The Apostle (Background)
Apostles go by many names. Monks, priests, clerics, heretics, and hermit just a scant few examples. No matter the name, they seek out and commune with the Polyptychic Saints and the innumerable spirits whether in Grand Temples or in the dark corners of the earth. Whether they revere the saints of their village, the saint they saw in their dreams, or the High Saints elevated by the Imperial Church, they have sworn a vow to one greater than themselves. In exchange for these sacrifices - physical or spiritual - the Apostle is given a taste of their powers and the Saints listen closely to their grovelling. There may not be long left for this broken world, but the Saints leave some scant traces of what humanity should have been.
Some Apostles dedicate themselves to their community through prayer, healing, and teachings. Others defend the saints and their devotees at the point of the bayonet. But still a few find their way into the criminal underworld, whether by social ties, personal folly, or even a spiritual mission.
Saints listen to the prayers of rats; why doubt that they would listen to you?
Characteristics:
(Pick one from each line)
- I am strong / charismatic / educated.
- I know how to shoot / preach / heal.
- I am held back by my frail body / missing limb / illiteracy.
Upon dedicating yourself to your faith, you took a sincere vow. As long as you follow this vow, you can easily commune with icons and spirits. While most higher beings will look more favourably upon the learned, this does not guarantee your safety. Determine what restrictions or taboos you have accepted as part of this vow.
Create an additional characteristic related to a holy teaching or divine experience with the Saint this oath was sworn upon.
Kit:
(Pick one from each line)
- ZIP PISTOL / RUSTY OLD RIFLE / HEAVY CANE / MACHETE
- HARUSPEX / DIVINATION TEA-SET / PSYCHEDELIC HERBS
- A small portable shrine made of IVORY / JADE / WOOD / CLOTH
An Idol of a Saint with the Following Power and Vow:
| Blessing | Vow | Teaching |
|---|---|---|
| Foresee | Take no actions to enrich yourself | "Wealth is a blindfold." said the Saint. |
| Heal | Do no harm | "To destroy another is to destroy oneself." said the Saint. |
| Fog | Blind yourself in one eye | "A wise man may be tricked by what he sees, but a blind man can see through the world's illusion." said the Saint. |
| Fire | Burn the flesh from one hand, never let it heal | "The flames of a Martyr's Pyre burn away the Sinner too." said the Saint. |
| Medium | Eat human flesh once a week | "The body is not just a vessel, but a cage for the soul." said the Saint. |
| Spirit Walk | Consume opium daily | "One cannot navigate the seas without a map, and what is a sea compared to a mind?" said the saint |