Player characters are a breed apart from the typical adventurer. Anyone can journey to a catalyst to gain power, but godtouched are born with a measure of divinity. Regardless of whether they ever go near a catalyst they will still gain powers. In addition, they gain two additional perks from catalysts.
Whenever a person gains a godmark from a catalyst they also gain five years of life. For the next five years they remain frozen in time, immune to the ravages of aging. Godtouched gain ten years for each godmark, which allows many to live for centuries.
The second perk helps them live to see these centuries. One in three people exposed to a catalyst die from the immense energies. Godtouched suffer no such risk. They may gain godmarks without risk, making them far more likely to adventure.
Scholars have long debated the origin of the godtouched, but no one has ever proved the real reason for their existence. What they do know is such individuals are forces to be reckoned with. Since godtouched can choose their first two godmarks they are far more likely to be mages, something that is normally exceedingly rare.
At 1st level each player character begins with one godtouched catalization. This allows them to select an ability from the following chart. If the character wishes to be a mage they need to select an appropriate Aspect of magic. Otherwise they are free to select anything they wish.
[Figure 1.1- Touched Chart]
Any single Aspect of Magic
+ 1 Base Attack Bonus and Saving Throws
+2 to enhancement bonus to any attribute
+5 enhancement bonus to any skill
+10 hit points
Each godtouched character gains a second touched catalization at 2nd level. If they are a mage this will probably be a 2nd Aspect of magic, which will allow them to take a Greater Path of their choice. This is not necessary if the character has already gained a second type of magic from a catalyst.
