Neithur

Neithur - Watercolour by King Fisher Arts

Neithur

Other Names

Neithur

Waejiran god of death, the dead, time, and memory. He is sometimes called the Keeper of the Gate. Neithur is most often depicted as a figure robed in ash grey funeral shrouds wearing an expressionless full face mask of bronze. He is considered timeless and capable of seeing forwards and backwards through time. He is also attributed with the ability to slow or stop the aging process in mortals; part of what keeps the Children of Neithur unaging and functionally immortal. Neithur oversees the passage of the souls of the departed; it is through his door that all living things pass, to be carried to Silat, to rejoin with the creator and await rebirth.

Neithur is not to be feared, but welcomed, as Waejirans do not see dying as an end, but as another turning of the life wheel. Neither was born of directly from Silat.

First Appearance

Neithur arose from a collection of mixed beliefs and practices around death and the afterlife from various groups within the region. Commonalities solidified into standardized practices of the faith, including funerary practices. The concept of Neithur as a god of time, came from southern peoples who studied the celestial sphere and believed that time was a separate entity which laid out the fate of mortals.

The Church

Holy Seat

Waejiradur, Waejir

The primary temple of Neithur is located in the empire's capitol of Waejiradur.

Key Dates

1st of the 9th Month

Neithur's Day - As the leaves turn and the cold month's approach, one is reminded of their mortality. Neithur, the God of the Dead, who guides souls back to Silat, is celebrated and families will gather to remember their departed loved ones.

Double full moon

The Calling - A celebration outside of the annual calendar which occurs whenever both moons are full together over a three night period. Devotees of Neithur believe this is the night when wayward dead can be gathered by Neithur. This event takes place during the same nights as the Festival of the Moons.

Temple Hierarchy

Leraukonar - Holy Seer

The singular topmost member of the temple hierarchy. This rank is more symbolic than practical, usually elected from amongst the Begtukonarei to serve until death. The role is largely ceremonial, but the Leraukonar may be called upon to resolve matters of faith which elude the lower ranked clergy.

Begtukonar - Holy Elder

Not associated with a particular temple, clergy of this rank serve as advisors and empire wide administrators. They determine temple doctrine, and direct the individual temples in their duties.

Trumtukon / Iomiukon - Holy Father / Holy Mother

The senior clergy for each temple will hold this rank. They serve as the figure head of the faith in a city or town, as well as administer the lower ranks clergy.

Eciahas / Eciaha - Priest / Priestess

The working rank of temple clergy responsible for the training of acolytes, They interact with the Laity on a regular basis. This is the base rank at which one learns rituals specific to Neithur.

Olinukonar - Holy Learner / Acolyte

As the lowest rank in the temple hierarchy, acolytes serve the temple in menial tasks while learning the temple doctrine. They receive specialized training in the skills required to participate in ceremonial activities, and the most promising acolytes are given the opportunity to advance should they pass a series of trails intended to test their intellect, knowledge, and compassion for the bereaved. Few pass these tests on their first attempt, but may repeat the ordeal as many times as they wish, but they may only make a single attempt per year.

Laity

Few lay persons devote themselves to Neithur. In general those who chose him as a patron are seen as sombre and dour individuals obsessed with death. They may find work as embalmers, funerary worker, or simple labourers.

Clerical Orders

Aesanei Bruptius - Brothers of Ash

The Aesanei Bruptius are a primarily involved in the funerary process of building pyres of palm wood, and tending to the burning of remains of the deceased. They also process the ashes and bones for various religious purposes.

Fighting Orders

Olineitaranei - Death Hunters

A fighting order dedicated to the containment, study, and eradication of dangerous undead.

Tenets of the Faith

<--basic beliefs structures-->

Heresies

<--Sectarianism-->

<--Briefly describe heretical ideas or behaviours-->

The Celestial Realm

Other Names

Beyond the bronze gates exists a realm of shifting mists and shadows where time and space are somewhat meaning less. This is where all dead things go eventually. It is here where souls gradually mingle and merge into the substance of the universe, from which Silat births new life.

Divine Servitors

Children of Neithur

Other Names

Son's of Neithur / Daughter's of Neithur

Priests and priestesses of the Waejiran god of the dead, who willingly undergo a transition to an undying state through an elaborate ritual. They are required to relinquish their will and soul to their god in order to serve as living agents indefinitely. The process of becoming a Son/Daughter of Neithur involves an unbreakable oath. Even dying is only the beginning, not a way of getting out of the promise, as one gains a sort of immortality after death. If Neithur finds them pious enough to grant their desire, they remain alive well beyond their mortal life expectancy. Their bodies slowly deteriorate, and require constant upkeep to keep their physical integrity. They are not truly immortal and can be destroyed, but if they avoid catastrophic injury will continue to exist indefinitely. These liches are the most dedicated members of his faith who still direct the church in everyday affairs. The current head of the church has been a Son of Neithur for nine centuries.

Persons

Shalaras Neithurus (olinukonar)

Siontarias Neithurus (begtukonar)

Zectaras Neithurus (olineitar)

Stories

Cheating Death (fifty word fantasy)

Dead (fifty word fantasy)

Gift (fifty word fantasy)

Shroud (fifty word fantasy)

See Also

Children of Neithur

Festival of the Moons