Paradigm Concepts

[Hat]

Ok, based on some of the other questions I wanted to get a bit of clarity on the nature of "The Gift" that permits arcane spell casting. My understanding is as follows, please help correct any errors.

1. The ability to wield Eldritch magic is referred to as "The Gift". This is something that one is either born with or not. It is not something that can be taught or learned, and all the wanting in the world will not grant what nature has denied. Unless of course you want to go be a Winedrinker for the SK. The talents granted by Prestidigitation represent the closest that one without the Gift can touch. Mechanisms such as the Apprentice Arcanist Trait simply represent a late awareness of an existing gift weak enough or dormant enough not to have been noticed before.

2. How is the "Gift" detected in the first place? Is it a spell that allows that awareness, a sudden manifestation of a spell effect, what is it? Can someone who wanted to be Tested to determine if they have the Gift if only to verify if the answer is no?

3. For Psionics there are rituals that can be performed to Awaken those showing enough promise (minimum Insight of 6). Arguably there is nothing to say a Val family couldn't choose to Awaken someone later, but it would be considered extremely unusual for someone to show both the necessary promise and willingness to do so. The Awakened Scion background indicates that those who show promise are given the option to go through the Ordeal or not.

There are those who Spontaneously Awaken without under-taking the Ordeal. Presumably there is a traumatic event which is the cause of the Awakening. Are those who manifest due to Spontaneous Awakening treated any differently than those selected to undertake the Ordeal?

With a sweep of his hat,

Paul