Brazen Claws of the Lictor

Rules

Performing the Ritual

Performing this ritual takes at least 2 minutes of roleplaying. This ritual targets a character, who must be present throughout. The target character must have the magician skill.

This ritual is an enchantment. A target may only be under one enchantment effect at a time.

Effects

The target gains the ability to cast the entangle spell four times per day as if they knew it without spending any mana.

They also experience a roleplaying effect: you are reminded of every favour or debt you owe, or are owed, and of every grudge you bear against people who have wronged you. It is hard to resist the urge to settle grudges, especially if those people are nearby.

If the target regains all spent personal mana by resting in a magical aura such as that provided by the Chamber of Delights, or drinks an Elixir of Empyrean Art, they also regain all spent uses of this ability at the same time. Other methods of restoring personal mana that are not listed as restoring it all in one go do not restore uses of this ability (for example drinking multiple Mageblood or Philtre of Heavenly Lore).

The effect lasts until the start of the next Profound Decisions Empire event.

Additional Targets

This ritual can affect additional characters from the same coven. Each additional character increases the magnitude by 11. Additional characters must be present throughout.

Option

Any caster who has mastered the ritual may choose to substitute green iron for crystal mana when contributing to it. Every 2 ingots of green iron spent counts as 1 crystal mana when contributing to the ritual.

Description

This enchantment allows the target to wrap their enemies in invisible chains, As with Stance of the Constricting Scourge this ritual allows the target to restrict the moment of their opponent using the entangle spell without having to expend personal mana. It is useful against skirmishing opponents on the battlefield, but it is also sometimes used to help capture gangs of fugitive criminals.

The ritual evokes themes of ownership, punishment and control. It encourages the target to take vengeance on those they consider to have wronged them, meaning it is often viewed with suspicion by followers of the Way. At the same time this reminder of past offences against the target or their family is seen as a bonus in some parts of the Marches, where the people have long memories. It also reminds the target of debts owed or owing; this gives it particular resonance with the dead reckoning of the League, and coincidentally ensures that the targets become aware of any debts they incur or that are incurred while under the influence of the enchantment.

The Autumn eternals known as the Lictors are not themselves directly invoked by this ritual, despite the fact that it delivers similar powers to those these creatures are said to wield. The Lictors hunt oath-breakers, and those who refuse to honour agreements, contracts or obligations. They are said to resemble hooded figures wrapped in heavy iron and green iron chains, with razor-sharp brass claws and horns, and iron face-masks. Armed with scourges, whips, flails, ropes and nets they stalk the dark places of the Autumn realm. According to some stories, they can be summoned to pursue, capture and punish those who have broken important oaths or refused to honour their debts.

Common Elements

This ritual invokes powers of binding, capturing and punishment. It often includes instruments of restraint such as chains, ropes, nets and even ribbons. Targets may be wrapped in chains or ropes by the ritualists. Invocations of heroes, paragons and exemplars whose stories include tracking, chasing and capturing fugitive (such as the paragon Vardas) are a common element. The rune Hirmok may be painted on the targets, and the trappings of judges, thief-takers, bounty hunters and badgers may all be used. In the League it is common to place metal masks on the targets, or ask them to recite a list of debts they wish to collect. Similarly in the Marches a series of grudges might be recounted.

Tokens of green iron are often used in this ritual - even if the metal is not being used to empower the target directly tokens made from these materials may be given to the targets.