Ritual

A ritual in Ars Magica usually refers to a Hermetic ritual spell. There are also other kinds of rituals:

• A Longevity Ritual
• The ritual of Initiation into a Mystery Cult

Ritual Spells

A Hermetic ritual spell is an elaborate spell that takes more time and resources to cast than a Formulaic Spell. Ritual spells are in certain ways more powerful than Formulaic spells.

Effects of Ritual Spells

• Ritual spells can have a Duration of Year (or ( longer, in ArM4)
• Ritual spells can have a Target of Boundary
• Ritual spells can cause permanent healing using the Momentary Duration
• Ritual spells can create objects using the Momentary Duration
• Ritual spells can have a Spell Level that exceeds 50

Casting Ritual Spells

Ritual spells always require raw vis and a considerable amount of time. They require elaborate ceremonies that take into account factors such as astrological conditions, the mystical qualities of the target, and so on. The Abilities of Artes Liberales and Philosophiae help in the casting of ritual spells (in ArM5 only). Note, however, that the rules do not stipulate the need for any particular specific knowledge or materials (beyond raw vis); some troupes choose to assume, as a house rule, that the ritual casting requires use of appropriate mundane materials and instruments, that are assumed to be available - this is in accordance with the expanded rules given in Houses of Hermes: Societates regarding Ceremonial Casting.

Exact rules for casting ritual spells, including the amount of vis required. are found on page 81 of ArM5.

References

• Ritual Magic, ArM5 p. 81
• Ritual Spells, ArM5 p. 114
• (Spell) Durations, ArM5 p. 112
• Limit of Creation, ArM5 p. 80
• Momentary Duration, ArM5 p. 112

Legacy Page

The history of this page before August 6, 2010 is archived at Legacy:ritual