Ok, so I am a HUGE fan of Rituals. I like to see them used more, and with greater flexibility. I also dig alchemy, even though I think 4e hasn't done enough with it.
Rituals: Anyone who begins with or takes Ritual Caster as a feat may do the following:
1) Reduce PURCHASE OF RITUAL cost in half, but not materials cost used at the time of casting. (keep reading to find out why)
2) Materials are treated like ammo for specific weapons. In this analogy, each ritual skill (Arcane, Divine, Healing, Nature) requires a separate accounting of purchases. It sounds complicated, but it's not. (again, keep reading)
3) The KICK ASS PART: Rituals may now be cast and held in the ready until the user unleashes it. This includes combat as well.
Here's how it works: Let's say Jim Cockprawn the hermaphrodite Wizard goes to the town shoppe and picks up a Comprehend Languages ritual. He pays 25 gp for the actual vellium parchment (1/2 of the normal 50 gp.) He wants to cast it 5 times, so he buys 50 gold worth of Arcane components. These components can be used for any arcane ritual, but not for any other type.
PREPARATION:
Ritual Casters may memorize 1 ritual per level. This includes multiple copies of the same ritual. Provided they can spend the casting time for the rituals, they may be used until an Extended Rest is taken.
So Jim is level 3. He is about to go out for the day and he wants to prepare his rituals. He tallies up the total casting time of his 3 rituals for the day, and if he can spare that time and materials cost, they are committed to memory, just like older edition Wizards. During a short rest mid-dungeon, Jim might be able to only prepare one.
USE:
Very simple. The stored Ritual is expended instantaneously. A new relevant skill check may be made to maintain discretion, as Rituals tend to be loud and flashy when used this way.
In combat, a Ritual requires a Standard, Move, and Minor action to cast; essentially your entire turn. However, expending a Ritual may also be something that's done with an Action Point. (seems more cinematic that way)
Of course, this does not replace the current Ritual rules, so they may always be cast the standard way as well.
Rituals: Anyone who begins with or takes Ritual Caster as a feat may do the following:
1) Reduce PURCHASE OF RITUAL cost in half, but not materials cost used at the time of casting. (keep reading to find out why)
2) Materials are treated like ammo for specific weapons. In this analogy, each ritual skill (Arcane, Divine, Healing, Nature) requires a separate accounting of purchases. It sounds complicated, but it's not. (again, keep reading)
3) The KICK ASS PART: Rituals may now be cast and held in the ready until the user unleashes it. This includes combat as well.
Here's how it works: Let's say Jim Cockprawn the hermaphrodite Wizard goes to the town shoppe and picks up a Comprehend Languages ritual. He pays 25 gp for the actual vellium parchment (1/2 of the normal 50 gp.) He wants to cast it 5 times, so he buys 50 gold worth of Arcane components. These components can be used for any arcane ritual, but not for any other type.
PREPARATION:
Ritual Casters may memorize 1 ritual per level. This includes multiple copies of the same ritual. Provided they can spend the casting time for the rituals, they may be used until an Extended Rest is taken.
So Jim is level 3. He is about to go out for the day and he wants to prepare his rituals. He tallies up the total casting time of his 3 rituals for the day, and if he can spare that time and materials cost, they are committed to memory, just like older edition Wizards. During a short rest mid-dungeon, Jim might be able to only prepare one.
USE:
Very simple. The stored Ritual is expended instantaneously. A new relevant skill check may be made to maintain discretion, as Rituals tend to be loud and flashy when used this way.
In combat, a Ritual requires a Standard, Move, and Minor action to cast; essentially your entire turn. However, expending a Ritual may also be something that's done with an Action Point. (seems more cinematic that way)
Of course, this does not replace the current Ritual rules, so they may always be cast the standard way as well.