An aspergillum, also called an aspergill, was an implement used for spraying holy water.[1][3]
Description[]
Aspergillums came in various designs, but often took the form of a small metal club or light mace, sometimes hanging on the end of a chain. Typically made of either basic metals or more valuable ones such as gold and silver.[1][3]
Each had a reservoir inside that would contain a quantity of holy water, ranging from one to three flasks' worth (1–3 pints, or 0.47–1.4 liters). Pressing a button on the shaft opened up the perforations in the head, allowing holy water to leak out. Alternatively, an aspergillum on a chain could be swung or whirled to spray out the holy water. In this way, the aspergillum could spray holy water over a short distance, using one flask's worth per shot, but over a greater distance than simply throwing or pouring it.[1][3]
Heavy aspergillums were designed as a sort of melee weapon, with an effectiveness equivalent to that of a heavy mace.[4]
Uses[]
The aspergillum was used by priests to sprinkle holy water and dispense the power of their god, whether in blessing or spellcasting, in both the temple and on the battlefield.[1] Many adventurers employed them too, for simply spraying monsters with holy water.[3]
Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue sold both gold and silver varieties of chained aspergills.[1]
Notable Aspergillums[]
- Following the Spellplague, there were known to be silver-crafted aspergills throughout the Realms that were consecrated to the god Helm. These could hold up to 1 pint (0.00047 cubic meters) of holy water and were worth 55 gp.[5]
Appendix[]
Gallery[]
Appearances[]
External link[]
Aspergillum article at Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Jeff Grubb, Julia Martin, Steven E. Schend et al (1992). Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue. (TSR, Inc), p. 31. ISBN 0-5607-6327-2.
- ↑ Rich Redman, James Wyatt (May 2001). Defenders of the Faith. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 21. ISBN 0-7869-1840-3.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 95. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ Reynolds, Forbeck, Jacobs, Boyd (March 2003). Races of Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 91, 154–155. ISBN 0-7869-2875-1.
- ↑ Bruce R. Cordell, Ed Greenwood, Chris Sims (August 2008). Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide. Edited by Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 44. ISBN 978-0-7869-4924-3.