Next expansion for sorcery; RELIGION.
Essentially what I am proposing here is a partial merger of the two as a kind of rework for religion. And to begin with this idea, you would only be allowed one religion. Each one (exception; MITRA) offering a number of VERY specialized bonuses to sorcery beginning with additional functions for the alters that overlap and eventually replace specific sorcery stations. With just the current set of religions and what there alters would bring to the table.
Crom --> Golem Crafting (if this one ever gets flushed out as a formal Religion)
Derkerto --> Shallow Grave
Jhebbal Sag --> Sacrificial Stone
Set --> Sacrificial Stone
Ymir --> Sacrificial Stone
Yog --> Circle of Power
Zath --> Thaumaturgy Bench
Mitra --> Special (MITRA's benefits will be explained later, but will act as a counterbalance to sorcery)
All of this would also require a bit of a rework not just on the models of the various alters (Crom’s being the worse =P) but the crafting cost of many of its base recipes. The religion specific item harvested from various victims (Mitra being an exception) would have to be replaced with sacrificial blood and soul essence garnered from the sacrificial stone. Zeal would still be a thing in all this and for the alters that have sacrificial stone as their ability, not only would mats garnered from sacrifices be MORE, but you would also garner ALOT OF ZEAL from those sacrifices.
Other things to be garnered from this religion rework, while not a complete list here are some things that should be considered for each religion.
Derkerto --> More alchemy transformations, True resurrection spell for thralls (bringing that thrall back to life), a cheap Leather pouch spell offering, Sorceror's rod.
Jhebbal Sag --> True Ressurrection spell for pets, Leather Pouch Spell that turns the sorceror that casted it into a werewolf with bonus HP / STAM based on how corrupt you are.
Set --> Mesmeration spell that turned hostile thrall into your thrall. Sorcerer's Rod, Summon Giant Serpent (not the boss obivously) spell Cloth pouch level*, Cheap cloth pouch recipe.
Ymir --> Would have thunderstorm moved from tome of Kurak to Ymir religion, Ice wall spell summoning a long-lasting wall of ice that can't be climbed but attacked sure.
Yog --> Lesser demon summoning spell from the rod leather pouch cost, banish spell that destroys/ damages undead, Demons and golems in an AOE around the caster.
Zath --> Blind spell; target's senses drop to zero for 40 secs, no effect on undead / Demons / Golems, Web ensare conjures a blast of web centered on the caster releasing its effect out in consecrated webs that slow people down around the caster.
Crom --> a set of LARGE BRASS BALLS that clink when he walks =P J/K.
Last bit before wrapping up this post; MITRA. Here I am trying to set Mitra up as the anti-sorcerer religion option. Whether it’s his own sigils (mentioned above earlier in this post) or consumables that cancel on going spells, the point of the Mitra religion in this setup is the direct counterbalance to Sorcery I feel that has been lacking in game.
In writing all this I have come up with new set of Ideas I think would good to add to this Sorcery revamp, but that will have to wait till next post.