Most people invoke different Passions depending on their current circumstances. For example, a family hiding in their shuttered home as a pack of hungry wolves howls outside might seek the protection of Garlen, the Passion of the Hearth and Healing. If a family member ventures outside with sword in hand to slay the predators, the family might invoke Thystonius, the Passion of Physical Conflict and Valor.

Questors, on the other hand, pledge themselves to one Passion. They dedicate their lives to it, trying to foster its ideals in the lives of all people. The characteristics of questors vary from Passion to Passion. Some general traits exist among most or all questors, as discussed below.

With the exception of those who follow the Mad Passions, questors with different patron Passions do not bear each other ill will. Each Passion embodies different ideals and emotions, and their questors understand that they are all equally significant parts of a whole that comprises the life of Name-givers.

Though the Passions do not directly support political factions or causes, questors can and often do. For example, many dwarven questors in Throal call Thystonius their patron Passion. Their questor order has a military nature, and they use gifts from Thystonius to give the kingdom of Throal military protection. If other questors of Thystonius chose to attack Throal, such an act would bring questors of the same Passion into direct conflict with each other. Such a development would gladden Thystonius. Though he would mourn those killed in the conflict, the bravery of his questors on both sides would bring him great joy.

Patron Passions also bestow abilities on their questors. Like Adepts, questors cultivate these abilities by focusing their lives around a certain behavior-in this case, spreading their Passion's ideals across Barsaive. Some of these abilities, such as Healing, are shared by the questors of several Passions. Others are unique to one Passion.

Unlike Adepts, Questors enjoy respect throughout the land. Because Adepts draw the immense power of the universe to themselves directly, most common folk distrust them. Many view Adepts, especially magicians, as presumptuous and arrogant. Questors, on the other hand, receive their power by working through the Passions, in whom every inhabitant of Barsaive places trust. The people's warm regard for the Passions includes the questors, and they therefore enjoy the trust of most people. An old Barsaivian saying perfectly expresses these sentiments: "Hide from magicians, hire Adepts, and say hello to questors."

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