Nokris

"All things must face their end, if it's by my hand then so be it"

The Bearer of Ends

Nokris is the Ventara of Death. His primary goals and motivations are relatively unknown as he rarely interferes with the other realms. He is believed to be rather reclusive preferring to focus on his studies and experiments than pay any mind to mortals and their affairs. Many scholars suspect Nokris favors such inaction because he truly understands his domain, he does not need to act for he commands a very force of nature and all things must meet their end.
It is speculated that Nokris is among the most powerful of the Ventara and that he is aware of his power and influence. The origin of this belief is the lack of evidence for any invasion by outside forces into Nokris' realm. Some even suspect that other Ventara fear Nokris and avoid provoking him, as to avoid his ire.
Nokris is often described as solitary, wise, and calculating; every action he takes is precise and swift. Some even speak of speaking directly with Nokris and how tranquil he was in their short interactions. They mention how no hostilities were made towards them as Nokris has no need to attack anyone, for their time will come as it always does and he doesn't fear death for he commands it.
Religion and Culture
Nokris is among the few Ventara that is recognized among all pantheons as all races face mortality. Many of the mortal races do in fact worship Nokris but the degree in which in race does so varies greatly.
To the Madurans he is known as Nakraa, the Renewer. He is one among the Clan of Twilight, a collection of "good" Ventara in Maduran culture, and represents not only death but rebirth. As the Madurans see it, Nokris embodies both the end and new beginnings for one cannot have life without death. It is because things die that new beings can be born and even in times of great strife beautiful things can rise from the ashes. In fact, many Madurans pray to Nokris to forestall their deaths and to ensure an easy passing.
The Sareni people have a simple relationship with death, it is a fact of life. The worship of Nokris is outlawed but this hasn't prevented the more powerful among the nobility from praying in secret in the hopes of preventing an inescapable reality. Many of the common folk are actually unaware of Nokris and his influence.
Known only as "the Shepard" to the Arikiri clans, Nokris is viewed as the Ventara of deathly transitions and shepard of souls. The Camurai believe that after one passes Nokris takes their soul to its appropriate destination and lays them to rest. As such, the Camurai pay their respects to Nokris to ensure the souls of the dead pass on peacefully. The Camurai typically burn their dead as to free the soul from the body. To the Kyr'tol Nokris is seen in a darker light, as a demon who takes the souls of the Arikiri people to his hellish realm. Unlike the the Camurai, the Kyr'tol pay no respects to Nokris and some of the more devout seek to put an end to the perceived thefts.
Ever as humble as they are, the Felvithar rather than worship or fear Nokris, or Noktaik in their culture, accept the inevitability of death. Even from a young age the Felvithar are taught and often discuss death; they do not see it as something to fear but one step in one's life. To the Felvithar Nokris simply is, a part of the cycle that every Snow Elf must endure. In this regard there are no rituals or prayers given to Nokris, only acknowledgement. Some scholars even believe that Nokris favors the Felvithar because of their indifference.
Njordir, the Black Winter, is the Avar interpretation of Nokris. As one may expect the Avar see Nokris as a challenge to be conquered, for if one can best death itself then what couldn't they defeat. Interestingly, some of the Avar do practice some forms of ritual for Nokris in the hopes of being granted a worthy death when the time comes. Outside of these practices the Avar pay little mind to Nokris.
Among the Dominion races Nokris is known as Nokseris. The Solvithar and Lunvithar believe they are to join their ancestors in death, returning to a state they believe they existed in prior to their mortality. To them Nokris is believed to prevent their souls from ascending to the stars and through his magics they are reincarnated, thus their cycle of mortality continues. The Sylvithar think differently, as they often do, of Nokris, perceiving him more as part of the natural cycle. He is often associated with winter in their culture and is believed to lay to rest the deceased so that their soul may return to the earth to nurture its spiritual energy. Across all of Dominion territory the worship of Nokris is forbidden, much to the dismay of the Wood Elves.
To the Ankari he is Naraka, He Who Flows Amidst the Night Sands. The Ankari have an interesting relationship with death. The Dakarans hold their dead in high respects and the more influential families have structures built solely to house the mummified and preserved bodies of their familial line. Many of the same Dakarans pay some respect to Nokris to ensure that their ancestors find peace in the afterlife. The Orans value wealth above most things and believe that by amassing such wealth they will afforded even greater treasures after their passing. It isn't uncommon for Orans to be buried with their finest possessions to bring with them in their transition. For the Isagani death is all too familiar. Their swamp covered homeland is home to some of Iskara's most deadly and outlandish creatures. Some creatures even inhabit corpses that aren't held down by intricate "spikes". The Isagani pay their respects in the hopes of preventing such defilement but many accept such beings as a necessity to the intricate balance of their home.
The Osteron know Nokris as Nokri, the Insipid One. The Osteron are a creative and ingenious people, spending most of their lives imagining, creating, and discussing a variety of works and philosophies from smithing to debating religious doctrine. This drive to explore and create new ideas and works puts them at odds with the simplicity and inevitability of death. In fact many Osterons view death as a boring fact of life and it is common for Osteron pursuing more scientific research and the few mages among them to devise ways to improve their lifespans. Most of the Osteron detest Nokris and some have even sought to have a "grand" death to spite him.
In Sarkosh culture he is Nokzin, the Black Primal. The vast majority of the Sarkosh pay little mind to the lord of death but to the Sarkosh with a black hue he is a deity of great import. The Black hued Sarkosh deal in all things death from burial rituals to assassinations. As such they practice multiple rituals and prayers prior to each assignment or service. Some speculate Nokris favors these Sarkosh given their deep devotion to their craft.
Worship
Aside from the more legal and accepted worship of Nokris lie the numerous death cults scattered across Iskara. Interestingly enough many of these cults do not last long as many seek the deaths of all of its members in a crazed attempt to please their deity. Those that prefer a more lively approach to their devotion dedicate themselves to the study of death itself, exploring the many questions it presents. Many perform experimentations on living subjects to push the boundaries of the mortal body and soul. Whether Nokris pays any mind to these brutal examinations is up for debate.
Artifacts
The Reaper's Blade
This ancient blade is believed to be the only artifact created by Nokris and is highly sought after by nobles and assassins alike. It is said that Nokris himself forged the blade from primal death energies that permeate both himself and his realm. The blade is capable draining the life from its victim, leaving behind a husk of whomever was slain by it. The blade grows in power with every kill and funnels a portion of its gains back to Nokris, allowing Nokris to grow in strength and influence without the need to invade other realms directly. The blade is described as having an ethereal appearance and make, making it one of the lightest blades in existence.
Realm
The Deadlands
Known also also as the Land of Lost Souls, the Deadlands is the realm of Nokris. As one may expect the Deadlands are mostly devoid of life with only the few Isventyr under Nokris' command wandering the dark wastelands. The Deadlands are described as a vast desert like realm with a strong gale that carries the black sand across the vast horizons. The sky is in a state of perpetual darkness and the clouds rain shards of obsidian. Scattered across the his realm are ruined structures speculated to house labs Nokris previously used but it is nigh impossible to reach the their interiors. However, one structure remains known simply as the Dark Tower. Within Nokris conducts his countless experiments to surpass even the fringes of the forces of life and death. The tower itself is said to be a craggy and oppressive construct that pierces both the darkened skies and earth. The interior of the Tower houses hundreds of rooms, each dedicated to its own experiments and trials. At its peak lies a massive orb of unknown energies that fluctuates with uneasy movements and its purpose remains just as secretive.
Servants
There are very few Isventyr under the command of Nokris but each serves a role in Nokris' realm. His primary minions are the Hollowed, ghostly apparitions that wander the Deadlands. The Hollowed travel across the wastes collecting lost souls that have no where else to go; bringing them back to Nokris to be examined and tested on. They are described as ghostly creatures with no discernable faces, garbed in torn clothes that cover their entire figure. The most disturbing characteristic of the Hollowed is their extremely long and gangly arms that drag behind them as they glide across the Deadlands. 
Lastly are the Death Striders. The Striders serve as Nokris' main offensive and reconnaissance force. Said to appear as a shadowy humanoid with parts that are similar to decaying flesh, these demonic beings manifest in an instant and vanish just as quickly. They primarily serve to guard the Dark Tower from those they perceive as a threat. As such some scholars that survive the trek to the Tower are granted permission to enter so long as they don't pose a challenge to the Striders or Nokris himself. For those that do present a threat to the Striders, they are quickly slain and their soul taken to the deepest depths of the Dark Tower.

Divine Domains

Death

Divine Symbols & Sigils

A decaying hand gripping a a skull

Divine Goals & Aspirations

His goals are a great enigma. Some believe he seeks the end of all things, to witness the death of existence itself, others think he simply wishes to be left alone, to be recognized as a natural force and left to his experiments.

Divine Classification

Ventara

Alignment

Lawful Neutral

Realm

The Void

Honorary & Occupational Titles

The Lord of Death, The Soul Taker, The Waking End, He Who Remains