Lalibela Processional Cross | |
---|---|
Origin |
Churches of Lalibela |
Type |
Ceremonial Cross |
Effects |
Carves out massive edifices in stonework with an angelic figurine |
Downsides |
Can only be used on natural areas; saps months or years of vitality |
Activation |
Direct exposure to ground or bedrock |
Collected by |
Warehouse 10 |
Section |
|
Aisle |
931906-2815 |
Shelf |
292849-3914-468 |
Date of Collection |
June 2, 1637 |
[Source] |
Origin[]
Gebre Mesqel Lalibela was ruler of the Zagwe dynasty in northern parts of Ethiopia and Eritrea, reigning from 1181 to 1221. He is most recognized for the eleven monolithic rock carved churches at Lalibela. Each church was carved from a single piece of rock to symbolize spirituality and humility. Portuguese memoirs tell the structures took 24 years to carve out, with one account claiming it was completed in one day with the help of angels. All were constructed below ground level; some are still connected to the original mountainsides, others are freestanding.
Many of the sites and layouts were designed after Lalibela’s visit to Jerusalem in response to its capture in 1187 to reflect Biblical names, such as the river Jordan. One church, Biete Giorgis, was constructed as a cruciform cross sunken between sheer cliff faces. Another, Biete Medhane Alem, houses a ceremonial cross used by priests to bless or heal those who rubbed the metal. This style of large ornate cross has been replicated many times as the Lalibela Cross. The entire area remains a holy pilgrimage site to the Ethiopian Orthodox and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1978.
Effects[]
Quickly erodes away stone into single pieces of architecture, crafting tunnels, trenches and towers with ease. All are structurally stable to withstand any pummeling winds or heavy rain. Details such as room layout or artistic design appear roughly 24 hours after first activation, sculpting itself out of the stone. An angelic appearing specter can sometimes be glimpsed moving extremely fast in the cut areas, possibly chunking off material bit by bit. No attempts to interact make it slow down nor acknowledge the watchers.
Will only be usable on large areas of pristine earth – construction underground and pavement above will both prevent it. It appears each hour of usage drains an exponential amount of energy from the user. They visibly age and tire in what should take weeks’ worth of grueling manual labor. A day can cause them to gain several months of accumulated callouses and toil.