Hammer of Thunder

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

The target may call IMPALE once per day with a great weapon.

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. Every two additional characters increases the magnitude by 5. Additional characters must be present throughout.

Description

This enchantment is among one of the best-known Summer rituals. Along with Swift Leaping Hare, The Swan's Cruel Wing and Strength of the Bull it provides a coven with the ability to select the right enchantment to enhance any band of warriors. In this case, it allows those who wield great weapons to strike a single devastating blow that will potentially maim or completely incapacitate an opponent. In Wintermark, in keeping with the naming strategy of the other similar rituals, it is known as Mammoth's Thunder; the rest of the Empire tends to use the more common name.

Common Elements

This ritual usually involves both the target and their great weapon. A ritualist might trace matching runes on weapons and warrior, or might anoint them with a mixture of blood and oil. A toast is often drunk, especially when the ritual is performed on a band of warriors rather than a single target. Legendary warriors, especially those known for their strength or uncompromising nature, are often invoked as are Paragons and Exemplars of warlike mien.

Any of the Summer runes might be evoked, but Verys, the rune of strength, is the most common (although the ill-favoured rune of storms may be used by especially war-like magicians). An evocation of The Stallion or The Oak may be appropriate with this ritual, as are evocations of bears, bulls and other powerful creatures such as lions and mammoths.