The
Rite of AshkEnte is from the
Discworld series by
Terry Pratchett. After the Rite is
cast,
Death (or whomever is filling in for Death] is summoned. In theory he has to answer
three questions, and must stay contained within the
octagram. In actuality, Death
does in fact have to appear, but is under no obligation to remain in the confines of the octagram, or to answer the questions.
The Rite of AshkEnte is usually performed by the
wizards at
Unseen University. There is a noticeable difference in the way generations of wizards cast the
spell. Older generations prefer to dress up in dramatic ceremonial robes, waving staves, have exact placements of
rams horns,
skulls,
baroque metalwork, heavy
candles dribbling wax with
octagons carved in them, and pints of goats
blood in addition to much
chanting and reading
obscure texts.
The younger
generation of
magic-users, however, have discovered that the Rite may be performed just as well with three small bits of wood and 4
cc of mouse blood.
To date, those who have been accidently summoned by The Rite of AshkEnte are the
Death of Rats,
Susan Sto-Helit, and
Mort. I cannot recall offhand if
Rincewind was summoned or not with it in
Eric or if that was a different
spell.