Symbol of Insanity

Symbol of Insanity
Ritual Rank 10 [Glyph, Mind-Affecting]
Prerequisites: Divine or Eldritch Rank 9
Potency: 50
Components: Magic Ink [Rare, Value: 50 gp], Condensed Maddening Shadow [Extremely Rare, Value: 3,000 gp].
Focus: A paintbrush, with handle carved from Dragon's bone and bristles from the hair of a Hag [Rare, Value: 5,000 gp].
Cost: 6 Resolve Allocation
Prep Time: 1 hour
Cast Time: 1 phase
Duration: Until discharged, dismissed, or dispelled.
Aura: Masked [DC 35] (Enchantment)
Effect: You mix the ink with the condensed shadow, letting them simmer over an open flame for approximately 1 hour. Using this mixture, you paint the Symbol of Insanity upon an object while chanting the ritual's incantation, a hypnotic melody. At this point, you may designate creatures whom you wish to be immune to the effects of the symbol and designate a password which could be used by other creatures to bypass the effects (you are automatically immune to the effects of your symbol).

When a symbol is activated, all creatures within 60 feet of the symbol become Confused, with unlucky individuals becoming permanently Insane. The length of time a creature is Confused is dependent on the creature's Mental Rank, as determined by the chart below. The symbol remains active for approximately 2 phases.

Degree of Insanity Effect
Creature's Mental Rank Effect
9 or more Unaffected
7-8 Confused for 1d4 phases.
5-6 Insane for 1d4 hours.
4 or less The target is rendered permanently Insane.

The symbol is activated by one (or more) of the following conditions, which you determine at the time of casting: the symbol is looked at, read, willingly touched, passed over (if on the floor) or passed through (if on entryway or portal). The symbol may only be activated by a creature within 60 feet of the symbol, and therefore cannot affect creatures through magical forms of surveillance (such as Scrying, etc). A covering placed over the symbol will prevent it from being activated by being looked at or read, but will not prevent the symbol from activating by touch,passing over, or passing through it.

The Symbol may be detected with a successful Investigate check [DC 35] or via an ability to detect masked magical auras (such as Reveal Magic). Once detected, the Symbol may be removed magically or disarmed with a Trapsmith or Thievery check [DC 40]. If an attempt is made to remove the Symbol, and it fails, the Symbol activates.

The ritual's power remains tied to the Paintbrush used to create the symbol. If the paintbrush is destroyed, the ritual is immediately dismissed. Additionally, if the paintbrush leaves the plane the symbol is on, the ritual is immediately dismissed.