Holy Symbol

Holy symbols are divinely powered implements used by clerics, paladins, and other divine casters to enhance their prayers or unleash the fury of their god (or pantheon). The holy symbol is a representation of a god or pantheon.
Holy symbols come in a wide variety of designs, though all share the common quality of being directly blessed by a god, godlike being, or the servants of the former two for the purpose of aiding agents of the divine. In many ways, holy symbols are to clerics and paladins what swords are to fighters or wands are to some wizards. Typical holy symbols take the form of amulets, emblems on shields, or reliquaries that contain fragments of sacred material. Exceptions exist -- for example, the holy symbol of the Burning Hate is fire (virtually any fire will do), and the holy symbol of Asya is an open, infected wound.
A divine caster, when casting a divine spell, can use a holy symbol as a spellcasting focus by holding or visibly presenting it, thereby eschewing most ordinary material components that the spell might otherwise require. Because this is a focus, enemies may remove holy symbols from casters' possession upon imprisoning them to prevent advantages.
category:Religion
category:Item