Malagran Religious Items

In the region of Malagra, most notably in the capital of @Malagra City, Kaddite worship tools are commonly and widely purchased as souvenirs, to the extent that workshops produce a large number of various objects featuring religious iconography for the purpose of selling to pilgrims. These items range from cheaply constructed trinkets to exquisite commissioned work.

Origins

Malagrans have created artwork and tools for the celebration of Aimar, the region’s patron deity, since settling the area. However, the production of objects for the purpose of selling to those on religious pilgrimages is thought to have originated around the year 375, when a greater number of pilgrims began to gather in the area. Many of these pilgrims, having considerable financial means, wished to purchase objects to take an aspect of Aimar’s essence with them in their travels. The earliest forms of “souvenir style” religious objects made in Malagra came primarily in the form of pottery and candles, which are still commonly sold to this day.

Common Forms

The most widespread worship objects sold by Malagran vendors are pots, plates, and idols, sculpted using the rich clay deposits found on Malagra’s shores. These earthenware ceramics are then fired and glazed in a wide range of colors. The most popular color choices are rich blues, due to Aimar’s association with ultramarine. Candles are an additional popular item, being made with beeswax and imbued with floral scents said to evoke Aimar’s presence. These scents are sometimes intended as aphrodisiacs, though they are often solely for the purpose of praising Aimar. Paintings, made on panels with tempera paint, are also frequently sold in Malagra city. They typically depict scenes from Kaddite mythology, most commonly ones that revolve around Aimar. Small carvings and metal trinkets are also not unheard of, though Malagra lacks rich mines and must typically source the metal for these objects from other regions.

Object Quality

Malagran souvenirs generally fall under two categories: gift store quality, or commission quality. Objects made for gift shops are typically smaller and constructed more hastily with lower quality materials. These items are designed to be purchased impulsively by pilgrims. One example of the lower quality of these objects is the exclusion of ultramarine pigment. Lapis Lazuli is the precious stone associated with Aimar, however it does not occur naturally within Malagra. Thus, the use of true lapis, and by extension ultramarine, is reserved for luxury products. The higher quality Malagran souvenirs are typically made for wealthier pilgrims on a commission basis. The result is a personalized, high quality object to be either carried on one’s person or placed in their household.

Scams

Many of the objects sold by gift stores and street vendors are criticized by the Malagran priesthood for falsely claiming to be connected to Aimar. Examples include rocks said to have come from Aimar’s nest, or aforementioned objects being sold at higher prices with the promises of Aimar’s blessing. In recent years, the priesthood have made attempts to crack down on scams through the approval of scrupulous gift stores which sell only “genuine” objects.

A small vase with a traditional Malagran design, featuring Aimar the eagle surrounded by simple patterning. The colors used, gold and blue, are associated with Aimar, but this vase does not use actual gold or ultramarine, opting for cheaper plant based pigments instead. That, along with the small size and coarse texture of the vase suggest that this is a cheaply made item to be sold to less affluent pilgrims.

Item type

Religious / Ritualistic