Summary
Lady of Tombs, Counter of Bones, Flayer Whom Embalms, and many more titles besides describes Fyghumat, goddess of the dead in
Uatkara. Adorned in the finest robes no mortal hands could weave, dyed in the brilliant colors of death and love of the departed, she is a
nebusah ever concealed behind the
sun-gold plated death mask that depicts a smiling face. From her robes stretch out a hundred paw-hands, each deft and capable to count bones, prepare bodies, and tend to the honored dead. Her sacred symbol and number is the humble 'O', or 'zero', representing the cyclical nature of life and death.
A jovial figure who is quite punctual in her work, Fyghumat is rather atypical compared to other faith's concept of death. Dying, after all, is not the end in Uatkara's view of existence. Those who pass from life must be sure to have everything they need when they meet Fyghumat. The goddess then sets about redressing the honored dead, preparing them for their judgement before the other goddesses. Not all who meet her are honored or prepared, yet all must meet her inevitably. Thus Fyghumat spends much of her time taking care of these dishonored dead, absolving their grievances and setting them upon a firm path ahead once again. Those who do well in receiving this care and moving on have unwittingly passed the first test in their evaluation. Fyghumat's role is that of a gardener, pruning and shaping people to the best they can become.
Once the dead have left, she turns her attention to the newer arrivals. In spite of this continually busy job, Fyghumat oversees tombs, graveyards, and other places of the dead. Ever watchful for those who dare disturb them, her hundred paw-hands are as deft with spear and sword to strike down vile evils. Thus do much of the dead sleep easy in
Sa-kemet, undisturbed and loved, ensuring they are not
forsakened. Those who defile these sacred sites always bear Fyghumat's curse, a wasting and rotting sickness of a thousand different poxes. Such is the case that when they die and meet her, she punishes them harshly beyond comparison. Woe be to those who meet Sark, the eyeless raven of Fyghumat who delights in devouring the guilty like a worm.
Lesser known but as important to the process is that of tribute and rites. Fyghumat collects all the wealth and valuables the dead depart with, weighing them, cataloging their worth and ownership, and ensuring no ill-gotten gains are brought forward. Thus the dead take their belongings with them, allowing them to offer due tribute and praise to the other goddesses when they meet. It is not the mortal value of these effects the goddesses care for, but the
soul of what they represent. Thus even the poorest of paupers may yet still make offerings, even if it is the last of the clothes on their back.
Her relationship with
Nekhuhahim in particular is rather jagged. The thieving goddess is always interfering in Fyghumat's work, trying to help thieves she like eek through judgement. This invariably causes problems later, as the other goddesses realize they're being offered stolen goods. Thus the whole process ends up becoming troubled, however much Nekhuhahim enjoys the mayhem.
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