Mortal Arts

Introduction

Of the two spheres of influence one might draw magic from, a Greater Being is a far less confusing and more circumstantial area than drawing might and power from the Primordial Dream. In turn, we bring this lore piece forward to more properly explain what Favor actually is in a simpler, easy to understand section of writing. In it, we will more properly detail the basic rules of Mortal Arts - namely the system of currency, “Favor”.  

Mortal Arts

Mortal Arts are Truths granted to mortals by some sort of Greater Being. A Greater Being is simply a being that posses Divine or greater capabilities, this means anything more powerful than the "The Smiling Man". The Seven Mortal Gods are the most common beings to give out Mortal Truths but some Divine Daemons (or Archdemons), Powerful Celestials (or slightly less powerful Celestials), Fey Kings/Queens or Lords/Ladies are known on ocassion to grant Mortals their own arts aswell. The Elemental Lords themselves are always keen to grant a worthy individual power to help aid in the war. While Mortal Arts granted by the 7 Mortal Gods are very standard, Mortal Arts granted by other Greater Beings always have some kind of variation. For example, Paladins of the Mortal Gods are sworn to fight Voudr, Lycanthropes and Darkspawn but a Paladin of an Elemental Lord is only sworn to fight their lords direct enemies.   The Mortal Arts are: Paladins, Clerics, Seers, Bards, Shamans, Witches and Warlocks.   Recieving a Mortal Art from a Greater Being involves doing deeds in their name, sacraficing and/or performing rituals all while following their words. Each being is different and thus different steps are required. Alternatively, Greater Beings other than Mortal Gods can grant a devoted follower with magic of a corresponding pillar. For example, a devotee to Vilias, Elemental Lord of Water could be granted Elementalism (with the ability to only use water spells until higher ranks where they can then also use ice spells) instead of becoming a Paladin or Warlock.  

Divine Connection

Once a Greater Being has deemed a mortal worthy they then forge a connection with them. This connection is what grants a mortal "Favor" when they perform certain actions their god approves of and allows them to draw on power from their deity to cast their abilities. The only way divine connections can be severed is via the deity themselves doing it, a monk ritual or specific way mentioned in the Mortal Art.  

Mechanics

The Mortal Art Sources

The 7 Mortal Gods
The Mortal Gods are simple and easy to understand. Most have estblished religions that teach their desires and ways, thus by following certain ones, certain Mortal Arts can be obtained.   Daemonic Princes or Archdaemons
Daemonic Princes or Archdaemons exclusively grant their devout mortal followers with a form of Warlock or Witch magic. The only odd one among them is Moloch who exclusively grants a form of Seer magic.   Powerful Celestials
Powerful Celestials exclusively grant their devout mortal followers with a form of Paladin or Cleric magic.   Fey Monarchs
Fey Monarchs grant their devout mortal followers with a form of Paladin, Warlock or Bard magic.   Elemental Lords
Most Elemental Lords grant their devout mortal followers with a form of Paladin magic, however Zyzrasil exclusively grants forms of Warlock or Witch magic. Qhethys and Aphion are also capable of granting a form of Cleric magic.  

Generating Favor

Practioners of Mortal Arts, drawing out from their deity do not suffer exhaustion through Tearing. In their magic, every spell has a cost of Favor associated with it. Favor can take physical form or not and some Greater Beings call it something else. In the end however Favor is generated by the Mortal via performing certain actions outlined by their Greater Being (or following specific laws or tenants in the case of Paladins or Clerics) and a Mortal can only have a max of 8 Favor in their possesion.  

Summary

In the Lost Fables Lore, one of the two main sources of Magic are Greater Beings, granting power to what are known as “practioners of Mortal Arts”. Within this sphere of Divine+ exists many beings who a Mortal can connect to in order to cast their form of a Mortal magic. When an Mortal Art practioner casts, they use Favor and regain that favor by performing specific things or following specific laws.