The magic of mistletoe has been a popular tradition during the holiday season for centuries. This small plant, known for its distinctive white berries, holds a special place in our hearts and imaginations. With its mystical properties and romantic connotations, mistletoe has become a symbol of love and friendship. One of the oldest myths associated with mistletoe dates back to the time of the ancient Celts. They believed that mistletoe possessed miraculous healing powers and could bring good fortune and protection from evil spirits. Druids would perform rituals involving mistletoe, using it to ward off evil and bless their homes and livestock.
Edicts: The cavalier must strive to protect the sacred arts of pact magic and all those who practice it, from the greatest of occult scholars to the lowly babe born into the tradition. A cavalier belonging to this order must promote the spread of pact magic wherever possible, protect anyone who practices pact magic, and return forgotten secrets to the light of day whenever possible. Challenge: Whenever an order of the occult eye cavalier issues a challenge, add a +1 bonus on attack rolls made with granted abilities against the challenged opponent. In addition, the saving throw DC of the cavalier’s granted abilities increases by +1 against the challenged opponent.
Edicts The cavalier must strive to protect the sacred arts of pact magic and all those who practice it, from the greatest of occult scholars to the lowly babe born into the tradition. If the cavalier has one or more ranks in Knowledge arcana , add of the cavalier s level as a bonus on Knowledge arcana checks minimum 1 if the check involves pact magic.
Druids would perform rituals involving mistletoe, using it to ward off evil and bless their homes and livestock. In Norse mythology, mistletoe was central to the story of Balder, the god of light and joy. It was prophesied that Balder would die, and his mother, Frigg, made every creature and plant promise not to harm him.
Order of the Occult Eye
Cavaliers who join the order of the occult eye swear themselves to the ancient constellations of spirits. Allied with knights of similar mindset, they spread the sacred knowledge of pact magic and defend its tenets wherever threatened.
Edicts: The cavalier must strive to protect the sacred arts of pact magic and all those who practice it, from the greatest of occult scholars to the lowly babe born into the tradition. A cavalier belonging to this order must promote the spread of pact magic wherever possible, protect anyone who practices pact magic, and return forgotten secrets to the light of day whenever possible. Challenge: Whenever an order of the occult eye cavalier issues a challenge, add a +1 bonus on attack rolls made with granted abilities against the challenged opponent. In addition, the saving throw DC of the cavalier’s granted abilities increases by +1 against the challenged opponent.
Class Skills: An order of the occult eye cavalier adds Knowledge (arcana) (Int) to the cavalier’s list of class skills. The cavalier can make Knowledge (arcana) checks untrained. If the cavalier has one or more ranks in Knowledge (arcana), add ½ of the cavalier’s level as a bonus on Knowledge (arcana) checks (minimum +1) if the check involves pact magic.
Order Abilities: An order of the occult eye cavalier gains the following abilities at the specified levels.
Pact Lore
At 2nd level, an order of the occult eye cavalier gains the Minor Binding feat as a bonus feat. At 6th level, the cavalier gains Improved Minor Binding as a bonus feat. At 10th level the cavalier gains Greater Minor Binding as a bonus feat. The cavalier ignores the prerequisites of these feats. At 14th level, the cavalier gains a +2 insight bonus on all binding checks. This bonus improves to +4 at 18th level.
Vestigial Protection (Su)
Starting at 8th level, instead of gaining a constellation aspect with Minor Binding, an order of the occult eye cavalier can choose to gain the ability to project their spirit as a protective aura as a swift action. While the aura is active, the cavalier gains a +2 deflection bonus to both AC and on Reflex saves. A cavalier can use this aura for 1 minute each day per cavalier level. These minutes do not need to be used consecutively but they must be used in 1-minute increments. At 12th level the cavalier can project this aura onto adjacent allies, granting them its benefits. Each ally that benefits from the aura also expends 1 minute of its duration each minute it benefits from the aura. A cavalier with the bind spirits class feature gains this ability whenever the character is bound to a spirit.
Major Ability: At 15th level, an order of the occult eye cavalier with Greater Binding receives the spirit’s major granted ability in addition to the two minor abilities normally granted by the feat. In addition, the cavalier also receives the spirit’s capstone empowerment if the spirit’s binding check is succeeded by 10 or more. A cavalier with the bind spirits class feature gains Capstone Binding as a bonus feat instead.
Section 15: Copyright NoticePact Magic Unbound Vol. 2 © 2012, Radiance House. Authors: Alexander Augunas and Dario Nardi.
However, Frigg overlooked mistletoe, thinking it was harmless. The mischievous god Loki used this oversight to make a spear out of mistletoe and kill Balder. After Balder's death, mistletoe became a symbol of love and reconciliation. During the Middle Ages, mistletoe took on a more romantic meaning. It was believed that hanging mistletoe in the home would bring good luck and fertility to the inhabitants. Customarily, a lady standing beneath the mistletoe could not refuse a kiss from a man. If she did, it was said that she would be doomed to remain unmarried for another year. Today, the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe is still alive, although it has evolved into a lighthearted and playful gesture. Many people hang mistletoe in their homes during the holiday season, creating opportunities for spontaneous fun and romance. Whether it's at a holiday party or a cozy gathering with loved ones, the magic of mistletoe can bring people closer together and spread joy and happiness. It's important to note that mistletoe, while magical, can also be toxic if ingested. The berries contain poisonous substances, and precautions should be taken to keep them out of the reach of children and pets. Artificial mistletoe can be used as a safer alternative. In conclusion, mistletoe has a rich history of enchantment and romance. Its presence during the holiday season adds a touch of magic and whimsy to our celebrations. Whether it's a simple peck on the cheek or a passionate kiss, the tradition of mistletoe reminds us of the power of love and the joy that can be found in unexpected moments..
Reviews for "Mistletoe in Art and Literature: A Historical Perspective"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "Mistle Too Magic" as I am a big fan of holiday romance novels. However, I found this book to be very predictable and cliché. The characters lacked depth and felt flat, and the storyline was incredibly cheesy. I was hoping for a heartwarming and unique holiday romance, but unfortunately, this book did not deliver. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a truly captivating and original holiday read.
2. Michael - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed by "Mistle Too Magic". The writing was subpar, filled with grammatical errors and awkwardly constructed sentences. The dialogue felt forced and unrealistic, making it difficult to connect with the characters. Additionally, the plot was incredibly weak and lacked any sort of originality. It seemed like a copy-paste of every generic holiday romance novel I've ever read. Overall, I found this book to be a total bore and a waste of my time. I definitely do not recommend it.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - "Mistle Too Magic" was a major letdown for me. The romance between the main characters felt forced and lacked any real chemistry. The story also had a slow pace and dragged on, making it difficult to stay engaged. The plot twists were predictable and didn't add any excitement or surprise to the story. I had high expectations for a heartwarming holiday romance, but this book failed to deliver. I would suggest looking for a different book in this genre if you're looking for a more enjoyable read.
4. David - 2 stars - I was expecting "Mistle Too Magic" to be a sweet and uplifting holiday romance, but I found it to be quite dull. The characters lacked depth and development, and the romance between them felt forced and unrealistic. The plot was predictable and didn't offer anything new or exciting. Overall, this book was forgettable and didn't leave a lasting impression. I wouldn't recommend it to fans of the genre.