Rituals are the most common form of magic. They are formal acts and ceremonies used to call on the Gods for help, protection, or guidance. Unlike other types of magic that require high levels of divine blood, rituals can be performed by anyone who has enough belief in the gods.
While high-ranking Heroes and priests often lead rituals, ordinary people take part or even lead small ones themselves. The success of a ritual depends on how devoted those involved are to the god they are calling upon. Rituals often involve following a specific process, specific preparations, or the sacrifice of something valuable to show that the person is serious about their request. It is also a great honour to be chosen to lead a community ritual, such as the ones held during the dark months.
Many rituals use runes, which are ancient symbols that hold power when they are made properly. Ordinary people can carve these runes and use blood to give them power. Most people use their own blood freely given for simple tasks. However, adepts of the mysteries can use more powerful rituals to inscribe runes. These powerful acts are often driven by a larger sacrifice to the gods, which makes the magic much stronger.