The spectrum of devotion to the gods ranges from skepticism to fanaticism, with the outlook of most people falling between those extremes. Flagellants go beyond even the norm for fanatics, having become convinced that their bodies and perceptions occlude the truth of existence and that the temptations of the flesh distract them from their true calling.
To gain greater clarity, flagellants mortify their flesh with whips and scourges. The pain from the open, weeping wounds they cause helps them rise above lust, hunger, and thirst, enabling them to serve their deity as they believe they were meant to.
Though all religions have some extremists who engage in such behavior, the practice of flagellation is most common among those followers of the New God who see the physical body as being a temporary shelter for their immortal souls. The cult cracks down on these fanatics occasionally, at times deeming them heretics, but every generation of devotees seems to produce more of these unhinged faithful. Most flagellants of the New God are natives of rural communities across the Empire.
Level 3 Flagellant
Attributes. Increase two by 1
Characteristics. Health +6
Languages and Professions Add devotee to your list of professions.
Divine Protection When you are wearing no armor, you have a bonus to your Defense equal to 1 + your Will modifier (minimum 1).
Flagellate When you are wearing no armor, you can use an action, or a triggered action on your turn, to lash your body with a whip, a scourge, a flail, or a similar weapon. Each time you do so, you take a –1d6 penalty to Health that lasts until you heal any damage. While you have this penalty, you make attack rolls with 1 boon, and you can add your Will modifier as a bonus to your weapon damage rolls.
Level 6 Flagellant
Characteristics. Health +6
Clarity from Pain When you have a penalty to Health from the use of your Flagellate talent, you cannot be charmed, compelled, or frightened, and you have a +2 bonus to Speed.
Level 9 Master Flagellant
Characteristics. Health +6, Defense +1
Crazed Charge When you have a penalty to Health from the use of your Flagellate talent, you can use an action to move up to your Speed and make an attack with a weapon at any point during your movement. You impose 1 bane on attack rolls made because of free attacks triggered by your movement.