Custom Blood Magic: Ritual

Adapted from the mythology of the guardian lions in Chinese culture.

System: Upon the death of a trusted human or animal retainer the caster must beseech the spirit of the departed retainer to watch over his/her sanctum, and paint traditional Chinese characters upon the severed head using one Trait of the caster's Blood. The caster must then bury the retainer's head in the ground, facing the head toward the most plausible direction an intruder may take to gain entry.  Once buried, anyone who approaches the area with ill intent toward either the caster or the caster's possessions must make a Self Control test to continue advancing the final 10' toward the protected perimeter. If the intruder wins the Self Control test, he/she may advance as normal. If the intruder fails the Self Control test, he/she flees from the area in fear and must make an additional Self Control test to avoid Rötschreck. The caster may possess only one Guardian at a time, and the Guardian will only protect an area corresponding to the head's "peripheral vision." This ritual must be reapplied every year and a day or the severed head will disintegrate and return to the earth, to finally continue its journey within the Cycle.