Grail Reliquae

"Hefting the Reliquae upon their shoulders, the pilgrims resumed their bold march towards the monster. Beneath its chainmail hood, the burnished skull of Sir Dagobert, polished to a lustrous sheen like mother-of-pearl... shone gold."

—Sir Dagobert the Thrice-Blessed, being carried into battle.^[2]

As the holy chosen of the Lady of the Lake, Grail Knights are often fanatically protected by the Battle Pilgrims. This protection doesn't stop even when the knight himself dies, as in this case, his immensely powerful body becomes a Grail Reliquae, a holy artefact used as a weapon in its own right.

Overview

"The interred remains of Knights are defended violently by those whose existence gives them purpose."

—Bretonnia's revered Grail Reliquaes.^[3]

Still in all its wargear, the knight's body is seated on the shoulders of Battle Pilgrims, who seek to fulfill the role of his horse. This goes to the extent of the front Pilgrim carrying the blessed skull off the Knight's former steed. Another six Pilgrims surround the reliquae, all there to protect it with their lives. The pilgrims devote themselves to this makeshift, portable shrine, supplicating themselves before it as if it were a living Grail Knight, praying for its divine blessing. To pilgrims, the Reliquae is the ultimate icon of their devotion to both the Lady of the Lake and her Knights, from which the chosen amongst them can preach their creed. There is never a shortage of listeners for these demagogues either, for at each town or village the common people flock to the Reliquae so that they might hear, in graphic detail, the latest tales and deeds of the heroic Knight who unintentionally leads the procession. This devotion doesn't go unrewarded, for such is the power of a Grail Knight, that the pilgrims are protected by his presence even in death.^[1]^[2]

Little Known Facts

Reliquaes are often decorated with trophies taken from a Grail Knight's heroic life, such as the remains of slain Dragons and other vanquished foes.^[4]

Some Grail Chapels are attended by Grail and Battle Pilgrims, often venerating the reliquary of the Grail Knight who founded the Chapel.^[5]

Famous Grail Reliquaes

Sir Dagobert the Thrice-Blessed - A heroic, albeit ageing Grail Knight who fell in battle after slaying a Rat Ogre, a full regiment of Stormvermin and a Skaven Warlord.