Akyr's Blessing

Akyr's Blessing is a ritual performed by Cattle Wards to ensure safe travels for any ship created to carry livestock. The ritual must be performed during the creation of the vessel. A ship can carry livestock without the ritual, but the animals it holds will be plagued by madness. A ship without Akyr's Blessing is deadly.

Ritual Performance

There are many steps that must be completed before a ship can achieve Akyr's Blessing. This process can take several months to a year. Though it can take even longer if there are continuous disagreements.

Ship Plans

Before the ship is even built a Cattle Ward must inspect the plans to ensure there is enough space for the animals. If the Cattle Ward requests a change in the plans, this change must be followed through. This process repeats until both the ship builder and the Cattle Ward are satisfied with the plans.

Wood Selection

Once the ship plans are finalized, the builders and the Cattle Ward must agree on the wood that will be used. Most Cattle Wards primarily look for wood that is sturdy and doesn't splinter, but some others can be pickier. Like the plans, both the builders and the Cattle Ward must agree to what wood is going to be used.

Carving and Crafting

After the wood is cut, the Cattle Ward will take a piece and begin carving an animal figurine. At the same time, the ship begins construction. The figurine will take the shape of an animal chosen by the Cattle Ward. The Cattle Ward will continue carving the figurine until the ship is complete.

Completion

Once the ship is complete, the Cattle Ward will install the figurine on the ship. A figurine can usually be found nailed to a shelf in the captains quarters.

Once the figurine has been installed, the ship has achieved Akyr's Blessing.