Atonement (spell)

Atonement is a spell that grants magical redemption and forgiveness for transgressions committed by the recipient, including breaking an oath, acting in bad faith against members of the recipient's religion, abandoning the recipient's faith or engaging in acts of malevolence. When such actions bring forth dire supernatural consequences, the character must seek out a caster of sufficient level to mediate their repentance and transmit their plea to the gods.

Atonement

Range	touch
Duration	permanent
Area of Effect	1 creature
Casting Time	3 rounds
Saving Throw	none
Level	cleric (5th)

The spell requires the recipient to be truly penitent, sincerely renouncing their past actions. Any indication of deception or false remorse will cause the spell to fail, as it cannot be used as a mere convenience or loophole. The gods, as well as the caster, must believe in the sincerity of the recipient's contrition. Consequently, when the caster is not personally acquainted with the recipient, some demonstrable act of remorse is typically required to verify their intent. Additionally, the recipient must be of the caster's religion, as atonement is a sacred rite bound to the divine authority of that faith.

Effects

Once atonement is cast, a recipient who has lost their ability to use spells or receive the benefits of piety—both of which are common consequences for clerics and paladins who turn away from their deities — will find their divine connection restored.

Beyond its effect on divine casters, atonement can end curses and remove the enmity of both good and evil forces. Those supernatural beings that once pursued or punished the recipient will bear witness to the sincerity of the atonement and will cease their hostilities. In many cases, atonement serves as a means of ending war, particularly when cast upon a royal figure or religious leader. The spell compels those bound by faith or duty to acknowledge the change of heart, often leading to truces or peace settlements where conflict had seemed inescapable.

Forgiveness

Though the gods may have restored the character's good standing, the mortal world may take time before it is able to act accordingly. Positions that were lost due to the character's fall have been filled in their absence, and those who now hold those roles have no obligation to step aside simply because atonement has been granted. A reinstated cleric may find themselves serving under a new high priest rather than resuming their former rank, while a deposed ruler who has atoned may still need to negotiate their return to power. The restoration of divine favour does not undo practical or political changes, and the character must navigate the new reality of their station.

Outside the faith, unbelievers — who have no reason to concern themselves with divine matters — may remain skeptical of the character's transformation. Trust among some associates and even followers must still be earned or at least demonstrated. Even those who understand the power of the spell may not respond immediately. Divine beings acknowledge the character's redemption, but they do not necessarily intervene to correct past wrongs. Celestial forces may observe the character for a time, ensuring their devotion is genuine before fully embracing them once more. Infernal or chaotic entities that once sought to exploit the character's failings may still attempt to test their resolve, seeking to drive them into doubt or temptation again.