wrote:
>
> Many Teshnan cults are mixed magic organizations, with a given cult
offering (for
> example) Affinities and Talents or Affinities and Spells.
>
> So, if a hero joins Besdi Solf Du, he can learn the Excess or
Stealth Affinities, and a variety
> of useful talents that seem to come from the cult. But if he wants
to devote to his god he
> must concentrate his magic, (something one would think the cult and
god would favor)
> and then has to give up the very Talents that the cult taught him!
>
> Or does he?
>
I see at least three ways of approaching this:
- It is inherently a mixed religion, and most people never
concentrate, and yes to concentrate means giving up half your magic.
So Devotees will be rare and limited. Personally I don't like that
solution.
- Say that the real rule for being a devotee is to give up all magic
that doesn't come from your god. Of course, in most religions that
would mean you might as well concentrate your magic, but it isn't
actually a requirement. So they can become devotees, but keep paying
double costs. I still don't like it much.
- Follow the 'rule' implied by the 7 mothers in HQ and the rules for
Lanbril and Donandar concentration in MoLaD, and let them concentrate
their magic on what their god gives (even as initiates). This gives
them the usual benefits of concentration for their gods magic, but
they have to give up ALL other magic (including that lovely spell of
health). That gives them an affinity or two, and talents or spells
that can be used as active abilities. As a devotee they could use
their feats and talents/spells as active abilities. This makes the
most sense to me, although I don't know how well it fits cosmological
principles of Gloranthaness.
--Bryan