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Difference between revisions of "Glyphward"
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A '''glyphward''' is a [[Vorin]] prayer written in [[glyphs]] with the intention of being burned.
== Creation and use ==
Women are the only ones to
[[File:Glyphward.jpg|thumb|left|125px|Burning a glyphward]]
Usually, glyphwards are either drawn on paper or sewn into cloth, though at times they are drawn on surfaces with [[burn ink]], and then set on fire to burn a glyph onto something.{{book ref|sa1|69}}. They can be as short in length as a single glyph, or as long as several glyphs strung together.{{book ref|sa1|69}}{{book ref|sa1|62}} They do take some skill to draw well and neatly, so a person who can draw glyphwards calligraphically well is considered to have an impressive ability.{{book ref|sa1|5}}
After a glyphward is created, it is burned to send the soul of the prayer to the [[Almighty]], although glyphwards often make an additional appeal to one of the [[Herald]]s or to the [[Stormfather]] so as to make sure they are heard.{{book ref|sa1|62}} [[Ardent]]s will also burn prayers to help the people they serve.{{book ref|sa1|37}} If the prayer fails to be answered, it is simply treated as Almighty's will.{{book ref|twok|25}}
On some occasions, glyphwards are not burned right away, or at all.
When fire or flammable materials are not available, one may sketch a glyphward anyway, in hope that the Almighty will understand the supplicant's situation and accept the prayer.
== Prayers ==
▲Women are the only ones to typically make glyphwards,{{book ref|twok|28}} although both men and women make use of them. In addition to being homemade, glyphwards are often purchased from [[luckmerch|luckmerches]] or apothecaries,{{book ref|twok|25}} the latter of which will often decorate their shops with glyphwards.{{book ref|twok|17}} [[Ardent]]s will also burn prayers to the Almighty, to help the people they serve.{{book ref|twok|37}}
Though they are universally believed to turn away evil, the prayers sent through glyphwards vary quite a bit.{{book ref|sa1|25}} Among others, the following can be distinguished:
* For fortune: often burned before an important action, such as a duel, or for blessings of luck or success.{{book ref|sa1|49}}
▲More scientifically minded or more logical Rosharans deplore glyphwards as mere nonsense and superstition.{{book ref|twok|5}}{{book ref|twok|17}} Some wonder why, if the Almighty is omniscient, he needs to have a prayer burned to him before he can aid someone.{{book ref|twok|43}}
* For thanksgiving: burned to thank the [[Almighty]].{{book ref|sa1|8}}
* For absolution: when a Vorin commits a sin of some kind, such as visiting the [[Nightwatcher]], they burn those glyphwards so that the Almighty may forgive them.{{book ref|sa1|61}}
* For protection: burned to protect someone close to you. When someone dies, or is in danger of dying, their wife or daughters will create glyphwards to pray for their wellbeing either in this world or the next.{{book ref|sa1|69}}
* For events: some prayers are specific to particular events in a person's life. An example would be a '''bride's prayer''', a glyphward made of a glyphpair that a woman who is to be married sews onto her sleeve. After the engagement is formally announced, such a prayer is then removed and burned.{{book ref|sa1|44}}
== Notes ==
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