Auras of Courage

Do not fear to act; only be shamed by inaction.

There is no such thing as a courageous plan general, only a foolish one. Only that which bleeds can show Courage. Men and women bleed, a plan does not. You on the other hand? If this plan fails, we will take some satisfaction in seeing the colour of your Courage.

Empress Varkula, the Undying

Overview

An aura is a persistent spiritual effect on a person, location or item. The auras listed here are created by priests dedicated to the virtue of Courage who use the relevant ceremonial skill. A character who is dedicated to Courage must pick one of the following auras when they perform the relevant ceremony.

The names used for each aura are simply the most common ones used in the Empire. For example, the Light of Courage is called The Flame of Courage by both Urizen Illuminates and Freeborn Sutannir, while a League writer might refer to it as The Beacon of Truth. This is especially true with those auras that are named after paragons and exemplars; all these auras would have had different names before the exceptional individual they are named for was recognised by the Synod. The Hallow of Inga Tarn for example was commonly called the Hallow of the Warden before her recognition as an Exemplar of Courage (and still is in some parts of Varushka).

Study of these auras helped the founders of the Way to create the Path of Courage. Some lay persons assume that the Imperial Synod created these auras in some fashion to encourage adherence to orthodoxy, but according to theological scholars the situation is the other way around. The auras came first, then the tenets of the Path of Courage.

Anointing

Anointing involves a short ceremony to create a personal aura on a mortal being. Anointing always requires the consent of the subject.

The Light of Courage

• You feel empowered to speak out. The more unwelcome the truth is, the more important it is to face it.

Description: Most Priests of Courage stress that the virtue is about much more than just bravery in battle, that Courage has a vital role to play in the Empire not just on the battlefield. The virtuous are encouraged to face unwelcome truths as boldly as any barbarian charge. This aura encourages pilgrims to find the strength to speak out, so that others can find their Courage. It is popular with priests and pilgrims who find the need to make a public address in one of the political houses of the Empire, and especially with those who follow the example of Gilda Ashwine.

The Purity of Courage

• Any uncertainty about your chosen path falls away. Fears and doubts - whether your own or those of other people - do not move you.

Description: Fear and doubt are the natural enemies of the pilgrim on the path of Courage. Priests use this aura to help pilgrims strengthen themselves against these forces, and live their lives by the teaching that states "do not fear to act; only be shamed by inaction".

The Proof of Courage

• You feel an urge to face the challenge you named when you received this anointing, no matter the dangers. Reasons for inaction or delay increasingly feel like cowardice.

Description: This common aura allows a priest of Courage to gird the pilgrim's soul, helping them find the strength to face a particularly dangerous task. It is popular with priests and pilgrims alike, for it fulfills the common understanding of Courage - the spiritual strength to face danger. Like similar auras for other virtues, some have pointed to the potential abuses of this aura in driving others to act in potentially life-threatening ways, even though it can only ever used with the full consent of the recipient.

The Trial of Courage

• You feel an urge to seek new solutions to problems that you have failed to overcome. Where you have failed before, this time you feel sure you can succeed.

Description: Nothing is more dangerous than defeat; failure saps the confidence of any pilgrim, making them doubt themselves and their abilities. This aura helps pilgrims who have experienced a setback, strengthening their resolve to try again. However it is also helpful for pilgrims who have not yet made the attempt but are faced with a challenge that seems insurmountable. An essential part of Courage is the self-confidence to believe that you will be able to find a way to triumph, no matter how difficult or intimidating the task appears.

Consecration

Consecration is the ceremony used to create an aura on a clearly defined location. There is only one aura for each virtue, and all priests create the same one when they use this skill.

The Sticking Place

• You have a profound sense of conviction, an urge to do what you believe is right. You feel certain that you can change the world.

Description: This powerful aura of Courage fills those who experience it with a powerful drive to pursue a course of action they believe to be true.It boosts confidence helping those who feel that the obstacles in their path may be insurmountable.

The craven die every day, the brave but once.

Marcher Proverb

Hallow

Hallow is used to create an aura on an item, such as a weapon, implement, shield or suit of armour. It is not possible to use hallow to create an aura on large immobile objects. Hallows do not provide a source of supernatural strength, but are durable and can last for a year (or potentially forever in the case of an artefact hallowed with true liao).

Hallowing of Permion

• Your fear of death is greatly diminished. If you are terminal or dying you may roleplay stoic acceptance.

Hallowing of Irontooth

• You feel driven to expose cowardice and corruption regardless of consequences.

Hallowing of Inga Tarn

• You feel an urge to confront and defeat dangers that threaten the innocent.

Hallowing of Brass

• You feel an urge to openly practice your beliefs regardless of consequences.

Hallowing of the Bard

• You feel driven to encourage others to act and stop them succumbing to doubt.

The Hallowing of Isaella's Resolve

• You feel a urge to do what you know to be right regardless of consequences.

The Hallowing of Ashwine's Rose

• You are filled with certainty - attempts to dissuade you are unlikely to succeed.

The Hallowing of the Cataphract

• You feel driven to challenge the overcautious and confront those who throw up reasons for the righteous to doubt themselves.

Further Reading

• Ceremonial Skills
  • Anointing
  • Consecration
  • Dedication
  • Excommunication
  • Exorcism
  • Hallow
  • Insight
  • Testimony
• Additional Information
  • Auras
  • The Way
  • Imperial Synod