Proving Rite

Archivist' Excerpt from: Alone in the Cold: The Story of Orphan Towne, its Strange History, & its Stranger Occupants, CVI 42.4

The Proving Rite is a particularly nasty bit of ritual among the Galó of Jalóheim used to bring swift regret to any criminal elements within the body of its populous deemed beyond the point of exile having done the trick, but the real point seems to be more of a deterrent for those who witness it.

The accused is placed beside the Proving Tree in Issel attached to its base via chains. This seems to happen when one of the many storms come across The Expanse, but even this event is generally credited by the adherents of Jalos Zealotry to the Shrinemaids' incantations or the magical prowess of the High Priestess.

Regardless, the storm is summoned, and, according to the rite, the attention of Jalós is drawn to the accused. What happens next seems to be up to chance, but the Shrinemaids claim this is not the case. If Jalós allegedly chooses to spare the soul, the storm will pass, and if not, the deity will hurl the Heavenly Spear of Jalós, which seems to be synonymous with lightning, striking the Proving Tree, and by extent, the accused. Alas.

If the accused is spared, he/she is welcomed back into the clan cleared of any wrongdoing, and if not ... well, the problem took care of itself, didn't it?