Circle of Gold

Rules

Performing the Ritual

Performing this ritual takes at least 2 minutes of roleplaying. The target characters must be present throughout.

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

Effects

This ritual targets up to five characters from the same band. The target characters gain the ability to use stay with me once without needing to know the skill or spend any hero points; however, they can only use the ability on another character who was also a target of this ritual*.

As long as they are enchanted, the targets experience a roleplaying effect; they feel a desire to stick together, whether on the battlefield or off it. They feel a strong urge to defend the other targets of the ritual, whether from physical harm or from insults.

The effect lasts until the end of the next battle, skirmish or quest the character participates in; or until the end of the current event, whichever is sooner.

Additional Targets

This ritual can affect additional characters from the same band. Every two additional characters increases the magnitude by 3. Additional characters must be present throughout.

Description

Battlefields are dangerous places, and this ritual grants an enchantment that allows members of a tight-knit band to prevent their comrades succumbing to mortal wounds easily. The dynamic of the group it is used on often influences how the enchantment is perceived - some groups use this healing as soon as one of their number is incapacitated, while others focus their attention on keeping a certain key member of the group (such as a healer, officer, magician or reckless warrior) on their feet.

Participants feel a strong urge to stick together, and tend to be very defensive of each other. It has an unfortunate side effect of encouraging groups of warriors to become embroiled in brawls and honour-duels; on more than one occasion a Free Company captain has been known to restrict his bravos to camp after the ritual is performed to prevent them becoming engaged in a fight with other bravos and wasting the enchantment's power.

Common Elements

As with many similar rituals, it is common for the targets to share a drink or consume food together, often with a toast or rousing cheer to mark the beginning and end of the ritual. Tokens are often given to the targets, especially tokens of weltsilver or those woven or painted with a group insignia. Many ritualists, especially Imperial Orcs, Marchers and Varushkans, encourage the participants to recite of some sort of oath of fraternity or mutual protection while joined in a literal circle, arm to arm. Images and invocations of camaraderie, Loyalty and mutual respect are common, as is the rune Lann and the constellation of The Chain. Scenes involving The Captain in various guises, often on The Battlefield are often used by dramaturgists to help create an appropraite atmosphere. The evocation of totem beasts that hunt in packs or small groups such as wolves (especially for League or Winterfolk ritualists) are also common, especiall winged beasts,