Re: Animist Religions

From: bethexton_at_...
Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 19:08:03 -0000

• In HeroQuest-rules_at_yahoogroups.com, "Mike Holmes" <homeydont_at_h...> wrote:
  >
  > I think that where some of the confusion has been (at least on my
  part) is
  > that Spiritist seems to be a "religion" keyword, and not
  a "specialized
  > magic" keyword, despite the Spiritist getting charms. These charms
  one gets
  > from being a Spiritist, if I understand correctly now, are similar
  in terms
  > of abilities to the "Calling for Divine Aid" abilities that Theist
  common
  > worshippers get, and the blessings that the Monotheists common
  worshippers
  > get. That is, they don't comprise a specialized magic keyword, just
  > abilities that the character gets along with the religion that the
  character
  > can take with their Homeland. Somebody correct that if it's wrong.
  

I think that is basically right.

My understanding of it is that as part of your culture key word, you get the common magic key word. The common magic key word actually includes being a lay worshipper, a spiritist, or a congregation member, as well as the other common magic abilities (that is, you are a spiritist of Waha and know survival tricks, you are a lay member of Orlanth and Ernalda as well as knowing Flesh Man's magic, etc).

The specialized magic key words are initiate, devotee, practioner, shaman, liturgist, orderly, and adept.

Each of those specialized magic key words subsumes the appropriate basic membership level (lay member, spiritist, congregation member) as well.

If that is wrong, please correct me too!

--Bryan