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A target may be under any number of different curses at once.
A target may be under any number of different curses at once.


==Delivery==
==Pronouncement of Doom==
Curses might be delivered in a number of ways, but the most common is through a ''pronouncement of doom''.  
*'''Most ritual curses are delivered using a pronouncement of doom'''
*'''One of the contributors must deliver the pronouncement'''
*'''They have 15 minutes after they complete the ritual to deliver the curse'''
*'''They must be close enough to touch the target and audibly curse them using appropriate roleplaying'''
*'''You must have a referee present'''
*'''If the curse cannot be delivered then it will rebound on the caster'''
Several ritual curses in Imperial Lore, such as [[Gnawing, Endless Hunger]], are delivered using a pronouncement of doom. One of the  [[Rituals#Contributors|ritual contributors]] must be selected during the ritual to deliver the curse. Once the ritual is complete, they have fifteen minutes to find the target. A referee, usually the one who observed the ritual, must accompany the magician when they seek out their victim.


===Pronouncement of Doom===
Once they have found the target, the magician must use a few seconds [[appropriate roleplaying]] that make it clear to everyone present that a curse is being delivered. They must be close enough to touch their target when they make the pronouncement.
This method is used primarily with ritual curses such as [[Gnawing, Endless Hunger]]. One of the ritualists who [[Magic overview#Contributors|contributed]] to the ritual is chosen to deliver its effect. That character has fifteen minutes to do so.


To unleash the power of this ritual:
If the magician delivering the curse has not found a target within fifteen minutes of the completion of the ritual, the spell automatically rebounds and they are targeted by the power of the curse themselves. A referee may indicate when the deadline is getting close. This backlash is one reason that curses are not lightly invoked; some magicians have even risked cursing an innocent person rather than suffer their own curse, even though they are at serious risk of being [[Declaration#Declaration_of_Sorcery|declared a sorcerer]] for such an act.
 
* The character delivering the curse must be close enough to touch the target and tell them that they are cursed.
* There must be no doubt as to the target, who must be able to hear the pronouncement of doom clearly.
* A referee must be present.
 
In the event that the character delivering the curse has not done so within fifteen minutes of the completion of the ritual, they are instead targeted by the power of the curse themselves. A referee may indicate when the deadline is getting close. This backlash is one reason that curses are not lightly invoked; some ritualists would rather curse an innocent person rather than suffer their own curse, even though they are at serious risk of being branded sorcerers if they do..
 
===Curse Duration and Removing Curses===
The majority of curses last for a year or until they are removed.  


==Removal==
*'''Most curses last for a year or until they are removed'''
*'''It is easier to create a curse using ritual magic than to remove it'''
Removing a curse is a significant indicating; rituals to remove a curse effect will almost always be many magnitudes higher than the magnitude of the ritual that created the curse. In most cases, a specific ritual or a minimum magnitude will be named. Each curse is unique, and the method of removing it also tends to be unique - there is no generic ''remove curse'' ritual in Empire,
Removing a curse is a significant indicating; rituals to remove a curse effect will almost always be many magnitudes higher than the magnitude of the ritual that created the curse. In most cases, a specific ritual or a minimum magnitude will be named. Each curse is unique, and the method of removing it also tends to be unique - there is no generic ''remove curse'' ritual in Empire,


Many curses can also be removed by the intervention of a powerful creature or item. As with ritual remedies, specific creatures or items have the ability to remove specific curses. For example, the ability of the [[Eternals|Eternal]] [[Yaw'nagrah]] to restore fertility may allow her to remove a curse of infertility, but is likely to be of little use against a [[Curse of Decrepitude]]. Powerful creatures almost invariably require quests or favours in return for removing a curse, and gaining their assistance or access to a powerful item are likely to involve difficult quests.
Some curses can also be removed by the intervention of a powerful creature or item. Like rituals there is no single eternal with the power to remove any curse, rather specific creatures or items have the ability to remove a specific curse. For example, the ability of the [[Eternals|Eternal]] [[Yaw'nagrah]] to restore fertility may allow her to remove a curse of infertility, but is likely to be of little use against a [[Curse of Decrepitude]]. Powerful creatures almost invariably require quests or favours in return for removing a curse, and gaining their assistance or access to a powerful item are likely to involve difficult quests.


It is also possible to make a curse permanent through the use of [[ilium]]; further details can be found [[Ilium#Using_Ilium_in_Rituals|here]].
It is possible to [[Ilium#Using_Ilium_in_Rituals|make a curse permanent]] through the use of [[ilium]].


==Identification==
==Identification==
The [[Spell list#Detect Magic|detect magic]] incantation will detect the magnitude and realm of an effect and indicate if it is a curse. Rituals such as [[Bright Lantern of Ophis]] or [[Wisdom of the Balanced Blade]] can gain more details. Information about well-known or legendary curses may also be possessed by bards and scholars.
*'''Detect magic can identify the presence of a curse'''
*'''Divination rituals may provide more information on the nature of a curse'''
The [[Spell list#Detect Magic|detect magic]] incantation will detect the magnitude and realm of an effect and indicate if it is a curse. Rituals such as [[Bright Lantern of Ophis]] or [[Wisdom of the Balanced Blade]] will provide more details. Information about well-known or legendary curses may also be possessed by bards and scholars.


==Curses and the Law==
==Curses and the Law==
The use of a curse to steal from or kill someone is clearly a crime, and it's use will be punished by the Imperial Magistrates.
*'''It is not illegal to curse someone'''
The use of a curse to steal from or kill someone is clearly a crime, and it's use will be punished by the Imperial Magistrates. A curse that does not directly rob or murder someone, however, falls under the purview of the [[Imperial Conclave]]. It is up to the Conclave to decide if a magician has overstepped the bounds and used magic in a way that threatens the Empire. If they decide this is the case, then those involved can be [[ [[Declaration#Declaration_of_Sorcery|declared sorcerers]].


A curse that does not directly rob or murder someone, however ,falls under the purview of the [[Imperial Conclave]]. It is up to the Conclave to decide if a magician has overstepped the bounds and used magic in a way that threatens the Empire. If they decide this is the case, then those involved will often be declared sorcerers.
{{Magic Links}}


[[Category:Rituals]]
[[Category:Rituals]]
[[Category:Rules]]

Revision as of 15:40, 21 January 2015

Overview

A curse is a persistent, harmful magical effect. Imperial Lore contains many rituals that create curses. Most are not illegal although their use is overseen by the Imperial Conclave. Many eternals have been known to curse those who cross them, but curses can also be caused by malign magical creatures and sometimes just by exposure to magical forces that have run amok.

A target may be under any number of different curses at once.

Pronouncement of Doom

  • Most ritual curses are delivered using a pronouncement of doom
  • One of the contributors must deliver the pronouncement
  • They have 15 minutes after they complete the ritual to deliver the curse
  • They must be close enough to touch the target and audibly curse them using appropriate roleplaying
  • You must have a referee present
  • If the curse cannot be delivered then it will rebound on the caster

Several ritual curses in Imperial Lore, such as Gnawing, Endless Hunger, are delivered using a pronouncement of doom. One of the ritual contributors must be selected during the ritual to deliver the curse. Once the ritual is complete, they have fifteen minutes to find the target. A referee, usually the one who observed the ritual, must accompany the magician when they seek out their victim.

Once they have found the target, the magician must use a few seconds appropriate roleplaying that make it clear to everyone present that a curse is being delivered. They must be close enough to touch their target when they make the pronouncement.

If the magician delivering the curse has not found a target within fifteen minutes of the completion of the ritual, the spell automatically rebounds and they are targeted by the power of the curse themselves. A referee may indicate when the deadline is getting close. This backlash is one reason that curses are not lightly invoked; some magicians have even risked cursing an innocent person rather than suffer their own curse, even though they are at serious risk of being declared a sorcerer for such an act.

Removal

  • Most curses last for a year or until they are removed
  • It is easier to create a curse using ritual magic than to remove it

Removing a curse is a significant indicating; rituals to remove a curse effect will almost always be many magnitudes higher than the magnitude of the ritual that created the curse. In most cases, a specific ritual or a minimum magnitude will be named. Each curse is unique, and the method of removing it also tends to be unique - there is no generic remove curse ritual in Empire,

Some curses can also be removed by the intervention of a powerful creature or item. Like rituals there is no single eternal with the power to remove any curse, rather specific creatures or items have the ability to remove a specific curse. For example, the ability of the Eternal Yaw'nagrah to restore fertility may allow her to remove a curse of infertility, but is likely to be of little use against a Curse of Decrepitude. Powerful creatures almost invariably require quests or favours in return for removing a curse, and gaining their assistance or access to a powerful item are likely to involve difficult quests.

It is possible to make a curse permanent through the use of ilium.

Identification

  • Detect magic can identify the presence of a curse
  • Divination rituals may provide more information on the nature of a curse

The detect magic incantation will detect the magnitude and realm of an effect and indicate if it is a curse. Rituals such as Bright Lantern of Ophis or Wisdom of the Balanced Blade will provide more details. Information about well-known or legendary curses may also be possessed by bards and scholars.

Curses and the Law

  • It is not illegal to curse someone

The use of a curse to steal from or kill someone is clearly a crime, and it's use will be punished by the Imperial Magistrates. A curse that does not directly rob or murder someone, however, falls under the purview of the Imperial Conclave. It is up to the Conclave to decide if a magician has overstepped the bounds and used magic in a way that threatens the Empire. If they decide this is the case, then those involved can be [[ declared sorcerers.

Further Reading