Cody's thoughts.
First, I should point out that just because something is irrational it doesn't mean people will not do it anyway. I know a 6 foot python is not going to come out from under my bed in Edmonton, but as an ophidiophobe I still look because I have an irrational fear.
Second, you forget that Arcanis is NOT Forgotten Realms. Clerics don't pray for spells each day per Arcanis cosmology (especially per ARG), but cast chants. These are pre-written spells given BY the Gods that anyone can cast of they have faith in the Gods. Think of this like if aliens come down from the stars and give us extremely precise (and very eccentric) rules on how to harness dark energy far above our knowledge. Anyone who follows these instructions will gain great energy, but only if you follow these instructions precisely.
For the Kio, their religion tells them that the Gods are unworthy of worship, and Divine magic requires the component of faith to cast and if you instill culturally that the Gods aren't worthy, you can't cast spells even if you want. You have culturally made it so you can't follow the alien's instructions, and thereby cannot access that great power.
Now, some people fall to the faith in these lesser Gods, and those can (and have) embraced them despite the carrots and sticks which prevent it in their society. These people are shunned for breaking the mores of the society and gain a flaw for their trouble.
Now, the True Bloods have a distinct interest in maintaining that the kio do not worship gods and direct such energy in generating and honouring THEM. If the kio embraced the Pantheon, then the True Kio lose influence (if they believe that power is finite and anyone who gains power lessens their own). As such, they would continue to come down from their mountain and reinforce their authority as near gods in their own right (not exactly, but functionally).
Also remember, just because they can't cast cants, doesn't mean they can't magically heal. There are non-divine ways of doing this such as alchemy, and the kio embrace arcane magic. Leaving that aside, the kio seem to have a very strong aversion to "cheating" and "crunches" like magic in many ways. They want to temper themselves into the perfect creature, and if it doesn't come from within them they seem to shy away from it.
_________________ Cody Bergman Legends of Arcanis Campaign Staff Initial Author Contact/Adventure Vetting
Haakon Marcus val'Virdan, Divine Holy Judge of Nier Ruma val'Vasik, Martial Crusader and Master of the Spear Jorma Osterman, Arcane Coryani Battlemage
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