Whenever I find myself waiting somewhere with time on my hands, I tend to get out my phone and start making notes in my Notes app for the BXDMG (or I got back and review previous notes and see if I have any additional thoughts on how I want to treat something. Well, this week, I had a lot of time to kill as I waited for my colonoscopy, so I worked on this—the "Holy Symbols" information. (BTW, I know many of you are old enough to have had a few of these already, and if you haven't had one—ever—PLEASE get yourself checked! And before you ask, my report was generally good; I get to go from the 3-year schedule to the 5-year schedule. But my dad had anal cancer and I've had several friends who've had similar gastro-intestinal cancers, and so much is recoverable if you get checked early. Okay, now back to matters at hand...)
As a reminder, my rules for turning undead by Hit Dice can be found in my BX D&D supplement Fang, Faith Legerdemain, which is also available as POD at Lulu.com.
HOLY SYMBOLS
Each religion has its own holy (or unholy) symbol, though powerful religions may employ multiple variations across different regions and sects. Such a symbol acts an active mechanical conduit for divine energy, requiring a cleric to physically brandish it in order to channel divine spells or turn undead. Such symbols (hereby referred to collectively as "holy symbols") stand apart from purely symbolic icons of the faith, which serve mainly as passive, decorative imagery.
A holy symbol is not inherently magical. Instead, it serves as a physical focus through which divine authority is expressed. The power a holy symbol wields comes from the cleric's faith and the favor of the deity (or divine force) they serve—not from the material object alone.
Holy Symbols and Alignment
A holy symbol focuses positive energy. A cleric or paladin uses it as the focus for his spells and as a tool for turning undead. A cleric or paladin can use a holy symbol as a focus if they hold it, wear it visibly, or bear it on a shield..
An unholy symbol is like a holy symbol except that it focuses negative energy and is used by evil clerics (or by neutral clerics who want to cast evil spells or command undead)..
A neutral holy symbol focuses both positive and negative energy, depending on the deity's specific portfolio and the cleric's choices. The symbols of neutral clerics are considered holy to their specific deity or philosophy, not unholy. A neutral deity's symbol represents balance, nature, or specific neutral domains rather than goodness or evil.
Changing Alignment
Because a holy symbol is tied directly to a cleric’s chosen alignment (Lawful, Neutral, Chaotic), a sudden shift in alignment (e.g., due to a curse or similar magical effect) requires a new tool to channel divine power. Under such circumstances, their original holy symbol becomes useless to them mechanically.They must procure a new symbol matching their current alignment before they can affect undead or cast spells again.
Choosing the Form of a Holy Symbol
While traditional faiths often utilize standard manufactured icons, a holy or unholy symbol may take many different physical forms depending on the cleric's specific alignment and background. The final shape, nature, and cost of this spiritual focus are ultimately left to the discretion of the DM.
Typical forms for holy symbols include:
- Amulets & Talismans: Discrete, standalone manufactured items (like medallions, rings, or tokens) designed exclusively to represent the faith and be physically held aloft.
- Relics & Reliquaries: Physical remnants of historical, divine, or supernatural importance—such as bones, fragments of objects, or containers housing them—that carry inherent supernatural significance.
- Emblazoned Gear: Standard adventuring equipment, weapons, armor, or shields that have had the icon of the faith permanently etched, painted, or forged directly into them.
- Vestments & Garments: Specialized clothing, robes, sashes, or masks where the fabric, color, patterns, or embroidery function collectively as the spiritual focus.
- Sacred Texts & Liturgy: Books, scrolls, or tablets containing the written doctrine, laws, or sacred symbols of the power being invoked.
- Ritual Implements & Vessels: Functional ceremonial tools—such as censers, chalices, daggers, or vials—meant for worship but distinct from standard weapons or armor.
For symbols that cannot be easily gripped and lifted, clerics satisfy this requirement by deliberately striking a dramatic posture, pulling garments taut, or presenting the emblazoned gear directly toward the target to clearly channel their power.
Consecration & Desecration of Holy Symbols
Holy symbols used by clerics are ordinarily blessed or consecrated according to the customs of their faith, as unholy symbols are similarly profaned. However, during the course of an adventure, a holy symbol may become desecrated (e.g., as the result of a curse or through prolonged exposure to evil or corruptive forces) or an unholy symbol become sanctified. At the DMs discretion, a neutral symbol is subject to both, affecting its dedication to the balance of Law and Chaos.
A symbol that has never been consecrated—or one that has been deliberately desecrated—may not function until it is restored, at the DM's discretion. In such circumstances, a holy or unholy symbol whose sacred (or profane) dedication has been removed or negated is unusable is until rededicated. Any cleric of the same faith may rededicate the symbol with one turn of uninterrupted prayer.
Creatures Affected by Holy Symbols
Holy symbols do not repel creatures simply because they are evil or Chaotic. Their power is uniquely effective against the undead, whose unnatural existence is sustained by profane supernatural forces. Other creatures—even demons—may fear divine power, but are not ordinarily compelled by a holy symbol alone.
And then the above will be following by a section on Turning Undead, and the blurb below will be added to the introduction for the "Turning Undead by Hit Dice" rules that originally appeared in Fang, Faith Legerdemain.
When confronting the undead, a cleric may invoke the divine power embodied by their holy symbol. Lawful and Neutral clerics rebuke the undead, while Chaotic clerics command them. The success of either attempt depends upon both the cleric's experience and the power of the undead.
