Ritual
A proper Ritual is a self-contained Manifold Casting activity that has specific requirements and exact proscribed results. It is a lengthy application of rote instruction and basic principles and basic knowledge to a power/ability in order to safely evince it’s effects. Repetitious Chanting is used in ritual and/or ceremonial proceedings that concentrates the will of the participant(s) in order to ensure against distraction and create a better chance of success. Along with this, the source of the ritual may be inscribed with the same repetition, as multiple Mystic Methodologies may be required to complete the ritual.
Ritualization/Ritualizing is an action treatment which represents a way to apply simplified and extended approaches for performing mystic actions – usually the first way powers and abilities are initially learned.
The Ritualist/Enactor
In a Ritual or Ceremony, an Enactor is the person leading the activity and must possess the knowledge of it and prepare the materials required for its use. The enactor of the ritual expression prepares and arranges the materials (typically considered reagent components themselves), makes the Offering (if necessary), and typically merges all or some of the mystic methodologies to Actualize the Ritual. Unless stated otherwise, if the Enactor is interrupted during its enactment the associated materials are used and costs are only paid if completed (whether or not it is successful).
Ritual Practice
Why is it necessary? It may be that the practitioner has not fully learned the power yet, or that they have suffered some effect causing them to have to return to the wrote, safe, and methodical practice in order to successfully use them without harm or chance of failure.
What is required? Typically, some from of understandable written or drawn instructions accompany a ritualized practice – a primer to refer to because the practitioner is not capable of completing it on their own. Typically a familiarity is required before it can be reliably used as an action treatment.
- Ritual usually amplifies the power, concentrating all the mnemonic elements in order to draw on or open a portal to a power or entity of great power. Some Rituals contain mechanisms that amplify the Presence Agents power and substitute for the Mystic Envisioning, allowing them to be enacted by those without any formal training.
- Mystic Offerings are almost always done in some form of a Ritual and/or Ceremony.
- Such texts are often written in Elderune.
- It is assumed that conducting (leading) a Ritual requires the character to be Hale, or there may be penalties to the chance of success.
Trivial Ritual Treatment
Superficial/Pomp Only: Many rituals and ceremonies are nothing more than superficial pomp to inflate the importance of symbolic activities. These have little to no impact on the activity they enshrine, other than to signify their importance and the weight of represented ideas or elements to the community at large.
Ritualized Treatment: Apply the trappings of Ritual to a normally singular, non-ritual power. Rituals can often themselves be supplemented with some from of material treatment. Often times, a Locus of Control can augment a ritual.
Typical Impact: Rituals of powers take 10x the time to enact them. Any interruption automatically ends the power and wastes the energy involved.
Minor Ritual Treatment (Lesser Rituals)
Common Requirements: Minimum 1 Aptitude (varies by specific ritual), or a sacrifice of 1 Essence to attempt.
Major Ritual Treatment (Greater Rituals)
SIGNIFICANT EXPERIENCE: Reference works and basic exposure alone may only provide the foundation for gaining a [mechanics based] advantage. To reflect the practice and experience to gain that benefit consistently, typically requires a cost in Character Points.
Common Requirements: Minimum 2 Aptitude (varies by specific ritual), or a sacrifice of Essence = min. Aptitude to attempt.
Greater Rituals and Ceremonies are taxing on the participants. These greater versions maximize the amount of power which can be channeled through them to a dangerous level. This takes a toll on the participants, causing them to suffer a form of fatigue, malaise and/or Exhaustion. This often leaves them personally vulnerable right after completing greater functions, requiring protections of various sorts. Learning powerful and difficult mystic Rituals and Ceremonies may contribute to the energy reservoirs.
Ritual Lores (Phenomenon)
Ritual Lores represent specific bodies of knowledge that allow characters familiarity with ritual practices of all kinds.
iCore™Incarna d20™ _TITLE_ Details/Mechanics
Ritualized Treatment: A character may apply a ritualized treatment to a Low Art manifestation/casting – adding 10 minutes of extra Verbal and Expressive elements to replace the Common Materials for Casting empowerment of Low Art spells.