Back to Menu
In the Classic Unisystem games, Divine Inspiration is a Metaphysical Art that allows true believers to channel power directly from the Creator, and in true ecumenical fashion, it's available to all monotheists, rather than just one religion or denomination. As magic-type abilities go, it's a little strange: Inspiration may only be used to further the Divine Plan (whatever that may be), and if invoked for mundane reasons or contrary to said deity's wishes, the power just won't work, and the Inspired might lose his or her abilities until proper atonement has been made.
When introduced in the agnostic (and Essenceless) Buffyverse, Divine Inspiration works a little differently. First, it's not available to just anybody. In order to be Inspired, a character must be a devoutly religious person, usually of an at least nominally monotheistic faith (Judaism, Christianity and Islam in all their variants, plus Zoroastrianism, certain forms of paganism, and maybe even Deism). Second, the character must be a human (or a half-demon with so little demon blood as to be indestinguishable from human), and must not have any sort of pre-existing bond with or receive powers from a spirit or other entity, including demons (so no vampires or Slayers), totem animals and similar (no lycanthropes or Totem Warriors), or Spirit Patrons (including angels, gods, Great Old Ones and Powers That Be, if your campaign includes these). Naturally, having a soul is a must.
Inspired characters may not have the Sorcery Quality or Necromancy, but psychic abilities are still acceptable unless they are a boon granted by a power of some sort. They may choose to permanently lose these Qualities and buy Divine Inspiration (or vice versa), but they do not gain any character points for the lost Qualities.
In the Buffyverse, Divine Inspiration represents a combination of personal faith and powers channeled from a mysterious benevolent higher entity, possibly the creator of the universe, and often identified as the God of the above mentioned religions. It's not likely to be the Powers That Be - as demons, their granted powers are linked to demon-ness, whereas Inspiration depends on humanity. The source of Inspiration should remain aloof, and it's always possible that the Inspired are producing these powers themselves rather than receiving them from an outside source. After all, advancing in Divine Inspiration is based on personal growth rather than a direct one-on-one with God.
This version of Divine Inspiration replaces the Classic Unisystem version's Miracles with a bonus to spellcasting ability. However, this spellcasting is limited in the same way as Inspired Miracles: it won't work contrary to the Divine Plan.
The character is Inspired, receiving mystical abilities from (presumably) a higher realm. This Quality provides bonuses to certain types of magic use, grants the ability to Quick Cast, and gives the character a pair of powers called the Denial and the Blessing. In order to purchase a level of Divine Inspiration, the character must fulfill all requirements described above (religion, human, no other magic-ish Qualities). In all cases, the character's Inspired powers do not function if they are used in a way directly contrary to divine will (Note to Directors: an evil act, generally, although in a "lesser of two evils"-type moral dilemma your mileage may vary - don't be too draconian).
Directors and players should work out in advance what sort of spells are appropriate for a Divinely Inspired character. The following list of "approved" spells from the Corebooks and other sources should be used as a guideline.
Buffy Corebook: Revoke Invitation
Buffy Director's Screen: Freeing the Mind
The Magic Box: Witchfinding, Reverse Witch's Spells, Scapula of Protection, Mangus Tripod, Ritual Destruction of the Living Flame, Lifting the Veil, Magical Ward, Break the Wards of Magic, Restore Soul, Fog of Protection, Tirer la Couture, Levitation, Air Become Fist, Energy Barrier, Mental Communication, Solidify Spirit, Remove Bonds, Circle of Binding
Angel Corebook: Spirit Binding, Exorcism, Energy Barrier, Barrier Dismissal
Jeremy's Spellbook: Firestorm, Hideaway, Life Bond
Inspired characters also gain the ability to Quick Cast any spell that may be Quick Cast, provided it is divinely acceptable. Levels of Divine Inspiration count the same as Sorcery for spells that are only Quick Castable at a certain level.
In order to use the Denial, the Inspired rolls Willpower + Wild Card (The Denial). Each Success Level in this roll subtracts one Success Level from the target's roll or score. Each successive use of the Denial in the same day suffers from a cumulative -2 penalty (similar to but separate from the repeated casting penalty). The Wild Card (The Denial) Skill is bought like any other skill, except it may not be higher than the character's Divine Inspiration level.
