Ambrose

**Ambrose** is death incarnate, King of the Underworld and Judge of the Dead. Patron deity of morticians, death doulas, etc.

He is seldom invoked out of fear of what he may bring.

### Relatives

Siblings: Adione, MalikCousin: Adonis Son: Copper

### Occupation

Ruler of the Underworld & Judge of the Dead

## Physical description

### Gender

"Don't you have better things to ask me?" (He/they)

### Description

#### Appearance

There's no limititations to how Ambrose can present, other than the ones he desires. His physical self is mostly dictated by his mood, necessities and who he's around. Despite it being no limits to how he can look, there's primarily three which are the most used.

When interacting with mortals and other deities, he will most often present as a handsome man with long flowing dark hair, tan skin and up to three pairs of monochrome wings, wielding a massive double-headed scythe and wearing black clothes with gold embriodery, as well as a bone crown and other bone-related jewellry. If they wish to pass as an unassuming mortal, they can leave behind the wings, scythe and bone crown and will dress as any other regular person. Clothes will primarily be black, red, and gold, and he'll always have some jewellry and bone-related things on him.

Part of Ambrose's responsibilities as death incarnate is to ensure the balance between life and death is kept, and that all of the dead are accounted for, down to every single soul. The Grand Archives, also simlpy known as The Archives were created to keep the records of the dead. Ambrose is not the only being to work there, but his work accounts for a staggering percentage of any process that goes through the archives.

When they are working here, Ambrose prefers to take on the form of an eldritch beast; a creature incomprehensible to most beings, appearing to warp space and time around. Multiple pairs of claw-like arms and eyes can be made out, among a horde of other appendages. Although he doesn't need to take on this form to keep up with the job, he prefers it. He will also take on this appearance if he is somehow angered to such a point, or to scare beings when he deems it fit.

Ocassionally, they will get bored and simply present as a vaguely humanoid shadow. Or a vaguely shaped amorphous shadow, appearing to bleed, distort and blur the world around it's edges.

#### Personality

Amongst other things, Ambrose is well-known for their work ethic and ability to stay calm under pressure, earning him the respect and admiration of many. Running a place such as the Underworld isn't for the faint of heart, lazy or disorganized, and Ambrose sure is none of those things. Ambrose, however seemingly stern and cold as he may seem, reflects the true nature of his kingdom and home: dynamic, bustling and ever-evolving. Still waters run deep.

Being death incarnate, one would naturally expect him to be ruthless, crude and cruel, with not a single drop of mercy to be found. Contrary to the truth, Ambrose is actually deeply caring and compassionate, even picking up hobbies such as gardening and taking care of young animals. Sometimes he is even said to go out of his way to help certain humans, even those with no prior or solid connection to him, and he is also known to regularly visit or check in with those humans that have cultivated a solid relationship with him. He even has a sense of humour, to the surprise of most.

Above all, Ambrose believes in and upholds true and indiscriminate justice.

Although he is definitely not one to throw around his weight, he expects respect and will not tolerate disrespect in the slightest. What you put in is what you get with him.

### Cult and relationship to humanity

#### Relationship to humanity

As is natural, the majority of humans fear him, as he *is* their inevitable fate: death. People have a myriad of different thoughts and emotions relating to death, each complex, unique and valid in their own right. Regardless, most tend to view it as an inevitable and necessary part of existence, as painful as it may sometimes be.

A handful of humans are drawn to him, hypnotized by the force of nature. Some, out of sheer curiosity and awe, and others out of desperation. Those that are drawn to him out of awe can choose to worship him, and he gladly accepts it, granting them small favours and some protection, as well as ocassional pieces of advice. Those seeking greater things from Ambrose must put forth something worthy in return. When people are drawn to him out of desperation and agony, Ambrose will use a case by case approach, either choosing to spare and personally help the person, or if there is no solution he will allow them to rest.

In most cases, funerary rites and preparations are said to have been dictated by Ambrose themself, directly teaching them to humans, but there is no evidence of that actually happening. Other than out of respect for the deceased, funerary rites are also performed in homage to Ambrose, both out of respect and to ask for good fortune in the afterlife for their deceased loved one. In the exceptional cases where they cannot be performed or there is no one willing to perform them, local death doulas will take on the assignment to ensure the town remains in good favour with Ambrose. However, if the deceased was a terrible being in life it is perfectly fine and expected for them to get no funerary rites. It is said that if the candles used for the rites refuse to be lit no matter what, the person isn't deserving of them as they performed terrible acts in life, and truth will undoubdtely arise. There are accounts of Ambrose halting funrerary rites for someone who thought they could take their horrendous nature and secrets with them to the grave.

In daily life, people are expected to respect the dead or they will face the consequences when their time comes- this extends to animal remains. Those who worship him take it an extra step and honour the dead, regardless of whether or not they were related or were even human. They also commonly recognize and understand that death isn't only literal, but is all around us in a metaphorical sense.

#### Worship

Their worship is widespread, varying and often part of cultural norms. The worship of death is an inextricable part of funerary rites. Morticians, death doulas, cementery guardians and cleaners all pay homage to Ambrose and typically form a priesthood dedicated to him. Individuals can choose to worship him out of pure volition. On ocassion, they will approach specific mortals out of interest, although being as busy they are, these ocassions are extremely rare. Regardless, he will always appreciate any sort of respectful worship. Respecting the dead, honouring them and understanding death beyond the physical, observable and literal are other ways to worship or merely show respect.

##### Symbolism

* Animals: vultures, coyotes, jackals (any scavengers), moths
* Plants: fungi, lilies, chrysanthemum, forget-me-nots, poppies
* Colours: Black, gold, red, white, silver
* Objects: skulls, bones, seashells

##### Offerings

If they are sourced from animals they must be ethically sourced or he will take offense. Edible offerings should be burried or they're said to bring disease if consumed (this includes water).

* Bones, skulls, cleaning and mantaining of thereof
* Black, grey or brown feathers
* Flowers, preferably red ones
* Dark chocolate, berries, wine, water, bread
* Lighting candles or incense

##### Devotions

Activities, actions and other things to pay homage to Ambrose. Basic respect and politeness are an expectation.

* Cleaning tombstones, graveyards, mausoleums, communing with and making offerings to the dead who rest there (as long as you have permission).
* Supporting the local death doulas, graveyard workers and death workers.
* Participating in funerary rites, regardless of who the deceased is.
* Artworks, songs, praise, etc
* Giving time and energy away to those who are near the end of their lives

### Biography

#### Early existence

Ambrose is as old as life itself, as where there is life there is death. Because of this he is also not considered a Primordial deity, as there had to be others before him so that life could flourish, such as the earth itself, the sun and moon.

Ambrose spent most of their early existence alone, wandering and trying to understand themselves and the world. As life grew and evolved, so did death and his powers along with it. His control over them, however, had a long way to catch up, because it all changed much too fast. Unable to control his powers, he would seek solitude as anything and anyone that came close to him would quickly deteriorate and perish before his very eyes. Because of all this, he also preferred the night and the darker and colder times of the year. It was easier to hide and stay away from others. Ambrose also used his appearance to scare any beings he could away.

One of those long, lonely and cold nights his sobbing caught the attention of Malik, the primordial deity of the moon and the night, who took pity on the young distraught god. Malik took Ambrose under their wing, and their relationship soon evolved into a brotherhood.