God FAQ
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What it means to be a God

Gods are created by their believers who shape their personality and power according to their religion. A God's power is limited by how much faith there is in them - the pure force they represent has unlimited power, but what the God can use is only a fraction of that power based on number and dedication of it's believers/personifiers.

Personality

When physically manifest, you tend to take on the personality of the form.  Ergo if not in your major religions’ personification, you can have whatever personality you like (but you still have the same kind of goals).

On Magic

Number of Spells known :-

Gods (depending on belief), Elven Mages, Avatars and Mages, High Priests, Clerics

Ability to call miracles :-

Avatars, High Priests, Clerics (Mages and Gods cannot call miracles)

Spell Strength :-

Gods (depending on belief), Avatars, Elven Mages, Mages, High Priests, Clerics

Spell Duelling (Mage vs Mage)

Elven Mages, Gods, Avatars, Mages, High Priests, Clerics

Advantages over Mortals :-

Immortal, if body is destroyed can make a new one.  Much easier to compose and use spells.  Access to much more mana.

Disadvantages :-

Belief shapes how much mana you have.  Belief shapes what spells you are most familiar with.

Physical manifestation :-

Has limits to use of magic same as mortals, is subject to fatigue, hunger etc..

Cannot perform miracles.  If your Avatar or someone else asks for intervention, you will have to give up your body temporarily to perform the miracle.  Ergo, you can’t do your own miracles while in a body

Ley Lines :-

Hide some magic from detection.

Allow spells to be maintained at no mana cost to you.

Allow instant communication with your believers. (but to do something about it, you must leave your body)

Magicians (Elvan and other)

Channel magic through their brains (like your Physical Manifestation) and are therefore limited in power according to their willpower (if they try really big spells their brain melts)

Know only spells they have researched and practiced.

Are hated by all religious groups (they prove atheism).

Magic Items

Destroyed or worshipped by religious groups (as trapped godliness)

Forbidden Magic

Mind Control – the most a god can do is influence people to take an action, or create emotion – it’s temporary and harder to do if it’s against your area of expertise.  Also it’s easier to influence believers than non-believers.

Time – only mages have theories of time and none of them believe in gods, so you can’t have the power.

Mind Reading/Know Alignment – doesn’t exist.  Alignment is merely a guideline.  Through magical means you can determine intent – as in if their actions over the next few minutes will be good or evil and sometimes you can determine specific actions.  Usually people do not thing straightforwardly and if it’s a complex action (do a then b then c then d) you will only be able to determine (a) as they are unlikely to constantly think about all steps in a plan.

Example of Intent – A doctor cutting a patient open to remove a diseased kidney will first be of evil intent (wanting to mutilate) then good intent (long term health of patient).

On Avatars

Avatars

May be communicated with (given visions) at no magic cost.

Are under almost constant surveillance.

Are able to call on very large miracles.

Have access to all the spells you do.

Potential Avatars

May be communicated with (given visions) at very little magic cost.

Are under surveillance.

Are able to call on miracles.

Have access most of the spells you do.

Is an Avatar aware of their nature?

Yes - but keep in mind this is a Potential Avatar. These are the tryouts.  If he dies you'll tryout the next most likely candidate.

 If so, are they aware of to which God they're linked?

Yes - The usually follow your major religion and are either head of the military or religious branches (depending on size and religion)

Can a god (me) detect potential avatars of other gods?

Yes - but only if the use more magic than a cleric does and not the same way as a mage (so you infer from evidence).  Once a Potential Avatar becomes an actual Avatar - then they will get the 'Godhood' glow which will be detectable by everyone.

Are Avatars willing? (generally?)

Yes - they don't lose personality or intelligence, they gain power and understanding (and fame of course).  It's as close as a mortal can get to being a God.

Are Avatars worshippers of relevant god?

Yes (but not necessarily fanatic worshippers) - so don't disappoint them too much, it's hard to get competant help these days .

They have no special immuntiy against Mages - but they are immune to any magic directly cast by a god or a cleric of the opposite alignment.