New Spell: Visitation of the Holiday Past, Present, and Yet to Come

So, it should come as no surprise that I love Christmas time. The whole shebang. The lights. The presents. The food. The decorations. The children who are just unabashedly excited about the whole affair. It's just magnificent and it really is magical in the most human sense. So, with that in mind, I couldn't resist what has become a trend for the past century or so: Yet another "remake" of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. So without further delay, I hope you enjoy this new spell for The Hero's Journey, Second Edition.

Visitation of the Holiday Past, Present, and Yet to Come (Master)

This extraordinarily rare spell is known to only a handful of the most powerful wizards across the land and has faded into something that exists more as a myth than a real incantation. Targeting someone with a Visitation of the Holiday Past, Present and Yet to Come bends the very nature of reality itself to offer an once good and true soul a final opportunity to find redemption. This spell must be cast three times on a single target in a one hour period, once for each effect. This makes Visitation of the Holiday Past, Present, and Yet to Come impossible for all but 10th level Wizards to cast. In addition, an individual can only be the target or this spell once in their lifetime. A spellcaster making use of this spell may achieve any one of the following effects:

Visitation of Days Past: The caster selects a single target of this spell, whom they must touch when the spell is cast. This spell may only be cast on a target on the eve of Yule or other central winter celebration. The target of the spell feels no effects until they go to sleep that evening. Once the target has fallen asleep they are visited at midnight that evening by a soft-spoken and gentle spirit that appears for all intents and purposes to be a Goblin Merchant (see THJ2e, pg 171), though if any attempt to injure or attack the spirit is made it fails and the spell immediately ends. The spirit leads the target of the spell on a journey into their own past, showing them a vision of the target performing some acts of lost nobility from days gone by. The spirit then inquires with the target about these events and if, during that roleplaying, the Narrator deems the target of the spell recalls some value in these events showing the person the target used to be, then the target receives a permanent +2 bonus on all Bearing-based Saving Throws to Relax Around the Campfire, provided they have also been the target of and survived the trials of a Visitation from Days Present and a Visitation of Days to Come.

Visitation of Days Present:  The caster selects a single target of this spell, whom they must touch when the spell is cast. This spell may only be cast on a target on the eve of Yule or other central winter celebration. The target of the spell feels no effects until they go to sleep that evening. Once the target has fallen asleep they are visited at around 2 AM that evening by a boisterous spirit that appears for all intents and purposes as a Fir Bolg (see THJ2e, pg 161), though if any attempt to injure or attack the spirit is made it fails the and the spell immediately ends. The spirit leads the target of the spell on a journey into the events of the Yule or winter holiday that is occurring tonight and on the morning to come. The spirit shows them the simple joys of those whom the target has dismissed as unworthy of compassion. The spirit then inquires with the target about these events and if, during the roleplaying, the Narrator deems that the target of the spell recalls the value of these once dismissed people bring to the world and the lives of those around them then the target gains the Yeoman’s Archetype Promise ability as a 1st-level Yeoman permanently, though it can only be used in relation to those featured in this vision provided by the spirit and if the target has already been targeted and passed the trials of a Visitation of Days Past or Visitation of Days Yet to Come. Yeomans targeted by this spell increase the bonus granted by their Promise ability by +1 when it is used in relation to those seen in a vision granted by Visitation of Days Present.

Visitation of Days to Come:  The caster selects a single target of this spell, whom they must touch when the spell is cast. This spell may only be cast on a target on the eve of Yule or other central winter celebration. The target of the spell feels no effects until they go to sleep that evening. Once the target has fallen asleep they are visited in the hours before dawn by a grim spirit that appears for all intents and purposes as a Death Knight (see THJ2e, pg 192), though if any attempt to injure or attack the spirit is made it fails and the spell immediately ends. The spirit leads the target on a journey into the events of a Yule or winter celebration that has yet to pass at some indeterminate point in the future. This vision will always include visions of how figures who the target has mistreated have suffered greatly due to the target’s misdeeds and conclude with a vision of the target’s solemn, solitary death. If the target pleads with the spirit and by the Narrator’s judgment appears to be genuinely repentant, then they awaken at dawn with their heart forever changed and the hope of the holidays lodged firmly in their heart. For the remainder of their days, as long as they keep the spirit of generosity of the holidays in their heart, they receive Advantage on all Despair Saving Throws to resist the effects of Overwhelming Evil, provided they have also been targeted by and successfully faced the challenges of a Visitation of Days Past and a Visitation of Days Present.

Holiday Lineage: The Yule Elf

Now for a bit of holiday cheer for your legendarium...

Yule Elf

Rare in the extreme and said to dwell in the wintry woodlands far away from the civilized world, Yule Elves

are no taller than three feet and rarely weigh more than fifty pounds. They have round, cherubic features with

perpetually rosy-red cheeks, and their icy blue eyes always seem to twinkle. One and all, Yule Elves have hair the color of

snow, with the men often growing long white beards that are regularly parted by broad smiles and hardy laughs.

They have a particular affection for children and are uncanny craftsmen, with their creativity knowing no bounds.

When left to their own affairs, Yule Elves seem capable of creating all manner of contraptions - most of which

they give away as presents during the winter season.

Table 1-1: Yule Elf Attributes

Attribute	Dice Pool
Might	2d6+1
Finesse	3d6
Resolve	2d6+6
Insight	2d6+1
Bearing	3d6
Weal	2d6+6

Table 1-2: Yule Elf Archetypes

Archetype	Level Limit
Bard	10
Burglar	7
Knight	-
Ranger	6
Swordsman	4
Warrior	4
Wayfarer*	7
Wizard	--
Yeoman	7

*See The Hero’s Companion, pg 23-26

Yule Elf Lineage Abilities

Crafty Combatant: Yule Elves are master craftsmen and tinkerers, with a natural affinity for machines and the

art of crafting them. They can use Light Crossbows regardless of any restrictions imposed by their Archetype.

In addition, all Yule Elves are capable of crafting a unique light crossbow tailored to their size and specific

abilities. The crafting of this crossbow can be done in a single night at no cost to the Yule Elf, as long as no one

witnesses the Yule Elf at work. This Yule Elf Crossbow functions identically to a standard light crossbow, save

that the Yule Elf can imbue it with one of the following Aspects without expending any Myth Points: Balanced,

Valiant, or Winter-Kissed. This Aspect vanishes in the hands of anyone other than the Yule Elf and the creator

can only own one such crossbow at any time. Friend to All Children: Yule Elves receive Advantage on all Bearing-based Attribute Saving Throws when

interacting with children. Secret Craftsman: Unlike other lineages, Yule Elves do not select or randomly determine their profession. All

Yule Elves are trained in all manner of craftsmanshipand are considered to have al of the following professions:

Armorer, Bowyer, Jeweler, Stonemason, Tailor, Tanner, Weaponsmith, and Woodworker. Unfortunately, they can

only practice these professions if they are only in the presence of other Yule Elves or absolutely alone. In all

other circumstances they are considered to be Unskilled.

Small Size: Yule Elves receive a +2 bonus to their Defense due to their small size and quick reflexes. They also

receive a +1 bonus to attack rolls when attacking foes which are man-sized or larger. Snow Sight: Yule Elves can see perfectly in conditions where their vision would be inhibited or impaired by snow

or other winter conditions. Winter Wanderer: Yule Elves receive Advantage on all Saving Throws made to resist the effects of cold, whether

they be from natural hazards, magical effects, or other sources.

MERRY

CHRISTMAS

A Little Christmas Surprise...