Influence

Influence is an immortal statistic which functions as a linear (non-periodic, non-developmental) characteristic associated with any deity's divinity statistic.

Any time a deity creates an object or class, he or she pays a price in creativity points which are subtracted first from their Influence statistic.

Influence points gradually return to the deity over time. The rate of return is based on the number of objects which have been instantiated by them plus the number of objects which have been instantiated from classes which they created.

Influence is recovered over time at a rate proportional to the use of his contributions to the world. If he has contributed to the creation of a hat object class, for instance, every hat in the world derived from his work adds to the rate at which he recovers influence.

Influence can also be gained through the sacrifice of game objects by mortals, regardless of whether or not he contributed to its creation. Followers of religions dedicated to him, then, may be required to wear only certain clothes, or only be allowed to use certain classes of weapons, or be required to sacrifice objects of a rival deity's creation.

Immortals can also give their Influence to another immortal, up to that immortal's maximum potential as expressed by her Divinity. This can be used as payment, a gesture of fealty or gratitude, or whatever.

Influence can be recovered up to a limit equal to the deity's divinity statistic.

Running out of Influence

If any given act of creation will cost more points than the deity has available, they have the option of waiting for their influence to return, abandoning the creation altogether, or using divinity as well. Any use of their divinity results in a permanent loss to their Divinity statistic, which can be rebuilt but do not return automatically like Influence.

— Scotus - 14 Oct 2000