Know Deity (sage ability)

Know deity is an amateur-status sage ability that enables the character to identify a demi-god's influence and iconography when encountered. This includes recognizing the inspiration for a shrine, symbols, imagery or statuary. When and where words are inscribed, the character will know from which demi-god they derive.

Meddling

Upon occasion, demi-gods are wont to interfere in or busy themselves unduly with matters on the Prime Material Plane. Naturally, the greater gods frown on these activities, and so demi-gods seek to meddle in ordinary affairs surreptitiously, through awarding artifacts or powers to ordinary beings, who vow to carry forth the demi-god's wishes. This can easily go unnoticed by more powerful beings, who have much to do.

Nonetheless, mortals who know the nature of these beings, and can recognize their furtive strategies — as the "know deity" ability allows — can recognize when such things are occurring. It requires some investigation to specify which demi-god is involved, and the ability does not allow the character to intuitively know the deity's plan from a few details — but once the meddler is known, the character should be able to make reasonable guesses. A goddess of love is sure to have very different plans than a god of war.

Gods, incidentally, do not meddle in this fashion; they prefer to speak through Prophets.

See Demi-Gods