Rituals, compilation, creation

[CapnZapp]

Hi, is it just me going blind or is the following information out there somewhere?

A compilation of all the rituals mentioned (but not described or statted up) by the core rulebooks. The Raise Dead ritual is in the PHB, but the Create Aboleth Servitor (mentioned by the MM) isn't. There's plenty of monsters and items that are created/summoned/whatever by rituals.

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Another question: How do you create a new ritual? Are PCs expected to be able to create new rituals?

In other words, D&D has obviously always meant DMs made up home-brewn spells and the like. I'm not looking for the "do whatever you like" answer here...

By including official and specific rules for how rituals are created, such rituals (that doesn't break those rules) would gain a much more official-y status than rituals created by DM just by the "look at similar rituals and make up your own".

Is this expected to be a factor in the game or will the distinction between official pre-made rituals and homebrewn ones be kept as clear as in, say, third edition (where there really wasn't a spell creation system with official endorsement).

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Any relevant links would be appreciated.

(And if this has been discussed previously I can only apologize, there isn't any easy search function.)

 

[Wolfwood2]

Another question: How do you create a new ritual? Are PCs expected to be able to create new rituals?

No rules have as yet been provided, but on the other hand it hasn't been forbidden.

Is this expected to be a factor in the game or will the distinction between official pre-made rituals and homebrewn ones be kept as clear as in, say, third edition (where there really wasn't a spell creation system with official endorsement).

I don't know what you mean. Third edition had a strong spell creation system in the DMG. It told you how long spell research takes, how much money it costs, what DC of Spellcraft check was required, and gave rough guides as to how much damage was appropriate for what level spell.

 

[fba827]

gah -- somewhere in these forums there is a thread with a pdf that has the rituals compiled in an index. I'll see if i can find the link.

 

[doctorhook]

The link is right below, in my sig.

I'm always on the lookout for any rituals I've missed or miscompiled, (or that have been updated/errata'd since being compiled), so if you find something that hasn't made it onto my index, post in that thread and let me know! I'm wide open to feedback!

 

[doctorhook]

Hi, is it just me going blind or is the following information out there somewhere?

A compilation of all the rituals mentioned (but not described or statted up) by the core rulebooks. The Raise Dead ritual is in the PHB, but the Create Aboleth Servitor (mentioned by the MM) isn't. There's plenty of monsters and items that are created/summoned/whatever by rituals.

Yep, there's been a number of references to as-yet-undetailed rituals. Off the top of my head, there's the one that creates Aboleth Servitors, two undetailed rituals in H1: Keep on the Shadowfell, at least one in H2: Thunderspire Labyrinth, and definitely a few in the Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide. Most of these rituals haven't had rules written for them because of the intensely specific and evil natures of them; they'd hardly ever get used by any players, so it's not worth paying someone to write them, I believe. (In some cases, these "rituals" being mentioned only serve as plot devices anyway.)

Maybe we'll see some of these undetailed ones revealed later. Animate Dead, for example, doesn't have rules yet, but its effect appears in H1. I expect to see lots of new rituals as future books are released.

Another question: How do you create a new ritual? Are PCs expected to be able to create new rituals?

In other words, D&D has obviously always meant DMs made up home-brewn spells and the like. I'm not looking for the "do whatever you like" answer here...

By including official and specific rules for how rituals are created, such rituals (that doesn't break those rules) would gain a much more official-y status than rituals created by DM just by the "look at similar rituals and make up your own".

Is this expected to be a factor in the game or will the distinction between official pre-made rituals and homebrewn ones be kept as clear as in, say, third edition (where there really wasn't a spell creation system with official endorsement).

AFAIK, the rules for creating new rituals aren't currently in print. However, that sort of material is golden as far as answering the question, "What the heck are they going to put in DMG2 and beyond?" Ritual creation rules are perfect for a future DMG, so I'd look for them there.

Any relevant links would be appreciated.

(And if this has been discussed previously I can only apologize, there isn't any easy search function.)

No worries. Like I said in my post above, check my signature for a link to my compilation .PDF of all the 4E rituals. And don't be afraid to leave a critique if you think I could do something better!

 

[ronin]

Rope trick seems like a great ritual spell. Any thoughts on what level it would be? I have not looked at the other rituals closely enough to find some that are equal in power/ utility. Would it be on par with creating a magic item like you can at level 4?

 

[CapnZapp]

Thank you all, and of course, especially to the esteemed Dr Hook!

Yep, there's been a number of references to as-yet-undetailed rituals. Off the top of my head, there's the one that creates Aboleth Servitors, two undetailed rituals in H1: Keep on the Shadowfell, at least one in H2: Thunderspire Labyrinth, and definitely a few in the Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide. Most of these rituals haven't had rules written for them because of the intensely specific and evil natures of them; they'd hardly ever get used by any players, so it's not worth paying someone to write them, I believe. (In some cases, these "rituals" being mentioned only serve as plot devices anyway.)

I do understand the notion of "this ritual will only be used by the bad guy, so let's just have the DM say, presto, the ritual is there and does its stuff, end of ritual story!".

However, that isn't very D&D is it?

In fact, detailing the evil rituals is exactly what you would have to do if you wish a more Lovecraftian feel for your campaign. ("All rituals are evil!" - just read the below listing, and you should instantly see what I mean. This stuff is gold! .

Here are the one's I've found in the Monster Manual. Not a bad haul for a single book not about rituals, eh?


Animate Chains, page 62.
Animate Colossus, page 44.
Animate Eidolon, page 101.
Bind Sphinx, page 245.
Conjure Aspect of Orcus, page 208.
Create Aboleth Servitor, page 8-9.
Create Dragonspawn, page 88.
Create Flameskull, page 109.
Create Guardian, page 149.
Create Helmeted Horror, page 155.
Create Skeleton, page 235.
Create Sphinx, page 245.
Create Vampire (See Dark Gift of the Undying)
Create Wraith, page 266.
Create Zombie, page 275.
Call Angel of Vengeance, page 17.
Death Knight, page 50. (See Soul Weapon below & DMG)
Dracolich ritual.
Give Warforged Sentience (See Eberron)
Hag Dark Ritual, page 150. (general class of rituals)
Lich ritual.
Grigwartha's Create Boneclaw, page 37-38.
Snaketongue Tranformations, page 272. (general class of rituals)
Soul Weapon, page 51. (See Death Knight above & DMG)
Summon Evistro, page 55.
Summon Devil, page 60. (general class of rituals)
Summon Elemental, page 105. (general class of rituals)
Summon Flame Snake, page 241.
Summon Gargoyle, page 115.
Summon Harbinger Storm, page 125.
Summon Wraith, page 266.
Transform Into Bodak, page 36 & 197.
Transform Into Ghoul, page 119.
Vumerion’s Create Skull Lord, page 236.

I make no claim these names are official.

Adding to this, the Phoenix feather component to Raise Dead.

Personally, one of the greatest boons about rituals, is if creators can create more powerful bodyguards than themselves. (The way spellcasters could summon weak useless creatures in 3E never made sense to me...)

Perhaps you could have as-of-yet-undescribed rituals as an appendix to your file, Dr Hook?