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Posted by: Zednark Nov 30 2016, 02:47 AM

Something that I just realize today is how rare Zoroastrian mages should be. Like, to the point where I wonder why the tradition was included in Street Grimoire. According to the source http://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1864931,00.html, the global population of Zoroastrians in the Fifth World is at most 190,000. That number probably hasn't changed much given that Zoroastrians don't accept converts, and VITAS an the Awakening probably cost them as many people as population growth gave them. Assuming a 1% rate of magical talent, that puts the global population of Zoroastrian mages at 19,000. That's the population of a small town in Kentucky. Meanwhile, that number of Awakened likely live in any medium sized sprawl.

Did Zoroastrians start accepting converts? Because a good reaction to the Awakening (or a prophecy that was on point enough to have "predicted" it) combined with accepting new recruits could easily put the global population in the tens of millions.

Posted by: Beta Nov 30 2016, 02:59 AM

Two thoughts:

- Possibly a finger error, but 1% of 190 000 is 1900, not 19 000.

- The magic tradition might be broader than the religion per se? That is, perhaps there was a one or a few strong early magicians from the religion who developed a clear tradition and were willing to teach other awakened who were stumbling in the dark trying to understand their magic, feeling that the ability to guide these people down the 'right' path was worth it, even if they were not of the religion

Posted by: Zednark Nov 30 2016, 03:01 AM

1. Brainfart, actually.

2. I could see that for almost any other religion, but Zoroastrians are very insular.

Posted by: Glyph Nov 30 2016, 03:51 AM

According to Street Magic, Zoroastrianism has experienced a resurgence, and new converts (even today, the traditionalists/isolationists are not the only sect - there are restorationists and progressives, too).

Posted by: Sengir Dec 4 2016, 08:17 PM

Maybe they changed their stance on conversion and proselytism precisely because of those huge losses, social upheaval tend to influence religions dogma. A mage might also become influenced by Zoroastrian teachings and follow the tradition without being a real member of the religion, kinda like today's "plastic shamans". Lastly and speaking of shamans, you have the possibility of Sam Verner types.