Mote of Power

Believed to be the remains of the Precursor Gods, Motes of Power exist in the Maelstrom traveling at unpredictable speeds and motions, just one more hazard for those who try to traverse the Astral Sea. It is what allows Divinities to project their power across the planar boundaries to their mortal supplicants' Mote of Power.

Nature

Motes of Power are fragments of the Precursor Gods or other destroyed Divinities. They can provide channels for passing the power of a Domain to the mortal followers who have a matching Mote of Power. This channeling is not automatic, allowing a mortal to draw on a Divinity's power. But requires the Divinity to channel their power through their Mote of Power in response to the supplicant's prayer.

Mortals

Mortal souls can be host to a Mote of Power bonded to their soul. This typically occurs randomly, but there are whispers of rituals that can capture a Mote of Power and bind it to a mortal. However such things require mastery of the Astral Sea and the ability to survive the Maelstrom. Both of which are very rare if not impossible due to the Pathkeepers campaign of suppressing Planar Knowledge.

Capturing a Mote

As motes are free floating they can possibly be captured through the actions of mortals. With sufficient in a place or person, the force of that belief can attract a mote to the focus of that belief. As well, the act of belief can generate a Spirit around the Mote of Power. There are rumors of dark rituals that can extract a Mote of Power from an individual and transfer it to another.

Spirits

Spirits who gain enough power to survive the Maelstrom can seek out a Mote of Power. Doing so is the final step in becoming a Saint or God. Divinities can attempt to capture more than one, however doing so is not without danger. If the Divinity is not sufficiently powerful, taking on another Mote can destroy it. While not a source of power, it can act as a lens for a Divinity to channel its power through to reach across the planes. This power isn't given freely, Divinities build religions around themselves setting standards of what makes an Adherent is worthy of their power.

Manifestation

Domain

Motes of Power have a specific theme that power can be channeled through. It shapes the effects the Divinity can manifest though their Adherents.

The Call

Once a mortal bears a Mote of Power it will reveal itself to them through dreams and influencing their behavior. They will feel a call to a Divinity with a Domain that matches their Mote of Power. As a Divinity becomes aware of the mortal, they will send the mortal visions and dreams, calling them to worship. Following this call can lead Mortals to travel far from home if there is not a Divinity within the religion they were raised in who has a matching Domain.

Rejecting the Call

There are those Mortals who reject the call, either as the worship they are called to it violates their existing religion, their morals, or are unable to follow the call due to circumstance. If they do so, they will still feel the ache — tempting them — for the rest of their lives.

Social Effects

A Mote of Power allows a mortal to tap into a Divinity's power beyond what a mere Pactallows. Because of this direct connection to a Divinity, mortal followers of that Divinity will exalt the Adherent who channels their power.

Saints in waiting

Because Adherents have their own Mote of Power, it is possible for one to ascend to Sainthood upon death if they have a following of their own. Typically they become subordinate to their patron Divinity within their Pantheon.