Raesay's Mark
While widely practiced during the time of the First Great War, the tradition of Raesay's Mark (FpriRraesay kstindlael) has fallen considerably among the Yzel Military. Although there is no regulation forbidding the practice, the tradition is now only done by highly devout soldiers. Instead, a symbolic mark is used only for ceremonial purposes by the wider military community.
History
The goddess of war in Tekel is Raesay. Ancient Yzelians at one time gave blood offerings of slain foes after a successful battle as thanks for the victory. This tradition changed to offering a sacrifice before a battle in order to gain favor from the goddess. However, as time wore on, large blood sacrifices came to be seen as cruel and a waste of animals that could be used to feed the troops (sacrificial animals were not allowed to be eaten once the ritual was complete).
In finding a new way to honor the goddess, a sect of devout followers began using their own blood, sliding a cut on their palms the night before a battle. The practice was picked up by others and spread through the Yzelian military. Despite the devout intentions, the cuts led to infections and less effective fighting due to the pain caused when wielding a sword in an injured hand.
To avoid this, the practice was forbidden. However, this led to religious soldiers becoming angry at being unable to honor the goddess as they thought was appropriate. The regulations were subsequently changed to allow for small cuts on the tip of the finger.
Over the centuries, the tradition evolved to cutting oneself on a sword when it was acquired, regardless of whether there was an approaching battle or not.
As the military became more secular, a variant of the tradition arose in which a red mark was painted somewhere on the blade instead of blood. This led to many swordsmiths creating their wares with a red mark already placed on it rather than the soldier doing it themselves.
While the mark has become something of a relic to most, it is still seen as an essential decoration. Currently, the mark is seen almost exclusively on ceremonial blades rather than those used readily for combat. Devout Yzelian soldiers will still place a blood marking, but this is no longer the norm.
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