Difference between revisions of "Glyphward"

Many scientifically-minded Rosharans deplore glyphwards as pure superstition, with some wondering why, if the [[Almighty]] is omniscient, he needs to have a prayer burned to him before he can aid someone.{{book ref|sa1|5}}{{book ref|sa1|17}}{{book ref|sa1|43}} Nonetheless, they remain a minority, and for most Vorins, glyphwards are the main avenue for communicating with the Almighty. For them, if the prayer fails to be answered, it's simply His will.{{book ref|sa1|25}}

 

The job of making glyphwards usually goes to women, though a man who knows glyphs can do so as well.{{book ref|sa1|5}}{{book ref|sa3|83}} Regardless of who creates them, both men and women make use of them.{{book ref|sa1|28}} In addition to being homemade, glyphwards can be purchased from [[luckmerch]]es or apothecaries, the latter of which will often decorate their shops with them.{{book ref|sa1|25}}{{book ref|sa1|17}}

 

Usually, glyphwards are either drawn on long strips of paper or sewn into cloth, though at times they are drawn on surfaces with [[burn ink]] and then set on fire to burn the prayer onto something.{{book ref|sa1|69}} The drawing medium is usually ink, either red or black, but if it won't stick, chalk can also be used.{{book ref|sa2|86}} The ink can be of various colours, such as red or black, while the cloth or paper are typically white.{{book ref|sa2|14}} The glyphward can be as short 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]] to make sure they are heard.{{book ref|sa1|62}} Where the glyph is burned does not seem to matter - it can be in a specifically-designed brazier or censer, but it's just as valid on the ground.{{book ref|sa2|14}}{{book ref|sa3|71}}{{book ref|sa1|69}} [[Ardent]]s will also burn prayers to help the people they serve, or in exchange for a monetary offering.{{book ref|sa1|37}}{{book ref|sa3|66}} While the glyphward is burning, it's customary for all people concerned with its contents to bow their heads.{{book ref|sa2|14}}