Battle standard of light

In the Middle Ages, the Abbey of Saint-Denis held the Oriflamme (from Latin aurea flamma, or ‘golden flame’). This was the battle standard of the kings of France when they marched to war. It originated as the sacred banner of the abbey, a monastery near Paris, although copies of the original were kept in many other abbeys. The Oriflamme was long thought to have been lost, but a team of Avalon investigators managed to track it down to a reliquary in a small church in Britanny. Today, the Oriflamme can be taken into battle by a Knight in order to fight despair and eradicate hopelessness. It is a tall, red banner covered in golden flames. When the forces of darkness are close, it radiates blinding light.

Special: The Oriflamme is not a weapon, but it needs to be wielded in at least one hand in order for it to work. The Knight‘s other hand can be used for anything else. Creatures of the Anathema cannot damage or destroy this strange, millennia-old relic.

Effect: While the wielder holds the Oriflamme in hand, any weapons they or their allies use have the ray of hope effect (the PC can choose to use or not use this effect). Furthermore, all creatures of the Anathema in the scene automatically suffer a radiance 6 effect every turn as long as the Knight brandishes the Oriflamme.

Relics of hope

Avalon currently has three relics of hope in its vaults. These items are works of art, be they weapon, jewellery, or armour. All are priceless and irreplaceable, and are only bestowed upon the most worthy Knights. A relic of hope can purge the sickness of despair from those who succumb to Horror, dragging them back to sanity. Their mere presence is enough to shine light on creatures of the Anathema and cause them physical pain. In short, relics of hope are unique boons prized by Avalon in its fight against the dark, and the organisation is always on the lookout for more of them

There is only one copy of each relic of hope.