A Rite is a common congregation of people of the Spheres, who come together to share their faith and join together in community - sometimes this is done with a particular purpose in mind, while at other times it is simply a celebration. Commonly seen throughout the Concord as 'lesser' than Ceremonies and therefore something done in praise of the Spheres rather than to wish for their protection, it was only in Winter 224 when the Peacegiver deigned to take notice that the peoples of the realm truly did not understand why Rites propagated throughout Artebazzan, and the benefits that could be gained when they are performed properly, that they started to become more respected.
As to why this knowledge either never came across from Artebazzan, or has somehow been lost to the ages, the recent histories fail to explain...
Structure of a Rite
All Rites must follow some basic principles, whether they are being done as a Lesser or an Empowered Rite:
- Only one Empowered Rite of each Sphere can be performed per Summit, though any number of Lesser Rites may be performed. Empowered Rites are the sole remit of the Curate and the High Priests to organize, and will be publicly announced - conducting one without the formal blessing of the Church is a crime.
- A Rite must last at least 15 minutes, and all those who are involved must be present at both the beginning and end of the Rite, at which point the rewards (if any) will be determined
- All Rites must include a prayer or dedication to an Eternal, as well as a Sphere-appropriate communal activity (which could be a Sermon, practical lesson, etc.)
- Empowered Rites are split into 3 Tiers as follows:
- Tier 1: 10 or more people are present at the start and end of the Rite, and no resources are ‘burned’ in offering.
- Tier 2: 10 or more people are present at the start and end of the Rite, and 5+ measures of an appropriate resource is ‘burned’ in offering
- Tier 3: 25 or more people are present at the start and end of the Rite, and 10+ measures of an appropriate resource is ‘burned’ in offering
- Each Rite can usually have only one blessing/reward, and the burning of additional offerings to create a second blessing will be for nothing
- The person who leads the Rite’s prayer or dedication decides what blessing the Rite will be working towards
- Blessings of any kind that are the result of a Rite last either until they are used up (as appropriate), or until the end of the event.
Rewards of Conducting a Rite
Bearer of "Emotion" (Hartwood + Essencite)
Arcadian “Courage” Costs Essencite
Anarch “Determination” Costs Hartwood
Cervitas “Wisdom” Costs Essencite
Lumos “Hope” Costs Hartwood
Panoply “Ambition” Costs Hartwood
Stallia “Honesty” Costs Essencite
Tier 1 - One nominated individual has their Divine Lore of whichever Sphere the Rite is for increased by 1, and they feel a persistent increase in the associated emotion. This temporary Divine Lore counts only for Magnitude calculations, and does not give votes or allow extra Ceremony Masteries.
Tier 2 - One nominated individual has their Divine Lore of whichever Sphere the Rite is for increased by 2, and they feel a very significant of the associated emotion. Same restrictions as above apply.
Tier 3 - One nominated individual has their Divine Lore of whichever Sphere the Rite is for increased by 4, and they feel a limitless depth of the associated emotion. Same restrictions as above apply.
Steel-Blessed (Arcadian Only) - Costs Beastbone
Tier 1 - One nominated attendee with any levels in Divine Lore: Arcadian may call Resist to the next non-magical melee hit they take
Tier 2 - All attendees with any levels in Divine Lore: Arcadian may call Resist to the next non-magical melee hit they take
Tier 3 - All attendees may call Resist to the next non-magical melee hit they take
Chaos-Blessed (Anarch Only) - Costs Bloodglass
Tier 1 - One nominated attendee with any levels in Divine Lore Anarch may, the next time they take damage, call Magic Knockback on the next weapon strike they land within 5 seconds without expending energy
Tier 2 - All attendees with any levels in Divine Lore: Anarch may, the next time they take damage, call Magic Knockback on the next weapon strike they land within 5 seconds without expending energy
Tier 3 - All attendees may, the next time they take damage, call Magic Knockback on their next weapon strike within 5 seconds without expending energy
Marble-Blessed (Cervitas Only) - Costs Forgesteel
Tier 1 - One nominated attendee with any levels in Divine Lore: Cervitas has their base HP increased by 1
Tier 2 - All attendees with any levels in Divine Lore: Cervitas have their base HP increased by 1
Tier 3 - All attendees have their base HP increased by 1
Light-Blessed (Lumos Only) - Costs Sun’s Iron
Tier 1 - One nominated attendee with any levels in Divine Lore: Lumos may, the next time they are healed, double the amount of health they recieve
Tier 2 - All attendees with any levels in Lore: Lumos may, the next time they are healed, double the amount of health they receive
Tier 3 - All attendees may, the next time they are healed, double the amount of health they receive
Glory-Blessed (Panoply Only) - Costs Shimmering Scales
Tier 1 - One nominated attendee with any levels in Divine Lore: Panoply has their Health, Energy, and Mana restored to full. In addition, they may choose to receive 1 temporary extra Energy OR Mana above their natural capacity. This temporary Energy or Mana replaces and does not stack with any other temporary Energy or Mana.
Tier 2 - All attendees with any levels in Divine Lore: Panoply have their Health, Energy, and Mana restored to full. In addition, they may choose to receive 1 temporary extra Energy OR Mana above their natural capacity. This temporary Energy or Mana replaces and does not stack with any other temporary Energy or Mana.
Tier 3 - All attendees have their Health, Energy, and Mana restored to full. In addition, they may choose to receive 1 temporary extra Energy OR Mana above their natural capacity. This temporary Energy or Mana replaces and does not stack with any other temporary Energy or Mana.
Star-Blessed (Stallia Only) - Costs Black Sap
Tier 1 - One nominated attendee with any levels in Divine Lore: Stallia may call Resist to the next non-magical ranged hit they take
Tier 2 - All attendees with any levels in Divine Lore: Stallia may call Resist to the next non-magical ranged hit they take
Tier 3 - All attendees may call Resist to the next non-magical ranged hit they take