Ritual of Saint Assam
The Ritual of Saint Assam, also known as True Resurrection, is the most powerful Resurrection spell known to mortals. If performed correctly, this immensely difficult spell is capable of returning a Soul to the Material Plane even if it would otherwise be unable (or sometimes unwilling) to return.
Effect
The Ritual of Saint Assam restores a creature to life who has not been dead for more than 200 years and who did not die of old age. It does not alter the soul in the usual manner, and it closes all wounds, neutralizes any poison, cures all diseases, and lifts any curses affecting the target when they died.
Side/Secondary Effects
In cases where the soul is unable or unwilling to return, this spell needs to draw power away from its caster and their assistants (three people, in total). Minor power can be drawn from their physical or magical energy, but the most effective power takes a permanent toll on the casters' being.
In a few legends, souls have been dragged back who wished to stay dead. They carry on as shells of their former selves, barely capable of eating, sleeping, or otherwise sustaining themselves, until they fade back into death's embrace.
Manifestation
According to the few eyewitness accounts, the spell suffuses the casters' bodies, the body of the dead, and the entire room with an eerie scarlet glow, bright enough to be seen from hundreds of feet away. The holy water boils in its pewter basin until the drakeshide it is stored in dissolves; the diamonds and lapis lazuli scattered across the summoning circle melt down like candles in the light. The casters hear the spinning wheel of the Fates being wound backwards, alongside a chorus of supernatural voices that changes for each listener.
Discovery
Saint Assam was a Human knight of a holy order of The Fates, living in the 26th century of the Age of Integrity. He was slain time and time again by the Murder of the Mudbanks while defending the town and fortifications of Hopemarsh Keep, until at last even the head priestesses could not call his soul back to the world. They embarked upon a seven-year quest to gather and bless the holiest materials they could find and develop a greater resurrection ritual than all others to call them back. By the end of their quest, the Murder was on the door of the keep, and all hope seemed lost. The priestesses offered up their magic, their life force, their memories, their skills to the gods, in exchange for the life of Saint Assam. After eight long hours, he rose at his full strength to lead the charge that drove back the Murder for good.
Related Deity/Higher Power
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