The Blood Wolf

The Blood Wolf, shepherd of the dead, is a deity cloaked in mystery and reverence, guiding souls to their rightful resting place. Unlike a god of death, the Blood Wolf does not bring death but appears after it, ensuring that every soul reaches its proper plane of existence. This role as the divine intermediary between life and the afterlife has earned the Blood Wolf respect, fear, and worship across Zathrien, particularly in the frozen north.

When someone dies, their journey begins in a strange and serene demiplane, a forest of towering pine trees that stretch endlessly into the skies. Snow blankets the ground, and the air is filled with a silence that is broken only by the caw of a raven with glowing crimson eyes. This raven, an ever-present herald of the Blood Wolf, guides the soul through the wintry expanse to the wolf itself.

The Blood Wolf manifests as a majestic white wolf, larger than any man, with flawless fur and piercing blue eyes that seem to see into the very core of a soul. This form is serene and beautiful, inspiring awe and acceptance among the dead who encounter it. The wolf listens to the raven’s account of the soul’s deeds, then renders judgment, guiding the soul to the plane where it belongs.

However, for those who resist their fate or cling to the mortal world, the Blood Wolf’s form changes. These souls describe encountering a terrifying bipedal creature with black, matted fur, crimson eyes, and blood dripping from its fangs. This monstrous figure, resembling a werewolf, represents the wolf’s role as a fierce enforcer of judgment. It is said to drag unwilling souls to the lower planes, a fate feared by all who reject the wolf’s guidance.

The Blood Wolf is not only a shepherd but also a protector, ensuring the balance between life and the afterlife remains intact. This duality—of compassion and ferocity—makes the Blood Wolf a complex figure within the pantheon. Worshippers across Zathrien view the Blood Wolf as a guardian of the soul and a divine judge.

One of the most significant celebrations in his honor is the Sanguine Chase, a sacred hunt held annually in the northern regions of Zathrien. On this night, one of the moons glows with a crimson hue, believed to be a sign of the Blood Wolf’s watchful gaze. The Sanguine Chase is both a ritual and a holiday, where participants reenact the hunt as a symbol of their acceptance of life’s transient nature and their trust in the Blood Wolf’s guidance in death. This celebration draws participants from across Zathrien, though only those in the north partake in the physical hunt, while others honor the occasion with feasts, prayers, and offerings.

Followers of the Blood Wolf believe that by honoring him, they secure his protection in life and his guidance in death. They see him as a deity of fairness and balance, one who ensures that every soul finds its rightful place, and as a protector who defends the boundary between the living and the dead. The Sanguine Chase serves as a reminder of his dual nature, celebrating both his compassionate guidance and his fearsome justice.