Veracruz is the splinter of the True Cross of Christ, unique in the world: a weapon in the hand of its bearer and a shield for the whole world against entities from other planes. It is the second of four major relics listed together: «lanza Veracruz grial libro» (“lance Veracruz grail book”).
| Type | Artifact (relic) |
| Form | Luminous mass; mace; circle and cross |
| Keepers | An angel; the Templars; the Hospitallers; the Order of the Temple |
| Spanish entry | Veracruz |
Description
Witnesses describe not wood but “that all-luminous mass of the Veracruz”; the celestial angel carried that mass, and the mass was the splinter. In combat it works “in the form of a Mace”, and once taken “it could not be removed”. It is carried on the right side, openly and proudly, “as if firmly planted”. In one vision it appears as a circle and cross from which “that force” is released.
Rule of possession
“If I don’t have it I can’t protect it… if you have it I can’t protect it.” Custody cannot be shared or delegated: whoever bears it protects.
History
An angel bore it. The Templars found it again and swore on their lives to protect it. The Hospitallers held it and lost it seven years ago; the loss still defines them. Today the Order of the Temple answers for its fate. It was the central object of the first purpose of the Crusades, and great battles were fought over it. Some link its fortune to the fall — or rise — of Kronamon.
With it the Templar Grand Master defeated the father of Philippe. It arrived from Masada; at another time it was taken out of the labyrinth.
Protection
“It works as a protection so that entities from other planes of existence cannot invade us.” Its holy matter, mace form and barrier-making light work together, and only while someone carries it and fights with it.
The thread
Only the thread of Ariadna is known to have power over it: it was proposed that “the Veracruz be bound by the thread of Ariana”, as the way to redeem it.
Conflicting accounts
- One account holds that the relic does not leave its bearer’s hand.
- Another records that it was loaded into a crossbow and fired.
Open questions
- Size, weight and hue of the luminous mass are not recorded.
- How a relic that cannot be let go was lost seven years ago, and who holds it now, are unknown.
- Its keepers between the Hospitaller loss and its arrival from Masada are not recorded.
- Who the extraplanar entities are, and whether its absence opened any door, are unknown.
- Whether the circle-and-cross figure and the mace are one state or two, and what the thread does when it binds it, are not explained.
- What system the lance, the Veracruz, the grail and the book form is not established.