Divine Magic – The Giftrunes
The mortals of Ashar are born with divine sigils on the skin behind the left ear known as Giftrunes. These sigils bestow talents and abilities upon the bearer. Some are blessed with multiple Giftrunes, but all possess at least one.
In their Dormant state, they grant a mundane level of affinity for their prescribed disciplines. Once a gift has Awakened, it imbues its bearer with supernatural ability.
All Giftrunes have value, historically they have been segregated into two classes: the Greater and the Lesser. All hold the potential for abuse, yet bearers of the Greater Gifts must beware. For as the proverb states: “With great power comes both great responsibility and great temptation.”
What Power do you Wield?
The Greater Gifts
The Kineticist
Bearers of the Kineticist Giftrune possess a unique understanding of the elements. Those with Dormant Giftrunes are frequently our Engineers, Alchemists, Physicists, Geologists, and Stellarists.
Once Awakened, the potential for chaos and destruction lies in their hands. Supernatural use of force and the elements are common skills. Some are capable of time manipulation, teleportation, and portal creation. They are frequently employed as Battlemages, working in conjunction with the military and intelligence communities.
In less militant roles, Awakened Kineticists serve as leaders in the practical fields mentioned above. The Ways, the Holds, and the Wonders of Ashar exist only by their power.
The Sage
Even in its Dormant state, the Giftrune of the Sage grants its bearers unusual wisdom and discernment. They are able to present truth in a clear, concise manner. Many find roles as Counselors, Clerics, Advisors, and Philosophers.
Once Awakened, Sages can discern truth from falsehood. Because of the obvious advantage to any ruler, an Awakened Sage is a highly valued but often abused resource. They frequently fill the roles of Justices, Ambassadors, Advisors, Clerics, and Intelligencers.
The Harbinger
Dormant Harbingers clearly communicate spiritual truths and apply them to modern situations. They tend towards vocations of Clerics, Counselors, Advisors, and Philosophers.
Upon Awakening, also known as their Call, they receive Visions and Messages communicated directly from the Creator. These are deemed as scripture and are recorded in the Tome of Harbingers. As spokesmen of Elyon, the revelations communicated to a Harbinger become binding upon all of the souled.
The Regent
In its Dormant exhibition, Regents are adept leaders, administrators, and strategists. Typical vocations include Governors, Treasurers, Guild Masters, and Military Commanders.
Awakened Regents rise as leaders of the souled, driving the course of history. Highly charismatic and influential, they are almost irresistible. They commonly obtain positions of authority such as Kings, Overlords, and High Clerics.
The Diplomat
Dormant Diplomats are gifted in linguistics, rhetoric, and oratory. They learn new languages with ease and are clear and persuasive communicators. Diplomats become Administers, Ambassadors, Archaeologists, and Interpreters to name but a few.
On an Awakened level, a Diplomat is able to interpret previously unknown languages. Using Persuasion, they can sway others to a new belief or position. For obvious reasons, abuse of this gift is immoral and extremely harmful. Also, for obvious reasons, Awakened Diplomats are frequently employed by the Intelligence community.
The Lesser Gifts
The Illuminator
Dormant Illuminators teach and train effortlessly. They excel at research and scholarship and have remarkable memorization skills. They gravitate toward roles of Instructors, Clerics, Mages, Archaeologists, and Historians.
Awakened Illuminators have perfect recall of any information they have read, heard, or experienced. They have been known to demonstrate instantaneous understanding of scholarly disciplines without previous study. Awakened Illuminators frequently become Academic Mages and High Mages, often making ground breaking discoveries in their chosen fields.
The Artisan
Dormant Artisans display notable talent in the fine or practical arts. They become our painters, potters, weavers, smiths, carpenters, dancers, and Bards.
Once Awakened they rise to Mastercraftsmen of their chosen fine or practical art. These men and women bring great joy to the souled by producing art of unsurpassed quality and beauty.
The Sentinel
Bearers of the Sentinel Giftrune show unusual prowess in martial arts. They typically form a kingdom’s military and constabulary forces.
In their Awakened state, the Sentinel displays supernatural strength, endurance, and expertise in these martial or protectorate skills. The senses—vision, hearing, scent, touch, and taste—are often heightened, allowing them exceptional perception of their environment. Many rise to the rank of Unrivaled, serving as elite warriors and guardians for their kingdoms.
The Restorer
Those who bear the Restorer’s Giftrune are skilled in all medicinal arts. They are the healers, medics, herbalists, midwives, pharmacists, and caregivers for their communities.
In their Awakened state they can perform supernatural works of physical healing. They detect and dispel sorcery, cleansing living creatures of Survath’s taint. No form of Binding or Compulsion can stand against their touch.
They alone create a kingdom’s Runed steel armaments. Most Awakened Restorers become Court Healers, Clerics, and military medics, but are also coveted by the Intelligence community.
The Vivicist
The dormant Vivicist excels at cultivation and animal husbandry. Most find joy and success in the roles of farmers, ranchers, horticulturalists, and masters of horse, hound, and hawk.
In their Awakened state they are able to grow flora at an accelerated rate, staving off famine. Said flora is often used in a military fashion, forming palisades and siege ladders. An Awakened Vivicist has the unique ability to Bond with animals. These beasts willingly perform requested tasks, including the accurate transmission of messages.
Most Awakened Vivicists continue in agricultural pursuits, but some choose to use their talents in conjunction with the military as Patrolmen, Communication Corpsmen, or Warmages. Others find employment in the intelligence community.
The young think themselves invincible, until they are not...
ELIAS ben KOHATH – KING OF HAVILAH