...I'm in some agreement with Dwoggurd here. One of the most frustrating parts of the game is having to wait for someone to be around when you are, and have the time, etc. I think in the end some acknowledgment that this is a game, and meant to be fun for people, gets lost in the decision to require personal empowerments. I understand the desire to maintain a stricter control on these classes, but I think the balance is tipped a bit too much and sacrifices too much enjoyment.

I admit I'm not sure of the perfect solution, but there is almost nothing worse than wanting to get on with your character, and being a fine character, but having to wait day in and day out for the imm and you to have common log on times and then time in game to talk.

And to the those others in this thread who comment on how easy it was for them to get empowered, that's nice for you, but meaningless. Perhaps you were with a very active or often-vis imm. Perhaps you just play at the right time. But there are an equal if not greater number of people who have great, great trouble, and go weeks. Weeks they wanted to be playing the character, not waiting to be allowed to play the character.

One possible solution would be to allow other imms to step into a mob - perhaps the shrine guardian or some other suitable mob - and empower someone, even if it is not their own follower. That empowerment would only be to 30, let's say. But at least the person could play for a while and become active in the game. If they want to continue they need to speak to their own god, or that imm can send a note to other imms saying the character can be fully empowered, if that imm has watched in the interim.

Something to let someone move beyond level 15 or so without being totally handicapped.