Purifying Focus

Purification theurgy is one of the most common forms of theurgy in all of Scarterra.   Turning undead does not require touch but all other forms of Purification require touch. Either the caster touches something with his or her bare hands or his or her holy symbol.   All too often, Purifiers have to touch things that are on disease ridden, filthy, acidic, on fire, or simply gross.   People don't want to touch gross or dangerous things with their bare hands and it can be sacriligious to touch things with a holy symbol.

Manufacturing process

There is no single right or wrong way to make a Purification focus. It just has to be personal to the theurgist and mean something to him or her. It doesn't matter if it means something to the world at large.   One common ritual is to keep focus held against the theurgist's heart constantly for three days. Another ritual is to keep it under her pillow for nine days. Maybe the theurgist carves it on his birthday or on a remembance day for a loved one.

Significance

Purification foci are literal conduits of magic, but the the magic comes from the theurgist and his or her faith, not the item.   Picking up someone else's Purification focus usually does nothing and possesses no powers for anyone but the crafter.   That said, many Purification foci of famous people or beloved theurgists have sentimental value and many temples will enshrine the foci of past priests and priestesses.   Purification foci are still mostly considered as expendable items. That's why theurgists will usually not hesitate to poke something dangerous with their focus and they seldom shed a tear if a Purification focus is lost or destroyed because they are cheap and easy to replace.
Item type
Tool
Related Condition
Rarity
Fairly common
Raw materials & Components
Most purifiers are made of simple and inexpensive components and they are usually simply constructed, they don't have to be artistic masterpieces.   Most of the time, Purification foci take the form of short sticks though they can be made into gloves, stones, knotted ropes, or almost anything ther crafter wants to use.


Cover image: Symbol of the Nine by Pendrake

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