Irrepressible Monkey Spirit

Rules

Performing the Ritual

Performing this ritual takes at least 2 minutes of roleplaying. This ritual targets a character, who must be present throughout.

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

Effects

Twice each day the target can use their choice of unstoppable or second wind as if they knew them and without spending any hero points. They can choose each time they use this ability which skill to employ.

In addition the target is under a roleplaying effect: they feel exuberant, energetic and enthusiastic; they become bored easily, and frustrated by any period of inaction or extended concentration. They may choose to respond to any roleplaying effect that would cause them to become weary, despondent or sad by instead becoming exceptionally energetic and immediately doing something as exuberantly as possible.

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

Additional Targets

This ritual can affect additional characters from the same banner. Each additional character increases the magnitude by 16. Additional characters must be present throughout.

Description

This ritual was first recorded by the Freeborn magician Sagai i Tobera i Guerra, who spent much of his earlier life as a member of a kohan band, and his middle years as a corsair. In later life he extended his studies to embrace ritual magic, and eventually rose to prominence as the Spring Archmage of the conclave. He helped codify this ritual shortly before his death at the tragically young age of eight-nine.

This ritual draws on two themes; the spirit and vitality of youth, and the energy and vitality of Spring. It allows a warrior to heal themselves on the battlefield without the assistance of a physick, chirurgeon or magician, extending their ability to be self-reliant.

Some magicians dislike the comparison between the warriors of the Empire and the frivolous monkey, despite Sagai's assertion that it is a fine totem for a ritual that grants it's targets boundless enthusiasm and reserves of energy as well as the ability to bounce-back from serious injury. Some magicians prefer to refer to it as Unfailing Resilience of the Kudzu and it is referred to as such in many tomes , especially those used by the vates. In Wintermark there is a virtually identical ritual called The Inevitable Thaw while the dignified Highborn magisters employ a version they call The Unceasing Ocean.

Regardless, the ritual is popular with covens of Spring magicians looking for a versatile, if somewhat expensive, benefit to give an allied warrior that they see as being as useful as any Summer enchantment.

Common Elements

This ritual is often performed with exuberant and energetic music, incantations and dance in a style reminiscent of the traditional Guerra style, even if the coven is not made up of Freeborn ritualists. Invocations include drawing on the inevitable power of spring to breed life from dead or barren Winter soil, the mysterious power that surrounds the birth of new living beings, and in many cases the naming of energetic totem creatures such as monkeys. Even calm Urizen and restrained Highborn covens find it difficult not to invest this ritual with energy and exuberance.

Common elements include the rune of fertility; the evocation of The Fountain or The Stallion; a comedic or action-oriented scene with plenty of physical business; and images of horses, monkeys, and especially winged beasts.