Tear of the Fearful Faith

The Tear of Fearful Faith is the symbol of a small religious sect that believes that a terrible deity is coming to punish anyone who who does not obey its demands with an eternity of suffering. With knowledge of the god's impending vengeange comes an imperative to spread the warning, and believers can be found remonstrating with people in public spaces throughout Aeho'ai and Ophoné.
The Tear itself is a teardrop-shaped black or grey pearl attached to a circlet, headband, or chain so that it lies in the middle of the forehead. It is significantly heavier than its components suggest and causes the wearer to lean forward slightly, casting their eyes downward.
Evidence for the coming god is scant, but the likelihood seems more plausible when a Tear is placed over the brow. Removing the Tear does not cause the pall of doubt to lift for several days, even after a short exposure. In 5.846, reserachers M. V. Yashpal and A. M. Ojas discovered that thirty minutes' of wearing a Tear resulted in one full day of anhedonia and two further days of depressed mood. The effects were found to increase with prolonged exposure and were further amplified by the age of the Tear. V. Yashpal and M. Ojas's lifetime study of Fearful apostates found that their fear of reprisal lingered for decades after their last exposure, and that many never reported feeling fully at ease. The development of modern psychotherapy had helped Fearful apostates manage their symptoms and live fuller, happier lives.
The Tears are found in mollusks that live on the edge of the Kolokolou ocean; local legends hold that the pearls formed around the crystalised fury of the titan Nēwou and that it is this that can be felt by those who wear the them.

Item type

Jewelry / Valuable