Praestus¶
"Some areas require citizens and visitors to have faces painted with this." — from The Hollows (S325)
Praestus is the holy substance of the Sancturi Imperium, a red powder that glows in the presence of Malum. Ground and burned, painted, mixed into ink or woven into cloth, it is the clergy's chief means of finding witches, the tainted and the Hollows, and its ink marks every person in the empire. It is harvested by the Penitus Monks and its supply is controlled by the clerics. How it is made is known to few. The other Sancturi measures against the taint are described under Hollow Magic.
Also called Praestic Powder (S132, S230) and Praexic Powder (S325, S146); the monks' incense and cloth are Praexic Incense and Praexic Cloth (S321).
The powder¶
"A substance which produces a bright red glow in the presence of Malum. While not rare, it is a controlled substance, harvested by Sancturi Monks. It's supply is closely controlled by Sancturi Clerics, who use it to root out Witches and those infected with the taint" (S132). "Outside of the empire, this is very difficult to acquire/very expensive" (S325). It is used in three ways (S325, S132):
- "burned as an incense in hand-held Thuribles or stationary Censers. City patrols and locations such as gates, churches and other areas make heavy use of this incense. It will produce a light glow when inside a Hollow";
- "Applied as a chalk-like paint to exposed skin to reveal taint. Some areas require citizens and visitors to have faces painted with this";
- by "some Sancturi witch hunters", who "employ it combined with a smoke grenade to detect invisible enemies and quickly identify hostiles".
The monks and the clergy¶
The Penitus Monks harvest it (S230), and among their best-known roles is "Crafting, including Praexic Incense and many other holy objects including thuribles, Praexic Cloth, Praedaem Talismans, etc. Monks which perform this role are normally specialized crafters" (S321). Its use is governed by the clerics of the Sancturi Clergy (S132). The monks and the clergy are Factions'.
Praestic Ink and the Marks¶
Mixed "with holy water and some other additives", the powder makes Praestic Ink, which "retains its bright red color when used as an ink and in addition it will glow when surrounding Mithis levels are very elevated within a couple of feet of it (Not quite as effective as the powder or incense at detecting Mithis)" (S230). It is "particularly potent for most Runepriest Forms" (S230); see Runic Inks.
"Everyone inside the empire bears one of four marks (Tattoos with Praestic Ink). A person with no mark has no rights", and "the marks are applied/removed/changed by the Clergy only" (S132). The Marks of the Imperium are described under Social Order.
What few know¶
The clergy keep its making secret. Praestus "is produced using Ethereal magic, drawn from the bone of soul-bearing individuals. Praestic Monasteries (there are only a handful of these) are often placed above ancient graveyards and catacombs. In some cases, living sacrifices are required when a supply of bone is not available" (S325, S132). The notes liken the process to "a reverse mortiquery" (S325).
Gap
No Praestic Monastery is named or located, and no source describes the harvesting itself or says whether the Penitus Monks who harvest the powder know its source.