Ebonheart Amulet
The Ebonheart Amulet is not just a piece of jewelry. It is a cult object, a life insurance. In the right circles, it is worth more than gold and jewels. It is a symbol of slavery, absolute devotion, and the desire for something that many would deem forbidden.
Although outsiders have little knowledge of it, the Ebonheart Amulet exists in two different versions and varying levels of craftsmanship. Both variants share the characteristic of being a heart-shaped pendant made of blackened silver, with a large blood-filled gemstone set within it. The amulet is adorned with snakes and vines that coil around the heart-shaped pendant. The more intricate the design of the pendant, the higher the favor of the vampire whose blood is stored within the jewel.
The standard variant of the amulet does not contain additional blood and is worn around the neck on a delicate silver chain. The length of the chain is measured in a way that the amulet rests directly above the wearer's heart. In rare cases, a delicate engraving can be found on the back of the amulet, expressing appreciation for the wearer and dedicating the amulet to them.
A less common variant of the amulet features additional beads made of blood-filled gemstones attached to the exterior of the amulet and along the necklace. The shape and number of these beads provide initiates with more detailed information about the wearer of the charm. Round beads suggest that the wearer regularly serves as a blood source for the vampire, while heart-shaped beads indicate romantic or erotic connections with the vampire. A small bead with a diameter of less than 5mm signifies days of service, a medium-sized bead measuring up to 9mm indicates months, and the large beads, which can have a diameter of up to 1.3cm, symbolize years of being in the vampire's service.
Cults around the Ebonheart Amulet
Throughout the centuries, due to the enduring romanticization of vampires, dozens of small and medium-sized cults have emerged that either worships a specific vampire or vampires in general. In most cases, these cults consist of young individuals who harbor an exaggerated romantic notion that by serving vampires, they would attain immortality.
The followers of these cults typically use imitations of the Ebonheart Amulets as identifiers. The gemstones embedded in these amulets are not filled with blood but are made of glass instead. Furthermore, the embellishments on these amulets tend to align with the contemporary zeitgeist, deviating from the traditional designs vampires employ to protect their servants.
Although most followers would not be able to recognize a genuine amulet, they worship the wearers of the authentic amulets as dark saints. Despite not knowing the reason, they succumb to the magically enhanced aura emitted by the amulets.
Effects of the Amulet
Wearing one of these amulets has not only social effects on the cultists but also brings about other changes. Firstly, all vampires can sense the vampire blood within the gemstone. As a result, vampires tend to avoid the wearers of the amulets when they detect the blood of another vampire within them. After all, who wants to trespass on someone else's possession?
Additionally, the amulet bestows certain abilities upon the wearer, such as improved night vision and a degree of resistance against the supernatural powers of vampires. Over the years spent in service to a vampire, the wearer can also learn additional abilities, particularly when the vampire shares their blood with their servant.
Servants in Rituals
Wearing the amulet also has an effect on the suitability of the wearer to be present as a servant in vampiric rituals. While most of these rituals are performed by a single vampire and involve blood magic, there are also rituals conducted by a group of vampires. The longer a mortal has been in the service of a vampire, the better they resonate with vampire magic.
Despite the predominantly magical nature of vampiric rituals, there are numerous rumors surrounding sexual and perverse rituals that supposedly take place involving the servants of vampires. The Church of Eternal Light, in particular, tends to depict these rituals as bloody, corrupt, and perverted. The truth remains unknown, as those who participate in the rituals do not speak about them, and vampires do not typically share their customs with the general public.
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