Uninitiated Characters

[Richard S.]

I know that in Dragon Pass nearly everyone initiates to a cult, but how would you handle characters with only pantheonic or even no initiation? I believe in Peloria initiation is far less common, and in the West, especially in Rokari and Brithini-dominated places, I would be surprised if there were large numbers of initiated Dronars, though Horali and Talars would probably be more free to use Rune magic. Would you just forgo choosing a cult template? Would you give the character other bonuses to make up for not being initiated?

[Wrestlepig]

They'll probably do an Invisible God cult that has unique mechanics/upsides (or maybe just very good starting professions). The brithini will probably be outside of player hands but otherwise be "here is a shitton of MP and POW"

Pantheon stuff will probably just be the same as having a single cult, for ease of use. We do have an example of it already in the Seven Mothers cult. I'd say the game should encourage having PCs as initiates, it's better from both a gameplay thing to get the increased power and differentiate characters, and on the narrative side to bake in a personal relationship with responsibilities.

[metcalph]

1 hour ago, Richard S. said:

I know that in Dragon Pass nearly everyone initiates to a cult, but how would you handle characters with only pantheonic or even no initiation? I believe in Peloria initiation is far less common, and in the West, especially in Rokari and Brithini-dominated places, I would be surprised if there were large numbers of initiated Dronars, though Horali and Talars would probably be more free to use Rune magic. Would you just forgo choosing a cult template? Would you give the character other bonuses to make up for not being initiated?

I think the most obvious solution is that the clans replace the cults as the source of spirit magic.  Every clan would have a clan magician whose job it is to teach clan members.  The RQ rules are vague stating that rune cults may teach any spirit magic known to their rune masters but doesn't specify who has the job of teaching.

 

[soltakss]

Pantheonic membership could have a Lay Member status, in which case you are loosely tied to the Pantheon. For the West, this would mean becoming a Lay Member of the various Malkioni sects and gaining some benefits in terms of Spirit Magic spell access. I doubt whether Lay Membership would give you access to Sorcery, in the same way that it doesn't give you access to Runemagic.

Lay Membership of a Tradition might allow you to learn some specialised Spirit Magic or skills, but not more than an Initiate would get.

For me, Malknioni Sects and Animist traditions are effectively Pantheons and can be treated in a very similar way.

[PhilHibbs]

There are cultures that do not have initiation, yes, but I imagine that most adventurers in those cultures will not be from the class or caste that does not initiate. If options are presented for that, then probably there will be some alternative route to gaining magical power.