Baymark
The term "Baymark" describes a wood figurine with very particular properties, usually carved by one of the Foresters.
Being small enough to fit in the palm of the owner's hand, it is often worn as a pendant or some other form of jewlery.
It is believed to be an object symbolising trust and connectedness and has been used as a means of identification by Foresters when acting covertly (and often illegally) inside the Tightish Empire.
Being small enough to fit in the palm of the owner's hand, it is often worn as a pendant or some other form of jewlery.
It is believed to be an object symbolising trust and connectedness and has been used as a means of identification by Foresters when acting covertly (and often illegally) inside the Tightish Empire.
Manufacturing process
A Baymark is always manufactured from a slender branch that has broken off in a storm but became lodged between other branches instead of falling to a ground.
Such branches are often collected, even if they are not used by the gatherer, and given as gifts to new members of the 'clan'.
The branch is then whittled down and carved to the right size before details are added.
These details may range greatly, typically containing gladden symbols, human likenesses or imagery of nature.
Various small objects may be placed into faults in the wood, with some examples purposely creating gashes and holes to fill with leaves, feathers, berries and even insects and other small creatures.
After securing these objects in the wood, the mark of the 'clan' is cut into a suitable tree and the resin fills these irregularities, completing the formative stage of the item.
While traveling the Baymark is conciously rolled or rubbed against many different surfaces, slowly removing excess resin and polishing the figurine until it achieves a well-worn quality, which is when it is considered complete.
Many years can pass until a Baymark reaches this final stage, and it is usually kept for life as a reminder of one's past self and the friends and memories that have been made along the many paths they have trodden.
Such branches are often collected, even if they are not used by the gatherer, and given as gifts to new members of the 'clan'.
The branch is then whittled down and carved to the right size before details are added.
These details may range greatly, typically containing gladden symbols, human likenesses or imagery of nature.
Various small objects may be placed into faults in the wood, with some examples purposely creating gashes and holes to fill with leaves, feathers, berries and even insects and other small creatures.
After securing these objects in the wood, the mark of the 'clan' is cut into a suitable tree and the resin fills these irregularities, completing the formative stage of the item.
While traveling the Baymark is conciously rolled or rubbed against many different surfaces, slowly removing excess resin and polishing the figurine until it achieves a well-worn quality, which is when it is considered complete.
Many years can pass until a Baymark reaches this final stage, and it is usually kept for life as a reminder of one's past self and the friends and memories that have been made along the many paths they have trodden.
Item type
Jewelry / Valuable
Related ethnicities
Rarity
Numerous but fairly valuable and personal
Weight
~152◝І (ca. 100g)
Dimensions
1.2-2.4◞І (ca. 1-2cm)
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