The tune without the words
This wind is a roundup of magical events and effects. Normally, this would be one of the last winds to be published because it is heavily dependant on plots that are running at the event. This can be unsatisfying, because it often results in us presenting things that don't leave players enough time to consider them before heading to the event. To try and combat this, we're planning to publish it in an "unfinished" state - and add elements to it as they are developed. Once everything is on here that needs to be on here, we'll remove this box and the tag at the top of the page and let people know that it isn't going to change again.
Overview
Magic fills the Known World. It rides the winds, it rises with the sun and the stars, it flows in great currents through the forests and the seas and the sky. It is part of the rivers and the forests, the seas and the skies. It is studied, mastered, examined, and debated. It is mysterious, enigmatic, unpredictable, and yet follows its own strange laws. All mortals practice magic, and yet they are not the only sources of magic in the world. It comes from rattling runes, from the heavens, from the wellspring of blood, from the shapes and symbols of creation, and while it can be bidden it cannot always be restrained. Wonder is all around, an endless wordless tune that winds and weaves around all things.
This wind of fortune rounds up a roundup of assorted strange events, some arising from mortal actions some with less explicable causes. There is a companion piece to this wind, The thing with feathers, that deals with things relating specifically to the eternals of the six realms.
Out With Lanterns
- Since the Autumn equinox, five new rituals have become part of Urizen Lore
- Two of the rituals were contributed by Imperial covens who are open about their decision to do so
- Three others draw on the power of the destructive eternal Siakha and are illegal to perform
Urizen lore was created with the aid of the eternal Phaleron as a repository of magic that can only be performed by the magicians of Urizen. As part of the arrangement a ritual - Gift of Knowledge - was created by the Celestial Library to allow new rituals to become part of that body of magical lore. While no rituals were contributed to Urizen lore during the Autumn equinox, in the months since a surprising total of five new rituals have become available. Given the Gift of Knowledge can be cast by any Imperial or Commonwealth coven with even a rudimentary understanding of Day lore, it is perhaps surprising it doesn't happen more often. Perhaps the innate value of a ritual text, jealously guarded by those who have access to them, makes it more surprising that any rituals are presented. Either way, each of these rituals is now part of Urizen lore. They can be mastered following the usual rules, but can also be cast by Urizeni magicians who have not mastered them.
Bells and Dragons
- Two new rituals have been added to Urizen lore since the Autumn Equinox
- Bells of Silver and Brass restores the strength of a depleted garrison
- Might of Vstaive strengthens the garrison of a fortification
- Golden Ramparts has been updated in line with the new fortification rules
A week or so before the Winter Solstice, the librarians of the Grand Library of Canterspire discreetly let it be known that two new rituals have been added to Urizen lore - Bells of Silver and Brass and Might of Vstaive. It seems that these rituals were originally codified at the Halls of Knowledge, long before it was destroyed by the Druj. While the rituals came from different sources, both covens involved have indicated that they were persuaded to contribute their rituals by representatives of the Moonsilver King. Both groups admit they received boons from the Unicorn Prince in return for their ritual texts, but neither discloses exactly what their boons were. In both cases, likewise, they claim that the heralds indicated their master, the Lord of the Forest of Arden, was motivated by a simple desire to help Urizen protect itself from its many, many enemies and expected nothing in return.
The first ritual, was submitted to Canterspire Library by members of the Shield of Thought coven from Willstone Citadel in Redoubt. The Bells of Silver and Brass is a work of Autumn magic, codified during the reign of Emperor James. It seems that originally it was used to inspire soldiers to come to the defence of their neighbours through the use of invisible bells, but the ritual seems to have other, somewhat more practical applications. When this magnitude 60 Autumn ritual is cast on a fortification it subtly draws volunteers to take up weapons, and improves the process of turning a raw recruit into a seasoned soldier. This means that over the coming season, the garrison of the target fortification is restored, regaining 250 points of strength, in addition to any other resupply the garrison receives, even if the garrison is involved in fighting.
The other ritual is a much older, dating from the early reign of Empress Varkula, and contributed by a Dawnish coven. The Roses of Racqueen are a Weaver cabal from Semmerholm and how they came into possession of the ritual text for Might of Vstaive is not clear. The ritual itself employs Summer magic to enchant a fortification, reinforcing both the bastion and the garrison. Examination of the ritual by Urizen magicians of the Unfettered Mind and Rod and Shield indicates that it is almost identical to Golden Ramparts but with some very distinct differences. Golden Ramparts calls forth several dozen golden lions from the realm of Meraud to fight alongside the garrison, and relies on an assurance to give it power. Might of Vstaive however instead fills the mortal defenders of a castle with courage, preternatural prowess, and a thirst for victory. Yet the outcome from a purely practical point of view is the same - save that one uses the power of a Summer eternal and the other does not.
The contribution of Might of Vstaive suggests that Jaheris' real motivation in encouraging these rituals to be given to Urizen might be to undermine Meraud. Regardless of provenance, both rituals are available to any Urizen magician who wishes to learn them by the usual means. Indeed given that neither relies on an eternal for their power, they could be used as a template for an arcane projection and even codified at a college of magic and made part of wider Imperial lore, if anyone wished to do so.
Quivering and Chill
- Three new rituals that draw on the power of Siakha have become part of Urizen lore
- These rituals are illegal to perform while the eternal remains under enmity
During some of the worst storms of the early Winter, three new works of Spring magic are added to Urizen Lore without additional fanfare. The text they are drawn from is apparently a water-damaged ship's logbook, filled with cryptic poems in praise of the unceasing sea, the power of the storm, and the admirably simple life of the shark. Interspersed between the poems are crude drawings of sea monsters, and what seem to be actual prayers in praise of the Mother of the Maelstrom asking for her to send her children to torment the unknown author's enemies, or begging her to fill them and their crew with the power of the tempest. These sections become increasingly difficult to read, and the last few pages are almost entirely obscured by old bloodpsatter. Scrawled across the cover - carved into the thick leather with a knife - was the message “at the mother’s command, a gift for Ibiss Briarheart”.
It should come as no surprise then that the three rituals contained in the book bear the unmistakable mark of the eternal Siakha. Rhythm of the Tempest, Blood-dimmed Tide, and Shark's Rampage draw on potent resonances of savagery and ruin.
The attendants at the Library - pale-eyed servants of Phaleron - are clearly uncomfortable with these magics, but can do nothing to prevent them becoming part of Urizen lore. After all, despite the request of the Celestial Library, Gift of Knowledge was made part of Imperial lore. As such any magician of the Empire, including those who have turned traitor in the service of the Mother of Wrecks, can use it to present whatever rituals they choose. The librarians of Phaleron are not empowered to pick and choose - they must accept any ritual text that is offered. They cannot turn down the rituals of Siakha any more than they were able to turn down those that draw on the power of Agramant.
Of course these rituals are illegal to perform while Siakha remains under the enmity of the Conclave. There is some speculation as to what Ibiss Briarheart may have done to merit these “gifts” - and a great deal of debate about whether any true Urizen would touch these spells with the tip of a measuring rod.