The Litany of the Brine-Bound

Manual

THE LITANY OF THE BRINE-BOUND: OPERATIONAL DIRECTIVES FOR THE PALE TIDE I. THE PERIMETER Salt lines must be laid three hours prior to the tide's peak. Use coarse, unrefined grey salt. The line must be continuous; any gap wider than a thumb's width is a failure of duty. Do not use table salt, as it lacks the mineral weight to hold the husks in the designated zones. Ensure the line extends from the high-water mark to the porch steps of the municipal hall. II. THE OFFERINGS Place the following on the slate plinths in the order listed: 1. Boiled Crab: Three large specimens, boiled for seven minutes. Shells must remain intact. Arrange them in a triangle, points facing the sea. 2. Sea-glass: Twelve pieces of frosted green or blue glass. Sort them by size, largest to smallest, trailing from the crabs toward the inland boundary. 3. Fresh Water: A single ceramic bowl, filled to the brim. The water must be still; if it ripples before the husks arrive, the bowl must be replaced immediately. III. THE INVOCATION When the first husk breaks the surf, the Lead Warden shall recite the following. The voice must be steady: no shouting, no pleading. 'By the weight of the salt and the pull of the moon, we open the gate. Bring the word from the deep. Bring the breath of the drowned. Speak the truth of the coming year, then return to the silt.' IV. THE RECORDING As the husks approach the salt line, they will speak. Their voices are abrasive; ignore the sound of grinding stone and focus on the words. A scribe must record the prophecy verbatim. Do not interrupt the husk. Do not attempt to touch the salt crust, as it is caustic and will cause chemical burns to the skin. V. BREACH AND CLEANUP Should a husk cross the salt line, the Warden is to immediately apply a concentrated brine solution to the husk's joints. This will immobilize the entity until the tide recedes. Failure to maintain the barrier results in a fine and mandatory cleanup duty for the following three cycles. Once the tide turns, sweep the remaining salt into the sea. Collect the crab shells for disposal in the designated ash pits.