Mystic scrolls of Estavus

Estavus is known to lend her servitors - both those drawn to her service and those she crafts herself - to magicians who gain her favour.

Overview

During the Summer Solstice 384YE, in response to a plenipotentiary from the Archmage of Autumn, Edmundo of Damakan's forge, Estavus made a quartet of mystic scrolls available to Imperial magicians - assuming they were prepared to pay for them. These scrolls were temporary texts, similar to a ritual text, that allowed up to a dozen magicians to master a specific ritual drawing on Estavus' power. They were only potent for the Summer Solstice, but any magician who used one to master the magic they contained retained that knowledge just as they would any other mastered ritual.

The scrolls made available included Ramparts of Ashlar, Hammers of Fury, Machines of Destruction, and Accoutrements of War.

These rituals are not part of Imperial lore. However as long as one of the contributors has mastered one of these rituals, their coven may attempt to perform that ritual as if it were part of Imperial lore (bearing in mind that only those who have mastered the ritual would be able to double the mana they contribute).

There is no practical way for the Conclave to add one of these rituals to Imperial lore, and no way to get them into Imperial lore. Either or both would only be possible as a consequence of a further bargain with Estavus. it's also not possible to use an arcane projection to share ritual lore - new magicians will only be able to master these rituals as a result of some kind of deal with the Forgemistress.

Each of these rituals draws directly on the power of the Prince of Shikal. Should the eternal ever be subject to Enmity by the Imperial Conclave the rituals would still function, but would be illegal to perform. Each also comes with an assurance - a restriction that Estavus has placed on the ritual. If this restriction is transgressed, the eternal will withdraw her power and the ritual will become useless from that point onwards.

Ramparts of Ashlar

Rules

Performing the Ritual

Performing this ritual takes at least 10 minutes of roleplaying. During the ritual the casters must be in a strong Autumn regio. This ritual targets a fortification, and must be performed in a strong Summer regio in the territory containing the fortification. If the territory is part of the Empire, then it may instead be performed from the Imperial regio.

This ritual is an enchantment. A target may only be under one enchantment effect at a time.

Effects

The target fortification gains an additional 3,000 strength. The garrison is supplemented with bronze constructs drawn from the Autumn realm, while the walls themselves are bound with peculiar brass sigils evoking concepts of stone, strength, and fire.

The effect lasts until the start of the next Profound Decisions Empire event.

Assurance

The magic of this ritual is sufficient to summon heralds of Estavus even if the Imperial Conclave has declared enmity with the eternal but doing so not only has legal implications but is likely to anger the Forgemistress.

The ritual loses all power and becomes useless if the Empire ever refuses a lawful demand of the Brass Magistrates (the Lictors). The ritual's power might be restored by renegotiation with Estavus but it is by no means certain it would function the same way.

Description

This enchantment draws power from the great bastion of Ashlar which dominates the eastern face of the mountain of Shikal. The walls of the fortification are bound with brass sigils that embody the mystic powers of stone, strength, and fire. These sigils glow faintly throughout, as if they had just been taken from the heat of a forge, and can sear the flesh of those who accidentally touch one causing serious burns. These are not runes as mortal magicians understand them - rather they are complex curling shapes that nonetheless seem to communicate the concept they represent directly to anyone who gazes on them. At the same time the walls are being reinforced, the garrison will be supplemented with bronze constructs drawn from Estavus' realm, who protect the walls and relentlessly engage anyone who attempts to lay siege to the fortress.

Regardless of exterior conditions, the interior of the enchanted fortification is always warm - even swelteringly hot in places - and the air is sharp with the tang of smoke and molten metal. The garrison, and any warband assigned to defend the fortification will often report hearing the sounds of industry somewhere in the depths of the castle - great hammers striking metal and the hiss of hot blades being quenched.

Common Elements

The ritual should include an evocation of Estavus, the great fire mountain of Shikal, and the bronze bastion of Ashlar. Other elements that seem to resonate with the ritual include the rune Verys, the constellation of the Oak (albeit in a more metallic aspect than magicians are traditionally familiar with), the Captain and the Blade, and the totemic figure of the fire dragon.

Beware the gifts of the Forgemistress, for the hammers of her fury can destroy as easily as they create. Her anger is a terrible furnace that is slow to cool once it is fired.

Swithulf, Runesmith, Archmage of Autumn 184-187YE

Hammers of Fury

The Realm of Autumn is dissonant with destruction, but the forges of the Prince of Shikal know no such limits. They churn out machines of destruction, each one destined for a distant war where they bring death and ruin in equal measures.

The Vate's Path, by Gwendolyn Seekers Run

Machines of Destruction

This Conclave agrees to seek the approval of the Bronze Artisan and implore them to bestow upon us such accoutrements of war as she sees fit to grant.

Declaration of Concord, Summer Solstice, 221YE