Sanctuary of the Scales Ritual
E/F/M:
This Ritual of varying duration of casting creates one of the various forms of Exclusive or Inclusive Pentacles in the indicated Area surrounding the point determined by the practitioner. The Exclusive Pentacle serves as protection for the personas inside, also enabling further casting without interruption by outside forces if a "door" for such is provided by the practitioner. The caster and any associates must remain within the Pentacle at all times, or else the protection or the Pentacle itself, if temporary, is negated. Inclusive Pentacles keep whatever is inside the radius locked therein. The types of Pentacles which may be used, and their effectiveness, are listed below:
| Pentacle Type | Casting Time | Duration | Base DR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple, Physical | 1 Action Turn | Temporary | Easy |
| Simple, Mental | 1 Action Turn | Temporary | Moderate |
| Simple, Runic | 2 Action Turns | Temporary | Moderate |
| Complex, Physical | 2 Action Turns | Temporary | Moderate |
| Simple, Physical | 4 Action Turns | Permanent | Hard |
| Complex, Mental | 4 Action Turns | Temporary | Hard |
| Simple, Runic | 6 Action Turns | Permanent | Difficult |
| Complex, Physical | 8 Action Turns | Permanent | Difficult |
| Complex, Runic | 9 Action Turns | Temporary | Difficult |
| Complex, Runic | 12 Action Turns | Permanent | V. Difficult |
All Pentacles keep out spirits, and at the casters option, the Pentacle may also serve in addition to keep out:
(1) Heka (DR as listed) with a Resistance strength determine by the caster through additional Heka investment at time of activation. No more Heka can be invested than the total of the casters S TRAIT (SM CATEGORY if a Partial Practitioner) plus 2 x STEEP (in this Sub-Area) in points. For details of how Pentacle's STR is applied in defending against Heka attacks, see Chapter 4 of this book.
(2) Heka (as above) and Partial Physical Manifestations (1 DR harder).
(3) Heka (as above) and Partial or Full Physical Manifestations (2 DRs harder).
However, for each doubling of Casting Duration time (time spent preparing and working on the Pentacle) the Difficulty Rating is decreased by one step, up to three steps easier or "Hard" DR. whichever is the lesser (least favorable) modification.