Tridents

Owing to its association with Nalkalos -- since it is his primary weapon and that most commonly utilized by his Chosen and berserkers -- any depiction of a trident has taken on a poor connotation in Vendramyran society. While the items themselves are still made for the berserkers who use them, they have taken on an unlucky association and thus are avoided as weapons or tools by anyone else. As such, spear fishing among the populace has long since been carried out with single-point spears; even bidents are often eschewed because their profile so closely resembles (and can be mistaken for) that of The Ninth's favored weapon.   Since Nalkalos is not officially recognized as part of the luna sidhen pantheon, depictions of his "symbol" are likewise avoided. Some individuals may wear it in secret, either etched on bits of sea glass, carved as scrimshaw, or tattooed somewhere on their bodies, but any who value their place in society would not. Rather, it is the bailiwick of the more criminal element: smugglers, pirates, thieves, and mercenaries. Tridents are a common sight in the Vendramyran slum of Quayside, but elsewhere in the country it is typically hidden unless those bearing it know they are in a safe place. As such, seeing it present is generally a sign, even elsewhere on Namkural, that under-the-table goods or services are able to be purchased from a particular individual or location.   The only legitimate use of the symbol in Vendramyr is its use in the criminal justice system. Those who have been convicted of a major crime (ie, a felony), are branded with its depiction on either the back of their shoulder or their inner arm, depending on where in the country they were convicted. In these brands, the haft of the trident is bisected horizontally by three additional bars to distinguish from any cosmetic brands criminals may bear without an actual conviction.

Cover image: Painting of Grey Tree Branches by Trevor Cole

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