Acoluthic devices (or just "acoluthics") are devices used only by draconic acolytes (see Factions, Dragon Lore). They come with some heavy restrictions and a dependency on Vicars, but for those willing to display the devotion required, they offer many unique capabilities. The Hellpriest and Seraph Elite Backgrounds specialize in these devices to various degrees, as do many Vicars themselves; while draconic doctrine in no way prohibits the use of other categories of device, acoluthics carry special significance and respect within acolyte culture.

    Acoluthics can only be produced at Eer'Kalla or Uuranoss, and are virtually never resold elsewhere for fear of acolyte retaliation. Many acoluthic users have their devices issued to them by draconic authorities or awarded for successful missions, though the listed prices are sometimes applicable, particularly for Inventors.

    Acoluthics require draconic energies to function - a requirement which doubles as a means of control over the devices and those who wield them. This energy is provided by a Vicar (or more rarely, a dragon directly) through a process called consecration. Dragons can consecrate as a major action. Consecration is a 15-minute process for an active Vicar, during which a bright red or white light appears above the Vicar's head, and neither they nor the recipients may move around. The process does not require the constant concentration of the Vicar. Given the delay, it is traditional for Vicars to give a homily to the assembled acolytes during the process (usually doubling as a long exhortation social action). Consecration has a range equal to the clairvoyance of the consecrator, and lasts for a maximum number of hours equal to 3 times the dragon's Power; the Vicar or dragon can shorten this if desired. The consecrator can also exclude specific characters or devices. An already-consecrated device will have its consecration replaced by the new one, if the duration would be longer.

    There is no known way to artificially copy the energies of consecration. This limits acoluthics to actual acolytes; other characters, even those who adhere to Draconic philosophy, are always excluded by the dragon. In most circumstances, dragons will allow acolytes of other dragons of the same color to participate in their consecrations. Any number of acoluthics within clairvoyance range can be "de-consecrated" as a minor action by a dragon or Vicar, but only if they were consecrated by the same dragon. Clairvoyance always reveals which dragon has consecrated any acoluthic within range, as dragons can recognize each other's energy signatures.

    Some acoluthics have power requirements or other necessary components for functioning. These requirements are in addition to the energy of consecration.

    Consecrated acoluthics, unlike a Vicar's Abilities, are not considered to contain draconic energy for the purposes of draconic non-aggression. Acoluthic users are therefore free to harm an opposing dragon's aspect, and vice versa.

    During consecration, a character's acoluthics are bound to their brain signature. This process requires internal devotion and adherence to draconic philosophy; the process will fail for others, even if they were once acolytes. Once complete, the acoluthic device will only respond to that character for the duration of the consecration - it has none of its useful effects if picked up by any other character. Any action to use an acoluthic which does not require the use of hands is a purely mental action.

    If a consecrated device is removed more than a few feet from its user for more than 5 seconds (1 round), it will lose its consecration. This is typically not a problem for items removed at camp or even on the first round they are dropped in combat, but will be an issue if the device is disarmed or grabbed away.

    Consecrated devices also create mental strain, forcing the user to rely on devotion and discipline rather than individual will. For every 2 acoluthics currently consecrated to a character, they take a -1 penalty to WILL. A character cannot maintain more consecrated acoluthics than they have bWILL. They may sever the psychic link to any number of acoluthics as a free action, ending their consecration. Acoluthics will lose their consecration if their user dies (even if they are revivable), but not if the user is merely paralyzed or incapacitated.

    Whenever an acoluthic loses consecration for any reason, it cannot regain that status until re-consecrated.

Light Emission

Adamant Interference

    Much like the Abilities of Vicars, the effects of acoluthic devices are prohibited by adamant. In order to retain the use of their acoluthics, characters cannot wear or carry any adamant or quartz items for longer than 1 round (5 seconds). If they pick one up, they must drop it before the end of their next turn. The devices do not lose consecration and do not stop glowing, but lose their listed device effects, and any continuing effects with a duration are ended. Problem items include adamant and quartz weapons and armor, volatite and insendite, Alacrian and elven ranged weapons, any device found in the Adamantology, Crystallurgy, or Bionics device chapters, and any other device that lists an Adamantology or Crystallurgy competency requirement. Elixirs do not contain enough adamant to interfere.

    Fleeting contact with adamant-containing items (such as being hit by an adamant weapon or projectile) does not trigger this weakness. However, if an acoluthic user is grappled or touched by another character for more than 1 round, and the other character is carrying any adamant or quartz items, the same issue will occur. Quartz or adamant shackles will also interfere with all acoluthics. Mounts that wear quartz or adamant armor will interfere, but mount inventory otherwise does not interfere.

    Non-Vicar acoluthic users are not required to swear an oath against the use of such items as Vicars are, but rarely find it productive to switch between categories of devices. Non-adamant-based tech, such as Mechanical or Corallurgy devices, are the usual choices for acolytes wishing to diversify. The Hellcyst and Exalted Power Pack devices allow acoluthics and other non-adamant devices with power requirements to be used.

    Arcanists cannot use acoluthics.

Alignment

    Some acoluthics are listed as red-aligned or white-aligned. Although all acoluthics are usable by acolytes of either color, aligned devices are more difficult for the opposing color to use. White-aligned devices have their Acoluthics competency requirements raised by 1 degree when used by red acolytes, and vice versa. Characters are also unable to associate devices of opposing alignment with Device Affinity (Technology). Devices which list unaligned are not subject to these rules for either color. The use of opposite-aligned devices is not socially or doctrinally stigmatized by either faction, as there is enough common philosophical ground to justify all types.

    White-aligned acoluthics offten incorporate Eer'Kallan organic technology derived from Therbolgite corallurgy, while some red-aligned devices are more geometrically advanced, incorporating mechanical competency.

Device Types