Author: Adelyn Belle'rose
Rozen Chalice Publishing, a division of East Arelith Trading
Publication: 178 AR
EXORDIUM
Whilst in prayer, the insight and knowledge to perform what the arcane magi name "Ritual Magic" was graced to me through sacred dream. Gifted only the title of this most divine blessing, Unhallow, and provided the most superficial knowledge to perform it, I set about to test and examine this most unknown yet heavenly of gifts.
RITUALE
Thanks in no small part to the assistance of House Tanor'Thal, I experimented and refined our knowledge of the Sacrament. Through our combined efforts, we determined only one cleric of an EVIL faith was required to conduct the rite. Any others who partook in the ceremony had only to possess a capable knowledge of SPELLCRAFT and maintain a moderate level of CONCENTRATION throughout the invocation.
To reiterate, only the one who starts the ceremony needs to be of faith, while those that join can be either souls favored by the gods, clerics, or mere spellcasters. We further orchestrated the Ritual in several locations across the Underdark with the following conclusions.
Ritual Trial(s)
I) 1 Cleric: "Failed"
II) 1 Cleric, 1 Caster: "Failed"
III) 1 Cleric, 1 Caster, 1 Blackguard: "Failed"
IV) 1 Cleric, 2 Casters: "Failed"
V) 1 Cleric, 2 Casters, 1 Blackguard: "Succeed"
To summarize, if one were to view a successful ritual as a hinnish sweetberry pie, each participant's total contribution accounts for roughly a quarter slice of the pastry. Thus, if one desired the greatest chance of a complete banquet, they would need at least four people involved, including the ceremony's leader.
Upon completion of the Ritual, whether successful or not, the ceremony's leader will offer a payment of faith to the Gods. Due to this tithe, and assuming one is genuinely devoted, a total of three Rituals can be performed before a new spiritual leader is selected or the current one is given time to recover. Of those that participate in the ceremony, no contribution of faith is required to be offered.
Regarding the ceremony's effect, we found a successful Ritual blanketed the area with a dark blessing. A godsend that provided a boon to all Undead or Undead summons (be they friend or foe) in the area of effect. While we could not discover in detail all the gifts this blessing applied, I noticed a slight increase in the speed of my regeneration from wounds suffered. We also noted the Ritual's continued presence in the area of effect for several threedays afterward. While the exact length of time is uncertain, I hypothesize the effects of the Ritual will last between five and seven threedays before fading.
To conclude our study, we traveled to the Surface lands and applied the Ritual blessing to three areas of the Endless Battlefield to test its strength against the many adventures there. Unfortunately, the Unhallow Blessing failed to provide a boon great enough for any meaningful victory or display.
CONCLUSIO
Although a gift from the divine realms and relatively simple to perform when compared to arcane rituals, the minor boon offered by the rite to the Undead within a particular area does not warrant undue glorification. While the ceremony may help boost the Undead of a site before a conflict, should they use the Undead as servants, with the current strength of Surface factions, the boon offered by the ritual appears paltry at best.
Thus my advice for those seeking to utilize the Unhallow Ritual would be to maintain its effects across the city of Andunor or another such stronghold to benefit defense in case of a possible attack, assuming one often makes use of the Undead as soldiers. However, the ritual is only suited for offensive use if the battlefield is prepared well in advance.
AIDE-MEMOIRE
A servant of the Gods would do well to remember the blessing of the Ritual applies to all Undead in the area of effect. Both those under one's control and those not. So be mindful not to offer dark blessings to a foe's forces in a rushed attempt to secure benefit for yourself.
FIN
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
[The modest portrait of a young vermilion-haired lady with pallid flesh is positioned next to the paragraph below. Her emerald gaze looks intently at the reader, betraying the aspect's alluring facade with callous indifference. The suggestion of a predatory smile appears hidden within the corners of full upturned lips.]
"The Vampire Adelyn Belle'rose has been charming readers with her historical works upon the island of Arelith for years. As the former curator of the Cordor's Museum, she helped bring the past to life through exhibits and displays. Later, as a member of Andunor's Erudite Arcanum, she would lead the research team to investigate Shadow Wharftown's Third Iteration. Through the founding of the Arelith Antiquarian Society and the East Arelith Trading Company, she continues to advocate for the preservation of knowledge across the archipelago."