The smallest, and arguably most important, ward collective are the Intent wards. This grouping provides flexibility to any ward scheme without actively participating in either the main focus or source designs. When power requirements are considered, it takes the longest to charge due to complexity; however once fully engaged, the Intent ward gives a significant enhancement to any ward system. The inclusion of an Intent ward subsidiary component is an essential portion to any serious warding schematic
Creating an Intent ward requires a healthy amount of imagination and willpower. Other wards apply simple triggers like on and off commands, single-style exclusions, or reactions to unchanging conditions. Utility of such commands cannot be overestimated. Their subtlety is lacking for long-term situations, the extended durations required of housing or other forms of civilization used by wizards. The Intent ward operates on purpose alone, as perceived by the supervising wardmaster.
Inscribing sigils for Intent based wards pertains to less vocabulary and more a mastery of self. Thurisaz, a rune meaning giants, strength or resistance, is often used in this case. The careful reader may recall the usage of this rune in Majister Vayne's Athalon Codicils. The Codicils stipulate a Thurisaz rune for Matter wards, enhancing barriers when the correct focus is used. That strength can be interpreted in different ways, just as a gem may be described by five different men in ten different ways. Here, Thurisaz may be set as a watch term for brute force, or unthinking force.
An example of using Thurisaz can be found in the troll observation platforms, deep in the Ural Mountains. Wards are set in place around each platform, set to activate under certain conditions, events, and times. When the wardmaster first inscribed these protections, he needed to visualize the effect desired in as many permutations as possible. A frequent mnemonic association used by English wardmasters is the Hogwarts Express, rapidly approaching the location under protection. The wardmaster must then create the ward, while holding the cause in mind, while adding layers of intent to the ward itself.
To the novice, this sounds easy: merely think of something large and fast, while writing down a few symbols.
In reality it is close to a master musician at the peak of his abilities. A good violinist will have practiced for unthinkable hours, memorizing the aural qualities of each note. He will listen to other musicians around him, matching his volume and tempo to theirs. During that, he must also be aware of future shifts in the music, readying himself ahead of time for every alteration. Then, keep in mind that on top of all this, the actual physical motions must be under precise, absolute control at every moment, for the duration of the performance – frequently hours without stop.
Such is the subtle complexity of an Intent Ward. Every other ward is affected by its presence, all conditions and strengths are matched by its willpower. A weak-minded wardmaster may install an Intent ward, but the end result will degrade the whole schematic.
In the Legend of Ozymandias, by Lord Snafu the Unbeatable, we see this exemplified in legend, first recorded by the Gilgamesh Epocha (author unknown), in Sumerian form. His musings tell of stories handed down as a myth from his 'great, great, grandfather's grandfather,' which if taking the average wizarding lifespan into account, places the origin point perhaps two thousand years prior to the writing (circa 5,000 BC).
As the tale is told, the Great Wizard-Emperor Ozymandias desired a safe hold for his treasures. Already there were a great many protections in place, ranging from implacable golems to death wards derived through his magi. Yet his paranoia grew in proportion to his wealth, and the defense became ever more elaborate.
And so it was, that Wizard-Emperor Ozymandias demanded more and more wards, the most sophisticated possible (Note: As scholars know, the Sumerians recorded the earliest usage of Intentwards [see: Secrets of the Past, by Yas Cha, 1991]). The greatest wardmasters known to the Five Realms were summoned, and laid such enchantments that it was believed that not even the gods could remove what he placed within, a challenge he delivered every seventh day in the courts of the Temples.
The capstone to this security was a massive stone construct, bearing the body of a lion beneath the visage of the Wizard-Emperor. As the last etchings were engraved, Ozymandias we overcome with jealousy, and demanded the right to finalize the last ward himself. Against the advice of his wise men, and indeed against every tenet of common sense, his wishes were obeyed, and the last runes were placed by his own hand.
Here in the records, information becomes difficult to translate. The best versions appear to agree that his lack of training became a severe handicap.
Wizard-Emperor Ozymandias transmitted his desire to protect what was his, and only his. Horrible magics, combined by the best minds and empowered through ritual sacrifices (See Chapter 5: Near Wards of this work) took the full meaning of their existence and ripped his soul from his body, entombing the desire and will into the lion-wizard construct.
The common reader is fully aware of Serpent's Law: disruption of an established enchantment will release thaumic energy in proportion to the power inherent within its constraints.
What the reader must understand is that full studies of the text indicate that the reserves of every notable wizard in the nation lay in this defensive network. How this affected said wizards and witches is not known, nor are records in the Epocha clear on the conditions following this mishap. What is known is that the apparent gods perceived the arrogance of Wizard-Emperor Ozymandias and struck him down for his impertinence, erasing all of his works into a cautionary tale. Given the known location of this proto-Sumerian civilization, we understand its location to be in Northeast Africa, a land rich in grasslands, jungles and enough resources to wage war on two other civilizations at once.
Today, the same place is known as the Sahara Desert.
Caution in Intent wards cannot be overstated. Before initiating an Intent ward, it is imperative that the creator be fully certified by professionals. Moreover, unless the wardmaster has a clear idea of what is desired, he should not proceed. Better to lose a fee than an entire civilization.