val Holryn wrote:
If a young proto-sorcerer *couldn't* effectively learn Cants because their body is somehow hardwired for a different kind of magic that would be really really interesting! And a bumber for a small slice of seminary students who might have a latent "gift" they don't know about...But would still potentially leave the temple of Sarish open to them.
I have always assumed (based on Henry's assertions that one 'can not' access both arcane and divine--other than psionic of course) that there was some metaphysical reason. For instance, arcane and divine magic are from two completely different sources, and like oil and water you can't mix them.
The Sarishan church suggestion is very interesting though. Makes me wonder if:
a) Ymandragorans will harvest Sarishan priests
b) If the answer to 'a' is no, whether the Church of Sarish is overwhelmed with applicants in areas hard hit by the Ymandragorans.
I suppose the other consideration is whether a church will accept a potential priest if their reason for joining is self-preservation rather than true faith in the deity. I think that looking at the mechanics of the system, there is some evidence that you need faith to utilize the cants...it isn't just a matter of rote memorization of a series of words and movements.