Gifts of the Order

Only the Called manifest Blessings. Every Called Guardian possesses Shadowsense, while some manifest one or, at most, two additional Blessings. A Guardian may remain Called yet never develop a gift beyond Shadowsense.

Blessings do not make the Called superior in rank or authority, nor do they turn Guardians into unrestricted spellcasters. A veteran Knight or Dame without the Calling may command a Called Guardian. Blessings remain focused gifts that support the Order's role as protectors and opponents of Shadow.

Using Blessings in Play

A Guardian's Blessings complement training rather than replace it. Steel, judgment, courage, and cooperation remain important even for the most gifted member of the Order.

The Blessings

Shadowsense

The universal Blessing of the Called. Shadowsense allows a Guardian to perceive the presence or taint of genuine Shadow more readily than ordinary people. It is not a lie detector, a measure of morality, or infallible; subtle servants of Shadow may possess means of concealment.

Light-Warding

The Guardian places the protection of the Light upon one individual, strengthening that person against supernatural fear, coercion, corruption, and other direct workings of Shadow. The ward protects against Shadow influence rather than ordinary weapons or mundane danger.

Laying of Hands

Through touch, the Guardian channels the Light to stabilize injury, ease suffering, and encourage the body's natural healing. It cannot restore the dead, replace lost limbs, or instantly erase grave wounds.

Consecration

The Guardian temporarily sanctifies a person, weapon, threshold, object, or limited place against Shadow. Consecration strengthens what is blessed against Shadow influence but does not make it indestructible.

Sanctuary

The Guardian extends the protection of the Light over a small gathering in the immediate vicinity for a limited time. Those within are strengthened against supernatural fear, coercion, corruption, and direct Shadow influence. Sanctuary is not a physical barrier and maintaining it requires the Guardian's continuing focus.

The Radiance

When a Called Guardian actively channels a Blessing, the presence of the Light may become visible as a luminous aura surrounding the Guardian, the recipient, or the object of the Blessing. Its appearance and intensity vary. The Radiance is not itself a Blessing and cannot be summoned independently.

A Warning Concerning Sanctuary

Ancient Guardian teachings warn that certain servants of Shadow possess means of turning a Sanctuary against those it protects. For this reason, a Guardian is taught never to invoke Sanctuary casually or leave its perimeter undefended. The precise nature of this danger is not part of general public instruction.