Remedies for the Soul (Gigres for Vain the Sword)

 

Been playing in Phlox’s Play-by-Post game “Ten Blade Demigod” lately, and I’ve been having an absolute fucking whale of a time. 

Phlox’s stuff remains some of the most creative and thought-provoking I’ve seen out - so, as is tradition, I’m aping it. 

One of my absolute favourite things in VtS is how the “Paladins”, (the Practitioner class) don’t swear by gods, or oaths, but by magical drugs called Gigres. 

For example, the Gigre of the Hearth:  

Gigre of the Hearth: Must make sacrifices after a significant victory. Must keep all oaths. Cannot ignore pleas for aid. Accepting destiny is a mortal sin. You can entice someone to share a meal with you (or similar.)
- Vain the Sword p.42

Breaking the commandments of a Gigre makes you “Unclean” - unlucky and unable to benefit from holy magic. 

So, here’s a few more ideas for Gigres that have been rattling around my head:

GIGRE OF UNSEEN EYES

Must wear a blindfold. Must listen to stories every day. Cannot share secrets. Laughter is a Mortal Sin. Additionally, you can see from the eyes of living creatures which you can hear. 

GIGRE OF DRIVEN SNOW

Must not carry a weapon. Must never initiate combat or war. Cannot walk ahead of others in a group. Making or using metal tools is a Mortal Sin. Your soul has 20% iron resistance. Additionally, animals will not attack you. Additionally, the spit of others is unclean to you. 

GIGRE OF THE MILLSTONE

Must dance when invited. Cannot eat meat. Cannot partake of non-Gigre drugs. Refusing to share food is a Mortal Sin. You can, with an hour of work, grind an inventory slot’s worth of items into powder. Additionally, the touch of fish is unclean to you. 

GIGRE OF OCEAN’S HOARD

Must wash your feet in the ocean daily. Must not eat the flesh of a creature which has never been in the sea. Settling down is a Mortal Sin. You may petition the Ocean for things which have been lost in her depths, in exchange for something of equal value. 

GIGRE OF MASON’S DISTEMPER

Must consume herbal medicines with every meal. Must insult those who step within arm’s reach of you. Cannot accept work without repayment. You may, by spitting, crack and sicken a segment of stone, causing it to be fragile and easily collapsed. 

GIGRE OF DRY RIBS

Must gnaw on bones every day. The touch of rain is unclean to you. Interfering in any way with a corpse is a Mortal Sin. You may cause any bones you see that are not in a body to move as you desire. 

GIGRE OF THE WINGED PRIESTESS

Must never respond to an insult in kind. Must never wear the skin of another creature. Must take drugs or alcohol when offered them. Beholding an image of yourself is a Mortal Sin. You may adjust the weight of your body as you desire, but never to less then a tenth or more than tenfold. Additionally, serpents are unclean to you. 

GIGRE OF THE FINAL ASCENT

Must not prevent others from going where they will. Must eat a handful of salt each day on which you move your body. Must climb a mountain at least once a year. Defying destiny is a mortal sin. Additionally, you may hibernate for any number of years, and do not age while doing so, unless you fail to awaken to climb a mountain. Additionally, the touch of flowers is unclean to you. 

GIGRE OF THE WAR RIVER

Must cover your face. Must eat five meals a day. Riding on animals is unclean to you. Disobeying kings and generals is a Mortal Sin. Additionally, you may redirect the anger of others. 

GIGRE OF THE RED FURNACE

Must take iron from others when you see it. Must treat others callously. Cannot wait for others. Charity is a Mortal Sin. The touch of wine is unclean to you. You may heat your hands to painful temperatures. Additionally, when you die, your body erupts into a blazing inferno, which quickly rushes away from your corpse, endangering all nearby and obliterating your remains.