anointed
Technically, theurgist is the broad term for all divine casters and includes anointed and favored souls, but because anointed are so much more common than favored souls, some Scarterrans use the terms "theurgist" and "anointed" interchangeably.
Divine spell-casters are all either anointed or favored souls. favored souls are born with divine magic powers and anointed gain their magic later in life.
Mortals need three things to become an anointed. They need strong wills, great focused piety, and presumably they need the tacit approval of their patron deity.
Transmission & Vectors
The vast majority of anointed emerge from among the members of Scarterra's many priesthoods.
A majority of priests, priestesses, holy warriors, and ecclesiastical support staff are not annointed, but it is no secret that eclesiastical training is intended to maximize ones chances of their acolytes of becoming anointed. Few temple spokespeople opt to say the quiet part out loud and if pressed on it will give a rehearsed statement about how all servants of the Nine are equally valuable whether they have theurgy or not.
Causes
Anointed are mortals who piety unlocks the potential for the ability to cast divine magic.
To become anointed, a mortal must have strong focused piety, great strength of will, and presumably the good graces of their patron deity but a lot of the specifics for what makes an anointed and what does not is unknown.
For more details on this process and the cultural assumptions behind it, check out who becomes a anointed and who does not.
Most anointed are servants of one of the Nine. A rare few anointed wield the power of all nine of the Nine collectively, often called "completionist therugists". They are comparatively rare relative to other anointed.
The Cult of the Compact, advocates worshiping all the Nine equally, and they have nearly all completionist theurgists within their mantle. Despite the fact that the Cult of the Compact has more priests and priestesses than any of the Nine have individually, the Cult of the Compact boasts far fewer theurgists than any of the Nonagon factions. Because very few Scarterrans can worship all the Nine with a great intensity without playing favorites.
Symptoms
by Eron12 with Hero Forge
There are sixteen known divine spheres. Which sphere that an anointed learns first is never a guarantee but most of the time the anointed will get a sphere that compliments her strengths rather than a sphere that mitigates her shortcomings.
A natural green thumb is likely to receive Plant theurgy. A blacksmith is likely to develop Craft theurgy. An aspiring warrior is likely to develop Augmentation or Wrath. A horse breeder and trainer is likely to gain Animal theurgy. Sometimes theurgy is based on personality. Intellectually curious sorts are likely to develop Divination theurgy and vengeful people are likely to develop Hexing theurgy.
Prognosis
comissioned portrait of Aleesia the Satyr by Zeta Gardner"Becoming anointed means you are a living instrument of the Nine's will. It does mean you will live an easy life, and it certainly doesn't mean you'll live a long life." -Aleesia the Satyr, priestess of Nami
An anointed's first theurgy is going to be an extension of his skills and aptitudes. Beyond this, an anointed can develop almost any theurgy that he wants...eventually.
If an anointed persistent prays for a new ability, he will probably get it though it may take longer than anticipated. Anointed who walk the so called "Dragons' Path" tend to develop theurgy faster and farther than those who live relatively safe lives. Though age brings wisdom and some elderly theurgists are very powerful casters even if they didn't live particularly exciting lives.
by Eron12 with Hero Forge
Affected Groups
In theory, any mortal of sufficiently strong piety and willpower can become anointed. The vast majority of anointed are those who join a priesthood or holy order and are formally trained within that holy order.
A roughly equal number of males and females become anointed.
It is noteworthy that while a majority of the anointed hail from mainstream religious groups, members of fringe or even heretical groups are disproportionally more likely to become anointed, so these small and under-funded groups wield mystic power beyond what their lack of numbers and public standing would suggest. This is often used as a recruitment tool for cults.
by Eron12 on Hero Forge
Cultural Reception
For most ordinary Scarterrans, anointed and favored souls are basically the same. Theurgists are valued for their theurgy. The exact origin and mechanics of their theurgy is not especially important, only what they can do and what they choose to do is important.
Priests and priestesses do not need to be able to wield theurgy in order to preside over worship rituals, marry people, bless babies, or give eulogies at funerals, Nor is theurgy required for most support staff to priests and priestesses.
Despite theurgy not being required, anointed commonly find themselves promoted to senior ranks faster than their non-theurgist counterparts within a great many temples though other factors such as political acumen, years of service, and noteable deeds certainly factor in to who gets promoted and who does not.
by Me with Hero Forge
Type
Divine
Parent
Origin
Divine
Cycle
Chronic, Acquired
Rarity
Rare
Affected Species
Comments