Glory to the Sovereign

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 possess the weapon master skill. This ritual is an enchantment. A target may only be under one enchantment effect at a time.

Effects

The target of this ritual receives two benefits; they receive two additional ranks of endurance, and twice per day they may call cleave when wielding a one-handed weapon, one-handed spear, great weapon or polearm with which they are proficient.

As long as the enchantment lasts they may respond to any effect that would make them afraid or hesitant by charging straight in, roaring or bellowing.

In addition, the target experiences a powerful roleplaying effect; they feel a strong urge to do great deeds that will make them the centre of attention, the take particular pleasure in approval and adulation. They particularly want to do things that will make them be seen as worthy, strong and powerful warriors; being overlooked or dismissed may cause them to lose their temper.

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

Additional Targets

This ritual can affect additional characters from the same banner. Each additional character increases the magnitude by 18. Additional characters must be present throughout.

Options

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

Description

This ritual enchantment empowers any warrior to strike devastating blows and endure many attacks in return. it heartens them, and fills them with what many Wintermark scops call the heroic spirit - the urge to achieve and be recognised for great deeds. It is an expensive ritual to perform, but it gives quintessential strength and potence to the warrior it targets.

Some ritualists associate this to the Fields of Glory in the Summer Realm, a place of conflict and splendour overseen by the Lady Eleonaris, called The Sovereign in Scarlet and Gold. While that glorious and terrible monarch can grant powers very similar to this effect to her chosen, she has no direct connection to this ritual - if anything the enchantment is more strongly connected to the fields themselves, and to the concept of glory and prowess that lie at the heart of Summer.

Common Elements

This ritual usually involves both the target and their armoury. A ritualist might trace matching runes on weapons and warrior, or might anoint them with a mixture of blood and oil. A toast is often drunk, especially when the ritual is performed on a band of warriors rather than a single target. The target is often garbed or girded in a new surcote or tabard that bears their heraldry or livery; sometimes they are symbolically crowned with a wreath of flowers, leaves or even gold. Legendary warriors, especially those who fought and triumphed against great odds, are often invoked as are Paragons and Exemplars of warlike mien.

Any of the Summer runes might be evoked, but Tykonus, the rune of victory, is the most common. An evocation of The Stallion or The Oak may be appropriate with this ritual, as are evocations of strong and ferocious animals such as lions, bears, unicorns, chimerae and dragons. Any number of eternals might be mentioned, especially Eleonaris or Cathan Canae.