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[Lore Amendment] Mysticism: Two Rites


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The Original Spell: Rite of Scrubbing

Spoiler

Rite of Scrubbing

The veil is a most fragile thing, constantly weakened by the aberrant interactions of the dead. To bolster it would come as a grave detriment to wayward spirits, and many would think the act an antithesis of Mysticism. Curiously, it is the opposite — for willing mystics may embolden the veil between the two planes of life and death, creating a spiritual ward or sanctuary that would stand strong against the sway of the damned. 

 

Mechanics:

 

Scrubbing requires that the mystic first lower themselves into a deep trance, focusing on clouds of burning incense that fill the air around them. These clouds allow them to spread their control of the veil throughout the area, giving them the ability to pry ectoplasm free from all things, rather than a single target. The more mystics that partake in a scrubbing ritual, the wider its area, and more powerful targets may be capably dispelled by their combined force. Single mystics could effectively scrub a four meter area, though each additional mystic would add another four meters. 

 

By doing this, any weakening in the veil caused by mass death will be undone. Haunts will have their effects completely reversed if a scrubbing ritual is performed upon them, or upon a significant area of them. If a haunt has at least a twelve meter area of blocks scrubbed, the haunt will be suitably unsettled and will collapse, even if some artifacts remain. At least two in-character years must pass before an area can be considered a haunt again. Rather than simply casting ectoplasm out from a target, scrubbing actively destroys ectoplasm by pulling it back onto the living side of the veil, transforming it back into mana, life force and soul essence. 

 

Single mystics may also use a scrubbing ritual to defend themselves from apparitions. The small area they project is dense enough to ward apparitions that attempt to reach within that area. Moreover, the distortions caused in their ectoplasm will be so great, that telekinetic abilities will not be capable of reaching within the mystic’s scrubbed area. Smaller spectral entities cannot be destroyed by scrubbing, though they will feel immense pain and have whatever ties that bind them to the area broken — and even eidola have small enough portions of ectoplasm that they can instinctively weave their way between the waves of energy emanating from the mystic.

 

  • Menhir and gateways require at least two mystics to scrub them.
  • Apparitions require at least five mystics to scrub them, if the intent is to destroy them. This number may scale up depending on the apparition’s power.
  • Scrubbing will effectively nullify any attempt to conjure ectoplasm within the region, whether by a mystic or a phantom (i.e. walling, deadbreath, etc).
  • The mana, life force, and soul essence that results from a successful Scrubbing vanish almost instantly as they drain away, and cannot be captured.
  • Amputated mystics and wights cannot perform successful scrubbing as it would demanifest their ectoplasmic limbs/weaken them.

 

 

 

The Amendment: Tweaking Redlines

  • “Amputated mystics and wights cannot perform successful scrubbing as it would demanifest their ectoplasmic limbs/weaken them.” 

 

Changed to…

  • Wights cannot perform successful scrubbing as they are composed of ectoplasm and are phantasmal in nature, the ward would only weaken and bring discomfort to them as it works against their nature.
  • Amputated mystics may perform scrubbing, though the ward would forcefully demanifest their ectoplasmic limbs if they are present; the process being searingly painful and immediately destroying the ghostly limb–requiring the amputated mystic to go through the usual process of regenerating their arm.
  • If an amputated mystic’s ethereal arm isn’t manifested during the Rite, they would still experience discomfort in the form of mild phantom pains, while being incapable of forming their ectoplasmic limb due to the active ward.

 

Additional Redline…

  • If scrubbing is performed around hindered objects, plantlife, and animals–their spectral traits would be painlessly cleansed away and leave the material with a mundane appearance again.

 

Explanation:

Earlier today while I was conducting a lesson, I was reviewing spells and had noticed strange wording in the lore’s redlines that felt like it didn’t correctly fit well with how the spell is described and used.  Rite of Scrubbing is a unique ritual for Mystics, as it doesn’t actually require ectoplasm to perform it–it actually stands as a means for warding/providing shields/barriers for spectral presences and influences [as explained above].

 

The original redline under the focus of the amendment describes that Amputated Mystics would have their ectoplasmic arms demanifested (correct) but then says it weakens them–which doesn’t specify how, nor explain why they would be incapable of performing the Rite with just one arm.  Any Mystic is already weakened while in an area affected by Scrubbing, given they can’t cast their ectoplasm-fueled spells amidst those wards; the only additional weakness an Amputated Mystic would logically have is that absence of their spectral limb–and a greater risk to be harmed by the wards if they’re not mindful.

 

For the addition of a redline, there is another spell known to Mystics called Rite of Hindering–a small use of it in the form of a cantrip can permit a Mystic to imbue various items, plantlife, and live animals with ectoplasm.  It’s entirely harmless and only gives them a cool visual effect, while also being a small source of attraction/comfort to spirits and wisps.  It just makes sense that if Scrubbing were conducted around them, it would undo that effect on them–given Mystics are also capable of cleansing Menhirs (which is a greater product of Hindering) with this Rite.

 

*✭˚・゚✧*・゚*✭˚・゚✧*・゚*✭˚・゚✧*・゚*✭˚・゚✧*・゚*✭˚・゚✧*・゚*✭˚・゚✧*・゚*✭˚・゚✧*・゚*✭˚・゚✧*・゚**✭˚・゚✧*・゚*✭˚・゚✧*・゚*✭

 

The Original Spell: Rite of Harvest

Spoiler

 

Rite of Harvest

Amidst the exigencies of occult rites lie the ability of mystics to draw forth the esoteric, spiritual essence of mortality, and store it within menhir to power their profane sacraments. In this vein, it was soon discovered by mortal mystics that one need not even lift their blade to reap the vital essence they coveted for fell rite and hex alike.

 

Mechanics:

Mystics may forcibly drain the soul essence and fragments of an individual, allowing it to be stored within a menhir. As compared to the power of Saturation, however, this rite is a far subtler approach to enacting the Synod’s will within the realms of mortal men; able to be performed by adept Occultists in masquerade as fortune tellers, priests, or occupations of a similar nature that a given Mystic may choose to use as their facade. 

 

Firstly, as with all rites and liturgies, a Mystic must gleam - though when utilizing this particular rite, only their eyes would seem to be overcome with a ghostly glow, a near-mirror image of the phantasmal world they themselves view each and every waking hour; other optional tells may include things such as their skin becoming deathly cold, their skin sinking into itself as their clothing seemingly withers and decays, or other tells normally associated with mystical gleaming. Over the course of [3] emotes, a Mystic may perform a ceremonial or occult rite of their choosing, this entailing things such as a palm reading, a prayer or anointment, or an act of ceremonial harvest; so long as it fits within the prescribed themes, it shall be valid.  While this rite is being performed, the Mystic must maintain either direct eye contact with their victim, or maintain a touch upon their skin either bare or through thin cloth - with things such as supernatural phenomenon often occurring during this rite, though strictly for flavor and no combative benefit. 

 

Once the rite is completed, the individual would find themselves winded, a brief vision pertaining to themes of the undead, spiritual, and occult playing throughout their mind - often taken as a revelatory experience, or as an ill omen, but the exact details and reaction are left to the victim’s choice. They would find themselves taken by a great degree of lethargy thereafter for an IRL hour at the most, and in the following narrative week, would experience mild nightmares and night terrors as their soul recovers from the ordeal, replenishing itself. A total of 1 Soul Fragment/Count of Essence may be retrieved via this rite, for later storage within a menhir or an Eidolon’s Apparition Cradle. Once an individual has been afflicted by this rite, they are immune to it for the next 7 IRL days. 

 

  • Tells of the occult are allowed to be subtle, though still must be displayed to the extent described within this rite. Premonitions experienced as a result of this rite’s usage on an individual don’t grant them legitimate foresight, though they may certainly believe it to be such - these brief visions being entirely to the design of the victim. 
  • Supernatural phenomena occurring while this rite is underway are entirely for flavor and non-combative. This may include things like an ethereal breeze blowing throughout the nearby area, books flipping pages of their own accord, ghostly whispers being spoken from the shadows, etc.
  • The Lethargy experienced as a result of this rite’s use does not prohibit an individual from fighting back, fleeing an encounter, etc. more akin to general grogginess and tiredness than debilitating exhaustion. 
  • Victims of this rite are immune to it for 7 IRL days afterwards. They must be soul-bearing Descendants (or Kharajyr) in order to be considered valid targets for this ritual. 
  • Tier 3 Sacrament, may not be performed in combat. 

 

The Amendment: Altering the visions received in this Rite

Third paragraph down

"Once the rite is complete, the individual would find themselves winded, a brief vision pertaining to themes of the undead, spiritual, and occult playing throughout their mind - often taken as a revelatory experience, or as an ill omen, but the exact details and reaction are left to the victim's choice."

 

Changed to…

Once the rite is complete, the individual would find themselves winded, a brief vision pertaining to themes of the undead, spiritual, and occult playing throughout their mind - fabricated by the Mystic conducting this Rite, though the reaction to such visions is left to the victim's interpretation.

 

Explanation:

This spell feels as if it could have a lot of potential for Mystics to create flavorful RP interactions between other players, though a lot of power is ripped away from the Mystic when they're unable to actually influence a vision for another character to experience.  It can eventually lead to awkward moments or disappointing conclusions to build up of a theme in RP when all the Mystic can do is write "Your character would have a vision pertaining to themes of the undead and occult."  It's a peak behind Oz' curtain, ruining the magic and mystery of a forming narrative.

 

Lore in Question:

Spells mentioned:

Rite of Scrubbing

Rite of Hindering 

Rite of Harvest

[Found under Sacraments of Pale]

Amputation

[Found in spoiler under Rite of Consumption]

 

Edit 1/4/23 - I decided to edit one of the proposed redlines that an Amputated Mystic would actually experience phantom pains while standing in a warded area, even if their arms aren't forcefully demanifested by it.  My reasoning behind it is due to what grants an Amputated Mystic the ability to manifest their ghostly arms in the first place; which is an indestructible menhirous ring forever bound to their stumped limb upon application.  Although it wouldn't be able to be purged by the ward, it could still provide some discomfort to the Amputated Mystic.  Just makes more sense after further thought, and can add some more flavor to RP

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I support this amendment. 

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Amendments/Additions implemented into main lore post. Thank you for your submission. Moving to correct subforum to prevent redundancy and clutter.

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