I think people knowing about the prophet is a an effect of being a given special powers of the prophet, and being known is not a prerequisite for being a prophet. So I dont believe the entire nation would have to be told about the annointing. Furthermore if that where true then when your provinces are cut off from one another you would not be able to annoint a prophet either, but clearly no one would argue for such a rule.
My home province is under siege. When my slumbering god arrives, will he appear in my castle, or have to fight his way in? If it's the latter, he's doomed. Thanks, DB