lorefarrowcult

The Thorn and the Tooth

There's devils at our doorstep. He's doing a fine job keeping them back. But we're helping.

Overview

The sigil and shared belief of the canton of Farrow. Nobody in Farrow gives it a name. Hollis speaks only of what "we as a community" agreed, and of the people who stay. "The Thorn and the Tooth" is this wiki's label, taken from the symbol.

Its followers believe devils are at Caligo's doorstep, that every town has the problem but only Farrow admits it, and that Farrow is "the first line of defense, and seemingly the last."

The Symbol

A wreath of twisting thorns (or thorned roses) around a sharp canine tooth.

  • Talismans — Rough hand-forged iron discs on rope. Sold for a copper at Hollis & Ren and on a rack at Crane & Co. Completely mundane: Vivienne's Arcana check found no magic in them.
  • Door discs — Large iron versions nailed over about every other door in Farrow.
  • Statue offerings — Small versions at the base of King Rimalath's statue.
  • Brands — Burned into the chests of the night procession.

What Farrow Says

  • The talismans ward off evil spirits or devils. Thompson admits some locals are non-believers.
  • People who don't wear them disappear. Where they go, "don't know. Not gonna find out neither." (Thompson)
  • Farrow is "haunted, but not by ghosts." (Bram Hollis)
  • The threat "comes in many forms." Hollis has never seen it.
  • Keeping it away is "not a medical issue, one of will," and "a tax upon the people, chipping away at us day in, day out, to protect what we know and love."
  • Visitors help just by spending money. "If you're enriching us, then we can do our job better."
  • The community came to an agreement to wear the talismans. Nobody would say who proposed it.
  • Talismans are for people who stay. Hollis told a traveler who was leaving that he wouldn't need one.
  • The king is a god, and "the walls are the children of the king," but "a lot of people overestimate him."
  • They are always looking for help. "We could use another one, one way or another."

The Night Procession

On a moonless night in Session 07, EMBR watched about twenty people walk north down Farrow's main street toward the wall:

  • Dressed in ash-grey sackcloth tunics.
  • The sigil burned into each chest.
  • Some carrying candles, whose light seemed to breathe against the housefronts.
  • Some in shackles, walking like prisoners under escort.

Several turned and looked up at EMBR when his hand hit the window glass.

Open Questions

  • Who are the people in shackles: the ones who "disappeared," outsiders, or volunteers?
  • Where is the procession going? Is it the "broken" maintenance lift the Last Lamp's barkeep said never to use at night?
  • Are the "devils" the Ruined, something else, or nothing at all?
  • Does wearing a talisman protect you, or mark you?
  • Why did Hollis freeze when he saw Lefty?
  • Does the hermit on the north road have anything to do with it?

Status

Active in Farrow. Vivienne, EMBR, and Jorath now wear talismans. Valdren and Rookk do not.