Deific Sparks

Introduction

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In the setting of Records of Legends, the source of the godlike powers a deity possesses exists in a physical form somewhere within the deity’s body. This coalescence of power and deific ability is known as a Deific Spark. The Deific Spark is the source of reality-bending or nature-defying strengths its host being wields. But being a physical source of power that exists beyond the death of its host, these Sparks have the capability to change hands under the right circumstances.

Etymology

Broken down into its base components, “deific” comes from a neutrally-aligned term for the godlike powers the object bestows upon its host, and “spark” originates from the brilliant colored light it gives off when exposed to the open air.

Physical Properties

Color. The color a Deific Spark specifically gives off is dependent on the abilities or origins of its previous host. Some examples include: Deific Sparks from Sevorahk and Nrevalisk tend to be crimson red or black, those from ice deities tend to be a tundra white or frosty blue, while that of a flame deity might be scarlet red or a comforting orange.
Dimensions. The shape and size of a Deific Spark can vary depending on a combination of the size of the host and their level of cosmic power. It is typically an orb-like object of light at its core, somewhere between 7-20 ft. in diameter. However, some Deific Sparks have been known to be either humanoid or capsule-like in shape as well.
State of Being. A raw Deific Spark removed from its host exists as simply a source of light with no physical form to touch or manipulate. It can be moved by hand, nature, or magic as if it were a large balloon filled with air. Those attempting to physically touch the object without absorbing it experience a physical sensation in their nerves (not touching an actual surface) based on the Spark’s most recent host (frigid for ice gods, sharp for war gods, wet for ocean gods, etc.)

Greater vs. Lesser Deific Sparks

Deific Sparks all grant godlike magical abilities, but there is a distinct difference between the amount of influence they can have on the material realm around them. The gods that mortals typically think of--those that can move mountains, drown countries, and sink islands on a whim--are hosts of what are known as Greater Deific Sparks or Greater Sparks. But there are those who can also manipulate the material plane far beyond that of those at the peak of mortal magical abilities.

These weaker divinities are hosts of what are called Lesser Deific Sparks. Hosts of Lesser Deific Sparks lack the full world-altering abilities of those with Greater Deific Sparks, but still possess enough power to shape the immediate realm around them with relative ease. Beings that would be considered demigods--either half-mortal offspring of or beings greatly blessed by a particular host with a Greater Deific Spark--are hosts of Lesser Sparks.

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Ways to Create a Lesser Deific Spark

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Cultish Worship

Amassing a following of at least one hundred thousand (100,000) living people. The energy from these followers will allow for the creation of a demiplane, where the object of their worship will manifest with a Deific Spark (if not a currently existing creature) or will receive the Deific Spark upon their mortal death (in the case that it is a living creature).

Mass Sacrifice/Slaughter

Absorbing an large amount of life energy released from the deaths of at least one hundred thousand (100,000) medium-sized creatures. These deaths do not need to be directly caused by the host-to-be of the Lesser Deific Spark or even occur at the same time, only that their energies and souls are captured and eventually absorbed by them. Cults can use this method to ascend their leader to lesser divinity. This is how most Sevorahk attain their initial Abyssal Sparks.

Astonishing Magic

Casting a 11th Level spell with a specific creature as the target recipient of the Lesser Deific Spark.

Gifted Minor Divinity

A host of a Greater Deific Spark grants at least 25% but less than 50% of their own Deific Spark to a recipient, that recipient becomes a demigod with their own demiplane and develops a series of abilities with a similar theme as the original host of the spark. The Greater Deific Spark will eventually regenerate back to its full force over the course of a year in the material plane.

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Ways to Create a Greater Deific Spark

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Mass Organized Worship

Amassing a following of at least one million (1,000,000) living people. The energy from these followers will allow for the creation of a demiplane, where the object of their worship will manifest with a Deific Spark (if not a currently existing creature) or will receive the Deific Spark upon their mortal death (in the case that it is a living creature).

Genocidal Slaughter

Absorbing an impossibly large amount of life energy from the deaths of at least one million (1,000,000) medium-sized creatures. This is how the most fearsome Sevorahk become threats to the material plane. These deaths do not need to be directly caused by the host-to-be of the Greater Deific Spark or even occur at the same time, only that their energies and souls are captured and eventually absorbed by them.

Incomprehensible Magic

Casting a 12th Level spell with a specific creature as the target recipient of the Greater Deific Spark.

Shared Godhood

A host of a Deific Spark takes exactly half of their own Spark and places it in another entity. Both halves will regenerate to full Sparks over the course of 10 years in the material plane. Too little given will only make the recipient a Divine Champion or a demigod with a Lesser Deific Spark. Too much given will create a Divine Champion-like bond, with the new host of the Greater Deific Spark as a Patron Deity, and the gifter now becoming a weaker divinity with only a Lesser Deific Spark or a Divine Champion, depending on the amount of the Greater Spark given.

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How to Absorb an Existing Deific Spark

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As described in the physical properties of a Deific Spark, the raw Spark itself as it exists outside of its host is a powerful source of colored light. When in this raw state, an entity can absorb the Deific Spark by entering the core source of the light and willing the Spark’s energy to become one with their being. The Deific Spark is not a conscious or sentient entity, and as such, it will not resist the creature’s will. But an unprepared or inexperienced would-be host might be destroyed by the sudden rush of deific powers and energies into their physical form, and might be destroyed for being too brash.

Lesser Deific Sparks

Listed below are conditions in which a Lesser Deific Spark can be absorbed without suffering intense magical trauma or permanently debilitating physical damage in the process:

• Be an 18th level character of any kind when entering the raw Deific Spark will allow for safely absorbing the Spark.
• Use soul-absorbing items or components to separate the Lesser Deific Spark into smaller pieces and gradually absorb it over the course of 3 years. Minor godlike abilities will begin to manifest at the end of the first year and grow as the process continues.
• Cast a Wish spell in the presence of 250,000 gp worth of soul-absorbing/manipulating components and equipment to absorb the Deific Spark.
• Have another being with a Greater Deific Spark assist the new host in absorbing the raw Spark without consequence.

Greater Deific Sparks

Listed below are conditions in which a Greater Deific Spark can be absorbed without suffering deep magical trauma or even death in the process:

• Be a 20th level character of any kind when entering the raw Deific Spark will allow for safely absorbing the Spark.
• Use soul-absorbing items or components to separate the Deific Spark into smaller pieces and gradually absorb it over the course of 5 years. Lesser godlike abilities will begin to manifest at the end of the first year and grow as the process continues. At the end of 3 years, the host will have developed a Lesser Deific Spark.
• Cast a Wish spell in the presence of 1,000,000 gp worth of soul-absorbing/manipulating components and equipment to absorb the Deific Spark.
• Have another being with a Greater Deific Spark assist the new host in absorbing the raw Spark without consequence.

Types/Natures of Deific Sparks

• Divine Spark: Originates from an Upper Plane of celestial-like deities.
• Abyssal Spark: Originates from either Sevos or Zhardosk.
• Ethereal Spark: Originates from a Transitive or Far Plane (the Ethereal Plane, the Feywilds, the Astral Plane, domains of Lovecraftian Horrors, etc.).
• Primordial Spark: Originates from a Material or Elemental Plane of Existence.

*Note: Deific Sparks can change nature if they are taken by force by another creature or if the nature of the wielder changes. For example, a Divine Spark can become an Abyssal Spark if the host deity becomes fallen, or an Ethereal Spark can become a Primordial Spark if an Archfae is defeated and its new wielder desires elemental powers.