Saint Akwamozu

Saint dedicated to the internment of mortal remains, Akwamozu and his clergy use their divine powers to ensure those at eternal rest remain so. Beyond the various ways this allows their bodies to return to the elements, the ceremonies recorded by Akwamozu work to prevent the usage of the horrific magic relating to undeath, an unnatural break in the cycle of life and death Shellone and her Saints maintain. Beyond this, the calm and reverential nature of Saint Akwamozu has become a staple of him and his followers, and many of his fellow pachyfolk have taken after his teachings and attitudes over the centuries.
While Saint Akwamozu's followers use interment rituals to prevent dead flesh from being twisted by necromancy, they were not originally so. Before necromancy spread from the Abyss and became a rampant problem, there were still instances of mortal souls refusing to leave their home plane upon death, becoming a kind of weaker undead known as wraiths, spirits, or ghosts. Many of the ceremonies created and recorded by Akwamozu were made specifically to fully cut the cord between soul and body, making such undead unable to remain on Genaeth.

Divine Domains

Grave, Nature, Twilight

Holy Books & Codes

The Book of Rites: Containing over one hundred different funeral ceremonies and several mythic tales, the Book of Rites is the standard scripture for followers of Shellone in general. Written in junction by all three of Shellone's saints, the book is primarily used by followers of Akwamozu, as his clergy can make the bets use of the rituals inscribed therein. Clergy of Viata and Judak's followers often carry different renditions of the book, more focused on their specific skills.

Divine Symbols & Sigils

Skull set within a Shovel's Head

Tenets of Faith

Respect those who have passed on and ensure their rest is uninterrupted.
Offer your morticians services to any who need them, as to ensure the passed are not insulted.
Wherever the plague of undeath is found, stamp it out and do not allow it to spread.

Holidays

Mourn: Occurring on the 30th of Dusken, Mourn is the last day of the year and is the choice holiday of Shellone. Many cultures use this as a day to honor their gone loved ones, sometimes with small gifts or wakes. Others use it as a day of general remembrance, reflecting on past actions both good and bad. Overall both are relatively common across the whole of Genaeth, though specifics still vary from one place to another.

Physical Description

Identifying Characteristics

In general, depictions of Akwamozu portray show him as your average Pachyfolk bull, with incredibly long and ornately-adorned tusks. He is usually shown in religious vestments of Shellone, though he lacks the mask due to his unique features and status. However, many rural or ancient pieces of art show him wearing armor/clothing crafted from bones, sometimes complimented by white paint on the Saint's skin. While these are not universal, and certain priests believe portraying him in such a barbaric manner heretical, many elder members recall tales of Akwamozu's armor being crafted from bones of great sentimental value to him, though whose exactly no one knows.

Mental characteristics

Accomplishments & Achievements

The earliest tales of Akwamozu tell of him traveling the whole of Genaeth in it's earliest days, recording the methods developing cultures uses to honor the dead and spreading certain ones to areas where they would be useful. It is very rare for Akwamozu to appear in the tales of other Saints, or for other Saints to appear in his, as his nature is often migratory and solitary in equal measure.

Intellectual Characteristics

While far from the most intelligent Saint, Akwamozu possesses a wealth of wisdom and knowledge of history. Much of his knowledge pertains to the treatment and honoring of the passed, but this knowledge also tends to bend into general physiology and embalming, making herbalism, healing and alchemy fields his clergy often dip into alongside their standard work as morticians.

Morality & Philosophy

While not as inherently benevolent as the Saints of other deities, Akwamozu is still kind at heart and dutiful in his work. He genuinely wishes to honor the dead as a way to make their passing easier for all parties, and holds a soft sympathy for those who are unwillingly trapped in a form of undeath. He promotes similar ideals, most notably being devoted to Shellone's cause and respecting those passed on from this life.

Social

Contacts & Relations

Saint Judak: There are very few recorded interactions between Saint Akwamozu and Saint Judak, as their own duties keep them on opposing ends of a passed-on soul's journey. Those that do exist show them to be direct and respectful, though rather blunt with each other. There is respect, but little else.
Saint Viata: In comparison to Judak, relations between Saint Viata and Akwamozu are plentiful. As she was often tasked with traveling between realms, she would frequently communicate with Akwamozu and work alongside him should he ask for aid with a task. It is said that he often asked her what spirits complained of after passing on, and used that information to determine how to respectfully inter remains.

Divine Classification

Saint

Alignment

Lawful Neutral

Species

Pachyfolk

Honorary & Occupational Titles

Undertaker, the Graveward

Gender

Male

Eyes

Hazel-Brown

Hair

None

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

Pale Grey

Quotes & Catchphrases

It is best to respect the dead, for all will one day join them.

Aligned Organization

Prime Pantheon