Within the books are stories about Anubis interacting with the other gods.
It Takes Two to Wage War
Haelyn looked over the battlefield, holding back a sigh. Around him the mortals fought on, unable to see him, but fuelled by their believe in him. His priests and paladins raised their swords, said their prays and marched on against Kriesha’s forces.
Kvigmar lay off to the South, but the city was no safe haven, for if the battle was lost here then Kriesha’s forces would freeze all those who were hiding in the city. The Winter Witch had sent her witches out into the world with the goal of an Everwinter across Cerilia. Every season has a time and place, but a winter all year round would kill many, especially those who were in vulnerable situations.
Haelyn’s thoughts were cut off by a familiar presence at his side.
“Anubis,” Haelyn greeted the psychopomp. “I take it you are here for those who have fallen.”
“I am,” Anubis confirmed. “Though many are not from your flock.”
His last comment was confirmed as a priest of Haelyn helped a fallen paladin to raise again after a fatal injury. Not all were so easy to raise. Some resisted, feeling their purpose in life done, while others had been brought back one too many times and their soul could no longer cling to the body it left behind.
“I am sorry to keep you so busy,” Haelyn turned to Anubis.
“War is your calling,” Anubis shrugged. “Deaths here could mean less in the future or more depending on the outcome of this battle. It helps I am not alone in my duties. I’m sure the Mercury will help elsewhere while I’m busy here.”
“If it wasn’t for-“ Haelyn’s voice grew angry at the discussion of the battle.
“War comes at a price.” Anubis calmly interrupted. “It takes two to wage it and there will always be lose as a result. It is not our place to blame, merely to give the mortals the opportunity to shape their own world.”
Haelyn takes a breath and nods.
“I apologise.” He says. “My rage often gets the better of me at the idea of many lost at the whim of the Cruel Mistress. I am proud my followers oppose her with such compassion and zeal, I just wish it weren’t necessary.”
“Don’t we all…”
Anubis and Haelyn fade away from the battlefield as Kriesha’s agents fall and the North starts to recover from the attack.
The Live Giver and The Dead Sheppard
Avani walked the aisle of her library, a hand gently trailing out beside her against the spines of the books as she walks. Her husband Erik was wise to leave her be when she was in a mood, but not all were so wise. She gives the Jackal a warm smile as she sees him leaning against a wall as she turns a corner.
“Anubis,” She greets. “Did my husband send you?”
“No, My Lady.” He shakes his head. “You sent for me. Your light was dim on the world today, Dusk and Dawn enjoyed their extra time as you were slow to rise and quick to fall.”
Avani allowed her smile to fall. “I suppose that might be a tad noticeable.”
“Only for those who know what to look for,” Anubis assures her. “Tell me, what bothers the Lightbrighter so?”
“Éla,” Avani admits. “She has once again endangered those who follow her with her lack of foresight. An attempt was made to banish shadows that had crept past my watch. She encourages reckless acts and I suppose I feel to blame as they were only in danger as I was unable to keep the shadows away.”
Anubis considers this for a moment before responding.
“Your light is strong,” he assures her. “However, every light casts a shadow. That is why Éla and her followers are here. To take care of the shadows that hide from your light. She might not have your drive to have and share knowledge, but you both have a common goal. Protect our mortals from the shadows so they can prosper in the light.”
Avani takes a book from the shelf absentmindedly, the weight and texture of the volume helping to ground her.
“You make it sound like her unpredictable, ruthless and selfish nature is something I should be grateful for,” Avani frowns at Anubis.
“Don’t try and turn my words against me,” Anubis says. “I merely point out what I see. No needs to put your bias on me. I sever you all and always will.”
“I’m sorry,” Avani puts the book down. “I did not mean to take out my frustration on you. I will return at the right time in the morning.”
“I look forward to it,” Anubis nods. “May you bring life, so I can continue to shepherd the dead.”
Cliff notes verison of facts within the book
Anubis appears as a male human with a head and tail of a jackal. A neat mane of straight black hair fall over his shoulders. He dresses in a white knee-length kilt, a decorative scale mail breastplate of glittering gold, and bracers and armbands.
Dogma: Anubis guides the souls of dead mortals to the halls of judgement, supervises their weighing on the Scales of Ma’at and protects them on their journey. In addition, he guards cemeteries from grave robbers and other defilers. He also a keeper of magical knowledge, particularly that related to necromancy. Despite his knowledge of necromancy, he does not condone animating or controlling undead creatures, with the exception of mummies established as tomb guardians.
In his role as the collector of souls for transportation to the house of the dead, there is a chance that a dead being (worshiping any deity) will, while in the process of being raised from the dead by a cleric, attract the anger of the god, and as a result that cleric will be forced to go on a quest for the purpose of increasing the power of the Church of Anubis.
When one dies and becomes judged by Anubis using the heart ceremony. In this ceremony, the heart is weighed, by Anubis, against an Ostrich Feather of Truth. If the heart was lighter then the feather then the soul could pass on, but if the heart was heavier then the feather the soul would be devoured by Ammit. Ammit is said to live near the Scales, in Duat, the underworld.
Clergy and Temples
Followers of Anubis practice rigorous disciplines to hone their minds and spirits, preparing themselves for the eventual journey to the afterlife. The Judge of the Dead has few devotees, but he is often worshiped at funerals, where his clerics typically officiate.
Priestly Vestments: Priests of Anubis usually wear plain white robes outside of the sanctum. When accompanying a body to its final resting place they will don masks of gold representing their god and hiding their faces. In the sanctum, however, priests of Anubis must not wear clothing at all since this would contaminate the sanctum. For the same reason priests of Anubis shave off all body hair. If a priest were to enter the sanctum without being cleanly shaven he or she would surely pollute its sanctity.
Temples and Shrines of Anubis are very rare and are often considered cults by other religions. This is mainly due to their obsession with death and preserving the balance of the life/death cycle. They have a similar attitude towards people who interfere with death, like Anubis himself. A big taboo.
Adventuring Garb: Clerics of Anubis rarely go adventuring. Their elaborate cleansing rituals are easily enough to fill a lifetime with labour. If they go adventuring, however, they will use whatever equipment is practical. Most adventuring clerics of Anubis shave clean all the time, even though they do not enter a temple sanctuary often.
Holy Days/Important Ceremonies: The Inner sanctum of a temple or shrine of Anubis may only be entered by the dead or a priest of Anubis. Here is where the cleansing ceremony of the deceased’s body will take place. Since death is free of time there is no “holy day” celebrated by Anubite priests.
Invocation to Anubis
Lord of the desert sands
Who guides lost souls through endless waste
Into a better land
Who brings the Dead
To their final judgment
Into the hand of Ma’at
Great-eared one who sniffs out
All things hidden
And from whom nothing
Can be concealed forever,
Guide us surely and skilfully
Out of the darkness
Of our own blind searching.
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