Zircote sticks - a secret symbol
In addition to my standard Summer Camp 2020 Author's note, I'd like to add that this particular article is very much a WIP. It might contain unfinished sections, missing names or temporary placeholders.
People who belong to the middle and poorer classes in Naeron (one of the Four Regions of Adhonaglamar) will often wear simple hats decorated with mundane items. Feathers, strings with beads, wheat stems, sticks, spoons, etc.
The Dweller Heralds, a small group that opposes the teachings of the Church of the Scarlet Flame and adheres to the teachings of the Four Dwellers, have used this clothing habit to be able to identify a fellow member of the group, even if they have never met before.
They will wear hats decorated with sticks. But these sticks are made from wood from the Zircote tree. These trees are quite rare and grow only in the few forests near the Boundary of Naeron. Since the Heralds often convene in such remote locations (to avoid capture by the Church), they know well where to find the trees and their particular type of wood.
Zircote wood has a colour ranging from medium to dark brown. Hues of purple or green might accentuate it, depending on the tree. Its grain is very unique, a bubbly, spider-web like grain figure. Freshly cut Zircote wood gives off a slightly bitter scent, but this dissipates quickly when dried.
While subtle and at first glimpse not very different from any other regular stick from a dark coloured wood, it is none the less distinguishable as Zircote to the trained eye. Such simple yet secret symbolism is important for the Dweller Heralds' operations. Publicly discussing their beliefs and aversity to the Church is dangerous. Being able to recognize a fellow member without the need to speak a single word is a great advantage. The Church of the Scarlet Flame controls most of Naeron, including its Monarch. They actively hunt down the Herald Dwellers and aren't afraid to employ spies and infiltrators. So far though, none have been able to discover the Heralds' practice with the Zircote sticks.
People who belong to the middle and poorer classes in Naeron (one of the Four Regions of Adhonaglamar) will often wear simple hats decorated with mundane items. Feathers, strings with beads, wheat stems, sticks, spoons, etc.
The Dweller Heralds, a small group that opposes the teachings of the Church of the Scarlet Flame and adheres to the teachings of the Four Dwellers, have used this clothing habit to be able to identify a fellow member of the group, even if they have never met before.
They will wear hats decorated with sticks. But these sticks are made from wood from the Zircote tree. These trees are quite rare and grow only in the few forests near the Boundary of Naeron. Since the Heralds often convene in such remote locations (to avoid capture by the Church), they know well where to find the trees and their particular type of wood.
Zircote wood has a colour ranging from medium to dark brown. Hues of purple or green might accentuate it, depending on the tree. Its grain is very unique, a bubbly, spider-web like grain figure. Freshly cut Zircote wood gives off a slightly bitter scent, but this dissipates quickly when dried.
While subtle and at first glimpse not very different from any other regular stick from a dark coloured wood, it is none the less distinguishable as Zircote to the trained eye. Such simple yet secret symbolism is important for the Dweller Heralds' operations. Publicly discussing their beliefs and aversity to the Church is dangerous. Being able to recognize a fellow member without the need to speak a single word is a great advantage. The Church of the Scarlet Flame controls most of Naeron, including its Monarch. They actively hunt down the Herald Dwellers and aren't afraid to employ spies and infiltrators. So far though, none have been able to discover the Heralds' practice with the Zircote sticks.
Item type
Miscellaneous
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Author's Notes
This article was created during Summer Camp 2020 - as such it is a beginning rather than an end; the article will most likely be edited/changed in the future when the world of Adhonaglamar grows. This may explain any lack of visuals or a proper lay-out.
Cover image: from Pixabay. Edited by Errandir, Summer Camp 2020 logo by World Anvil.