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==Rules==
==Rules==
{{Season|Day|6}}
{{Season|Day|2}}
===Performing the Ritual===
===Performing the Ritual===
{{Casting time|2}} The ritual targets a single enchanted item or person who must be present throughout.
{{Casting time|2}} The ritual targets a single object or character who must be present throughout, or the immediate area around the contributors.


===Effects===
===Effects===
At the completion the ritual reveals information about magical bonds. The information depends on the nature of the target - it provides different information when performed on a [[magic item]] than when performed on a character.
At the completion the ritual reveals information about magic present on the target, equivalent to that which would be uncovered with the [[detect magic]] spell.  
{{CaptionedImage|file=DivinationRitual.png|title=Careful examination of an item's bonds may reveal valuable information.|caption=Much can be learned from even the smallest thing.|align=right|width=300}}
When the target is an item it reveals information about the bonds attached to that item.
* It reveals if it is bonded to anyone, and who that person is.
* It reveals some details of previous characters who have been bonded to the item.
* It reveals if the item is under the effect of any rituals or spells; what their magnitude is; and what realm they are from.
* It reveals all innate magical properties of the item.
When cast on a character it reveals information about the bonds attached to that person.
* It reveals if the character is bonded to any items, and if those items are present it will point them out.
* It reveals if the character is part of any [[Groups#Bands|bands]], their type (Banner, Sect or Coven)
* It reveals if the character is under the effect of any rituals or spells; what their magnitude is; and what Realm they are from.
''Reading the Weave'' can penetrate effects designed to stymie or confuse divinations such as the [[Masque of the Blinded Weaver]]. If such an effect exists, the ritual must match or exceed the magnitude of any concealing effect to penetrate it; otherwise it will only reveal the presence, magnitude and realm of the obscuring effect.
 
Enchantments can interfere with this ritual whether they are cast on the target, or something to which the target is bonded. In the latter case, only the bonds to the enchanted item or character are protected.
<!--Previously the ritual provided additional information, which was relegated to "may" be revealed. We've removed those references because it created false expectation.
* It ''may'' reveal details of any magician who has cast create bond on the item.
* It ''may'' reveal details of the artisan who crafted the item.
* It ''may'' reveal details of previous items the character has been bonded to.
* It ''may'' reveal details of any magician who has cast create bond on the person.
* It ''may'' reveal the presence of any personal bonds the character has with other characters; if that character is present, it may identify them.
* It also used to determine how many people were in a band, that element has been removed-->


===Additional Magnitude===
===Additional Magnitude===
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==Description==
==Description==
This simple ritual reveals information about items or individuals - or at least about their bonds - and is also occasionally used as an empowered [[detect magic]] for penetrating shrouds of magical obfuscation. It is a useful tool for investigators, provided they have a way to apply the information they gain.
This simple ritual is old - it may even be one of the first magical rituals ever created. As with several similar rituals, academics theorise that the [[detect magic]] spell is an adaptation or refinement of this ancient ritual. It is known by many different names all over the world - and indeed across the Empire. When the groundwork for Imperial lore was laid, each nation had several versions of this ritual. An early decision of the [[Imperial Conclave]] concerned how the ritual would be referred to going forward - it came down to a surprisingly intense battle between the [[Dawn]] ''Reading the Weave'', the [[Urizen]] ''Light of Truth'', the [[The Brass Coast|Freeborn]] ''Hakima's Glass'' and a significant faction who argued the ritual should not be placed in Imperial lore under ''any'' name because it was essentially useless.
 
In the end, the ritual was retained by a narrow margin. While every magician can cast detect magic, it still has some minor uses - detect magic is not powerful enough to overcome even the most basic of shrouds, whereas this ritual allows a suitably expert [[coven]] to expend additional resources to empower their divination to penetrate (in theory) any magical concealment or obfuscation. In practice though, its value is limited - many covens would rather risk a more specific divination than perform Hakima's Glass and then have to follow it with a second divination, likewise empowered to defeat a shroud.


The ritual is somewhat limited, but is sometimes supplemented by [[spontaneous magic]] that answers more specific questions - for example, some investigators have used magic of the Autumn realm to determine if a specific [[magic items|magic item]] has ''ever'' been bonded to a specific person (when both are present), or to determine if two or more people are members of the same band - or even if they have ever been members of the same band. Performing this effect with [[formulaic ritual]] magic has so far not been a priority, given how rarely an investigator needs to know it.
While the ritual is known in Imperial lore it is generally rarely mastered. Today, it is primarily the provenance of divination specialists - in a pinch, it is a relatively easy matter for even magicians who have not mastered the ritual to perform it should they need to - although they will struggle to do so at an appreciable magnitude.


==Common Elements==
==Common Elements==
This ritual often involves active divination, often with runestones or cards. Lenses and mirrors are often used to closely examine the target, scyring for the signs of bonds and magical effects. The area where the ritual is performed is usually well-lit, either by sunlight or by multiple lamps, laterns, light-stones or fires. The runes [[Sular]] and [[Ophis]] may be evoked - the former by covens who actively examine and seek information during the performance, the latter by covens that prefer to rely on sudden revelation to deliver information to them. The former group are usually active in handling the target, while the latter focus more on drawing up (or down) magical energies and may use incense, water or even some narcotics to empower their ritual.
The traditional method of casting this ritual is to employ a small flame, usually from a candle, a polished piece of glass or clear crystal to reflect the target, and a handful of ash or sand which is scattered on or near the target and the results examined in the reflective surface. The flicker of the light, the dance of shadow, and the disposition of the sand or ash are all interpreted by the ritual's magic and information derived about the nature of the magic affecting the target.
 
Other methods involved active divination, often with runestones or cards, or the use of lenses and mirrors (with their resonances for truth and discernment) to closely examine the target, scrying for the signs of magical influence.
 
The runes [[Sular]] and [[Ophis]] may be evoked - the former by covens who actively examine and seek information during the performance, the latter by covens that prefer to rely on sudden revelation to deliver information to them. The former group are usually active in handling the target, while the latter focus more on drawing up (or down) magical energies and may use incense, water or even some narcotics to empower their ritual. Other covens prefer to evoke [[Diras]] or [[Wyr]] - avoiding the start clarity of the Day runes altogether and instead focusing on their own internal perception and understanding of the magic they seek to discern.


The [[Eternals|eternal]] [[Prospero]] is sometimes evoked with this ritual, as are paragons of [[Vigilance]] and occasionall [[Prosperity]]. The [[Astronomancy|astronomantic]] constellation of [[The Spider and The Web#The Web|the Web]] has a strong affinity for this ritual.
Likewise, [[aspect magic|symbolic aspects]] of [[Wisdom]], [[Vigilance]], and (in the case of examining a [[magic items|magic item]]), [[Prosperity]] may be evoked, as might creatures such as owls or [[Legendary_beasts#Sphinxes_and_Manticores|Sphinxes]]. The eternal [[Roshanwe]] or [[Sadogua]] are commonly evoked, but when examining a magic item [[Prospero]] is also appropriate.
[[Category:Day Ritual]]
[[Category:Day Ritual]]
[[Category:Rituals]]
[[Category:Rituals]]

Latest revision as of 11:06, 6 August 2024

Rules

Day Magnitude 2

Performing the Ritual

Performing this ritual takes at least 2 minutes of roleplaying. The ritual targets a single object or character who must be present throughout, or the immediate area around the contributors.

Effects

At the completion the ritual reveals information about magic present on the target, equivalent to that which would be uncovered with the detect magic spell.

Additional Magnitude

You may increase the magnitude of the ritual to penetrate more powerful shrouds or masks.

Description

This simple ritual is old - it may even be one of the first magical rituals ever created. As with several similar rituals, academics theorise that the detect magic spell is an adaptation or refinement of this ancient ritual. It is known by many different names all over the world - and indeed across the Empire. When the groundwork for Imperial lore was laid, each nation had several versions of this ritual. An early decision of the Imperial Conclave concerned how the ritual would be referred to going forward - it came down to a surprisingly intense battle between the Dawn Reading the Weave, the Urizen Light of Truth, the Freeborn Hakima's Glass and a significant faction who argued the ritual should not be placed in Imperial lore under any name because it was essentially useless.

In the end, the ritual was retained by a narrow margin. While every magician can cast detect magic, it still has some minor uses - detect magic is not powerful enough to overcome even the most basic of shrouds, whereas this ritual allows a suitably expert coven to expend additional resources to empower their divination to penetrate (in theory) any magical concealment or obfuscation. In practice though, its value is limited - many covens would rather risk a more specific divination than perform Hakima's Glass and then have to follow it with a second divination, likewise empowered to defeat a shroud.

While the ritual is known in Imperial lore it is generally rarely mastered. Today, it is primarily the provenance of divination specialists - in a pinch, it is a relatively easy matter for even magicians who have not mastered the ritual to perform it should they need to - although they will struggle to do so at an appreciable magnitude.

Common Elements

The traditional method of casting this ritual is to employ a small flame, usually from a candle, a polished piece of glass or clear crystal to reflect the target, and a handful of ash or sand which is scattered on or near the target and the results examined in the reflective surface. The flicker of the light, the dance of shadow, and the disposition of the sand or ash are all interpreted by the ritual's magic and information derived about the nature of the magic affecting the target.

Other methods involved active divination, often with runestones or cards, or the use of lenses and mirrors (with their resonances for truth and discernment) to closely examine the target, scrying for the signs of magical influence.

The runes Sular and Ophis may be evoked - the former by covens who actively examine and seek information during the performance, the latter by covens that prefer to rely on sudden revelation to deliver information to them. The former group are usually active in handling the target, while the latter focus more on drawing up (or down) magical energies and may use incense, water or even some narcotics to empower their ritual. Other covens prefer to evoke Diras or Wyr - avoiding the start clarity of the Day runes altogether and instead focusing on their own internal perception and understanding of the magic they seek to discern.

Likewise, symbolic aspects of Wisdom, Vigilance, and (in the case of examining a magic item), Prosperity may be evoked, as might creatures such as owls or Sphinxes. The eternal Roshanwe or Sadogua are commonly evoked, but when examining a magic item Prospero is also appropriate.