Observances

Excerpt from Saint Iker Pahadron field journal 'Road to Salvation'.

"As the Noctua Inquisition gathers pace across the lands of the middle kingdoms, as we notch victory after victory against the enemy and drive deeper and deeper into their lands, I cannot but look in wonder and awe at the men and women that joined us. Men and women that unlike many of us with our holy relics and blessed weapons have nothing but their faith to protect them against the maleficium.

Walking among our forces you see it everywhere. Warding rituals that have been with us since the gods filled us with the Breath of Life. Observances whose meaning and true power are now lost to the ancient mists of times but that none the less are part of the cultural fabric of our people's beliefs. Apotropaic observance practiced out of vague superstition at first and later out of tradition to grant safety and deflect evil.

As I walk the camp among the faithful I see these symbols and charms intended to turn away harm or evil influences everywhere attempting to deflect misfortune or averting the evil eye of the maleficium. The sword of Vastad is everywhere as one can image among the faithful of the Shrine-City, with soldiers taking to tattooing it especially those that cannot afford gold pendants.

Crudely etched in countless shields and armours is the lozenge. Geometrically representation of the eye, often painted to ward off evil spirits and keep bad luck away. Some among the lower castes take a blade to the etchings and slice an extra line across its surface as if trying to blind the all seeing eye of the maleficium.

But to my surprise and seemingly lifted straight out the tomes of 'Signum Salomonis' comes a small pendant made of jet. Held fast against the chest with a leather strip, the 'Manofiga" or ' Fist of Mourning', is a small amulet in the shape of a closed hand, with the thumb inserted between the index and middle fingers. Used superstitiously as a sign against danger, bad omens, bad luck and of course evil. And although its power is nothing compared to 'The Tears' it seems to offer some sort of protection against magik directly associated with its owner's faith..."