The sacrifice ritual

These rules are optional. The way that the Enlightened Magic rules work, sorcerers don't roll Ka in addition to the magical technique roll anymore and thus the sacrifice ritual to ensure the Ka roll succeeds is no longer necessary (see Nephilim rulebook p138-40). However, if groups wish to keep it in their games, I will provide some suggestions below for integrating it with the new rules.

The sacrifice ritual is a method used by nephilim to sacrifice their POW and invest it into enchanted objects or magical workings. Despite the name, it is not a distinct ritual but is performed as part of a ritual or procedure. Whenever the nephilim enchants an item (see Enlightened Magic p20-1, 32, 64-5, 69), they are assumed to perform the sacrifice ritual as part of it (see Major Arcana p24).

For rituals of sorcery and summoning, the sacrifice ritual consists of spilling the sorcerer's blood upon the representation of the spell's element as given on the Table of Traditional Magical Tools and Affinities (see Liber Ka p52, Enlightened Magic p32). This opens the connection to the caster's own ka-elements that allows them to sacrifice and invest it in the enchantment.

For procedures, the alchemist's own blood is used as an ingredient in the athanor or work of art. Blood is not physically spilt to enchant/inscribe meditations, as the soul is already being used to do so.

The sacrifice ritual may also be performed for casting a spell to ensure that it succeeds. This is typically only done in extreme circumstances, as the effect is ephemeral compared to the long-term benefit of enchanting an item. Depending on the GM's proclivities, this may cause the spellcasting roll to automatically succeed or it may provide the same benefit as Fate Points (see BRP 4th edition rulebook p176).

The loss of Ka caused by sacrifice cannot be restored by effects that heal Ka loss. It must be regained thru experience.

Addendum 7/1/2022: It has come to my attention that later editions of the French version dropped the bloodletting requirement. So these rules are basically redundant now. Just to let you know.

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