Nirawn

(Deity)

### Subdomains

Ancestors, Archon, Blood, Devil, Exploration, Inevitable, Leadership, Martyr, Souls, Tactics, Trade

### Sacred Colors

Black, Gray, and White

The god of the dead (as opposed to the god of death), Nirawn is the judge of those mortals who have passed into the afterlife, assigning them their final homes for eternity.

## Dogma

Blessed are the Dead, for they will never know the needs of life again. Blessed are the living, for they know not the terrible responsibilities of the dead. Cursed are the Undead, for they neglect their responsibilities yet do not fully comprehend the satisfaction of eternal death. Do not murder, all will come to death within their own time.

## History

Nirawn is a primordial deity, once associated with the Astral Plane. He became the keeper of the dead when it was realized that the spirits of mortals were beginning to build up in the Astral Plane, and so he was assigned by a conclave of deities to help direct them to planes better suited for them.

Nirawn is not to be confused with death gods. He is a God of the Dead, and does not think it right to end a life early. Rather, he sees death as a burden or a coming-of-age. To force one into that early is a terrible trauma that is unwholesome, though he understands that sometimes life is kill-or-be-killed.

If nothing, Nirawn can forgive those who are genuinely repentant, and he does not judge the dead based on his own demands of his followers but rather those of their patrons.

## Home

The Court of Final Rest is a crystal spire that erupts from a sphere of rune covered bone in the midst of the Astral Plane. It is nominally connected to all of the other planes through egresses that allow only the spirits of the dead to pass to their fates.

At the center of the lowest level of the spire is a translucent crystal courtroom held in condition by a number of psychopomp attendants, as well as other petitioners and outsider servants.

## Appearance

Nirawn's appearance is different depending on the cultural context in which he's being presented. In western Aureon, he is typically depicted as a cloaked figure with a mask made of bone or porcelain that is neutral of expression and carrying scales and a gavel.

In Hatari culture he is depicted as a pale, faceless figure who carries two spheres representing the living and the dead.

In the far north, among the Kruskaal, he is often depicted as a gaunt, tall man in clothing made out of wolf's skin, carrying a book with the names of the living and the time of their death.

## Relationships

Because of his job in repatriating the souls of the deceased to their afterlife, he is seen as an essential part of the make up of the cosmos. He has decent relations with many deities, though he has little love for those who steal souls or who create undead. He also has poor relations with Xykus due to his portfolio of murder.

Nirawn and Sol are often depicted as at odds with one another, though they are also considered brothers. One gives to the living, the other gives to the dead.

Providence

Whenever a crow appears is said to be a divine sign from Nirawn. If one appears at a funeral, it is guiding the soul of the departed to the afterlife. If one attacks someone, that person has disrespected the god of the dead in some manner.

It is said that when Berenes attacked the city of Arretion, he was met by a champion of Nirawn called Syrion in his request for a duel. Syrion was nearly overpowered, but a crow descended from a nearby tree and pecked out Berenes' eyes. Berenes' forces retreated, and that is how Berenes became known as "the Blind" ever after. Syrion would eventually become king of Arretion, though tragedy would plague him too.

## Servants

Countless psychopomps serve Nirawn. In addition, he is served by a demigod known as Nergaal.

### Nergaal

Nergaal is a demigod of death, or more specifically those who have died. He tallies those who have died and checks them against the list of who is supposed to be dead, and then sends his servants to correct mistakes.

## Church

The church of Nirawn tends to the needs of the dead. They help prepare bodies for burial, as well as tending to graveyards. Some consider them fairly mercenary, since they rarely offer healing without a price.

## Organizations

The Knights of the Watchful Rest are an organization dedicated to eliminating the undead, who view Nirawn as a patron.