Gravekeepers

An international, inter-faith mystery cult found throughout the world, the Gravekeepers liturgically descend from the former faith of the now fallen deity Orcus. It is popular among Half-Orcs seeking to continue their ancestral faith while integrating with the cultures of other Men, but counts members of all Mankind among its numbers. Dhampir, Hagspawn, Tieflings, Aasimar, and other relatively uncommon Races are often drawn to the tradition due to its openness in accepting members from all peoples and walks of life and accommodating pre-existing religious beliefs into their own practices.
The Gravekeepers are a cult primarily consisting of Dread Necromancers, White Necromancers, Necromancy-focused Wizards, Clerics, Inquisitors, Oracles, and Warpriests devoted to Gods of death, undeath, life, blood, bone, repose, karma, reincarnation, and the underworld, Sorcerers, Bloodragers, and Eldritch Scions with Undead Bloodlines, Spiritualists, Mediums, and Incarnum-users who devote themselves to maintaining the world's burial sites and their Wards, bringing peace to the restless dead (either through peaceful or violent means), and stopping those who would desecrate the sentient dead. They frequently employ the Undead themselves in this pursuit, or Tulpas that imitate them, though in the former case these are drawn from volunteers who agreed to allow the cult to use their remains or spirits after death (often in exchange for aid, protection, or assistance in life or for their loved ones), cult members, the remains of animals, or Undead Monsters who have volunteered to help the cult's members.
While the appearance and precise rituals of the cult varies from location to location based on regional faiths and traditions, they are known for wearing armor and wielding weapons made from the dead; bone, leather, hide, and chitin make up much of their equipment, frequently cut and shaped to make it clear what the materials are and give them an ominous, frightening appearance. Spikes, spurs, blades, and other potentially painful elements are frequently incorporated. Despite this, most are quite mild-mannered and intelligent, if somewhat morbid and aloof; their striking appearance exists as much to keep innocents and would-be interlopers too scared to approach or interfere with what is often dirty and dangerous work. The majority of the cult's members approach their religious duties as a charitable service done for the people, both living and dead, that others lack the ability and will to do. It is something that is necessary and respectable, something that must be done for the good of all, even if it is not understood by most.
Category:Gaea
Category:Canon
Category:Religion
Category:Necromancy