Skin of Bark, Blood of Amber

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 character gain three additional ranks of endurance.

The target is also under a roleplaying effect: they feel physically massive, as if they are much larger than they actually are. It takes an effort of will to move quickly or to change their mind once it is made up.

If the target is a Briar, they may choose to temporarily increase the amount of bark on their skin, and may include thorns as well if they wish although these are also temporary and generally do not last longer than a few weeks.

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 18. Additional characters must be present throughout.

Option

Any caster who has mastered the ritual may choose to substitute ambergelt for crystal mana when contributing to it. Every 2 measures of ambergelt spent counts as 1 crystal mana when contributing to the ritual.

Description

This old ritual is believed to be a remnant of Ushka magic, although the Navarr and the Suaq claim that their people have used similar rituals since time immemorial. It fills a target with the unyielding vigour of a massive tree - an oak, ancient pine or similar long-lived plant.

Some suspicious people see the effect that the ritual has on some briars and assume that they run the risk of becoming briars themselves when exposed to this ritual, but there are no recorded cases of this happening.

Common Elements

An obvious component commonly part of the ritual is ambergelt, although amber and pine resin are equally common. As with many rituals that create an enchantment, the casters may symbolically give gifts to the target and branches from old trees, amber jewelry and favours or tokens that bear images of oak-leaves, acorns or similar plants. Some Dawnish Weaver cabals gird the targets in light or medium armour made of leather or hide while Landskeepers often crown their targets with leaves to show their connection to and mastery over natural forces.

The rune Rhyv and Verys are often evoked with this ritual, as is The Oak. Some ritualists also call on Paragons and Exemplars of Loyalty, Courage and Vigilance - especially The Sentinel - when they perform Skin of Bark, Blood of Amber.