Kelemvor
Even after, Kelemvor The Dead God of Death remains a revered figure among mortals, his teachings forming the foundation of many beliefs surrounding death and the afterlife. While the Raven Queen now holds the mantle of death, Kelemvor’s role as the original God of Death and his compassion for mortal souls are remembered with reverence.
Kelemvor’s enduring legacy reminds all that death is not the end but a transition, a return to the greater cycle of existence. Though gone, his influence lingers, a testament to his dedication to protecting the balance of life and death.
As the Divine Triad created the first mortals, Kelemvor’s role expanded. He grew deeply attached to these new beings, fascinated by their struggles and resilience. However, their finite lives caused him great sorrow. He watched over them with reverence, offering guidance to their fleeting souls after death. During this era, Kelemvor became known as the Keeper of the Veil, a guardian between life and the unknown.
During the Ruination, as the Elder Evils invaded, Kelemvor bore witness to the immense loss of mortal life. This era marked him profoundly as countless souls were corrupted or consumed by the Elder Evils. Kelemvor tirelessly worked to preserve as many souls as possible, guiding them away from the influence of entities like Sh'grath, the Corrupter of Souls and The Maw of Nihil. Despite his efforts, many souls were lost or twisted, leaving Kelemvor burdened with the weight of his perceived failure.
During the Divine Era, Kelemvor became increasingly distressed by the violence and chaos of the mortal world. The wars between the mortal races and their struggles for dominance caused death on an unimaginable scale. Desperate to offer peace and guidance to the dead, Kelemvor begged XXXXXXXXX for the Rite of Rebirth.
Kelemvor’s trial tested his capacity to bear the sorrow of all mortal souls. He succeeded but at a great cost—his heart was irreparably scarred, leaving him in a perpetual state of grief. He ascended as the God of Death, overseeing the passage of souls and ensuring the cycle of life and death remained unbroken. From this point, when mortals who worshipped the gods died, their souls were guided to the god they served.
Near the end of the War of the Divine, a mortal woman defied the gods and performed a forbidden ritual to usurp Kelemvor’s divine mantle. This mortal, consumed by ambition and grief, believed she could better balance life and death. She enacted a ritual that drained Kelemvor of his divine power, ending his existence as the God of Death.
This woman ascended, claiming the title of the Raven Queen, and became the new arbiter of death. While Kelemvor's teachings and temples persisted, his presence faded from the divine realms. The Raven Queen reshaped the realm of death, imbuing it with her own will and dominion.
Protect the Cycle: Ensure that souls pass into the afterlife without interference or corruption.
Honor the Dead: Respect those who have passed, and protect their memories and legacies.
Mourn with Purpose: Grief is natural but should inspire reflection and growth.
Soul Wardens: Individuals dedicated to safeguarding souls from corruption or interference.
Grief Counselors: Healers who help mortals come to terms with loss.
Undead Hunters: Warriors who destroy undead abominations, believing they disrupt Kelemvor’s cycle.
The Vigil of Remembrance: A night-long ritual where followers light candles for the departed, symbolizing their guidance through the darkness.
Soul Cleansing: Rituals to protect the dead from corruption or necromantic influence.
Grave Guardianship: Followers take oaths to protect burial sites and ensure the peace of the deceased.
The Lantern’s Path: A festival where glowing lanterns are released to guide wandering souls to the afterlife.
Kelemvor’s enduring legacy reminds all that death is not the end but a transition, a return to the greater cycle of existence. Though gone, his influence lingers, a testament to his dedication to protecting the balance of life and death.
Physical Description
Kelemvor is often depicted as a tall, solemn figure draped in heavy gray and black robes, with an expression of eternal sorrow etched onto his chiseled, angular face. His eyes glow with a gentle silver light, emanating a sense of understanding and acceptance. He wields the Shroudblade, a scythe-like weapon inscribed with runes of balance and peace. His voice is deep and resonant, carrying both the weight of grief and the promise of finality.History
Kelemvor was among the first angels created by Erathan during the Emergence. Even in this time of creation and joy, Kelemvor showed an affinity for compassion and reflection, often consoling other angels who struggled with their roles in Erathan’s great design. He was one of the first to learn how to guide souls within the burgeoning cycle of life and death, earning him the title of the Mourning Sentinel.As the Divine Triad created the first mortals, Kelemvor’s role expanded. He grew deeply attached to these new beings, fascinated by their struggles and resilience. However, their finite lives caused him great sorrow. He watched over them with reverence, offering guidance to their fleeting souls after death. During this era, Kelemvor became known as the Keeper of the Veil, a guardian between life and the unknown.
During the Ruination, as the Elder Evils invaded, Kelemvor bore witness to the immense loss of mortal life. This era marked him profoundly as countless souls were corrupted or consumed by the Elder Evils. Kelemvor tirelessly worked to preserve as many souls as possible, guiding them away from the influence of entities like Sh'grath, the Corrupter of Souls and The Maw of Nihil. Despite his efforts, many souls were lost or twisted, leaving Kelemvor burdened with the weight of his perceived failure.
During the Divine Era, Kelemvor became increasingly distressed by the violence and chaos of the mortal world. The wars between the mortal races and their struggles for dominance caused death on an unimaginable scale. Desperate to offer peace and guidance to the dead, Kelemvor begged XXXXXXXXX for the Rite of Rebirth.
Kelemvor’s trial tested his capacity to bear the sorrow of all mortal souls. He succeeded but at a great cost—his heart was irreparably scarred, leaving him in a perpetual state of grief. He ascended as the God of Death, overseeing the passage of souls and ensuring the cycle of life and death remained unbroken. From this point, when mortals who worshipped the gods died, their souls were guided to the god they served.
Near the end of the War of the Divine, a mortal woman defied the gods and performed a forbidden ritual to usurp Kelemvor’s divine mantle. This mortal, consumed by ambition and grief, believed she could better balance life and death. She enacted a ritual that drained Kelemvor of his divine power, ending his existence as the God of Death.
This woman ascended, claiming the title of the Raven Queen, and became the new arbiter of death. While Kelemvor's teachings and temples persisted, his presence faded from the divine realms. The Raven Queen reshaped the realm of death, imbuing it with her own will and dominion.
Beliefs
Kelemvor’s teachings focus on acceptance, balance, and the inevitability of death. He teaches that death is not to be feared but embraced as a natural part of existence. Kelemvor emphasizes the importance of living a just and meaningful life, knowing that all will eventually return to the cycle of existence.Core Tenets of Kelemvor’s Faith:
Death is Balance: All things must end; death is the foundation of life.Protect the Cycle: Ensure that souls pass into the afterlife without interference or corruption.
Honor the Dead: Respect those who have passed, and protect their memories and legacies.
Mourn with Purpose: Grief is natural but should inspire reflection and growth.
Followers
Kelemvor’s followers are those who respect the natural cycles of life and death. They are often healers, gravekeepers, or those who provide solace to the grieving. Even after his death, Kelemvor’s teachings persist, and many mortals still honor him as a saintly figure or protector of the dead.Key Followers of Kelemvor:
Mortuary Priests: Clerics and priests who perform burial rites and protect the sanctity of graveyards.Soul Wardens: Individuals dedicated to safeguarding souls from corruption or interference.
Grief Counselors: Healers who help mortals come to terms with loss.
Undead Hunters: Warriors who destroy undead abominations, believing they disrupt Kelemvor’s cycle.
Temples and Worship
Temples dedicated to Kelemvor are solemn and serene, often located in graveyards or near places of mourning. These temples are places of quiet reflection, where followers come to honor the dead and seek guidance for their grief.Worship Practices:
Rites of Passage: Ceremonies that guide souls into the afterlife, ensuring their safe journey.The Vigil of Remembrance: A night-long ritual where followers light candles for the departed, symbolizing their guidance through the darkness.
Soul Cleansing: Rituals to protect the dead from corruption or necromantic influence.
Grave Guardianship: Followers take oaths to protect burial sites and ensure the peace of the deceased.
Holy Days:
The Day of Silent Reflection: A day where followers fast and meditate on the impermanence of life.The Lantern’s Path: A festival where glowing lanterns are released to guide wandering souls to the afterlife.
Type
Greater DeityTitle(s)
The Mourning SentinelKeeper of the Dead
Lord of the Veil
Alignment
NeutralSymbol
A silver skull encircled by a black haloEdicts
perform burial rites to honor the dead; protect graveyards and sacred places of mourning; offer solace to those grieving and guide them through their loss.Anathema
use necromancy to create or control undead; disturb or desecrate graves and sacred resting places; interfere with the natural process of death for personal gain; abandon those who are grieving or deny them comfort.Areas of Concern
death, balance, griefD&D Domains
Death, GraveP2 DEVOTEE BENEFITS
Divine Ability
Wisdom or CharismaDivine Font
Can choose holy or unholyDivine Sanctification
can choose holyDivine Skill
ReligionFavored Weapon
scytheDomains
death, fate, introspection, reposeAlternate Domains
darkness, duty, sorrowCleric Spells
1st: grim tendrils, 4th: overflowing sorrow, 7th: eclipse burstDivine Intercession
Kelemvor’s blessings and curses reflect his role as the arbiter of death, offering solace to those who honor the cycle and harsh justice to those who defy it.Minor Boon:
Once per day, you can sense the presence of undead or restless spirits within 60 feet for 1 minute. This ability does not require concentration.Moderate Boon:
When you die, your soul is protected from corruption or manipulation. Your body cannot be turned into an undead creature, and your soul is safeguarded from necromantic influence.Major Boon:
You gain the ability to commune with spirits of the dead once per day, receiving visions or insights that guide you through your challenges.Minor Curse:
The weight of sorrow clings to you, causing you to take a -1 penalty on all Charisma-based skill checks.Moderate Curse:
The air around you grows cold and unsettling, causing creatures within 10 feet to feel unease, giving you a -2 penalty on Diplomacy and Society checks.Major Curse:
You become haunted by the spirits of those you wronged in life. They appear as terrifying apparitions, disrupting your concentration and giving you the frightened condition at the beginning of every encounter until you make amends.
Children
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