Auras of Ambition

Overview

These roleplaying effects are created by priests dedicated to the virtue of Ambition who use the relevant ceremonial skill. A character performing an anointing or hallow must pick one of the appropriate roleplaying effects when they perform the ceremony.

Consecration of Ambition

Effect: In this place, you feel an impulse to do something that will further any objective you are pursuing; any reasons you have for not doing so feel trivial and irrelevant.

Anointings of Ambition

The following are a range of auras that can be summoned onto a living soul, with their consent, by priests whose own souls are dedicated to Ambition:

The Absolution of Ambition

Effect: You are filled with a sense that your ambitions are of vital importance. Any regret, guilt or remorse you feel as a result of actions you took to advance your ambitions is diminished.

Description: The path of ambition can require a pilgrim to speak or act in ways that, whilst furthering their ultimate goals, can weigh them down with regrets and doubts. The priests of ambition have been able to use this aura to alleviate the distress of these necessary actions, and provide affirmation of the pilgrim's virtue in holding true to their path.

The Clear Path of Ambition

Effect: You feel as though nothing should impede your ambitions, and you are inclined to ignore objections and obstacles. Emotions or attitudes that might interfere with the pursuit of your ambitions are muted, and you find it easier to do things you would normally find distasteful or unpleasant in furthering your ambition.

Description: Pilgrims on the path of ambition may know, or understand, in their heads what they need to do in the furtherance of their goals, but may be held back by weakness, doubts or fear of consequences. Priests of ambition have been able to use this aura to help quell those doubts, and bolster the virtue of the pilgrim, removing the obstacles in walking their path.

The Calling of Ambition

Effect: During this anointing, you were asked to specify a particular goal, desire or outcome. Whilst this anointing is in effect, you feel a strong urge to prioritise this goal and make progress toward it. This applies even if the specified outcome would not normally count as your ambition.

Description: This is a contentious aura for, whilst it clearly promotes ambition, this is not always the true ambition of the pilgrim receiving the anointing. Priests of ambition have maintained that this aura can be useful in illustrating the virtuous path, or inspiring those who otherwise may seem to be utterly without ambition to seek their own. Others have pointed out to the potential abuses of this aura in compelling others to act in potentially destructive ways, but the priests of ambition assert that it is, and can be, only ever used with the full consent of the recipient.

The Rewards of Ambition

Effect: You feel the value of ambition in its own right. You feel a sense of immense satisfaction each time you take an action that you believe could further your desired ends, even if the action does not achieve the intended result.

Description: The path of ambition is not always clear to the pilgrim or priest. It can be hard to glean which of several options is the best for furthering the pilgrim's ambitions, or there may not appear to be any opportunities at all. Priests of ambition have been able to use this aura to help pilgrims in realising that the virtue of ambition is not simply about the destination, but the journey. In that light, it is the striving that demonstrates the virtue for, as has been taught, it is better to try, and fail, than to fail to try.

The True Ambition

Effect: The next time you sleep you experience vivid dreams concerning your ambitions. You dream show you pursuing your ambitions, achieving them and what follows on. You awaken deeply invigorated and renewed and with a new drive to achieve something you care deeply about.

Description: For pilgrims who wish to follow the path of ambition, it is easy to misstep; lesser concerns may seem more pressing that they are. Distractions in the form of commitments to others, the lure of prosperity, or the slow accumulation of fears and worries can all conspire to delay the pilgrim's road towards their heart's desire. Those anointed with the true ambition find it easier to shrug off the false comforts of prosperity and loyalty and renew their commitment to their own goals.

Hallows of Ambition

Hallowing of the Broken Shield

Effect: When bonded to this item, and in contact with it, you feel an urge to eliminate any obstacles to your ambition. This includes an impulse to use this item in doing so, if it would be appropriate.

Hallowing of Tian's Reach

Effect: When you concentrate upon this item, you are reminded of your ambitions. You also feel a surety of purpose even if the object of your ambitions seems distant.

Hallowing of Achievement

Effect: You feel an urge to do something that will further your ambition immediately. Failure to move towards a goal before dawn causes the feeling to change to one of revulsion and rejection that flows from the item toward you for as long as you are bonded to it.

Hallowing of Aldones

Effect: You feel strong desire to not discuss your true intentions or agenda so that others cannot seek to prevent your ambitions coming to pass.

Hallowing of the Master

Effect: You feel a strong desire to utilise others in your presence to further your own aims.

Hallowing of the Conquerer

Effect: You feel entirely at ease with any use you put this item to. This feeling is amplified to satisfaction if that use is clearly linked to fulfilling you ambitions.

Hallowing of Atuman

Effect: You feel a desire to expand the breadth, or depth, of any current ambition you may hold, or to seek out a new and more compelling challenge.