This change was actually much-discussed internally, and said changes
came as a response to the (CONSTANTLY requested) change of removing
empowerment as a requirement to priestly classes. Yes, I am aware of
your response that any *real* priest will still "need" to be
empowered, but in reality you don't have to be. Given the potential
for priests to now simply exist without specific Immortal oversight,
the classes were throttled back slightly in other ways.

It was also very clearly announced at the following post:

http://forums.carrionfields.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=6&topic_id=64650&mesg_id=64650&listing_type=search


And players wonder why we don't simply change the game for every Tom,
####, & Harry with a good idea. We're tired of having to meet our
Imm! Make it so we don't need empowerment! (After long, long, long
thinking otherwise, staff decides to go forward) WTF??? How dare
you not let the six druids a year not change metal to armor??!?