Yama (LL)

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==Yama (intermediate god)==
As the first man to die, Yama became the lord and judge of the dead. His palace (Yamasadena) and his city (Yamapura) are located in the far south. Between the land of the living and his kingdom flows the bloody river Vaitarani, which all spirits must cross on their way to Yama's judgement seat. After Yama has considered the spirit's deeds in life, he decides what form the spirit's new body should take. When Yama's judgement is complete, the spirit goes to its new body in the world of the living. (Sometimes, in the cases of the very wicked, this journey takes the spirit through 21 hells of fire, filth, icy winds, thorns, etc.) Only those who have achieved unity with Brahman escape Yama's judgement. Yama has the power to see a man's entire history at a glance. In his true form, he is a green-skinned man with copper-colored eyes. He is usually dressed in red and is often seen riding his giant water buffalo.
Role-playing Notes: Yama's duties as judge of the dead keep him too busy to interfere in human affairs. No amount of praying or beseeching on the part of a mortal will influence his judgement, though he will often listen to another god's opinion in regards to the fate of a dead person. Those who are likely to die soon often receive visits from one of his four-eyed dogs, an owl, or a pigeon.
Statistics: AL In; WAL In; AoC judgement of the dead; SY red mace.
==Yama's Avatar (necromancer 16)==
Yama's avatar is young man with a slightly greenish complexion. He wears red robes, and can call upon the necromancy school of magic for his spells.
: Str 18/76
: Int 18
: MV 15
: AC 0
: #AT 1	
: Dex 16
: Wis 18
: SZ 6'
: HD 16
: THAC0 5	
: Con 18
: Cha 18
: MR 20%
: HP 128
: Dmg 1d4 (dagger) + 4
Special Att/Def: Anyone struck by Yama's dagger must save versus death or die. His robes protect him from any attack based on fire, heat, light, or electricity.
==Duties of the Priesthood==
Those worshiping Yama are responsible for preparing the spirits and bodies of the dead for cremation. They may never leave a dead intelligent being uncremated or they risk the temporary loss of their spell abilities.
Requirements: AB standard; AL In; WP axe; AR a; SP all, creation , divination , elemental, healing, necromantic; PW 1) affect normal fires; 3) produce flame; 8) speak with dead; 15) trace any reincarnated spirit to its new body; TU command.
==Sage Advice (Dragon Issue #203)==
These are unofficial suggestions for using the optional spheres of priest spells from the Tome of Magic with the deities of the Indian pantheon in Legends & Lore:
* Yama: Major: Law; Minor: Thought, Time.