Ritual Guide
Rituals are the one of the most powerful and complex form of Magic. A Ritual can be used to perform wondrous and devastating feats. Unlike casting a spell or harnessing magic in melee combat, Rituals are a freeform magic where power is released and controlled within the confines of a Henge, and moulded to achieve the Ritualist’s desires.
Typically, Rituals were the remit of the Gods, whose innate knowledge of magic allowed them to draw power from the cosmos into a Henge to perform magic. Mere mortals, having no understanding of the true nature of magic and the cosmos, could historically never hope to achieve such feats of power.
However, with the discovery of the Runes in their crystalline form, mortal beings learnt how to release the power contained within them into a Henge and harness that power to perform rituals.
Throughout the course of this guide, we will use an example of one such mortal preparing and performing a Ritual to extend the Expiry of a crafted Runic Item; a Sword of Through.
The example will be highlighted in a grey box, such as this one.
The Henge
The henge is a place of power in where Rituals can be performed. The Henge is made up of 24 stones, each of which has one of the 24 Runes of magic carved upon them. With the exception of using a Rite it is only possible to perform Rituals within a Henge Circle. The Henge itself can only be used at certain times of the day, when it can accept and hold power drawn into it.
In-Character, this is commonly known as the Ritual Circle being ‘open’. The Ritual Circle is typically open at the following times over the course of an event:
From an Out-of-Character perspective, these times are referred to as ‘Ritual Sessions.’
NOTE:There is not a ward that manifests when you are doing a ritual. This means that your rituals can be interrupted. This may adversely affect the outcome of the ritual.
The Ritual Skill
Anyone with the Ritual Skill may lead a Ritual. As standard this allows the Ritualist to control 5 Points of Power. Enhancement Skills and Runic Items may increase this amount, typically in additions of 3.
In addition, anyone with the Ritual skill may contribute to another person’s Ritual, as if they had the Contribute skill and can control the same amount of Power as though they were leading the ritual.
Anyone with the Contribute Skill may contribute to a ritual, allowing them to control 1 Point of Power for each level of Contribute they have purchased, but they cannot lead a ritual using this skill. Anyone who does not have the Ritual or Contribute skills may participate in a ritual, to help with the performance of a ritual, but does not impact the power that can be controlled in the Ritual.
There are several aspects to the performing of rituals, which are outlined in the following articles.