Sorcery
Unlike Terrestrial Summoning, which is theoretically able to be learned by anyone, both mortal and Godbound, Sorcery is theurgic, shaping the Essence of the world with your own will.
The sorcerer calls down a puffy white cloud, just large enough for themselves and one other passenger to ride upon. The cloud descends from the sky and hovers near the sorcerer like a faithful puppy, until she steps on, when it rises into the air and obeys her mental commands. The cloud is slow-moving, travelling at (HDx3) miles per hour, but it is virtually unlimited in its capability. Upon disembarking, the cloud dissipates.
The sorcerer can fills space between their skin and the surrounding air with Essence, creating a second skin of bronze that is as cold and strong as steel. Your AC becomes 3, with a corresponding -4 to Evasion saves. Additionally, you cannot be poisoned by mere contact, and your unarmed attacks become Medium weapons. The bronze skin has considerable weight, and will cause the sorcerer to sink in water or mud, and fragile surfaces can't support the weight without divine miracles.
The sorcerer bends the winds to their need, forming a whirlwind to ride for 1 hour. The whirlwind can carry the sorcerer and up to (HD) additional characters, or approximately 100 lb (45kg) of cargo instead of a single character. While the whirlwind cannot travel far from the ground, unlike the Cirrus Skiff, it is much faster, soaring at 100 miles an hour and capable of maneuvering through complex terrain at those speeds. The sorcerer who cast this spell may commit Effort for the day to extend the duration by 1 hour before the whirlwind fades.
Sometimes, there's no escape. Sorcerers learn this sorcery as a last-resort in case of capture. They use it to spare themselves torture and shame, granting a dignified and defiant death. This invocation can be cast instantly with no Effort cost. The Essence that normally fuels a sorcery is used instead to stoke the fires of the sorcerer's own soul. If the sorcerer possesses the Incandescent Power trait, they immediately reach the third tier, their anima exploding into existence around them. At the start of the round after this theurgy is cast, the sorcerer is consumed in a momentarily blinding eruption of Essence that incinerates them and any of their possessions they are in contact with. This death is final, as the soul burns away - not even the miracles of the Words can save someone who has died in this way.
During the festivals of Calibration, the Calibration Gate appears somewhere in Creation to admit mortals to Heaven for the Carnival of Meeting. With this invocation, a Sorcerer of the Way can summon the Calibration Gate to their location at any time. The sorcerer evokes a foot-wide patch of rippling gold, then reaches in and grasps a handle. A silvery steel arch forms with no fanfare - the Calibration Gate. The Gate leads to the entrance of Heaven, where many other gates await. The Gate remains open for five minutes before vanishing again, and it cannot be re-summoned to any area within a mile until a day and night have passed.
The Five Trials
All sorcerers complete these five trials, although not all realise until afterwards what has happened. They can be completed in any order - the trial of sacrifice is always realised last. Humility - All sorcerers must learn humility in the face of adversity. Tutelage - All sorcerers must learn to learn, from both teachers and their experiences. Journey - All sorcerers must learn to keep moving on, and not become stagnant. Fear - All sorcerers must learn to confront their fear. Sacrifice - All sorcerers must learn sacrifice, by sacrificing something they value. Sacrifices can be physical, social or emotional, but they always grow in intensity along the theme as they reach higher tiers. The oldest texts of sorcerous knowledge available to the Realm claim that there are tiers of theurgic power beyond the Gate, but only the Scarlet Empress was known to have reached such heights.Additional Theurgy
Each of the following is a theurgic invocation, capable of being learned by any creature that has mastered a degree of theurgy.Cirrus Skiff
Invocation of the GateThe sorcerer calls down a puffy white cloud, just large enough for themselves and one other passenger to ride upon. The cloud descends from the sky and hovers near the sorcerer like a faithful puppy, until she steps on, when it rises into the air and obeys her mental commands. The cloud is slow-moving, travelling at (HDx3) miles per hour, but it is virtually unlimited in its capability. Upon disembarking, the cloud dissipates.
Invulnerable Skin of Bronze
Invocation of the GateThe sorcerer can fills space between their skin and the surrounding air with Essence, creating a second skin of bronze that is as cold and strong as steel. Your AC becomes 3, with a corresponding -4 to Evasion saves. Additionally, you cannot be poisoned by mere contact, and your unarmed attacks become Medium weapons. The bronze skin has considerable weight, and will cause the sorcerer to sink in water or mud, and fragile surfaces can't support the weight without divine miracles.
Stormwind Rider
Invocation of the GateThe sorcerer bends the winds to their need, forming a whirlwind to ride for 1 hour. The whirlwind can carry the sorcerer and up to (HD) additional characters, or approximately 100 lb (45kg) of cargo instead of a single character. While the whirlwind cannot travel far from the ground, unlike the Cirrus Skiff, it is much faster, soaring at 100 miles an hour and capable of maneuvering through complex terrain at those speeds. The sorcerer who cast this spell may commit Effort for the day to extend the duration by 1 hour before the whirlwind fades.
Unconquered Self
Invocation of the GateSometimes, there's no escape. Sorcerers learn this sorcery as a last-resort in case of capture. They use it to spare themselves torture and shame, granting a dignified and defiant death. This invocation can be cast instantly with no Effort cost. The Essence that normally fuels a sorcery is used instead to stoke the fires of the sorcerer's own soul. If the sorcerer possesses the Incandescent Power trait, they immediately reach the third tier, their anima exploding into existence around them. At the start of the round after this theurgy is cast, the sorcerer is consumed in a momentarily blinding eruption of Essence that incinerates them and any of their possessions they are in contact with. This death is final, as the soul burns away - not even the miracles of the Words can save someone who has died in this way.
Summon the Celestial Portal
Invocation of the WayDuring the festivals of Calibration, the Calibration Gate appears somewhere in Creation to admit mortals to Heaven for the Carnival of Meeting. With this invocation, a Sorcerer of the Way can summon the Calibration Gate to their location at any time. The sorcerer evokes a foot-wide patch of rippling gold, then reaches in and grasps a handle. A silvery steel arch forms with no fanfare - the Calibration Gate. The Gate leads to the entrance of Heaven, where many other gates await. The Gate remains open for five minutes before vanishing again, and it cannot be re-summoned to any area within a mile until a day and night have passed.
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