A Cervitas Ceremony - Magnitude 6 - The Blooded Stone
Performing the Ceremony
Performing this Ceremony takes at least 2 minutes of roleplaying. This Ceremony targets a character who must be present throughout, but need not be one of the priests performing the Ceremony.
This Ceremony is an Enchantment. A target may only be under one Enchantment effect at a time.
Effects
The target gains the Bulwark skill, allowing them to use a shield.
As long as they are enchanted the target experiences a roleplaying effect: You feel the urge to be at the forefront of any confrontation, to be a part of any armed conflict, wielding your shield to protect yourself and your allies. You will always look to the protection of others above your own safety or doing harm to foes.
The roleplaying and mechanical effect lasts until the end of this event.
Additional Targets
This Ceremony can target additional characters from the same Band. Each additional character increases the magnitude by 4. Additional targets must be present for the whole Ceremony as well.
Description
While Cervitas is not a Sphere of skill at arms or prowess; campaigns, camaraderie and war are certainly within its purview. As a Ceremony of the Sphere of Community, it is no surprise that it grants the ability to defend both oneself and others. If any symbol is that of Cervitas’ warriors, it is that of the shield.
The Ceremony is not without its drawbacks. It provides the skill to wield a shield but not necessarily the wherewith to put it to best use. Beyond that, the divine burden of defense and compassion more often leads warriors to place themselves in the way of undue danger.
Performing the Ceremony
Drawn from The Blooded Stone, Cervitas’ Bulwark is a common ceremony in times of war as priests of Imperial Wisdom attempt to add steel to the spine and arms of armies. There are many interpretations of its performance.
For many priests, it is a ceremony of war, requiring violence and strength of arms. The priests performing the ceremony will call upon their enchanted to take up their shields in defence as they try to attack them. To see the worth in their tool of war but also in their own arm.
Other priests are far more solemn, calling upon the responsibility to defend others who we are tied to through bonds of blood, citizenship, or duty. These ceremonies are far more focused on the enchanted themselves. Asking them to speak of their loyalties, their ties, and what they would do to keep them safe.
Other priests see the ceremony as a binding, between a warrior and their shield. They seek out the history of the shield, its name, and its deeds. They seek out the history of a warrior's training and how these two will become one, just as Cervitas guides all to become a part of the whole.