Pharan

A human goddess of death and prophecy, Pharan is concerned with the universal balance. Death is part of the cycle, and all things must die, and she casts no judgement on the dead.

It is believed that Pharan came into being to serve the dead who were buried in pauper's graves, unable to pay for any of Bastion's funerary customs.

She is generally regarded with favourably amongst humans; Pharan does not bring death, only guides the souls of the dead to the next place. Worshippers of Pharan are often found within professions that deal with the mundanity of life and death: midwives, morticians, hospice work, doctors.

The worship of Pharan was never made illegal in Bastion, but there was a certain amount of pushback from the elite of the empire, due to her worship focusing on opposition to monetised death traditions.

## Symbology

Pharan is usually depicted as a tall, skeletal figure shrouded in black cloth, face covered. Bones are a recurring motif within worship and art of her, and her domain is known as the Boneyard.

Ravens are said to proceed Pharan's arrival, are and treated as a sign to take care, or an omen.

The black or dark purple rose is a symbol of Pharan, often worn to ward of premature death, such as by people who are pregnant or ill.

## Worship

Temples of Pharan are hung with black linen and roses, burning fragrant incense and prayers left in chalk by the altar. Temples are usually built upon caves or mausoleums that house the bones of the dead.

### Mortalani

The Mortalani are the clerics and priests who follow Pharan, who lead worship and defended Bastion from undead. Bastion's tombs were a fertile ground for necromancers wishing to use the undead, and the Mortalani became unofficial defenders against them, despite the elite of the city's general hostility towards the religious sect. They proved useful enough to be shielded from crackdown on their practices, and the Mortalani were able to gain favour with the general population of Bastion.

The term is is now used as a generalised name for those humans that followed the Mortalani when they reached the Skeleton Coast of the Cobalt Sea.

### Book of Bones

An ancient book written by a cleric, said to contain the prophecies of Pharan. The location of the original copy is unknown, apparently lost in the fall of Bastion.

### Parade of Bones

The Parade of Bones is an annual festival lasting two nights that celebrates the dead. It features street parades, feasting, skeleton iconography and costumes. While the celebration can have a sombre undertone, it is generally a celebration of family, community, ancestors, and the beloved dead.

### Rituals

* Priests, clerics and other devout followers of Pharan decorate their skin in intricate white pigment.
* Use of oracle bones for divination, involving carving questions into bone, applying heat until the bones crack, and then reading the resulting marks.
* Births and deaths are celebrated with blessings and offerings to Pharan.
* Chanting and recital are common ritualistic practices during worship.
* While ritual sacrifices (even of animals) are taboo, priests will sometimes intervene to end the life of someone suffering from terminal illness or mortal injury.
* The *Parade of Bones* is a festival celebrated every year, marked with parades, parties, and costumes based on skeletons.

### Superstitions

* Necromancy, dealings with the undead, or any means by which death is bypassed are taboo amongst worshippers of Pharan.
* Growing and displaying black roses without thorns are think to gain Pharan's favour.
* The unexpected appearance of ravens is said to be a sign that Pharan is paying attention.
* Conversing with dead outside of an official temple setting (e.g. a séance), with a Mortalani priest leading the communication is considered bad luck.

## D&D 5e Mechanics

### Channel Divinity

#### Rested Bones

Pharan calls the dead to rest. When an combatant attempts to issue a command to undead servants/thralls, or to create/raise undead, you can use your *channel divinity* to counteract their magic. Creatures affected by *Rested Bones* cannot be reanimated, and are permanently dead. Effects 3 creatures, +1 for each level you have.

### Traits

#### Death Prophecy

*The oracles of Pharan predicted your death when you were young, and you have carried the inevitability of your death with you since, making you sometimes reckless, and sometimes brave.*

You gain advantage against being *frightened*. An opponent that has failed to render you with the frightened status effect remain unable to do so for 24 hours.

#### The Known Dead

*Raised amongst Mortalani, you were taught about the reality of death and the customs surrounding it. You are not squeamish about how the dead are dealt with, and have a good instinct for understanding various death customs.*

You are proficient in medicine and history checks related to funerary practices.