show absolute dedication to be seen as worthy. No deity makes it easy or painless, testing their devotees through a traumatic experience before branding them as their own. Every Faithful would be able to tell a tale of the horrors they have seen and how Vitality first began to flow through them. All brandings are a painful experience but aside from the brand, there is no lasting pain.
(Submit your idea and sub-branch in a Systems/Story:Lore ticket)
(You can only request your ignition after 2 weeks of your character existing)

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The Levels of Kindling​

Spoiler: Levels of Faith

Aspiring - Level 0​

• Cannot learn any scriptures.
• Vitality pool = 0

Initiate - Level 1​

• Can learn all Level 1 scriptures.
• Vitality pool = 4
• Can learn the two cantrips.
• May use 1 passive ability

Acolyte - Level 2​

• Can learn all Level 2 scriptures.
• Vitality pool = 8
• Gain a Manifestation of Faith

Hero - Level 3​

• Can learn all Level 3 scriptures.
• Vitality pool = 12
• May use 2 passive abilities

Saint - Level 4​

• Can learn all Level 4 scriptures.
• Vitality pool = 16
• Power up your Manifestation of Faith

Champion - Level 5​

• Can learn all Level 5 scriptures.
• Vitality pool = 20
• May use 3 passive abilities

Spoiler: Description

For your context:
Learned Scriptures:

• Faithful have access to all Scriptures granted by their deity.
• This includes all Scriptures from each level until now.

Vitality Pool:

• Vitality, in OOC fashion, is another term for Mana or Stamina.
• This acts as the general energy to consume when casting a Scripture.
• Your Vitality Pool is the maximum amount of Mana you can hold at a time.

Manifestations of Faith:

• Faithful can create custom Manifestations of Faith, accessed at levels 2 and 4
• At Level 2, they will be able to create a custom ability.
• At Level 4, they can power this ability up.

Passive Abilities

• Faithful will have a passive which is always active while conscious.
• These are granted at every odd level. 1, 3, 5

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Vitality & Scripture Cost​

Spoiler: Vitality and Scripture Cost

To cast a Scripture, you are required to spend an amount of Vitality. This value is determined by the Level of the Scripture where,

Scripture Level = Scripture Cost to Cast​

For each level, the Faithful is capable of casting from a pool of Vitality such that,

Vitality Pool = Four times your Scripture Level​

Example:

• Level 1 - Initiate Faithful Vitality pool: 4
• Level 3 - Hero Faithful Vitality pool: 12

Vitality Regeneration:

• An Faithful's natural Vitality Pool refreshes once every 24 OOC hours.

Aesthetic Use:

If magic is used for aesthetic purposes, you will not need to consume Vitality. If you are unsure on whether your usage is for aesthetic purpose or not, it is encouraged that you make a ticket to the Systems team!

Aesthetic use consists of magic that does not change a person's stats in any way and does not change surroundings beyond the capabilities of mundane roleplay. Examples of this may be:

• Clapping your hands in a way so loud that it sounds like thunder, but actually just using /shout.
• Using flames to light up dim torches in a room, but actually the torches are already lit.
• Making your footsteps have a glittering aura emitting when you take a step, but you are actually... just walking...

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Transfigurations​

All Faithful possess some form of visible transfiguration on their bodies, often ranging in unique cases between each of them. Such examples follow as glowing eyes, strange bodily markings, hair made of mystical energies, and several other possibilities. However, the Faithful possess the ability to suppress this alteration at will, blending in with the mundane individuals around them.

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All players are required to keep track of their level, spells, and progress within their affliction profile, as well as any other status’ affecting their character. It’s suggested to keep a link to your affliction profile when joining an event for quick reference or for DM information. Characters that have not yet reached maturity cannot enter systems.