God Altars

"These altars I make now are synonymous with divinity itself -- one altar for each of you, a vessel for your power manifest upon the world. One who bears a God Altar will be akin to walking hand-in-hand with the god themselves. Choose your Altar Bearers with prejudice."

- Mortair, addressing the Council of the Gods

Vessels of Pure Divinity

Mortair, Mother of Rituals, achieved her fame and godhood through the creation of ritual worship and her natural ability to channel the attention and blessings of the gods wherever she went. Each god wanted a way to connect with their followers and spread their will throughout the world, even after their departure from it, and turned to her practices. She offered them a solution to their desires in the form of a direct connection to a chosen champion of their faith. With the close cooperation of Deign, the Godsmith, she created the God Altars.
Despite their simple names, the God Altars are anything but. Each altar is a physical manifestation of the powers belonging to the respective god. When summoned, they create a large field in the area surrounding the altar that alters the terrain and affects all living beings within. All caught within the field are standing within a manifestation of the god's domain and are subject to their powers. The altars are carried by an Altar Bearer in a metaphysical manner. They are more akin to a blessing; invisible and weightless, yet always present. It is only when the Altar Bearer summons the altar that they gain a physical presence in the world. They emerge from the earth in front of the bearer when called upon and sink back afterward. There is no physical evidence of the altar left behind, both on the surface and below.
The effects of each altar vary as wildly as the powers of the gods themselves. The Altar of Artur is said to fill the space with a near-blinding light and summon his chains to bind, force the truth out of, and judge those caught within. Meanwhile, the Altar of Sturn is said to fill the area with sand and shadows, sapping the life force of those caught within and feeding it to the Altar Bearer. Each altar also bears a unique appearance representative of their god. Deign's altar is said to summon forth a great anvil and forge with an imitation of his hammer in tow. Elanaah's is a woodland shrine constructed from Amaranthine Oaks and adorned with precious flowers.

Altar Bearers are, as the name implies, those who carry one of the God Altars. They are the chosen champions of their patron god and are granted partial access to their powers through the altar. None are sure what the exact criteria is to be chosen as an Altar Bearer, it is just commonly believed to be the most fervent and deserving of their followers. Each god chooses the champion of their own will and can change this whenever they deem necessary, taking access to their altar away and granting it to the next bearer. Naturally, the identities of the Altar Bearers are a closely held secret, as many would seek to this power in hopes of using it to either better their own lives or seek the ultimate challenge.
The powers and capabilities of the God Altars are both awesome and terrifying. Each one is a weapon capable of mass destruction or a tool able to bring prosperity to an entire nation. Leaders throughout the world offer untold riches in exchange for Altar Bearers to join with them and cement their nation's power even further. Those who do gain the allegiance of a bearer hold their cards close to their chest as such powerful secrets can be the key to winning any war.

Alternative, Insidious Purposes

There are many who are apprehensive about trusting Mortair and the gifts that she offers, even amongst the gods.
Some believe that the God Altars have a hidden purpose in their design that only she knows. They theorize that she can supersede control over the altars and twist them to her own use.
Others believe that it is the gods who own the altars that hide their true purpose.
Those known to have become an Altar Bearer in the past are prolific individuals typically found in leadership. Previous High Priestesses, Grand Arbiters, and more all have been counted among their number. It is almost unheard of for the chosen bearer to not be someone of import.
Among those who have been discovered to possess the God Altars, each and everyone has achieved greatness in the name of their patron god, spreading their worship wherever they went. Two bearers have never been known to work together with one another, each one refusing to share the glory of another god.
Rumors surrounding the Altar of Sturn claim that it could be the key to bringing him back to the Realm of the Gods. Others speak in whispers that Mortair's altar, despite no confirmed appearance thus far, can forcefully convert others into faithful worshippers.
This has raised questions regarding their real purpose; whether they are rewards for the most faithful or just another tool to spread faith and dependance in the gods. Some have even questioned whether the Altar Bearers have a will of their own, or if they are simply being guided on their path in life to serve the desires of their patron.