After cleaning himself in the stream, Evan deliberately changed into a loose linen robe. He seemed less like a sharp-edged knight and more like a mysterious Wizard Apprentice.
A "ritual" was the use of specific rites to establish a connection between oneself and certain world laws, spiritual forces, deities, and other entities. It temporarily caused one's ego consciousness to yield, allowing one's spirit to resonate with a transcendent existence and unleash powerful abilities beyond one's own limits—or abilities one did not possess at all!
Different rituals, depending on their purpose or target, also had different requirements for the officiant and the necessary items.
Rituals involving gods had to take into account the corresponding deity's preferences: food, plants, essential oils, gold and silver ritual vessels, and so on. Even under the most rudimentary conditions, meticulously proper ceremonial attire was indispensable when dealing with righteous gods.
Rituals for communicating with the spirit world required all sorts of accessories that enhanced spirituality: crystals, gemstones, herbs, specially made talismans, and so on.
Rituals for trading with demonic creatures from lower planes, meanwhile, required the officiant to be covered in filth or even commit some form of blasphemy before earning the monsters' approval.
The ritual Evan was preparing was a form of Creature Modification. It required him to be as close to nature as possible, so he removed his weapons, ornaments, and other artificial objects, wearing only the most ordinary linen robe.
He walked onto the level bluestone slab that had already been swept clean.
Following the ritual's requirements, Evan used six candles, plant essential oils, and specially made incense to construct a Barrier Wall encircling the entire bluestone clearing, blocking physical interference from outside.
Whoosh—
The instant the Barrier Wall took shape, the enclosed area within it seemed to have its mute button pressed.