Winter magic - Revision history

Twiggy at 19:01, 15 January 2026

2026-01-15T19:01:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:01, 15 January 2026
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	At its heart, this realm is old and it understands the power that fear and death have over the living. Yet from this understanding grows wisdom - and from wisdom comes a very different form of power. No realm approaches the potency of Winter when it comes to creating wards, bindings or oaths.		At its heart, this realm is old and it understands the power that fear and death have over the living. Yet from this understanding grows wisdom - and from wisdom comes a very different form of power. No realm approaches the potency of Winter when it comes to creating wards, bindings or oaths.
	__TOC__		__TOC__
	There are of course mystics and scholars say that the magic of Winter is innately dangerous. They claim that each magical effect ended, each portion of energy consumed, and each incident of destruction somehow “feeds” the Wasteland. The energies it consumes are gone forever, and eventually all the magic in the world will be swallowed up by Winter, bringing an end to creation. Another group disagree – they claim that by using the magic of Winter the magician steals power from the ~~Realm~~, postponing the eventual death of creation. Magicians who work powerful Winter rituals often speak of the magic as being dangerous - predatory or watchful. They must wield it without fear, without showing the slightest weakness, because if they do they can sense that the cold, cruel magic will take advantage and turn against the practitioner.		There are of course mystics and scholars say that the magic of Winter is innately dangerous. They claim that each magical effect ended, each portion of energy consumed, and each incident of destruction somehow “feeds” the Wasteland. The energies it consumes are gone forever, and eventually all the magic in the world will be swallowed up by Winter, bringing an end to creation. Another group disagree – they claim that by using the magic of Winter the magician steals power from the realm, postponing the eventual death of creation. Magicians who work powerful Winter rituals often speak of the magic as being dangerous - predatory or watchful. They must wield it without fear, without showing the slightest weakness, because if they do they can sense that the cold, cruel magic will take advantage and turn against the practitioner.

	Winter magic is the most powerful because it is honest - it is power stripped of deception - and because it deals with the inevitable powers of death and decay. Those who wield Winter magic can become powerful protectors - or devastating villains.		Winter magic is the most powerful because it is honest - it is power stripped of deception - and because it deals with the inevitable powers of death and decay. Those who wield Winter magic can become powerful protectors - or devastating villains.
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	==Resonance==		==Resonance==
	===Weakness===		===Weakness===
	The Winter ~~Realm~~ is preoccupied with ageing and especially with the weakness and infirmity that comes from old age and the realm resonates strongly with any rituals that produce similar effects. All manner of mortal ailments, even simple exhaustion, are likewise strongly favoured by the realm. Magics that weaken need not be limited to the body; Winter magic excels at weakening objects and structures, causing metals to corrode, wood to rot, and stone to erode. It can even be used to blight the land, however, the more powerful Winter destruction is, the slower and more insidious it tends to be.		The Winter realm is preoccupied with ageing and especially with the weakness and infirmity that comes from old age and the realm resonates strongly with any rituals that produce similar effects. All manner of mortal ailments, even simple exhaustion, are likewise strongly favoured by the realm. Magics that weaken need not be limited to the body; Winter magic excels at weakening objects and structures, causing metals to corrode, wood to rot, and stone to erode. It can even be used to blight the land, however, the more powerful Winter destruction is, the slower and more insidious it tends to be.

	Examples: the [[weakness]] spell, [[Withering Touch of Frost]], [[Crumbling Flesh and Withering Limbs]], [[Hungry Grasp of Despair]], [[Naeve's Twisting Blight]], [[Inevitable Collapse into Ruin]], [[Howling Despite of the Yawning Maw]], and [[The Grave's Treacherous Edge]].		Examples: the [[weakness]] spell, [[Withering Touch of Frost]], [[Crumbling Flesh and Withering Limbs]], [[Hungry Grasp of Despair]], [[Naeve's Twisting Blight]], [[Inevitable Collapse into Ruin]], [[Howling Despite of the Yawning Maw]], and [[The Grave's Treacherous Edge]].
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	===Fear===		===Fear===
	Fear is a powerful emotion throughout the Winter ~~Realm~~ and Winter rituals that create fear are especially potent. Almost any fear resonates in Winter: fear of death, fear of loss, or just fear of being hurt. This resonance also spans some of the things that help to feed fear, especially uncertainty and doubt. Strangely, fear is often seen as a positive force by many Winter eternals, who believe that it serves as a warning, helping individuals to realise when they are in danger.		Fear is a powerful emotion throughout the Winter realm and Winter rituals that create fear are especially potent. Almost any fear resonates in Winter: fear of death, fear of loss, or just fear of being hurt. This resonance also spans some of the things that help to feed fear, especially uncertainty and doubt. Strangely, fear is often seen as a positive force by many Winter eternals, who believe that it serves as a warning, helping individuals to realise when they are in danger.

	Examples: [[Dreamscape of the Endless Hunt]].		Examples: [[Dreamscape of the Endless Hunt]].
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	===Cruelty===		===Cruelty===
	To mortal eyes, the Winter ~~Realm~~ often appears cruel or heartless. Winter magic often comes with a price to be paid; the more powerful the magic, the more terrible the price. When questioned on such matters, Winter eternals do not deny that Winter magic can exact a cruel toll on its caster, but they claim it reflects the true nature of the world - that things cannot be achieved without sacrifice.		To mortal eyes, the Winter realm often appears cruel or heartless. Winter magic often comes with a price to be paid; the more powerful the magic, the more terrible the price. When questioned on such matters, Winter eternals do not deny that Winter magic can exact a cruel toll on its caster, but they claim it reflects the true nature of the world - that things cannot be achieved without sacrifice.

	Examples: [[Pallid Flesh of the Dead King]], [[Sorin's Rite of Agony\|Sorin's Rite of Agony]].		Examples: [[Pallid Flesh of the Dead King]], [[Sorin's Rite of Agony\|Sorin's Rite of Agony]].
	===Punishment===		===Punishment===
	Winter magic deals with many rituals that administer punishment. The ~~Realm~~ delights in punishing those who have transgressed with suitable consequences for their actions, but magicians are advised to use such power carefully. Those who use the curses and punishments of Winter magic indiscriminately may soon find their enemies wielding the same power on them in turn.		Winter magic deals with many rituals that administer punishment. The realm delights in punishing those who have transgressed with suitable consequences for their actions, but magicians are advised to use such power carefully. Those who use the curses and punishments of Winter magic indiscriminately may soon find their enemies wielding the same power on them in turn.

	Examples: [[Traitor's Fate]], [[Freezing Brand of Irremais]], and [[Winter's Ghosts]].		Examples: [[Traitor's Fate]], [[Freezing Brand of Irremais]], and [[Winter's Ghosts]].

	===Survival===		===Survival===
	The urge to survive is a powerful instinct of the Winter ~~Realm~~, making rituals that draw on this resonance especially powerful. Winter magic can allow the beneficiary to endure pain or even resist death in the short term.		The urge to survive is a powerful instinct of the Winter realm, making rituals that draw on this resonance especially powerful. Winter magic can allow the beneficiary to endure pain or even resist death in the short term.

	Examples: [[Hunger of the Draughir]], [[Unyielding Constitution]], [[Fight Tooth and Nail]], [[Unending Onslaught]], [[Wolves of the Hungry Sea]], and [[Last Breath Echoes]].		Examples: [[Hunger of the Draughir]], [[Unyielding Constitution]], [[Fight Tooth and Nail]], [[Unending Onslaught]], [[Wolves of the Hungry Sea]], and [[Last Breath Echoes]].
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	===Death===		===Death===
	Death and the bodies of the dead are an obsession for many inhabitants of the Winter realm. Winter magic can speak to those who have recently departed and the realm includes divinations that can be performed on the bodies of the dead. Although there are no magics that can bring a person back from the dead, some of the most powerful Winter rituals allow the magician to summon drudges from the Winter ~~Realm~~ to occupy the bodies of the fallen, making them march at their command.		Death and the bodies of the dead are an obsession for many inhabitants of the Winter realm. Winter magic can speak to those who have recently departed and the realm includes divinations that can be performed on the bodies of the dead. Although there are no magics that can bring a person back from the dead, some of the most powerful Winter rituals allow the magician to summon drudges from the Winter realm to occupy the bodies of the fallen, making them march at their command.

	Examples: [[Quickening Cold Meat]], [[Clarion Call of Ivory and Dust]], [[Last Breath Echoes]], [[An Echo of Life Remains]], [[Hold Back Frozen Hunger]], the [[Voice for the dead]] spell.		Examples: [[Quickening Cold Meat]], [[Clarion Call of Ivory and Dust]], [[Last Breath Echoes]], [[An Echo of Life Remains]], [[Hold Back Frozen Hunger]], the [[Voice for the dead]] spell.
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	===Hope===		===Hope===
	There is no mercy in the Winter ~~Realm~~; at best it can provide a sombre sympathy for the pain that life brings, at worst it takes a delight in the cruel and capricious nature of the mortal experience. The realm's inhabitants consider forgiveness to be foolish and weak and happiness to be the refuge of ignorant fools. Rituals cannot use Winter magic to create uplifting or positive feelings.		There is no mercy in the Winter realm; at best it can provide a sombre sympathy for the pain that life brings, at worst it takes a delight in the cruel and capricious nature of the mortal experience. The realm's inhabitants consider forgiveness to be foolish and weak and happiness to be the refuge of ignorant fools. Rituals cannot use Winter magic to create uplifting or positive feelings.

	===Strength===		===Strength===

RichardRaynor: /* Endings */ sp

2025-07-30T20:34:01Z

Endings: sp

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:34, 30 July 2025
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	===Endings===		===Endings===
	Winter magic likes to bring ~~things to~~ things to an end. For many objects and buildings, this means their destruction, but Winter magic can be used in different ways to cause things to end. There is no generic "dispel magic" effect in Empire, but Winter is far and away the best realm to use to bring magic that is ongoing and active to an end.		Winter magic likes to bring things to an end. For many objects and buildings, this means their destruction, but Winter magic can be used in different ways to cause things to end. There is no generic "dispel magic" effect in Empire, but Winter is far and away the best realm to use to bring magic that is ongoing and active to an end.

	Examples: the [[shatter]] spell, [[Black Iron Blade]], [[Words of Ending]], [[Ravenous Tongue of Entropy]], [[Devastating Scythe of Anguish and Loss]], [[Wind of Mundane Silence]], and [[Wither the Seed]].		Examples: the [[shatter]] spell, [[Black Iron Blade]], [[Words of Ending]], [[Ravenous Tongue of Entropy]], [[Devastating Scythe of Anguish and Loss]], [[Wind of Mundane Silence]], and [[Wither the Seed]].

Twiggy at 20:25, 24 July 2025

2025-07-24T20:25:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:25, 24 July 2025
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	Both Autumn and Winter magic take a strong interest in statements of intent; while Autumn favours deals, pacts, and accords, Winter is most concerned with sworn oaths and geas. Winter magic wants to hold people to the words they speak, punishing those who break solemn vows. This binding nature of the Winter realm can also physically constrain people, creating wards that punish those who cross them.		Both Autumn and Winter magic take a strong interest in statements of intent; while Autumn favours deals, pacts, and accords, Winter is most concerned with sworn oaths and geas. Winter magic wants to hold people to the words they speak, punishing those who break solemn vows. This binding nature of the Winter realm can also physically constrain people, creating wards that punish those who cross them.

	Examples: [[Tribute to the Thrice-Cursed Court]], [[Pakaanan's Iron Shutters]], [[Hold Back Frozen Hunger]], [[There Is No Welcome		Examples: [[Tribute to the Thrice-Cursed Court]], [[Pakaanan's Iron Shutters]], [[Hold Back Frozen Hunger]], [[There Is No Welcome Here]], [[Retreat to the White Caves]], [[Ward of the Black Waste]], and [[Clarion Call of Ivory and Dust]].
	Here]], [[Retreat to the White Caves]], [[Ward of the Black Waste]], and [[Clarion Call of Ivory and Dust]].

	===Cruelty===		===Cruelty===

Twiggy at 19:19, 24 July 2025

2025-07-24T19:19:39Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:19, 24 July 2025
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	Both Autumn and Winter magic take a strong interest in statements of intent; while Autumn favours deals, pacts, and accords, Winter is most concerned with sworn oaths and geas. Winter magic wants to hold people to the words they speak, punishing those who break solemn vows. This binding nature of the Winter realm can also physically constrain people, creating wards that punish those who cross them.		Both Autumn and Winter magic take a strong interest in statements of intent; while Autumn favours deals, pacts, and accords, Winter is most concerned with sworn oaths and geas. Winter magic wants to hold people to the words they speak, punishing those who break solemn vows. This binding nature of the Winter realm can also physically constrain people, creating wards that punish those who cross them.

	Examples: [[Tribute to the Thrice-Cursed Court]], [[Pakaanan's Iron Shutters]], [[Hold Back Frozen Hunger]], [[There Is No Welcome Here]], [[Retreat to the White Caves]],[[Ward of the Black Waste]], and [[Clarion Call of Ivory and Dust]].		Examples: [[Tribute to the Thrice-Cursed Court]], [[Pakaanan's Iron Shutters]], [[Hold Back Frozen Hunger]], [[There Is No Welcome
			Here]], [[Retreat to the White Caves]], [[Ward of the Black Waste]], and [[Clarion Call of Ivory and Dust]].

	===Cruelty===		===Cruelty===

Rafferty: /* Oaths and Wards */

2025-07-24T13:41:52Z

Oaths and Wards

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:41, 24 July 2025
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	Both Autumn and Winter magic take a strong interest in statements of intent; while Autumn favours deals, pacts, and accords, Winter is most concerned with sworn oaths and geas. Winter magic wants to hold people to the words they speak, punishing those who break solemn vows. This binding nature of the Winter realm can also physically constrain people, creating wards that punish those who cross them.		Both Autumn and Winter magic take a strong interest in statements of intent; while Autumn favours deals, pacts, and accords, Winter is most concerned with sworn oaths and geas. Winter magic wants to hold people to the words they speak, punishing those who break solemn vows. This binding nature of the Winter realm can also physically constrain people, creating wards that punish those who cross them.

	Examples: [[Tribute to the Thrice-Cursed Court]], [[Pakaanan's Iron Shutters]], [[Hold Back Frozen Hunger]], [[There Is No Welcome Here]], [[Ward of the Black Waste]], and [[Clarion Call of Ivory and Dust]].		Examples: [[Tribute to the Thrice-Cursed Court]], [[Pakaanan's Iron Shutters]], [[Hold Back Frozen Hunger]], [[There Is No Welcome Here]], [[Retreat to the White Caves]],[[Ward of the Black Waste]], and [[Clarion Call of Ivory and Dust]].

	===Cruelty===		===Cruelty===

Rafferty: /* Survival */

2025-04-05T11:39:00Z

Survival

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:39, 5 April 2025
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	The urge to survive is a powerful instinct of the Winter Realm, making rituals that draw on this resonance especially powerful. Winter magic can allow the beneficiary to endure pain or even resist death in the short term.		The urge to survive is a powerful instinct of the Winter Realm, making rituals that draw on this resonance especially powerful. Winter magic can allow the beneficiary to endure pain or even resist death in the short term.

	Examples: [[Hunger of the Draughir]], [[Unyielding Constitution]], [[Fight Tooth and Nail]], [[Unending Onslaught]], and [[Last Breath Echoes]].		Examples: [[Hunger of the Draughir]], [[Unyielding Constitution]], [[Fight Tooth and Nail]], [[Unending Onslaught]], [[Wolves of the Hungry Sea]], and [[Last Breath Echoes]].

	===Preservation===		===Preservation===

Matt at 14:29, 23 January 2025

2025-01-23T14:29:04Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:29, 23 January 2025
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	Winter encourages selfishness. Sometimes, hard choices are needed to provide security for oneself and the people one is responsible for. Winter magic works well with small groups, but the larger a group becomes the more likely Winter is to break that community down into several smaller groups. It often promotes an "us and them" attitude that makes complex, large-scale beneficial effects increasingly difficult.		Winter encourages selfishness. Sometimes, hard choices are needed to provide security for oneself and the people one is responsible for. Winter magic works well with small groups, but the larger a group becomes the more likely Winter is to break that community down into several smaller groups. It often promotes an "us and them" attitude that makes complex, large-scale beneficial effects increasingly difficult.

	{{~~Ritual Theory Further Reading~~}}		{{Magic Links}}

	[[Category:Magic Theory]]		[[Category:Magic Theory]]
	[[Category:Magic]]		[[Category:Magic]]
	[[Category:Rules]]		[[Category:Rules]]

Hailmur at 16:01, 20 May 2024

2024-05-20T16:01:12Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:01, 20 May 2024
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	===Strength===		===Strength===
	Winter does not strengthen or empower. It is extremely difficult for Winter magic to grant enhanced health, [[Combat skills#Endurance\|endurance]] or [[Calls#Heroic_Calls\|mighty blows]]. While a magician might shatter a shield with a touch of their rod, Winter cannot grant a warrior the supernatural strength needed to smash such a shield with their ~~two-handed~~ weapon. The personal enchantments that Winter creates are about resisting death through increased [[Combat skills#Fortitude\|fortitude]], or about enhancing personal power with a price (in the manner of rituals such as [[Sorin's Rite of Agony]]).		Winter does not strengthen or empower. It is extremely difficult for Winter magic to grant enhanced health, [[Combat skills#Endurance\|endurance]] or [[Calls#Heroic_Calls\|mighty blows]]. While a magician might shatter a shield with a touch of their rod, Winter cannot grant a warrior the supernatural strength needed to smash such a shield with their great weapon. The personal enchantments that Winter creates are about resisting death through increased [[Combat skills#Fortitude\|fortitude]], or about enhancing personal power with a price (in the manner of rituals such as [[Sorin's Rite of Agony]]).

	===Prosperity===		===Prosperity===

Hailmur at 16:22, 4 May 2023

2023-05-04T16:22:06Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:22, 4 May 2023
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	{{CaptionedImage\|file=Winter ~~Naga~~.jpg\|align=right\|caption=The magic of Winter is old, hungry, and cruel but also wise.\|width=300}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=Winter tree.jpg\|align=right\|title=An original piece by Xanthippe of Urizen\|caption=The magic of Winter is old, hungry, and cruel but also wise.\|width=300}}
	==Overview==		==Overview==
	The magic of Winter is old, hungry and cruel but also wise - it has seen all the horror the world has to offer, and it has triumphed over it. Winter magic is dangerous to the wielder and the world, but its power cannot be denied and it is honest about the harm it may cause. It is not evil in a human sense - it simply wells up from dark places that have little regard for the weakness of humans.		The magic of Winter is old, hungry and cruel but also wise - it has seen all the horror the world has to offer, and it has triumphed over it. Winter magic is dangerous to the wielder and the world, but its power cannot be denied and it is honest about the harm it may cause. It is not evil in a human sense - it simply wells up from dark places that have little regard for the weakness of humans.

Rafferty: /* Survival */

2022-09-08T10:07:51Z

Survival

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:07, 8 September 2022
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	The urge to survive is a powerful instinct of the Winter Realm, making rituals that draw on this resonance especially powerful. Winter magic can allow the beneficiary to endure pain or even resist death in the short term.		The urge to survive is a powerful instinct of the Winter Realm, making rituals that draw on this resonance especially powerful. Winter magic can allow the beneficiary to endure pain or even resist death in the short term.

	Examples: [[Hunger of the Draughir]], [[Unyielding Constitution]], [[Fight Tooth and Nail]], and [[Last Breath Echoes]].		Examples: [[Hunger of the Draughir]], [[Unyielding Constitution]], [[Fight Tooth and Nail]], [[Unending Onslaught]], and [[Last Breath Echoes]].

	===Preservation===		===Preservation===