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===Effects===
===Effects===
During the ritual the ritualists become increasingly aware of whispering voices, and may begin to become aware of shadowy indistinct shapes observing them from nearby.
During the ritual the ritualists become increasingly aware of whispering voices, and may begin to become aware of shadowy indistinct shapes observing them from nearby.


At the completion of the ritual, the contributors each learn a single fact, or receive a short vision, that concerns someone or something nearby. The secret is almost invariably revealed without context, although it seems that these secrets are always relevant or have a certain level of import.
At the completion of the ritual, the contributors receive a communication from the [[eternal|eternals]] known as the [[Whisper Gallery]]. Details of this communication are not common knowledge.
 
Each contributor receives the same piece of information. Acharacter can receive only one secret each event; performing the ritual again will simply reveal the same secret, even if it is no longer relevant or has become widely known.
 
It is not possible to direct this spell to gain information about specific topics.


===OOC Elements===
===OOC Elements===
The result of this spell is liable to be delivered in the form of a written vision, acquired from GOD. The contributors can study their vision as long as they like, but cannot discuss it or make notes until they have handed the slip back to a referee; at that point they are free to roleplay however they like - they may play through the process of receiving the vision, or act as if they have been in waking trance and the vision has already passed. The visions will tend to refer to events hidden in the backgrounds of characters attending the event, both player- characters and non-player characters.
Anyone who performs this ritual will be left with a scroll - a physical communication from the Whisper Gallery. This scroll also represents a pact with the eternals, allowing the bearer to send a return communication using the [[operate portal]] spell at the [[Regio#The_Imperial_Regio|Imperial Regio]]. This ability can only be used at night. It needs a written document, and the presence of one of the scrolls received from this ritual. Both are handed to a referee as the operate portal spell is cast.
{{CaptionedImage|file=NightRitual1.jpg|title=Illuminate Sidra of the Court hunts secrets in the dark|align=right|width=500}}
==Description==
'''As of Winter 379YE, it is illegal to perform this ritual in the Empire as the Whisper Gallery - the eternals on whose power it explicitly draws - are under [[Amity_and_enmity#Enmity|enmity]].'''


==Description==
In earlier times, this ritual was often seen as a counterpart to [[Signs and Portents]]; like that mysterious ritual it seemed to pluck information out of the air, and like that ritual it seemed to ensue that the information was relevant to some degree. It has since become very clear that the ritual in some way created a communion with the eternals known as the [[Whisper Gallery]] and it was they who were sending the symbolic visions about secret events.


This ritual is often seen as a counterpart to [[Signs and Portents]]; like that mysterious ritual it seems to pluck information out of the air, and like that ritual it seems to ensue that the information is relevant to some degree - although the onus lies on the ritualists to get some value from the secret they uncover.
When open hostilities broke out between the eternals and the Empire, the ritual ceased to work for a short time. Now it is once again functioning, but it no longer does what it used to do. Now, it functions more like a complex version of [[Missive for Sadogua]], allowing limited two-way communication between the Whisper Gallery and mortal magicians.


The secrets often involve past actions of people in the nearby area, especially dark deeds such as murder or theft; unfortunately the secret rarely provides specific information about ''who'' the secret belongs to. Still, more than one ritualist has been involved in bringing a criminal to justice by carefully pursuing a hint uncovered through this ritual.
Every ritualist who has performed Whispering Shadow Courtiers reports the same awareness of whispering voices, and indistinct shadowy shapes. To date, no Imperial magician has conclusively explained this phenomenon although most ritualists believe that these are probably spirits of the Night realm, or possibly emissaries of a Night [[eternal]], most likely agents of the [[Whisper Gallery]]. The [[Axos|Axou]] by contrast claim to believe that these are the spirits of the dead, whispering secret lore they have gained beyond the boundaries of life. This tale is usually dismissed as fanciful rubbish.


==Common Elements==
==Common Elements==
This ritual often involves consuming a narcotic of some sort, or the burning of strong incense to produce a form of mist or obscuring fog. It is often performed in secret; invocations are whispered, and identities are concealed with masks, cowls, cloaks and hoods. Runestones may be used, especially if they are concealed in darkess - creating a divination that nobody reads is seen as a clever way to create a secret. It is common for the ritual to start in dim light, and for the ritualists to slowly deepen the darkess by extinguishing candles or lanterns as they weave their magic.  
This ritual often involves consuming a narcotic of some sort, or the burning of strong incense to produce a form of mist or obscuring fog. It is often performed in secret; invocations are whispered, and identities are concealed with masks, cowls, cloaks and hoods. Runestones may be used, especially if they are concealed in darkness - creating a divination that nobody reads is seen as a clever way to create a secret. It is common for the ritual to start in dim light, and for the ritualists to slowly deepen the darkness by extinguishing candles or lanterns as they weave their magic.  
 
Symbols of [[Wisdom]] or [[Vigilance]] may be used, and the rune [[Diras]] has obvious application here. The ritual is often associated with the [[Whisper Gallery]], the ''Shadow Courtiers'' of the Realm of Night, who are said to collect all secrets and hoard them as a miser hoards wealth. Their names are often invoked during the performance of the ritual, as is the name of [[Sadogua]], especially if the contributors are hoping to receive magical insights.
 
<!--- flavour. --->


Symbols of [[Wisdom]] or [[Vigilance]] may be used, and the rune [[Diras]] has obvious application here. The ritual is associated with the [[Whisper Gallery]], the ''Shadow Courtiers'' of the Realm of Night, who are said to collect all secrets and hoard them as a miser hoards wealth. Their names are often invoked during the performance of the ritual, as is the name of [[Sadogua]], especially if the contributors are hoping to receive magical insights.
[[Category:Night Ritual]]
[[Category:Night Ritual]]
[[Category:Rituals]]
[[Category:Rituals]]
[[Category:IC Text Required]]
[[Category:Descriptive Text Required]]

Latest revision as of 10:12, 2 August 2019

Rules

Night Magnitude 8

Performing the Ritual

Performing this ritual takes at least 2 minutes of roleplaying. During the ritual the contributors must whisper a secret of some sort, preferably one unknown to the other contributors.

Effects

During the ritual the ritualists become increasingly aware of whispering voices, and may begin to become aware of shadowy indistinct shapes observing them from nearby.

At the completion of the ritual, the contributors receive a communication from the eternals known as the Whisper Gallery. Details of this communication are not common knowledge.

OOC Elements

Anyone who performs this ritual will be left with a scroll - a physical communication from the Whisper Gallery. This scroll also represents a pact with the eternals, allowing the bearer to send a return communication using the operate portal spell at the Imperial Regio. This ability can only be used at night. It needs a written document, and the presence of one of the scrolls received from this ritual. Both are handed to a referee as the operate portal spell is cast.

Illuminate Sidra of the Court hunts secrets in the dark

Description

As of Winter 379YE, it is illegal to perform this ritual in the Empire as the Whisper Gallery - the eternals on whose power it explicitly draws - are under enmity.

In earlier times, this ritual was often seen as a counterpart to Signs and Portents; like that mysterious ritual it seemed to pluck information out of the air, and like that ritual it seemed to ensue that the information was relevant to some degree. It has since become very clear that the ritual in some way created a communion with the eternals known as the Whisper Gallery and it was they who were sending the symbolic visions about secret events.

When open hostilities broke out between the eternals and the Empire, the ritual ceased to work for a short time. Now it is once again functioning, but it no longer does what it used to do. Now, it functions more like a complex version of Missive for Sadogua, allowing limited two-way communication between the Whisper Gallery and mortal magicians.

Every ritualist who has performed Whispering Shadow Courtiers reports the same awareness of whispering voices, and indistinct shadowy shapes. To date, no Imperial magician has conclusively explained this phenomenon although most ritualists believe that these are probably spirits of the Night realm, or possibly emissaries of a Night eternal, most likely agents of the Whisper Gallery. The Axou by contrast claim to believe that these are the spirits of the dead, whispering secret lore they have gained beyond the boundaries of life. This tale is usually dismissed as fanciful rubbish.

Common Elements

This ritual often involves consuming a narcotic of some sort, or the burning of strong incense to produce a form of mist or obscuring fog. It is often performed in secret; invocations are whispered, and identities are concealed with masks, cowls, cloaks and hoods. Runestones may be used, especially if they are concealed in darkness - creating a divination that nobody reads is seen as a clever way to create a secret. It is common for the ritual to start in dim light, and for the ritualists to slowly deepen the darkness by extinguishing candles or lanterns as they weave their magic.

Symbols of Wisdom or Vigilance may be used, and the rune Diras has obvious application here. The ritual is associated with the Whisper Gallery, the Shadow Courtiers of the Realm of Night, who are said to collect all secrets and hoard them as a miser hoards wealth. Their names are often invoked during the performance of the ritual, as is the name of Sadogua, especially if the contributors are hoping to receive magical insights.