The Blessing of Nacre

The following is a passage from Galean folklorist Merav Shahar's tome Heronite Legends and Folktales, considered one of the most thoroughly researched works on Heronite fairy tales, customs, and superstitions. Here, she describes an interesting custom little known outside the Piers Lowlands.

As was discussed in previous chapters, the primary means of social mobility for those in the Heronite peasantry is through exemplary military service in allegiance to a Heronite Lord. One notable exception of this is a revered social custom known as the Blessing of Nacre, which occurs in the Piers Lowlands, the green northern region of Piers Territory.

According to the custom, certain feats of heroism, bravery, or kindness may deem an individual worthy to receive the Blessing from the Lowland Piers family. The Blessing itself is conferred in the form of a curious physical object; a large abalone shell carved with runes that bear a slight glow, betraying the presence of magic in the rare artifact. While the Blessing is, in itself, quite beautiful, whatever magic may lie inside it is of little consequence compared to the true boon of the Blessing of Nacre. Simply by bearing this shell, recipients are granted a life of great ease and reverence in their community, and will want for nothing as long as they remain in the Lowlands. While this boon can never be revoked, it may not be passed down to family members, and is always returned to the Lowland Piers family upon the recipient's demise. 

 In traveling the Lowlands, many residents are eager to recount tales of former recipients of the Blessing of Nacre, especially those who may have come from their community. In the coastal village of Sunfish Spit, a man named Tavish who lived over a century ago was granted a Blessing for rescuing the daughter of the then Lord Piers from a capsized boat, along with the entire crew. Few can remember the details, but the man's name is synonymous with bravery and heroism in Sunfish Spit, making it unusually common among the people there. In a small settlement at the base of Nacre Hill, a notable Pyromancer from the named Aodh once killed a large contingent of hostile blood mages, saving the town. In addition to a stone statue, Aodh received a Blessing of Nacre and spent his days traveling the Lowlands, reveling in the hospitality and respect that the shell granted him even with those who had not heard of his grand feat. It is said by some that the prevalence of red hair in the region is due to Aodh's influence and well-traveledness, but this is simply a rumor.

The origins of this practice are shrouded in mystery and long lost to time, even to the Lowland Piers family, who reign over the region. Despite this, records indicate that it has changed very little over the course of time, and is regarded with the same gravity as it has been for centuries past. Attempting to fabricate a Blessing is considered a grave offense in the Lowlands, and those who try risk social banishment, at best, and death, at worst. This seems to be very infrequent, however; not due to any risk of punishment, but rather because of the sanctity with which the community holds the Blessing of Nacre.