Casting Rituals

Rituals are complex mystical ceremonies consisting of strange chants, purposeful motions, and curious objects used to win favor from divine powers, harness the forces of nature, or manipulate the fabric of the universe. They are slow to perform, and have complexities that are almost impossible to memorize. As such, the power they grant is stronger and longer-lasting than other abilities.

To cast a ritual, you must have a Ritual Casting Rank equal to or greater than the Rank of the Ritual, and a written copy of the ritual (book, scroll, etc.) from which you can perform it (your own or borrowed). Many rituals also list additional prerequisites and requirements(see below).

There are several aspects to rituals, many are similar to those of cast powers, but some differ. The following describes the aspects of rituals and how they function.

Rank

All rituals have a rank: A relative rating of the ritual's power and difficulty. To use a ritual, you must have a Ritual Casting skill rank equal to or greater than the rank of the ritual.

Potency

Unlike many powers, rituals have a fixed Potency. Potency is used when a ritual opposes another ritual or power. Compare the ritual's Potency to the opposing ritual/power's Potency; the higher Potency wins.

Prerequisites

These are additional conditions required to learn or cast the ritual. These commonly include Philosophy Rank, and can also include Mental or Physical Rank, Class, Race, specific skill ranks, and Feats.

Components

Components are material items consumed by the ritual as it is performed. If any required component is missing, the ritual cannot be completed. These components are consumed in the casting of the ritual and cannot be reused. An interrupted or failed ritual usually does not consume components.

Focus

Some rituals require a focus to function, which is an item central to the ritual that channels or anchors the magic. A focus is not consumed and may be reused. A single focus can support only one active instance of a ritual at a time, and often must be worn or held by the affected creature. If the focus is destroyed, the ritual typically ends.

Cost

Most rituals have an energy cost that must be paid by the caster. Such costs are usually in the form of Energy Burn or Energy Allocation since they often have persistent effects. Some powerful rituals even cost Karma to invoke. Unless stated otherwise, all energy costs are paid at the completion of the ritual's Cast Time.

Prep Time

This is the time required to prepare components or arrangements (boiling ingredients, meditation, drawing circles, etc.) before a ritual is actually cast. Prep Time is an Extended Action that does not require full Concentration and is not subject to Disruption (though the prepared materials can be spoiled or ruined by other kinds of mishaps and neglect). Once prepared, the ritual's casting may be completed at any time within one day, so long as the preparations are undisturbed.

Prepping Multiple Rituals

You may prepare multiple instances of the same ritual concurrently, up to a number equal to half your Mental Rank, provided you have sufficient components and foci. You may not prepare different rituals simultaneously.

Cast Time

As with powers, the Cast Time of a ritual represents a time of extreme focus and concentration, usually involving the speaking of incantations. This is a Cast Action that must be completed without Interruption or the ritual fails. In most cases, this means the incantation must simply be cast anew before the ritual can take effect, but in the case of certain rituals disruption can cause the destruction of materials or worse.

Duration

How long the ritual's effects last, measured in rounds, moments, phases, hours, days, or longer. If measured in rounds, the effect lasts a number of full rounds equal to the listed duration (possibly lasting a bit longer to account for an initial partial round). Some rituals have a Duration of Concentration and last as long as you continue to concentrate. If the effects are instantaneous, no Duration entry appears.

Area

The ritual affects an area (or targets within an area) of the stated size and shape. See Areas of Effect for more details.

Target

Who or what the ritual can affect, including the number of targets and valid types (Humanoid, Living, Undead, Objects, etc.).

Effect

A description of what the ritual does and how it works. Some rituals list multiple effects (Primary Effect, Secondary Effect, etc.). When present, each effect occurs in order, regardless of earlier results, unless the ritual states otherwise.

Fellowship

Details alternative or enhanced options if the caster belongs to a Fellowship.