Sanctification
Sanctification is the process through which holy or unholy powers or nature are conferred to the followers of a deity or other divine entity. For example, a sanctified spell is infused with such power and provides greater benefits or does less harm to those of the same nature, and does the opposite to those of its counter nature.1
Many deities are on one side of the divide or the other, but some allow their followers to choose between holiness and unholiness on their own, and a few take neither side by declining to sanctify their followers. The two sides are exclusive; nothing can be simultaneously holy and unholy.12
For example, every time a cleric of Iomedae channels the divine wrath of the Inheritor, it must be made holy; she requires holy sanctification of her followers at all times.3 A follower of Asmodeus who does the same must always sanctify their wrath as unholy, as he likewise requires. A follower of Abadar can choose whether to sanctify his wrath, and if they do can choose to do so with either holy or unholy power.4 Pharasma refuses to sanctify her followers' acts, so her divine wrath can be neither holy nor unholy.5
Among clerics
Clerics, and others who dedicate themselves to a deity as a cleric does,6 are themselves also sanctified if the deity allows it. A cleric who has been sanctified is bound to uphold their deity's side and are fundamentally imbued with holiness or unholiness, whether of their choice or their deity's mandate. If a cleric is somehow converted to or tainted by the opposing side, they must rituallistically atone for their deviance before they can regain their deity's sanctification.7
Deities by sanctification
With few exceptions, each deity allows its followers to choose whether and how to sanctify their acts. Many deities allow their followers to sanctify their acts with holiness or unholiness, a few allow only one or the other, and fewer still require acts to be sanctified. In the rarest cases, such as Gozreh and Pharasma, a deity can refuse to sanctify any acts.8
Deities listed below in bold are absolute in their nature, either by requiring one form of sanctification or allowing none.
Deity | Sanctification | Ref. |
---|---|---|
Abadar | Either allowed | 4 |
Asmodeus | Unholy required | 4 |
Atreia | Holy required | 9 |
Ayrzul | Unholy required | 10 |
Calistria | Either allowed | 4 |
Cayden Cailean | Holy allowed | 4 |
Desna | Holy allowed | 1 |
Erastil | Holy allowed | 1 |
Ferrumnestra | Neither allowed | 11 |
Gorum | Either allowed | 1 |
Gozreh | Neither allowed | 1 |
Hshurha | Unholy allowed | 12 |
Iomedae | Holy required | 3 |
Irori | Either allowed | 3 |
Kelizandri | Unholy required | 13 |
Lamashtu | Unholy allowed | 3 |
Laudinmio | Neither allowed | 14 |
Lysianassa | Holy allowed | 15 |
Nethys | Either allowed | 3 |
Norgorber | Unholy allowed | 3 |
Pharasma | Neither allowed | 5 |
Ranginori | Holy allowed | 16 |
Rovagug | Unholy required | 5 |
Sairazul | Holy allowed | 17 |
Sarenrae | Holy allowed | 5 |
Shelyn | Holy allowed | 5 |
Shumunue | Holy allowed | 18 |
Torag | Holy allowed | 5 |
Urgathoa | Unholy required | 5 |
Verilorn | Neither allowed | 19 |
Ymeri | Unholy allowed | 9 |
Zon-Kuthon | Unholy allowed | 5 |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 “Introduction” in Player Core, 36. Paizo Inc., 2023 .
- ↑ The Pathfinder Second Edition Remaster Project eliminated game mechanics for alignment in favor of mechanics for edicts, anathema, holiness, unholiness, and sanctification. Broader concepts of alignment remain in the Pathfinder campaign setting. See:
- “Rules Changes” in Pathfinder Core Preview, 3. Paizo Inc., 2023 .
- Erik Mona. (April 26, 2023). Pathfinder Second Edition Remaster Project!, Paizo Blog comments.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 “Introduction” in Player Core, 37. Paizo Inc., 2023 .
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 “Introduction” in Player Core, 35. Paizo Inc., 2023 .
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 “Introduction” in Player Core, 38. Paizo Inc., 2023 .
- ↑ “Classes” in Player Core, 217. Paizo Inc., 2023 .
- ↑ “Classes” in Player Core, 110. Paizo Inc., 2023 .
- ↑ “Introduction” in Player Core, 35–38. Paizo Inc., 2023 .
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 “Fire” in Rage of Elements, 116. Paizo Inc., 2023 .
- ↑ “Earth” in Rage of Elements, 92. Paizo Inc., 2023 .
- ↑ “Metal” in Rage of Elements, 140. Paizo Inc., 2023 .
- ↑ “Air” in Rage of Elements, 68. Paizo Inc., 2023 .
- ↑ “Water” in Rage of Elements, 170. Paizo Inc., 2023 .
- ↑ “Metal” in Rage of Elements, 141. Paizo Inc., 2023 .
- ↑ “Water” in Rage of Elements, 171. Paizo Inc., 2023 .
- ↑ “Air” in Rage of Elements, 69. Paizo Inc., 2023 .
- ↑ “Earth” in Rage of Elements, 93. Paizo Inc., 2023 .
- ↑ “Wood” in Rage of Elements, 194. Paizo Inc., 2023 .
- ↑ “Wood” in Rage of Elements, 195. Paizo Inc., 2023 .