Ward-crafting is a form of ritual magic where the Construct is a location-bound boundary. Wards are designed to protect, restrict, or alert, and remain active for as long as their physical or symbolic structure remains intact.

• Specify what the ward is meant to do:
  • Block certain beings from entry
  • Alert when someone crosses the boundary
  • Trap entities inside
• Determine whether it is passive (always on) or triggered (activates under specific conditions).

• The Link connects the ward’s magic to its protected area or target class.
• Common Link types for wards:
  • Area-based – tied to a building, room, garden, or property line
  • Target-specific – keyed to allow or block specific individuals
  • Condition-based – e.g., “only those invited may pass”
• Strong Links define the ward’s precision and scope.

• The Catalyst powers and sustains the ward.
• May include:
  • Energy from a ley line or magical nexus
  • Physical offerings (blood, incense, sacred water)
  • Linked items (e.g., keys, tokens, bell pendants)
  • Celestial timing (solstices, moon phases)
• Some wards require periodic renewal to maintain strength.

• The Construct is the boundary itself:
  • Salt lines, carved posts, marked stones
  • Glyphs painted or etched on walls or floors
  • Networked charms or talismans hung along the perimeter
• For large-scale wards, multiple Constructs may be linked together into a network.

• Channel the Catalyst energy into the Construct while focusing on the Link.
• This may involve:
  • Walking the boundary while chanting
  • Placing or activating each node in sequence
  • Marking the final closure point
• The ritual ends when the caster symbolically “seals” the ward.

• Vulnerability to disruption at weak points
• Maintenance or renewal cycles
• Over-restriction — blocking intended allies
• High magical signature may draw attention

• Wards trigger when their boundary conditions are met.
• If a Construct node is damaged, the GM may compel a weakening or total collapse.
• Repairs may require repeating parts of the ritual.

• Wards create ongoing stakes — maintaining them can become part of the story economy.
• Breaking a ward can serve as a major adventure goal.
• Consider requiring rare Catalysts or special conditions to prevent wards from becoming overused.