The First Soul and Eternal Shepherd

The Dawn of Mortality

In the nascent days of Tanaria, the gods crafted life with care, weaving together mortal beings with the essence of their creation. Yet, death had not yet entered the world. Mortals were eternal, their lives unbroken by time or consequence. They roamed the lands, basking in the gifts of the gods, unaware that this balance was incomplete.   The first death came not by divine decree but through mortal choice. Velmorra, a being of unparalleled curiosity and empathy, was the first to ask the gods what lay beyond life. No answer satisfied her. She yearned to understand the unknown, to see if there was meaning beyond the physical realm. Her questioning became a burden to her existence, a constant pull toward discovery that no other mortal shared.   One fateful day, Velmorra stood before the gods and offered herself willingly. She would be the first to step into the void, to unravel the mystery of what lay beyond. The gods, reluctant yet curious, granted her request. It was Umboros, the Titan of the Underworld, who took her hand and guided her into the unknown.   Her death was not like the passing of mortals today. It was a cataclysmic event that rippled through Tanaria, marking the end of eternal life and introducing mortality to the world. Her soul, the first to transition from life to death, illuminated a path for those who would follow.  

The Void and Umboros

Velmorra found herself in the ethereal plane, a formless expanse where nothing and everything existed. Without guidance, she might have been lost, but Umboros was there, watching. He offered her a choice: remain as she was and fade into the void, or become something more—a being that would shepherd the souls of mortals and bring order to the cycle of life and death.   Velmorra, true to her nature, chose to embrace the unknown once again. She became the Goddess of Death, Souls, and Fate, imbued with divine power and a purpose unlike any other. She shaped the void into the first iteration of the underworld, a place of transition where souls could find their destined paths.   Velmorra’s ascension changed the fabric of the mortal world. Death became a natural part of life, a transition that allowed for growth, renewal, and the evolution of existence. The gods mourned the loss of eternal life but came to see the beauty in the balance Velmorra had introduced.   Her role as the shepherd of souls ensures that no mortal journeys into the unknown alone. Velmorra’s name is spoken in reverence and fear, a reminder that death is inevitable yet not to be feared. Her temples, often located at the edges of towns or near graveyards, are places of quiet reflection. The Ethereal Path, a shimmering bridge she created, symbolizes the journey every soul must take under her watchful care.
Velmorra’s transition into godhood was not just a transformation of form but a redefinition of her existence. She is no longer bound by mortal fears or desires but remains deeply connected to those she serves. Her abilities reflect her compassionate yet resolute nature, ensuring balance and guidance for mortals as they face the inevitability of death and the unknown beyond.
 


Comments

Please Login in order to comment!
Jan 25, 2025 04:11

Beautiful story!

Jan 25, 2025 04:38 by Alikzander Wulfe

Thank you! I wanted to do something a lil different for my death god

I'm a Comment Caroler! Click to learn more
Architect of Tanaria
"Every story is a thread, and together we weave worlds."
The Origin of Tanaria
Jan 28, 2025 02:18

The story of the First Soul and Eternal Shepherd is profoundly moving, exploring themes of unity, creation, and eternal guidance in a way that feels both grand and personal. The balance between mythic reverence and relatable emotion gives the narrative a real depth that lingers in the mind.

Jan 28, 2025 03:56 by Alikzander Wulfe

Thank you so much for your words. I feel like death gods always play an important role either directly or indirectly in many stories/campaigns so I wanted Tanaria to have a history with hers that people can understand and maybe even relate to in some ways.

I'm a Comment Caroler! Click to learn more
Architect of Tanaria
"Every story is a thread, and together we weave worlds."
The Origin of Tanaria
Jan 28, 2025 14:59

It's refreshing. Death in my own world is both Death and Life, totally neutral. This was a wonderful interpretation!

Jan 28, 2025 15:40 by Alikzander Wulfe

The inspiration came from the old tale of the Church Grim. There was the belief that the first person buried in a graveyard would have to stay to guide all the souls that would come after so churches would often bury a dog to guide all of the souls to the afterlife.

I'm a Comment Caroler! Click to learn more
Architect of Tanaria
"Every story is a thread, and together we weave worlds."
The Origin of Tanaria
Feb 27, 2025 16:51

A very beautiful story and I like the idea that Velmorra leads all souls to the realm of the dead to take away their fear of the afterlife. However, I would like to know whether the inhabitants did not multiply before there was no death and whether there were perhaps some who resented Velmorra for becoming the goddess of death and bringing death into the world?

Stay imaginative and discover Blue's Worlds, Elaqitan & Naharin.
Feb 27, 2025 17:02 by Alikzander Wulfe

Yes! And there are cults and groups in present day that are old and very against Velmorra and seek to undo what she has done. That is also why many of the oldest species in Tanaria are critically endangered, without death they did not have to worry as much about effectively repopulating, but that also means wars raged on with no real stakes, it was chaos. I will certainly need to elaborate on these things lol. *adds it to the backlog*

I'm a Comment Caroler! Click to learn more
Architect of Tanaria
"Every story is a thread, and together we weave worlds."
The Origin of Tanaria