Through the use of this spell, the mage gains a mystical
connection with a Hallow, allowing him to restrict
who can harvest Mana from it.
The casting of this extended action spell can only
begin at the time of day in which the Hallow normally
produces its daily allotment of Mana. The mage must
be present, within the vicinity of the Hallow’s center
(five-yard radius per dot). He needs one success per dot
rating of the Hallow.
The mage’s aura cannot conflict with the Hallow’s
quality of resonance. For example, if his aura is generally
angry, he cannot marry a peacefully-aspected
Hallow.
A dramatic failure at any point during the casting
means that the land has rejected the mage. He cannot
continue the spell and may not try again for at least a
month, during which time he suffers a –2 dice penalty
on all spellcasting attempts to channel Mana from that
Hallow. Animistic mages believe that the Hallow has
a consciousness and it has denied the supplicant; more
scientific-minded mages believe that the mage is allergic
to something in the Hallow’s mystical composition.
If the spell succeeds, its effects are lasting — so long
as the mage properly maintains a relationship with
the Hallow. He must perform at least one oblation per month per dot rating of the Hallow (i.e., a 3-dot
Hallow needs three oblations per month), based not
on his Path’s preferences but on those of the Hallow,
determined by its resonance. A resonance of pain or
fear might require oblations featuring torture, maiming
or death. Tranquility resonance might need meditative
oblations or the tending of a garden within the Hallow’s
vicinity. Anxiety might be best served through rushed
ceremonies and rituals, taut with emotional conflict.
The mage — called the spouse — knows which oblations
will appease the Hallow.
If the mage misses one of these oblations, the spell’s
effects are dampened temporarily, until he can perform
the rite. If more than three months pass without an
oblation on the mage’s part, the spell expires. That
mage cannot attempt to marry the same Hallow again
for at least the next three months thereafter.
So long as the spell lasts, the mage can choose who
can harvest Mana from the Hallow. Mages without
permission cannot forcibly harvest the Hallow, except
masters with a Prime 5 version of the Channel Mana
spell, and, even then, they suffer a dice penalty equal
to the spouse’s Resolve.
With Prime 4, this spell can be cast upon a willing target,
bonding her to the Hallow instead of the mage.
Only one mage can be bonded to the same Hallow at
the same time. For another to bond to it, the current
spouse must either cancel his spell or die — or else his
Hallow Bond spell can be dispelled.
Mysterium Rote: Marrying the Land
Of all the orders, the Mysterium most commonly
maintains this ancient practice from a time when people
lived more closely with the land.
