Wondrous Forests of the Night

Rules

Night Magnitude 160

The magnitude of this ritual may fluctuate as the Empire expands or contracts.

Performing the Ritual

Performing this ritual takes at least 10 minutes of roleplaying. This ritual targets the entire Empire. It must be performed at the Imperial regio at Anvil. The ritual requires a map of the entire Empire which is used to harness and focus its power.

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

Effects

The ritual enchants the entire Empire. Every forest in the Empire produces two extra measures of special materials. These additional materials will match the base type selected when the forest was created.

In addition, many inhabitants of the Empire experience especially vivid dreams of fantastical vistas, mysterious encounters, romance and adventure.

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

The shadows beneath the boughs are deeper, and more dangerous.

Description

This old and dramatically powerful ritual enchants the entire Empire for a short time. It effects every forest resource in every region within the Empire. Much like Verdant Bountry of the Twilight Bayou, the ritual is more about helping the people who tend forests to gather rare ingredients than it is about increasing fertility or producing more trees.

During a season when this ritual is in effect, there are increased incidences of people encountering Night regio, or the Heralds of night Eternals. Indeed, the Eternals of Night themselves seem to become more active after periods when this ritual is performed, and more interested in the activities of Imperial citizens. There is a superstitious belief that more naga are born during this period, but there is no evidence for that. There is some anecdotal evidence that especially high-lineage naga feel energized during this period, but that is all.

Common Elements

This is a powerful ritual, and few covens can perform it by themselves. When this ritual has been performed in the past, it has usually been achieved with the use of at least one Web of Celestial Attunement and with supplies of crystal mana from the Imperial Conclave. A coven that plans to perform it often spends several days in preparation, knowing that the eyes of the Empire are likely to be on them.

Symbols of change and Night are used throughout. Ritualists are often hooded, masked or veiled. The map that is a central focus for the ritual is often marked with blood or painted or inscribed with the runes of Night. it is common for one or more of the ritualists to recite the names of the Imperial territories or even regions throughout the casting as a counterpoint to the ritual invocation. Music is common, often gentle and mysterious, to further counterpoint the invocation. The names of Night Eternals may be used, but this is less common that invocations of popular fictional characters from around the Empire, especially those whose stories are concerned with mysterious locations.