In many ways, this post is a continuation of my post on Lost.
One of the things all my Lost Lands have in common is they are lost due to some calamity.
Atlantis, Doggerland and East Beleriand were taken back by the sea. Their secrets hidden by the waves.
For the Suel Empire, it was the Rain of Colorless Fire. And that makes it interesting.
I think flooding is something we can get. We see it. Some have experienced it. I grew up near the Illinois River Valley. My wife grew up near the Fox River Valley (it was her backyard). We have both seen several "once in a lifetime" floods. Flooding I get. I know what happens, even when it is terrible.
Fire from the sky? That is some apocalypse-level shit.
I think that is also one of the reasons that attracted me so much to the whole Suel Empire. Their world was just under a sea, in this case the Sea of Dust, but they were wiped out by fire. Like Pompei.
A good calamity can add some gravitas to your world. Plus it helps explain all those lost treasure hordes dragons seem to have.
Rain of Fire
Level: Witch Ritual 6
Ritual Requirements: Minimum 3 witches, see text
Range: See text
Duration: See text
"It is said that only those that give life know the price of taking a life. This is why originally only witches were given the power to destroy."
- From the Journal of Larina Nix
The witches of old had powerful rituals both of creating life and creating death. This ritual is very much the latter.
Three or more witches are needed for the most basic version of this horrible ritual, more witches added the more devastating the effects. Each witch must know this ritual.
The witches take a prepared focus item, an effigy made from the same materials of their target. Usually a town or a locale. Each witch contributes a bit of blood (1hp worth) to item's creation since life must be given to take life
Once the ritual has begun the witches make a plea and summons to dark gods of vengeance, destruction, and fire. The pleas, once heard, will be answered in kind, with vengeance, destruction, and fire.
The witches then burn the effigy, each providing the flame via magic. Once that is done the fire rains down on the actual location destroying it and anyone in it. Victims can run from the location if they make it out of the area, they will be safe, but a save vs. Spells must be made or take 1d6 hp of damage per all the level of the witches involved, or half on a save.
Material Components: The effigy of the place targeted, made with materials from the target. Each witch also uses a rod of ash that she uses to focus her energy on the effigy then they raise their rods to sky to direct the energy out to the target. Each witch also contributes 1hp worth of blood in the casting.
This ritual is rare and all witches must know the ritual in order to cast it.
I wonder what lies in the Suel Cities of Dust? Treasures? The Suel people preserved only as ashen shells? One day I should find out.
Water was running; children were running
You were running out of time
Under the mountain, a golden fountain
Were you praying at the Lares shrine?
But oh your city lies in dust, my friend
We found you hiding we found you lying
Choking on the dirt and sand
Your former glories and all the stories
Dragged and washed with eager hands
But oh your city lies in dust, my friend
Water was running; children were running
We found you hiding we found you lying
But oh your city lies in dust, my friend
Hot and burning in your nostrils
Pouring down your gaping mouth
Your molten bodies blanket of cinders
Caught in the throes
And your city lies in dust
