Lifestone Ritual
As Blaine’s magical power began to leach from his body, the priest started his own set of incantations. His spells would allow all those present to witness the necromantic Ritual by granting a visual aspect to the energies being used. As the priest’s voice droned on, black smoke appeared to rise from Blaine and gather in a tumultuous, swirling cloud of magic. Threads of blue life-force swirled amongst the darkness. Marcella’s magic, shown in green, snaked from her palms to inch over the prisoner’s torso, rise, and coil around the magic and life essence being pulled from the prisoner.Typically referred to as The Ritual, the Lifestone Ritual involves the transfer of a creature's life energy and/or magic into a lifestone for future use. The Lifestone Ritual has significant religious meaning to the people of Necros. For magical and non-magical humans, the Ritual is only legally conducted as a means of execution or assisted suicide.
For those of you who are ready to pass on from this realm and into Na’arin’s embrace, consider submitting yourself to the Ritual. This ancient, time-honored practice is the ultimate gift you can give. Your death will have meaning as you help restore Necros to greatness, and the ancestors will smile upon you as they welcome you home.The remains of those sacrificed in the Ritual are interred into the Underground Necropolis of Necros in a designated tomb beneath the Temple of Na'arin if their family does not claim the remains and bury them in another part of the Necropolis. This is often true for prisoners who have found redemption through their sacrifice.
Effect
Magical power is transferred from a living being to a lifestone, which can later be used for enhancing spells or restoring a caster's energy.
Side/Secondary Effects
The most common side effect for the caster is fatigue. The more powerful the being and the larger the lifestone, the more magical energy is required to transfer the sacrifice's energy to the stone.
It is important to perform the Ritual on higher-level creatures in the presence of a priest of Na'arin or a capable necromancer who can intervene if necessary. It is also important not to attempt the Ritual on a being with more power than the caster can handle.
Severe side effects can occur if the spell is not conducted correctly or if the caster does not have enough power:
- Extreme fatigue leading to unconsciousness or in rare cases, coma
- Loss of magic and lifeforce energies to the environment
- Broken lifestone
- Transfer of the caster's life and magic to the lifestone (extremely rare)
- Death and loss of energies
Manifestation
When accompanied by a priest of Na'arin, the Lifestone Ritual is visually represented by 3 colors:
- Black = sacrifice's magical energy
- Blue = sacrifice's life energy
- Green = caster's magical energy
It was all over in an instant, the black, blue, and green disappearing as the lifestone readily absorbed Blaine’s energy.
Source
The necromancer performing the Ritual must use a considerable amount of their own energy in order to command the sacrifice's death energy and to direct the sacrifice's magic into the lifestone. The necromancer may draw upon the energy contained within another lifestone, but this practice is frowned upon.
Related Organizations
Material Components
- Lifestone- size/capacity dependent upon subject
- Ceremonial dagger - enchanted silver
Gestures & Ritual
- Verbal incantations
- Completed by dagger through heart
Related Discipline
Necromancy
Effect Duration
Permanant, irreversible
Effect Casting Time
Several minutes
Range
Single individual, physical contact required
Level
High
Applied Restriction
- Human sacrifice is only permitted by or under the supervision of a priest of Na'arin, as approved by the high priest. Outside of that, it is punishable by death.
- Animal sacrifice requires hunting permits.
I'm intrigued that you were able to put a positive spin on this! Bravo!
Thank you :)