620_88566_Ghostwalk3.qxd
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Eater of the Dead Alignment: Lawful neutral Domains: Law, Protection, Repose Favored Weapon: Scimitar Symbol: Profile of a bronze-skinned man on a black circle Portfolio: Death, endings, finality Enigmatic and fatalistic, Dracanish understands that all things must eventually die, and those that die will need tending as much as living creatures do. Often misunderstood by the ignorant as a violent and destructive god, Dracanish is actually a very protective deity and enjoys a close personal relationship with every being that dies, absorbing their souls into himself so that no one may ever harm them. Dracanish is
CHAPTER 2:
DRACANISH (LESSER DEITY)
depicted as a strong man with bronze skin and a black aura around his head. Dracanish’s church is very small outside Manifest and is considered to be a powerless cult by most folk in the rest of the world. The center of the religion is in Manifest, and all members of the clergy are treated as close family members, with seniority determined by length of time in the church and the number of funerals witnessed. The church sees the Eater of the Dead as the patron of the Ghostwalk, since souls and bodies are reunited in the land of the dead. Because of their belief in the finality of things, most clerics do not take well to the presence of ghosts (although, as “those about to be devoured,” ghosts deserve a measure of respect). Clerics of Dracanish hunt undead and worshipers of Orcus and seek to thwart those who would artificially extend life, for while they are not opposed to healing magic on a small level, the eradication of plagues or forestalling of natural disasters goes against their perception of the world’s innate order. This belief puts them at odds with the church of Eanius. Dracanish’s clerics pray for spells at dusk. They consider the last day of each month and year as holy days, when the essence of that time joins with all time that has passed. Dracanite clerics sometimes multiclass as fighters, monks, or bone collectors. Dracanite monks may multiclass freely as clerics. While they are able to use spells such as raise dead, clerics of this deity are hesitant to use them unless it is believed that the person has important unfinished business in life. His clerics never rebuke or command undead. They wear black and bronze, and some high-ranking clerics carry scythes, although few are trained in their use. History/Relationships: Dracanish is believed to be only a few hundred years old, originating from a land to the west of Bazareene. Unrelated to any of the other deities, he took the world by storm when his worshipers caused the Dead War in Manifest. Despite this violent past, Dracanish has earned acceptance from most of the deities venerated in the city, even Aluvan, although their churches bear lingering resentment. Eanius and Orcus are MD Dracanish’s enemies, for the
THE CITY OF MANIFEST
lawyers. In Manifest, clerics of Chaniud keep records of ghosts and make sure that members of the City Watch are acting in accordance with the laws. Chaniud’s clerics pray for spells at noon. The first of each month is a holy day for the faith, representing a time of beginning when orderly resolutions can be made. The church also has numerous lesser holy days commemorating the creation or enactment of important laws in the church, city, or country, with the names of the laws added to the morning’s prayers. Chaniudan clerics sometimes multiclass as experts or loremasters. His clerics never rebuke or command undead. They favor the colors silver and blue. History/Relationships: Chaniud is a powerful deity who has been traditionally slow to act. In the past he has attempted to rein in some of the more individualistic deities worshiped in this part of the world, and their refusal to comply brands them as flighty fools in his mind. He is allied with Dracanish (whom he admires for his carefully structured plan for all beings), Durann (his sister, with whom he shares a cloud castle), and Uhanam (whose patience he appreciates). He opposes Soggelos and Wyst for their refusal to abandon chaos, and Orcus for his disruption of the natural order. He is indifferent to other deities, but sees himself as a sentry against actions they might take that would interfere with his plans to bring order to every part of the world. Dogma: The world operates according to laws, and the people of the world have it in their best interest to establish and follow a code of laws so as to be in harmony with the lawful nature of the universe. Laws are created to benefit the group, but should not exploit the individual for the sake of the group. Study the laws so you may make rational and informed decisions. When you must punish a lawbreaker, be swift and precise, but do not become overzealous, for not even agents of the law are above the law.
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