Raising the Field Guardians

The true reasons are largely lost to all but the most devoted students of History. But what is now a common wedding custom of the region of the Hufa Province began as a clever defense against dark magic.   In 1972 BF an evil mage began exerting control over a small but growing region of Hufa Province. He would summon swarms of small demons that would descend upon crops and people, shredding both. This went on for years with an expanding area of control. Most in the region were simple farmers and thus had no way to fight back in their eyes. The mage, in addition to his dark magic, made a compact with a disreputable company of sell swords. These mercenaries would collect the donations of any wished not have the Mages's demons descend on them.   In the summer of 1968 BF a stranger came to the region. She never gave a formal name, she simply called herself a Bard. She told tales and sang song as she traveled across the province. As she did she listened to the people as the told of their plight. Her performances began to be dotted here and there with the tales of common people fighting back.   Word got back to the mage who sent his mercenaries to silence the Bard. The town of Cufelia was treated to a masterpiece performance as the squad of sell swords tried to publicly arrest her. The Bard's voice seemed to ring against the heavens and under the force of her voice the mercenaries fled. Some of the villagers wanted her gone lest she bring the mage's demons upon them. One newlywed farmer offered her lodging at his farmhouse. The Bard told the couple over a simple dinner that demon swarms such as she had been told of could be dealt with. An old legend told of how to do so.   The next day the farmer, under the direction and with the assistance of the Bard, got to work. By weeks end in the center of their main field was a stone base with a roughly carved winged creature. Other villagers spoke disparagingly over the newlywed couple who spent their time on the strange statue and still gave lodging to the Bard. Neighbors implored them to send her away before the vengeance of the mage fell upon them.   A few days after the the statue was completed that vengeance came. The folk of Cufelia huddled in their homes as they heard the swarm of small demons pass overhead, heading towards the farm on the edge of town. They heard a tremendous roaring sound, accompanied by the beating of great wings from the direction the swarm had went. For an hour the sound of fury and savagery came from the skies above. None dared to venture forth to witness whatever was occurring.   When the Dawn came and people began the venture forth they were treated with a sight. Bodies of the swarm were scattered about, some crushed but most had been torn or ripped asunder. No crops had been touched and no one had been injured. The villagers went to the farm at the edge of town to find the newlywed couple gazing about at the undamaged field and the strange statue in its center.   The Bard was gone.   Word spread and most followed the instructions the Bard had left and erected their own guardians. Many were uncomfortable with the whole process but by the time next spring came every field within twenty kilometers of Cufelia had a Field Guardian.   The mage was eventually brought down by a mob of thousands of villagers and farmers in the winter of 1967 BF. From that time every time a newlywed couple gets their first farm a Field Guardian is built to defend them.   The Bard was never seen or heard from again in Hufa Province   This practice has been observed since the how or why of it has faded from memory. Every newlywed farm couple has observed this ritual, passed down from parents to child with exacting detail and little explanation why it must be done exactly this way or risk bad luck to befall your fields.

A stone platform of rough cut stone is the base. The statue itself is carved of different stone and must be all one piece. Several generations of stone carvers have made lucrative careers making the statues over the centuries.   The couple pours out a salt circle around the statue. Both prick their left hand and drop two drops of blood each into the cup of wine. In unison the say the ritual words and, both with a hand on the cup, pour it over the statue. Their witness then breaks the salt circle.

Statue on it's base.   One mug of red wine   A salt circle around the statue.   One knife

The Newlywed couple must complete the ritual alone with only one witness. The next morning family and friends arrive and a customary meal is served.

They Always occur as soon as the couple has wed and built or take possession of their first farmhouse