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SYMB O L                                                           THE VOICE OF
                                      i
                                               o
                                o
             The symbol  f  the Path  f  Light  s   a shard  f  brilliant   � � ' L A N D
                       o
             crystal, carried or worn as an amulet. This crystal may
             be used as a holy symbol; if it's worn as a necklace, the
             priest must place one hand on it to use it as a focus. The   T H E K A L A S H T AR
             formal garb of a priest includes a headdress with curv­
             ing horns and points made from a Sarlonan shell-like
                                                                  PROP H E C Y YOU
             material called sentira.
             RITES
                                                                         N
             Physical and mental discipline are important virtues of   CA ' T I G N O R E !
             the Path of Light. Martial arts and guided meditation be­
             come a form of devotion and prayer. A kalashtar priest
             conducts services telepathically, using shrines designed   Many of the people of Khorvaire have never met a ka­
             to amplify psychic abilities and allowing them to share   lashtar.  Some say these people are in contact with celes­
             thoughts and images directly with the congregation. To   tial spirits; here at the V o ice of Breland, we say they're a
             an outsider, a service can appear silent and tranquil de­  rare type of lunatic we've imported from Sarlona. So it
                                                               was a special treat for tourists when one of the spiritual
             spite being an ecstatic experience for the faithful.
                                                               leaders of the kalashtar of Sharn made an unexpected ap­
                                                               pearance in the grand plaza of Hope's Peak. The enlight­
             TE P LES                                          ened Havakhad-that's what he calls himself-issued
                M
             The nation of Adar in Sarlona is home to vast fortress   a warning that "darkness was gathering" and that "a
             monasteries devoted to the Path of Light. In Khorvaire,   terrible time lies just ahead." He beseeched the assem­
             a mere handful of shrines appear in cities with large   bled crowds to show kindness to neighbor and stranger
             kalashtar communities. These shrines are calm and   alike, and not to let "fear cause strife in the hard days to
                                                               come." Apparently Havakhad hasn't heard the news that
             peaceful, the air scented with Sarlonan incense. The   we're winning the war. But if the world does end tomor­
             chambers are open, providing space for martial arts.   row, you read it here first!
             Labyrinthine patterns engraved on the floors serve as
             an aid to meditation, while the walls hold crystals that
             focus and amplify the psychic abilities of the priests.   you follow the path, the more guidance they provide,
                                                              helping you create new legends.
                              T
             S P I RITS OF  H E   P A ST                        The folk of Khorvaire see your people as mercenar­
                                                              ies and conquerors. But you don't care about gold or
             •  We are the spiritual anchors of the greatest champi­  personal glory. All you want is to let your ancestors
              ons of our people. Through our faith, we keep their   live again, and that means you need to perform deeds
              spirits from being lost to oblivion.            worthy of champions. That drives you now: seeking out
            •  You have been chosen by a hero. Live your life as they   adventures that will add to the legends of your patron.
              lived theirs, letting their instincts guide you.   You and your DM should develop the identity of your
            •  Treasure our past and the stories of our people. You   ancestor. How did they fight? What were some of their
              are the vessel through which new legends will arise.   legendary deeds? Did they have a distinctive weapon
            As a Tairnadal elf of Valenar, you were raised on the leg­  or favor a particular kind of magic? Equally important
             ends of your people, on tales of champions who battled   is your relationship with the ancestor. Are you proud of
            mighty dragons and armies of giants. When you came   your ancestor and excited to live as they did, or is your
            of age, the Keepers of the Past read the signs to deter­  duty a burden?
            mine which of these ancestors chose you to be their   Since the rise of Valenar, half-elves and even some
            vessel. Since that day, it has been your duty to emulate   humans have sought to be inducted into the faith. But so
            your patron ancestor. If you're a wizard, you've studied   far the Keepers of the Past have declared that only elves
            the spells created by your ancestor. If you're a warrior,   can be revenants. Beyond the blood connection to the
            you've practiced their specific martial techniques. When   ancestor, an elf communes with their ancestor during
            you trance, you relive their greatest battles. But these   trance, and half-elves can't enter this state. The Keep­
            studies are just preparation. Now it's your sacred duty   ers say it can't be done, but perhaps you'll be the one to
            to be a revenant of your ancestor: to live your life as they   prove them wrong.
            did and allow the champion to walk the world again
            through you. (This title of revenant carried by Speakers   SYMBOL
            of the Past is not to be confused with the undead reve­  The primary symbol of the faith is the zaelshin, an amu­
            nants described in the Mon ster Manual.)          let that bears the seal of your patron ancestor and worn
              The bond between ancestor and living elf is holy. Your   either as a brooch or embedded in the forehead of a
            ancestor doesn't speak to you or control your actions.   helmet. A devotee of the faith typically wears a veil-the
            But as a Tairnadal, you believe that they are with you­  zaelta, or "spirit mask"-over their lower face while in
            that your instincts and your reflexes are the ancestor   battle or performing rituals, so an opponent sees the
            moving through you, telling you what to do. The closer   zaelshin rather than the living elf.



                                                                               CHAPTER 2  I  KHORVAIRE GAZETTEER
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