Devotion

Devotion represents the Clerics' direct connection to the gods. It primarily powers the Communes and is sustained by Cleric Rituals. Devotion slowly drifts to a neutral level over time, therefore a Cleric must perform rituals regularly in order to remain favored by the gods. Higher levels of devotion bonus a Cleric's available mana directly (not the Power Perception skill). Current devotion level can be checked by using the COMMUNE command.

Spells such as Benediction, Shield of Light, Resurrection and Murrula's Flames are affected by devotional state; some may even be disrupted if the Cleric's faith is wavering.

Devotion Levels

1. You feel unclean and unworthy.
2. You close your eyes and start to concentrate. In a moment a vision appears of a barren garden, parched and thirsting for nourishment. You have an intense desire to tend it.
3. You call out to your god, but there is no answer.
4. After a moment, you sense that your god is barely aware of you.
5. After a moment, you sense that your efforts have not gone unnoticed.
6. After a moment, you sense a distinct link between you and your god.
7. After a moment, you sense that your god is aware of your devotion.
8. After a moment, you sense that your god is pleased with your devotion
9. After a moment, you sense that your god knows your name.
10. After a moment, you see a vision of your god, though the visage is cloudy and impossible to make out clearly.
11. After a moment, you sense a slight pressure on your shoulder, leaving the feeling that your efforts have been acknowledged.
12. After a moment, you see a silent vision of your god, radiating forth with a powerful divine brilliance.
13. After a moment, you see a vision of your god who calls to you by name, "Come here my child and I will show you things of wonder."
14. After a moment, you see a vision of your god who calls to you by name, "My child, though you may not always see my face, I am pleased with thee and thy efforts."
15. After a moment, you see a crystal-clear vision of your god who speaks slowly and deliberately, "Your unwavering faith and devotion pleases me greatly, <Name>. Go forth and continue your works and you shall only attain a greater level of purity."
16. After a moment, you feel a clear presence like a warm blanket covering you beneath the shade of a giant Sana'ati tree.

Effects on Power Perceive

• You find it difficult to concentrate on the Holy mana around you as you struggle with your wavering faith.

• You sense that your wavering faith has slightly hampered your ability to detect the reservoirs of Holy mana around you.

• You feel that your strong faith has slightly bolstered your ability to perceive the essence of the gods.

• Your magical senses tingle with a surge of power as you tap into the Holy mana about you.

• You feel that your unwavering faith and devotion is allowing you to detect great amounts of extra Holy mana.