Difference between revisions of "Ritual Slaughter (sage ability)"

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'''Ritual slaughter''' is an [[Knowledge Points|amateur]]-status [[Sage Ability|sage ability]] in the [[Sage Study|study]] of [[Divination (sage study)|Divination]] granting knowledge of the correct practice in slaughtering creatures for sacrifice and divination. In certain religions, ritual slaughter exists to ensure that certain animals are prepared in a manner appropriate for consumption (see [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shechita Shechita] or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jhatka Jhatka]). There are many possible forms of ritual slaughter, dependent upon various religions — no effort is made here to identify or codify each one — but searching the other wiki will serve in this aspect.
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'''Ritual slaughter''' is an [[Knowledge Points|amateur]]-status [[Sage Ability|sage ability]] in the [[Sage Study|study]] of [[Divination (sage study)|Divination]], describing a sacred and skillful practice related to the slaughtering of [[Animal|animals]] for the purpose of sacrifice and obtaining guidance. There are numerous forms of ritual slaughter, each carrying its own symbolism, tradition and methodology.
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This practice is limited to religions that consider it suitable.  Characters possessing between 10 and 29 points of knowledge are classified as "neophytes." Their role is primarily limited to the preparation of the animal's meat for consumption in accordance with the appropriate religious customs. The act of divination from the animal's entrails requires a character to have 30 knowledge or more.
  
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While the method does not allow the character to divine from the creature's entrails until such time as the character becomes an authority, the honor of butchering in the divination ritual will often be given to persons of this level of knowledge. It is sometimes believed that an animal meant for prognostication is 'cleaner' if the actual slaughter is accomplished by a neophyte who cannot spoil the reading.
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Curiously, there's a belief held by certain practitioners that when animals are designated for divination, it's ideal for a neophyte to perform the slaughter.  It's said that this approach results in a "cleaner" and more pristine sacrifice, thereby safeguarding the integrity of the subsequent divination reading. This belief underscores the intricate nuances and spiritual considerations intertwined with this sacred practice.
  
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The practice does extend to the sacrifice of humanoids for those religions where this practice is appropriate. In such cases, where the mere slaughter of the creature will glean providence from the gods — and where the slaughter is performed by a cleric — the act will convey a modifier to [[Morale|morale]] to those nearest (within 30'). This morale increase is +1, lasting for a period of 8 hours . . . and during that time there is no minimum on how low morale can be adjusted. Note that additional sacrifices beyond the first will not further improve morale of the followers — but will allow the closest followers to exchange places with those who did not gain the effect previously.
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== Cultural Examples ==
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Ritual slaughter is a practice observed in diverse regions worldwide, where communities perform specialized and culturally significant methods of animal sacrifice or preparation. These rituals are deeply rooted in religious traditions.
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=== Shechita ===
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This form of ritual slaughter is a vital component of Jewish dietary laws. It involves a skilled practitioner, known as a shochet, who employs a specially designed knife to swiftly and precisely sever the animal's throat, ensuring minimal suffering and adhering to strict religious guidelines. The process is imbued with deep spiritual significance, as it symbolizes the sanctity of life and the reverence for the animals sacrificed.
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=== Jhatka ===
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Jhatka is a distinct practice observed by certain Sikh and Hindu communities. Unlike Shechita, Jhatka involves a single, powerful stroke to swiftly decapitate the animal, intended to minimize any pain and distress. This form of ritual slaughter reflects a unique spiritual perspective within these traditions, emphasizing the importance of humane treatment in the act of sacrifice.
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== Divination ==
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Characters of sufficient knowledge may obtain certain forms of information from the animal's inspected entrails, which is given through a vision to the slaughterer.  This vision occurs upon the death of the animal and has the benefit of always being accurate.  Answers are limited to the following queries, though there's room for an careful expansion of this list:
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* '''Identity of an unknown enemy:''' uncover the true identity and motivations of a mysterious adversary.  Armed with this knowledge, the party can confront the enemy, but it raises questions about the enemy's ultimate goals and alliances.
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* '''Fate of a missing person:''' the party glimpses the location of someone who's location is unknown, enabling the possibility of recovering the person if alive, or knowing for certain that the person is not.
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* '''Truth behind a cryptic riddle:''' deciphers the cryptic riddle given by a mystical seer, unveiling a profound message that holds the key to understanding a larger prophecy. Depending on the riddle, this may explain the party's further actions, or without context knowing the answer to the riddle may require further investigation to understand the deeper enigma.
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* '''Cure for a disease or other physical malady:''' unveils the restoratives or treatment needed to restore one or more individuals to health or normalcy. The entrails also give hint of the next steps towards the location of things that are wanted, or the being that must be addressed. The divination includes situations where a [[Cursed Item|cursed item]] has asserted its effect upon a hapless victim.
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It's important to understand that the slaughter cannot be committed in some random place, but must be done in a sacred place that's appropriate to the form of slaughter that's employed.
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[[Category: Sage Abilities]][[Category: Reviewed]]

Revision as of 16:34, 5 October 2023

Ritual slaughter is an amateur-status sage ability in the study of Divination, describing a sacred and skillful practice related to the slaughtering of animals for the purpose of sacrifice and obtaining guidance. There are numerous forms of ritual slaughter, each carrying its own symbolism, tradition and methodology.

This practice is limited to religions that consider it suitable. Characters possessing between 10 and 29 points of knowledge are classified as "neophytes." Their role is primarily limited to the preparation of the animal's meat for consumption in accordance with the appropriate religious customs. The act of divination from the animal's entrails requires a character to have 30 knowledge or more.

Curiously, there's a belief held by certain practitioners that when animals are designated for divination, it's ideal for a neophyte to perform the slaughter. It's said that this approach results in a "cleaner" and more pristine sacrifice, thereby safeguarding the integrity of the subsequent divination reading. This belief underscores the intricate nuances and spiritual considerations intertwined with this sacred practice.

Cultural Examples

Ritual slaughter is a practice observed in diverse regions worldwide, where communities perform specialized and culturally significant methods of animal sacrifice or preparation. These rituals are deeply rooted in religious traditions.

Shechita

This form of ritual slaughter is a vital component of Jewish dietary laws. It involves a skilled practitioner, known as a shochet, who employs a specially designed knife to swiftly and precisely sever the animal's throat, ensuring minimal suffering and adhering to strict religious guidelines. The process is imbued with deep spiritual significance, as it symbolizes the sanctity of life and the reverence for the animals sacrificed.

Jhatka

Jhatka is a distinct practice observed by certain Sikh and Hindu communities. Unlike Shechita, Jhatka involves a single, powerful stroke to swiftly decapitate the animal, intended to minimize any pain and distress. This form of ritual slaughter reflects a unique spiritual perspective within these traditions, emphasizing the importance of humane treatment in the act of sacrifice.

Divination

Characters of sufficient knowledge may obtain certain forms of information from the animal's inspected entrails, which is given through a vision to the slaughterer. This vision occurs upon the death of the animal and has the benefit of always being accurate. Answers are limited to the following queries, though there's room for an careful expansion of this list:

  • Identity of an unknown enemy: uncover the true identity and motivations of a mysterious adversary. Armed with this knowledge, the party can confront the enemy, but it raises questions about the enemy's ultimate goals and alliances.
  • Fate of a missing person: the party glimpses the location of someone who's location is unknown, enabling the possibility of recovering the person if alive, or knowing for certain that the person is not.
  • Truth behind a cryptic riddle: deciphers the cryptic riddle given by a mystical seer, unveiling a profound message that holds the key to understanding a larger prophecy. Depending on the riddle, this may explain the party's further actions, or without context knowing the answer to the riddle may require further investigation to understand the deeper enigma.
  • Cure for a disease or other physical malady: unveils the restoratives or treatment needed to restore one or more individuals to health or normalcy. The entrails also give hint of the next steps towards the location of things that are wanted, or the being that must be addressed. The divination includes situations where a cursed item has asserted its effect upon a hapless victim.

It's important to understand that the slaughter cannot be committed in some random place, but must be done in a sacred place that's appropriate to the form of slaughter that's employed.

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