Hungry Grasp of Despair
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===Effects=== | ===Effects=== | ||
At the completion of this ritual, all [[ | At the completion of this ritual, all [[Rituals#Contributors|contributors]] gain the ability to [[spellcasting|cast]] the [[Weakness]] spell once as if they knew it and without spending any mana. | ||
{{Coven Bond}} | {{Coven Bond}} | ||
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Among some [[The League|League]] [[Mountebank|mountebanks]] and more cynical [[Troupe|troupes]] it is called ''Fear, for the Mighty''. This references the idea that it is the powerful who have the most to lose from the effect of this ritual. In [[Wintermark]] it is sometimes called ''Kyrop's Balance''; in [[The Marches]] it is ''Levelling the Playing Field''. In some parts of [[Dawn]] it is scurrilously called ''Humble the Errant Knights''; a name with multiple meanings depending on who is performing the ritual. | Among some [[The League|League]] [[Mountebank|mountebanks]] and more cynical [[Troupe|troupes]] it is called ''Fear, for the Mighty''. This references the idea that it is the powerful who have the most to lose from the effect of this ritual. In [[Wintermark]] it is sometimes called ''Kyrop's Balance''; in [[The Marches]] it is ''Levelling the Playing Field''. In some parts of [[Dawn]] it is scurrilously called ''Humble the Errant Knights''; a name with multiple meanings depending on who is performing the ritual. | ||
This ritual has existed in one form or another since the earliest records, and it is possible that the [[ | This ritual has existed in one form or another since the earliest records, and it is possible that the [[weakness]] incantation itself began as a refinement of the power it grants. | ||
==Common Elements== | ==Common Elements== | ||
When performing this ritual, the coven often invokes forces of despair, fear and hunger. Oppressive music or thundering rhythms that begin fast and become slower and slower, symbolic of the way power ebbs from those effected by this curse, are common; so are frenzied dances that reach a climax with the performers collapsing as if from exhaustion. | When performing this ritual, the coven often invokes forces of despair, fear and hunger. Oppressive music or thundering rhythms that begin fast and become slower and slower, symbolic of the way power ebbs from those effected by this curse, are common; so are frenzied dances that reach a climax with the performers collapsing as if from exhaustion. | ||
Other elements might include the runes [[Kyrop]] or [[Naeve]], or a scene in which [[ | Other elements might include the runes [[Kyrop]] or [[Naeve]], or a [[dramaturgy|dramaturgical]] scene in which [[the Bishop]] slowly succumbs to weakness and frailty. An [[astronomancy|astronomancer]] might invoke the power of [[the Drowned Man]] constellation, while a [[Dawn|Dawnish]] witch might call on the spirit of the insidious [[Legendary beasts#Sphinxes and Manticores|manticore]] or the echoing roar of the terrible [[Legendary beasts#Chimera|chimera]]. | ||
[[Category:Winter Ritual]] | [[Category:Winter Ritual]] | ||
[[Category:Rituals]] | [[Category:Rituals]] | ||
[[Category:IC Text Required]] | [[Category:IC Text Required]] | ||
Revision as of 12:22, 23 January 2015
Rules
Winter Magnitude 10
Performing the Ritual
Performing this ritual takes at least 2 minutes of roleplaying.
Effects
At the completion of this ritual, all contributors gain the ability to cast the Weakness spell once as if they knew it and without spending any mana.
When cast with more than one contributor, this ritual always counts as a use of the coven bond and counts towards the number of rituals the coven can perform that day.
The power granted by this ritual lasts until it is used or for ten minutes, whichever comes first.
Description
The Hungry Grasp of Despair is a battlefield spell that allows a coven of Winter magicians to deny their enemies the ability to use their powers or enchanted items. It withers their ability to use mana, or to engage in heroic action. Unlike rituals such as Charge of the Rushing Wind or Ensnaring Bond of Transient Stasis, this ritual is effective only when used with care. A ritualist who unleashes the grasp of despair removes their own ability to work magic; they must be confident that their sacrifice will have sufficient impact on the enemy to make it worthwhile. A common battlefield use is to allow a coven to help demoralize and disempower an elite band, or an enemy coven. It is at it's most useful when the ritualists are supported by (or are themselves) battlemages and warriors.
The ritual is more powerful the more members of the coven are present, and reaches it's highest potential the more ritualists who have not personally mastered the ability to weaken their foes through spellcasting.
Among some League mountebanks and more cynical troupes it is called Fear, for the Mighty. This references the idea that it is the powerful who have the most to lose from the effect of this ritual. In Wintermark it is sometimes called Kyrop's Balance; in The Marches it is Levelling the Playing Field. In some parts of Dawn it is scurrilously called Humble the Errant Knights; a name with multiple meanings depending on who is performing the ritual.
This ritual has existed in one form or another since the earliest records, and it is possible that the weakness incantation itself began as a refinement of the power it grants.
Common Elements
When performing this ritual, the coven often invokes forces of despair, fear and hunger. Oppressive music or thundering rhythms that begin fast and become slower and slower, symbolic of the way power ebbs from those effected by this curse, are common; so are frenzied dances that reach a climax with the performers collapsing as if from exhaustion.
Other elements might include the runes Kyrop or Naeve, or a dramaturgical scene in which the Bishop slowly succumbs to weakness and frailty. An astronomancer might invoke the power of the Drowned Man constellation, while a Dawnish witch might call on the spirit of the insidious manticore or the echoing roar of the terrible chimera.