Sorcery
Sorcery has been practiced by the Ollath for scarcely twenty years, but it is already a powerful form of magic, rivalling any other for the transformations it can induce. Taught by the immoral Archons, its grotesquery is that it draws the minds of the deceased from their final rest, dragging them back to the living lands and tethering them to the body of the target. Through this, the target of Sorcery gains access to skills, and sometimes knowledge, that the deceased had in life. They must also endure the mind's angry hissing in their ears as it is bound to the service of a Hell-worshipping traitor, but the Ollath know better than anyone that true power always comes with a price.
Any character with the Whispers from the Archons skill can perform Sorcery rituals. Only Ollath, or Summoners, are viable targets for these rituals. The target and the caster must not be the same character. A Sorcery ritual requires
1. SACRIFICE
The first step in binding a deceased mind to a target is to sacrifice one or more magical resources to the Archons, requiring a short rite. This reveals the presence of one or more deceased minds that the Sorcerer may bind to a target. The type and number of resources affects the number and type of minds revealed.
2. SOULS
Once a mind has been chosen, the Sorcerer requires one or more souls to power the ritual. The more souls are used, the more powerful the bond. A more powerful bond brings more mechanical advantages to the target, as well as increased side effects. Mechanical advantages depend on the nature of the mind being bonded. For instance, it is likely that the mind of an expert sword-user would grant uses of Disarm or perhaps Break to the target.
3. A CONTRACT
To enact the rite, the Sorcerer and the target must sign a written contract, in blood. The contract must incorporate the following elements.
- The mind to be bonded must be clearly named. The contract typically treats this mind as property, being transferred from the Archons to the target in a legal process overseen by the Sorcerer.
- The target must be clearly named, and any payment or obligations owed by them to the Sorcerer or other parties for the ritual must be specified.
- The Sorcerer must be clearly named, and their role in facilitating the ritual acknowledged.
- The Archons must be referred to, and their role in allowing Sorcery to function acknowledged.
Once the contract is signed, the mind bonds with the target. The effects lasts until the end of the event.
Any character with the Whispers from the Archons skill can perform Sorcery rituals. Only Ollath, or Summoners, are viable targets for these rituals. The target and the caster must not be the same character. A Sorcery ritual requires
- Sacrifice. Magical resources must be sacrificed to gain a list of available minds.
- Souls. At least one mortal soul must be spent to fuel the ritual.
- A Contract. A contract must be drawn up between the ritualist, the target, and the Archons in order for the Sorcery to be enacted.
1. SACRIFICE
The first step in binding a deceased mind to a target is to sacrifice one or more magical resources to the Archons, requiring a short rite. This reveals the presence of one or more deceased minds that the Sorcerer may bind to a target. The type and number of resources affects the number and type of minds revealed.
2. SOULS
Once a mind has been chosen, the Sorcerer requires one or more souls to power the ritual. The more souls are used, the more powerful the bond. A more powerful bond brings more mechanical advantages to the target, as well as increased side effects. Mechanical advantages depend on the nature of the mind being bonded. For instance, it is likely that the mind of an expert sword-user would grant uses of Disarm or perhaps Break to the target.
3. A CONTRACT
To enact the rite, the Sorcerer and the target must sign a written contract, in blood. The contract must incorporate the following elements.
- The mind to be bonded must be clearly named. The contract typically treats this mind as property, being transferred from the Archons to the target in a legal process overseen by the Sorcerer.
- The target must be clearly named, and any payment or obligations owed by them to the Sorcerer or other parties for the ritual must be specified.
- The Sorcerer must be clearly named, and their role in facilitating the ritual acknowledged.
- The Archons must be referred to, and their role in allowing Sorcery to function acknowledged.
Once the contract is signed, the mind bonds with the target. The effects lasts until the end of the event.