The Church of Affinity often recruits its members as Dendrite Aspirants. They do this by receiving children, either willingly given or taken by force, at very young ages, often under a year. The practice is known as Vesting and the child is taken into church custody and cut off completely from its family. They do this to find children who have not yet developed a concept of language and thereby, can be taught the Ancient Cant, or the Words of the Ancients.
The Ancient Cant is a bizarre language wholly alien to the languages of the modern world. Though the ancients also spoke a more conventional language (known also as The Ancient Language) the Cant is a language specifically tied to the Ancient's magic. Once a concept of language has been established in a child's mind, the Ancient Cant cannot be taught or understood. Conversely, once the Ancient Cant has been learned, the Dendrite as they are called, cannot speak or learn conventional languages.
Though you were taken for this purpose, you had developed a concept of language before your education began. Because of this, you were instead brought into the church proper. Your Dendrite education does grant you some command over the Ancient Cant, though this is limited. Your upbringing in the church also instilled in you a depth of knowledge and insight.
- Skill Proficiencies: Skill Proficiencies: Arcana, Insight
- Languages: Two of your choice.
- Equipment: A church mark, which serves as both a spell focus and a badge of office within the church. This mark indicates your rank within the church, or former rank when you were a member. It also indicates your branch and sect.
A Dendrite Aspirant is left with some simple understanding of the Ancient Cant and with it, intuitive knowledge of magic and its applications. You can identify any magic item in 10 minutes and discern its command word. Furthermore, they are able to understand the general idea, but not the specific wording, of Ancient Runewords.
Suggested Characteristics
Former Church Dendrites have known nothing but the church. This may mean they have spent their lives in study, or fighting battles in the name of Affinity. No matter the career, the church has formed the cornerstone of your life, even if one has lost their faith and left the church.