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Occult Rituals


Occult Rituals

It’s a common belief that only those initiated in the rites and practices of arcane, divine, or psychic magic can cast spells, but this is not strictly true. Hidden within dusty libraries and amid the ramblings of lunatics lie the mysteries of another form of spellcasting—occult ritual magic. These spells are rare, coveted by both those eager to gain their power and those wishing to hide their existence. Most traditional spellcasters consider these rituals dangerous and uncontrollable, something to be avoided or used as a last resort. They fear the power these ceremonies grant to the uninitiated, as the rituals allow those with only a glimmering of understanding the ability to interact with the underlying fabric of magic.

While anyone can attempt to cast occult rituals, the process is fraught with peril. The strange and intricate incantations are often challenging to perform with precision, and failure can weaken the casters or even unleash horrors upon the world. Even when successfully performed, each occult ritual has a price—a backlash that affects at least the caster leading the ritual, and often those assisting in its performance.
Click here for the full rules on Occult Rituals.

Labyrinthine Wilds

Source Ultimate Wilderness pg. 238
School illusion (glamer); Level 5
Casting Time 50 minutes
Components V, S, M (the bones of local wildlife carved into divining runes and daubed in specially treated wildlife blood worth 2,000 gp), F (a compass using a highly sensitive magnetic needle worth 10,000 gp), SC (at least 4 and up to 10)
Skill Checks Knowledge (geography) DC 30, 2 successes; Survival DC 30, 3 successes
Range close
Area a 2-square-mile region/character level of the primary caster
Duration permanent (D)
Saving Throw Will disbelief (if interacted with); SR no
Backlash The primary caster gains 1 temporary negative level.
Failure All casters gain 2 temporary negative levels and are permanently blinded (the blindness is a curse effect, and it can be removed with remove curse and similar effects).

Effect

The primary caster must prepare for this ritual by walking a path along the outer edge of the desired area—an act that likely takes longer than the ritual casting time. As the primary caster walks this path, she must periodically mark the area with tiny runes. Once the primary caster returns to her starting point, and assuming the area she outlined is less than 2 square miles per character level she has, the actual casting of the ritual can begin. At this point, all casters cross the threshold to enter the region and then begin following a series of erratic paths, each using the material component divining runes as they wander aimlessly. Completing this ritual creates a powerful obfuscating effect, affecting creatures entering the area surrounded by the primary caster’s initial walk.

The area within the border becomes an illusory replica of the local terrain that is difficult to navigate. In order to successfully travel to a desired location within the labyrinthine wilds, a creature must succeed at a DC 20 Intelligence check or a DC 30 Survival check. Success at this check allows a creature to reach its destination as normal. Failure at this check indicates the creature (and any allies it guides) spends 2d6 hours traveling along the path, only to return the starting point with no memory of its wanderings and fatigued from the journey.