Enlightenment

Quote: “Restate my assumptions: One, Mathematics is the language of nature. Two, Everything around us can be represented and understood through numbers. Three: If you graph the numbers of any system, patterns emerge. Therefore, there are patterns everywhere in nature.”

Maximillian Cohen, Pi (1998)

Description

Those who walk the path of the enlightenment conviction desperately search for the truth behind the seemingly chaotic machinations of the universe. Each a philosopher in their own right, enlightenment-seekers are not content with the myths and riddles passed down by tradition and will drive themselves to erudition or madness in pursuit of the secrets that have built the known world, and perhaps beyond. Societal norms appear to be only the unnecessary safeguards of primitive minds. They would use this knowledge --- be it of arcane, scientific, or spiritual origin --- for purposes as myriad as the seekers themselves. Whether their intentions are to heal or to conquer, they are generally misunderstood by the vast majority of the populace. Shunned, they are forced to live in secret enclaves, away from those they either strive to advance, or finally loose their long schemed revenge upon. Too often, however, enlightenment-seekers fall to solipsism and paranoia. Sometimes bred by their frequent and protracted periods of isolation, these mad ones believe they are beset on all sides by those who would detract them from the truth. These delusions do not seem so unrealistic when considered how often enlightenment-seekers are deceived and betrayed by those who could never understand them, or exploited for their wondrous creations. Regardless of their sanity, those who walk the path of enlightenment are among the few who ever glimpse, if only in momentary epiphanies, the pure revelations of nature’s secrets. As only they know, it is there that true power lies.

Boons

1. When conducting research or working toward your next discovery, you may spend a Conviction point to add your Conviction rating to your next skill check.

2. You gain either Predictable or Healthy Suspicion as an extra talent. If, by some twist of fate you already have both of these talents, you gain an extra talent.

3.

4.  You gain the Ego II talent.

5.