Mend

Description

This powerful spell quickly repairs an item that has been damaged by a shattering force. It is especially useful for repairing shields that have been rendered useless by a shatter spell, or a strike from a powerful magical weapon. The majority of the damaged item must be present, but at the completion of the spell the item is repaired seamlessly as if it had never been shattered. Some magicians believe that every piece of a broken item "remembers" having once been part of a greater whole, and that this principle guides the magic they use.

This spell is equally effective on magical and non-magical items; even an artefact can be fully restored. A magical item repaired with the mend spell retains all its special properties (although obviously any restricted abilities that have been expended are still used up).

Useful as this spell is, it is difficult to cast in the middle of a fight. The magician needs several moments of completely uninterrupted focus on the target item - which is next to impossible if it is being jerked around during a fight, or if the magician themselves is in danger of being struck. To use mend effectively, the magician usually needs to be behind allied lines - or well protected by their companions while they concentrate on repairing the item. This can be made easier with the use of rituals such as Smooth Hands Shape the World, an enchantment that can make magically repairing a damaged item nearly instantaneous.

Some magicians who master this spell wait in a safe location with the express intention of repairing damaged magical items when their allies return. These magicians often spend extra time casting the spell, or may make use of props such as a small hammer or a forge to enhance their casting of their ritual.

Many in the Empire sees extra value in this spell; while spells such as heal or purify are powerful, their effects can be duplicated by physick. Swiftly repairing a damaged item, especially a magical item, is possible only through this spell, an artisan applying Artisan's Oil, or more expensive and time-consuming ritual magic such as the Anvil of Estavus. A magician who wants to specialise in this spell may find a Redsteel Chisel wand especially useful.

OOC Note

There is an obvious limitation on this spell which is that it cannot be used on items that have been physically damaged in the real world. If a letter has been torn up or a bottle has been smashed, no amount of IC magic can restore the destroyed phys-rep.

Casting

• Type: Regular spell
• Cost: 1 Personal mana

Effects

This spell repairs an item, such as a weapon or shield that has been broken using the SHATTER call.

Sample Spellcasting Vocals

• I take this broken weapon / To its weakness, my strength lend / I draw the parts together / What is broken shall now mend.
• (tracing runes on a broken weapon) I invoke Pallas! Weapon, remember what you are! I invoke Hirmok! Weapon, heed your master! By the secrets of hammer and anvil I forge you anew; by the words of creation I bid you be whole.
• (placing wand on item) Things endure, tall beneath the stars. Things last through seasons beyond number. Strong in root and branch, standing below as Our Good Oak stands above, this blade shall not be so lightly cast aside!
• (striking item rhythmically) War-drums beat, bold hearts pound, soldiers march to glory’s sound. Hammers smite, burn forge-fires bright, be forged anew by Summer’s might!

Common Elements

• Rune Magic: The nature of the target item might suggest a specific rune to use, but the most common is Pallas, the rune of wealth; the rune can also be a timely reminder to a magician to request recompense for their use of magic. Some mystics favour the run of transformation, changing a damaged object into a wholesome object.
• Astronomancy: In a similar way that an astronomancer might look to the Chalice when performing magical healing, bringing together the broken parts of an item and restoring their integrity has a strong connection to that constellation. When working specifically with wooden items - especially shields or hafted weapons - an astronomancer may look to the strength and growth characterised by the Oak.
• Dramaturgy: A dramaturgist might take on the role of the Mountebank, performing a miraculous restoration and transforming a useless item into a fully repaired one. It is traditional when using the mountebank to conceal the target item in some way, perhaps beneath a cloak. The Captain is also a good fit for this spell, especially when repairing a weapon or shield.
• Other traditions: Obviously, phrases and actions related to crafting are very appropriate with this spell. A Marcher magician in particular might pack soft earth or mud around the pieces of a broken weapon or shield as they cast the spell.
• Realms: The realm of Autumn most closely allies with the mend spell; objects, especially valuable objects, and the idea of craftsmanship are both strong themes. Summer is a close second, especially around ideas of restoring strength or integrity or "reforging" a broken item. Winter is a very poor fit indeed - it is next to impossible to use Winter magic to repair something; it is much more suited to breaking the item in the first place.