Gnosis
From Mizahar Lore
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This article is about a rule of the game. |
Gnosis is simply the domain power of The Gods and Goddesses channeled to their mortal faithful (or enemies) through the use of Gnosis Marks. While Gnosis is related to Djed, it differs in a significant way in that not everyone has access to it. Gnosis isn't a learned ability that someone has to work with repeatedly to use. Instead, Gnosis is a power that is granted (or forced upon) - along with the knowledge of how to use it - from a deity to mortal person.
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Facts about Gnosis Marks
- Gnosis Marks are permanent. Only the deity that grants them (or curses with them) can remove them. Likewise wounds, or even a limb being hacked off that bears a mark will not affect the 'marked' person. The mark will show through the scarring, or appear on another part of a persons body after a limb is lost.
- A deity must manifest to create a Gnosis Mark on a player. They cannot do it 'long distance' or through a minion.
- If a Deity dies or is otherwise slain, those wearing Gnosis Marks from that deity will have their marks fade and any gifts from that deity cut off.
- There is a difference between rewarded/gifted marks and cursed/punishment marks. It is noticeable even to those without gnosis marks. Reward/Gift marks have a beautiful elegant appearance (even those granted by evil Gods or Goddesses to their faithful), while Curse/Punishment Gnosis Marks always appear sickly, ugly, or angry (as in a fresh burn - not one well healed). Some even have a foul smell, and can have the effect of making someone viewing one shudder.
- If someone is marked with a gnosis mark, they are also infused with a bond to that God or Goddess. They have a sense of where that god or goddess is, or at least understand when they are near. A person will feel, through the bond, what that gnosis mark grants them.
- The higher ranking the God, the stronger or more varied the gnosis marks can gift folks. Specialized rank three Gods can only grant abilities that are within their domain or sphere of influence. Gnosis marks are listed clearly with each deity writeup.
- Rank 1 and Rank 4 Gods and Goddesses (or Demi's) don't usually mark followers. By and large the majority of Gnosis Marks come from Rank 3 Gods and Goddesses, and occasionally the Rank 2 individuals.
- If a person bears a Gnosis Mark from a specific deity, they can instantly tell if someone else bears a mark (and how many) of that same deity, even if the mark is hidden by clothing or otherwise obscured. Positive or negative, it makes no difference.
- Gnosis Marks can change at the God or Goddess' Will. A reward mark can turn into a punishment mark, etc, and the deity doesn't have to be present to do so.
Timeframe for Gnosis Marks
Thread Content and Post/Word Count Requirements for Gnosis Marks
In addition to the Timeframe requirements for a gnosis mark, the acquisition of a gnosis mark is not something that can be done in a single post or even a small handful of posts. While the gnosis mark often granted as a part of the Starting Package requires a background story detailing the acquisition, gaining marks after character creation is a bit more involved. It matters not the level of the mark, a character must put forth a good amount of effort to gain even a single mark from any deity. NOT including Storyteller posts, a gnosis thread should have AT LEAST 10 posts from the character to be marked (This does not include posts in the Divine Connections forum). These posts should be more than simple dialogue where the character and the deity are just conversing with one another. These posts should me more than just a few simple prayers. They should involve the character undergoing some sort of trial or taking actions that would be significant enough to make them stand out above everyone else, at least for that moment, in the eyes of the deity.
For Example: Someone seeking to gain the attention of Rhysol, God of Evil and Betrayal, isn't going to get the god's attention simple by being a mean person. A simple murder isn't going to do it either. A single, uninspired act of betrayal probably won't do it either. These are all things that could also be done in a single post or a small few posts. Also, so many of these acts are done everyday that they wouldn't even make Rhysol blink once. In order to gain the attention of one like Rhysol, a character would have to take part in a thread that truly delves deep into the development of an action or group of actions meaningful enough to direct Rhysol to turn his attention to them. Details can be found in Rhysol's Lore write-up regarding what he looks for when granting his marks.
The above example is but one of so many. The gods do not grant their marks and thus a piece of their power to lesser beings on a whim. They do so as either a reward for significant service in the god's name or as punishment for actions that severely hinder the god's spreading influence. Gnosis marks are not given out for services not yet rendered. This means that a god will not mark a character until that character has done something for the god FIRST. It's not given on an I OWE YOU system.
As a general rule, the acquisition of marks should fit with the following thread requirement guideline (Storyteller posts and word count's not included):
1 mark = At least 10 posts with at least 5,000 words total of significant content and detail regarding the acquisition of the mark.
2 marks = At least 10 posts with at least 7,500 words total (more is preferable) of significant content and detail regarding the acquisition of the mark.
3 marks = Found Approval ONLY At least 10 posts with at least 10,000 words total more is preferable) of significant content and detail regarding the acquisition of the mark.
4 marks = Founder Approval ONLY and should be at least 20 posts with at least 25,000 words of significant content and detail regarding the acquisition of the mark.
Numbers Of Gnosis Marks - What They Represent
The Following is a general idea of what having a Gnosis Mark means. For specific examples of Gnosis Marks, see the individual writeups on each and every deity.
Positive or Reward Marks
- One Mark - When a character receives a singular mark, it is because they've attracted the notice of a god or goddess. The Deity notices some unusual quality about the person that sets them apart or makes them stand out to the God or Goddess. The Deity finds something in them it likes, and perhaps covets or wants to nurture, so it begins a relationship with a mark, granting them some of that God/dess' divine power, and creating a link between the two. People who bear a singular Gnosis mark do not necessarily worship the God who marked them. But they do have a very positive first start of a relationship. Sometimes the God or Goddess will grant one time or rare favors. Depending upon how the relationship between the two go, the deity might move towards marking the recipient again.
- Two Marks - The relationship is getting more personal at this point. The God definitely likes a character and has more than one interaction with them. One could even go so far as to say that a friendship is developing, one made up of like interests, mutual respect, and trust. The Goddess has granted the bearer of the mark more of the deities personal power and genuinely wants to see the person marked succeed in life. They might also be setting them up for a higher calling, preparing them for a future role as a priest or priestess.
- Three Marks - The pc has taken a drastic turn in their relationship with the deity. Upon receiving a third mark, they are in all intent and purpose owned by that deity. A person with three marks from a single deity are expected to uphold the Gods creed in their behavior at all times. They are a direct representation of that God or Goddess and will start gaining a close and personal relationship with that deity. This relationship may dictate that the bearer of the mark spend significant time with the deity, learning their ways and developing a close familiar bond or friendship. The God or Goddess will trust them with dangerous mission and act to protect them when necessary if their loyalty merits it. They will often have gifts and tools tailored specifically towards their relationship gifted directly from the God or Goddess themselves.
- Four Marks - There is no more close or personal relationship between a mortal and an immortal than a Champion bearing four Gnosis marks. Often the bearer will be like a son or daughter to the deity, or even perhaps a lover and best friend. The tasks the deity will ask of them are truly going to be monumental. Trust is absolute between the two as the champion wields a significant portion of the deities power, making them somewhat godlike themselves.
Negative or Curse Marks
- One Mark - The player has been at the wrong place at the wrong time, either deliberately or accidentally and majorly interfered with the plans of the God or Goddess who thus marked them. This could also come about because the player stymied long drawn out plans or somehow messed with a God/dess' minions or allies. Now, though, the player is a target. The God/dess will often use them as a test for their loyal minions, sending out their minor agents to hunt them, make their life harder, or mess with their own carefully laid plans - or peaceful lives.
- Two Marks - Somehow along the way, this negative relationship between the player and the God/dess has gotten personal. This player is now a big target and the God/dess is bent on corrupting their lives, destroying their happiness, keeping them distracted, or simply sending out minions to mess with them. They won't get a full nights sleep after this mark, and they will need to be constantly looking over their shoulder.
- Three Marks - How to put it delicately? The players life is ruined and they are definitely on the God/dess' hitlist of people who need to be removed from the immediate vicinity of life. Nothing is sacred or safe anymore, and the player has lost the option to shelter under another God/dess' gnosis powers.
- Four Marks - The player marked with four cursed gnosis marks is the arch nemesis of the deity who marked them and all their followers. There could be no larger target painted on them. If the God or Goddess who thus marked them could strike them dead, they would do so immediately and go to great lengths to make sure it happened (and that it was a long slow painful death). They are cursed beyond belief. Any possible negative thing the God or Goddess could make them do involuntarily they have done. Thus marked, they can have no friends, no family, no loved ones. Their time is limited and their curse enormous.
While positive Gnosis Marks are very common, negative marks are not. Since a God or Goddess must manifest and grant the marks themselves, they normally take the opportunity to destroy someone who has annoyed them that much. The threat of a third Gnosis mark by a God that hates someone is a strong motivation towards getting another Gods support and thus the protection three Gnosis marks grants (after three you can gain no new marks by anyone other than the God/dess that gifted you with the third). So, its nearly unheard of for anyone to have three or more negative or cursed Gnosis Marks... but it can happen. Rivalry between The Gods and Goddesses is fierce at best. Each and every one has another one opposing or despising them. So if someone notices someone gaining disfavor of an enemy, often the God/dess will court the favor of that mortal to irk their enemy further. To the Divine, the world of the living is often considered tools... nothing more nothing less.
It's also interesting to note at this point a God or Goddess can definitely successfully corrupt a player who bears multiple Gnosis Marks. Those cursed marks will then turn positive once the player makes the mental, physical, and spiritual leap to joining forces with the God or Goddess.
Gnosis Tables
Gnosis articles in Mizahar will usually feature a Gnosis table explaining in a broad sense what the Gnosis Marks of a particular deity grant the bearer. Primarily Gnosis Marks are granted as rewards for faith, though occasionally they will be forced upon a player as a punishment or curse. Negative Gnosis Mark titles are bracketed. These listings are intended as guidelines for players and moderators rather than strict limits and regulations. Individual relationships and abilities brought forth (either through rewards or curses) with the Gods and Goddesses will vary. The Gnosis table will look like the following.
| Marked [Cursed] - 1 Gnosis Mark | |
| Things the faithful will generally be able to do with this mark. | |
| Favored [Despised] - 2 Gnosis Marks | |
| Things the faithful will generally be able to do with this number of marks. | |
| Priest/Priestess [Adversary] - 3 Gnosis Marks | |
| Things the faithful will generally be able to do with this number of marks. | |
| Champion [Nemesis] - 4 Gnosis Marks | |
| Things the faithful will generally be able to do with this number of marks. | |
Summary
Gnosis Marks are as powerful as Djed. They can be as powerful as skills as well. Some skills mimic gnosis marks, but can't ever truly replace them. A great example is Healing. To use true divine healing, a person must bear the Gnosis Mark of Rak'keli. One mark equals a decent healer, four marks equals a healer well able to snatch a person from death and champion Rak'keli. A non-religious person can learn the skill of Medicine and Herbalism, which are ways to cure sickness and treat wounds as well. But if a person earns the ability to Heal through faith in Rak'keli, and also learns Medicine and Herbalism, they suddenly become a formidable healer, a single person with a rare ability to heal with faith, herbs, and conventional medicine. There are countless examples of overlap and cross-interest that can easly overlap and compliment each other using skills, Djed, and plain old fashioned know-how.