Eryndra, the Veilkeeper
The Mourning Shepherd, Mistress of the Last Door, Keeper of the Twilight Veil
Domains: Death, Grave, Twilight
Alignment: Neutral Good
Overview:
Eryndra is the daughter of Zythra, and serves as the compassionate guide of souls. Her purpose is to lead the departed from the mortal realm to the afterlife. Though originally filled with empathy and grace, Eryndra is forever marked by an overwhelming sorrow. Her grief stems from the tragic betrayal of Morthavis, the once-great mortal sorcerer whom she loved, and whose defilement of death broke her heart and the sacred cycle of life.
Her sadness has become a central part of her existence. Eryndra cries eternally, mourning the souls she must shepherd and the painful memory of her lost love. She is the quiet guide for the dead, a sorrowful but steady presence, and her journey is to help souls find peace despite the ever-present weight of her own grief.
Appearance
Eryndra appears as a serene, beautiful and regal figure draped in tattered, silver-threaded robes. Her face is often half concealed by a silver mask with tears always running down its surface, Accompanied by Varesh, an ashen-faced lion of immense size, she traverses the borders between the world of the living and the afterlife, guiding souls to their resting places.
History & Lore
Eryndra is the goddess of death’s passage and daughter of Zythra. Eryndra is the living embodiment of death's transition. She serves as the guide and gatekeeper of the afterlife, ushering souls through the veil to their final resting places. Though her role is to help others transition peacefully, Eryndra is burdened with immense grief—both for the countless souls she helps and the personal betrayal she suffered from Morthavis, the man she once loved.
The Tragic Fall of Morthavis:
Eryndra was meant only to usher the dead to their rightful rest. But she fell in love with Morthavis, a mortal king obsessed with the fleeting nature of life. Blinded by love, she broke divine law and taught him the secrets of the afterlife—the passage of souls, the laws of the Veil, and the hidden paths between the living and the dead.
Malitheran , saw an opportunity. With whispers of doubt and forbidden truths, he poisoned Morthavis' mind, convincing him that death was not an end, but an obstacle to be defied. When Veyndalor fell to ruin, Morthavis—unable to accept the loss of his people—performed the first necromantic ritual, binding their souls back to their bodies. But the act was a perversion of life, a violation of Eryndra’s teachings. What returned were not his people, but empty, anguished husks.
The pain of Morthavis’s betrayal shattered Eryndra’s heart. She wept for the souls lost to his corruption, for the kingdom that had fallen, and for the love that had been lost. The grief she carried from this betrayal continues to shape her, and she is forever bound to mourn the souls she can no longer save from Morthavis’s twisted machinations.
The Birth of Varesh:
From the depths of Eryndra’s sorrow, regret, and unrelenting grief over Morthavis' betrayal, Varesh was born. Varesh embodies the rage, vengeance, and mourning that Eryndra has never allowed herself to release. He is a reflection of the agony she feels from losing her love to the corruption of death itself.
Varesh, unlike Eryndra, is unyielding. He is a relentless reaper, dragging unwilling souls into the afterlife, often in violent and uncompromising ways. Where Eryndra is a sorrowful guide, Varesh is the instrument of cold vengeance. He is the force that ensures death is not only inevitable but unescapable. He embodies the pain and fury Eryndra feels at Morthavis’ actions and the betrayal of their love.
While Eryndra is the compassionate, grieving caretaker of souls, Varesh is the embodiment of sorrow turned to wrath. He is the counterbalance to Eryndra’s mourning, a grim reflection of her inner pain. Together, they are the duality of death: one who guides with gentle care, and one who drags unwilling souls into their inevitable rest.
Relationships
Zythra: As a creation of Zythra, Eryndra’s role is intrinsically tied to the goddess of death and entropy. While Zythra reigns over the inevitability of death, entropy, and the final end of all things, Eryndra serves as the caretaker of the transition. Where Zythra’s influence is cold and final, Eryndra’s is compassionate and gentle. Zythra allowed Eryndra to interact with the souls, guiding them, and offering comfort to the grieving—something Zythra was unable to do herself, as her dominion over death was more impersonal and detached.
Morthavis: The lich king Morthavis was once a mortal Sorcerer king who fell into a divine love with Eryndra. Morthavis and Eryndra's relationship was one of deep love, trust, and shared understanding, born from their unique connection to the forces of life and death. But after The Tragedy of Morthavis, he betrayed the Death shepard and used her knowledge to defile death and become the first necromancer.
Solmara: It is said that Solmara, upon her death, passed through Eryndra’s domain. However, she was not meant to stay, as her light was destined to rise again. Some myths suggest that it was Eryndra herself who gave Solmara the chance to return from death, though the reasons remain unclear. Perhaps it was a test, to see if someone of pure heart could leave the Veil and return with their light untainted.
Worship & Rites
Mourning Rites: Worshippers of Eryndra perform solemn and respectful rites for the dead, ensuring their peaceful passage into the afterlife. The rites often involve offerings of silver or ash, as well as the wearing of masks symbolizing the passage of the soul.
Soul-Guides: Priests of Eryndra, known as Soul-Guides, specialize in assisting the dying and dead to find their proper resting place. These individuals often possess the ability to communicate with the dead and help them cross over. Some even venture into the Veil Between to rescue souls who have become trapped.
The Hunter’s Call: Eryndra’s followers who specialize in hunting down undead or restless spirits often invoke her and Varesh to aid in their efforts, ensuring that no soul remains bound to the mortal world longer than necessary. These hunters may be called upon to destroy undead or prevent them from rising in the first place.
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