The army of the Republic marched to war accompanied by the priestess of the goddess of war. Before battle she would read the auguries, pray for the goddess’ blessing and present the Sword of Bellona to the centurion who would lead the vanguard of the army into battle.
Bellona
The sword was a mixed blessing according to the soldiers, itwas a fine weapon and truly blessed, but it always managed to find the heart of the battlefield. Death and blood surrounded it in combat.
Sometimes the priestess herself would intervene, signally with the horn of her goddess or, more rarely, calling upon the goddess’ overwhelming presence to break their resolve and inspire the army that follows her.
Bellona’s Horn
These signal horns are made from natural black horns, usually from an aurochs or ram, and decorated with silver and brass. They bear the symbols of Bellona inscribed upon them: the helmet, sword and torch. The horn always seems heavy, the person carrying it cannot avoid the knowledge that it is there.
