Alabaster Tribute

The old ways that the Pale Men abide by are centered around the reverence of the White Raven, an avian deity believed by the tribesmen of the Mourning Plateau to be both their protector and a force for oftentimes unpleasant but necessary change. The Alabaster Tributes are offerings of food and objects of spiritual significance laid upon holy ground, where the White Raven has been seen soaring the skies of the sparse plateau.

Offerings

A tribute can consist of most anything, but the most usual contents are various foodstuffs, trinkets and charms as well as parts of the earthly remains of the recently departed, whom it is believed that the White Raven will guide to the afterlife after it has eaten its fill at the offering site.

After the offerings have either rotted away or have been eaten by the animals inhabiting the plateau, the site is cleaned and dusted with ash from funeral pyres.

Cultural Significance and Public Perception

Alabaster Tributes are holy to the Pale Men and they believe that without them, the White Raven would not watch over their tribes. Due to the inclusion of food in the offerings, the tributes have an impact on the larders of the tribes and sometimes this leads to a need for rationing, but that is accepted as part of showing their gratitude to their deity.

The other cultures of Nascindor tend to think these tributes are a waste of precious resources, especially in an arid steppe like the Mourning Plateau is. The Arachnitha, especially, cannot fathom sacrificing food. To their sensibilities, these tributes are moronic and they will happily eat any food left at such sites should they run across them during their hunts.

Sightings of the White Raven

Interestingly, there is a clear increase in sightings of the mysterious avian deity in areas where a tribute has been placed, but more skeptical minds claim that an animal will be drawn to food and therefore it is proof of nothing that the white bird is seen at the sacrificial sites.

However, just like those who journey in pursuit of the raven return with its white feather in hand, the very same feathers can be found at these sites. Never more than a single one, and in such a spot that it seems utterly intentional and is meant to be found.

That's one of them tributes the tribals leave around these parts. Supposed to be for their god.

A raven of some sort, if memory serves.

–A Druvenian guide to her client as they cross the Mourning Plateau

by Midjourney

_{A ritual stone with an Alabaster Tribute laid on top of it}