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Pilgrim's Cup

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==Description==
==Description==
Also known as a ''Spirit Spindle'', ''Spinning Wheel'' or ''Hallowing Wheel'', a Blessing Wheel is a tool used by priests, specifically during the [[hallow]] ceremony. It commonly takes the form of a cynlindrical wheel on a spindle, or a circular disc mounted on a rod. The device is marked with symbols of the Way - most commonly a straightforward Labyrinth or Wheel design traced across the entire wheel, over which are painted seven sigils which correspond to the seven Virtues at roughly equidistant points.  
This ceremonial tool generally takes the form of a drinking vessel - a cup, a goblet, a bowl, or a chalice. It is used by priests of The Way to empower the ceremony of [[anointing]], allowing the creation of [[Religious skills#Ceremony Strength|durable]] auras, or the removal of the same. As part of the ceremony, it is common for a priest to mix a little [[liao]] with pure water, alcohol, or fruit juice. The priest takes a sip of the contents, and passes the cup to the recipient who drinks deeply. A [[the Brass Coast|Freeborn]] priest might use a bowl of hot [[The_Brass_Coast_culture_and_customs#Syrah|Syrah]], while a [[Navarr]] may add a little blood to the mix, possibly from a person who is already anointed with the aura desired or who has demonstrated strong virtue.


A priest engaged in hallowing an item sets the wheel spinning, and keeps it spinning throughout the ceremony. Often, the priest places the tool next to a small bowl in which liao is mixed with oil or water. They moisten their fingers, touch the wheel to keep it spinning, and then touch the item that is the target of the hallow. The movement of the wheel serves not only to focus the attention of the priest, but also as a metaphor for the cycle of reincarnation.
In [[Highguard]] and [[Urizen]], the item is much more likely to take the form of a bowl or basin into which fresh water or oil is poured. Rather than sharing a drink together, the priest may physically wash or anoint the hands and forehead of the target with the liao mixture, or hold the basin for the recipient to do so themselves. This is especially true when the intention of the ceremony is to remove an unwanted aura - the symbolism of washing away a spiritual taint is particularly strong.


Some priests, especially in [[the Marches]] and among the [[Dawn|Dawnish]] [[Yeomen of Dawn|yeomen]] yeomen embrace a more practical symbology when using a Blessing Wheel - especially a circular rather than cylindrical one. They draw similarities between the priestly tool and a more mundane spinning wheel, and talk about "spinning" the raw stuff of spirituality out of the Labyrinth and wrapping it around the item they are working with. When removing an unwanted aura, these priests are careful to spin the Blessing Wheel the "other way", pulling the unwanted spiritual essence away from the item and flinging it back out into the Labyrinth.
Like many such regalia, it is common for a Pilgrim's Cup to be [[hallow|hallowed]], especially with a hallow that encourages the priest to seek out people in need of spiritual counsel or support in time of need.
 
In parts of [[Urizen]], [[Navarr]], and [[Varushka]], and among the [[Kallavesi]] and the [[Suaq]], a Blessing Wheel takes the form of a hoop bound within which is a web of cords or thongs. Charms or symbolic items are hung from the strands of the network - depictions of the [[Varushka_religious_beliefs#The_Virtuous_Animals|virtuous animals]] in Varushka, crystal or glass sigils in Urizen, feathers or bone runecharms for the Kalalvesi and the Suaq, coloured beads for the Navarr, Rather than being spun, the net created by the crisscrossing strands is studied and adjusted throughout the ceremony - sometimes restrung completely as part of the process of hallowing the item. As well as serving as a focus for the priest, these delicate tools are used to draw symbolic connections between the item that is to be hallowed and people, places, and things that exemplify the aura the priest seeks to create. For example, a priest who works to create a [[Auras of Courage#Hallowing of Inga Tarn|Hallowing of Inga Tarn]] might trace the net held within the hoop while quietly reciting the story of one of the Exemplar's heroic journeys, and perhaps go so far as to hang a miniature hammer charm from one of the strands.


==Rules==
==Rules==

Revision as of 15:04, 17 March 2017

Description

This ceremonial tool generally takes the form of a drinking vessel - a cup, a goblet, a bowl, or a chalice. It is used by priests of The Way to empower the ceremony of anointing, allowing the creation of durable auras, or the removal of the same. As part of the ceremony, it is common for a priest to mix a little liao with pure water, alcohol, or fruit juice. The priest takes a sip of the contents, and passes the cup to the recipient who drinks deeply. A Freeborn priest might use a bowl of hot Syrah, while a Navarr may add a little blood to the mix, possibly from a person who is already anointed with the aura desired or who has demonstrated strong virtue.

In Highguard and Urizen, the item is much more likely to take the form of a bowl or basin into which fresh water or oil is poured. Rather than sharing a drink together, the priest may physically wash or anoint the hands and forehead of the target with the liao mixture, or hold the basin for the recipient to do so themselves. This is especially true when the intention of the ceremony is to remove an unwanted aura - the symbolism of washing away a spiritual taint is particularly strong.

Like many such regalia, it is common for a Pilgrim's Cup to be hallowed, especially with a hallow that encourages the priest to seek out people in need of spiritual counsel or support in time of need.

Rules

  • Form: Talisman. Takes the form of ceremonial regalia. You must be wearing this item to use its magical properties.
  • Requirement: You must have the dedication skill to bond to this item.
  • Effect: When you perform or cooperate with the performance of the anointing skill, you may spend up to five additional doses of liao to increase the strength or the ceremony by the same amount.
  • Materials: Crafting a Pilgrim's Cup requires TBC. It takes one month to make one of these items.
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