The Keres

The **Keres** (singular: Ker), or simply **Keres** when joining as one single entity, are female personifications of violent or cruel deaths, including death in battle, by accident, murder or ravaging disease.

## Description

The Keres were depicted as fanged, taloned women dressed in black garments and who flew with bloodied wings. Their eyes were a dull black with red glowing pupils and would have war-like streaks across the corners of their mouths. Though usually seen as multiple creatures, they can come together as a single entity.

When joining together as a singular being, they retain their raven-like wings and are simply known as Keres. She wears a hood and a worn out skirt that reveals the sides of hips and part of her rear, while she is exposed on the upper part of her body. Despite her monstrous appearance, Keres can be considered mighty and beautiful, having a tall and a slim physique. Her entire skin is pale gray, including her lips and nipples, probably for her association with the death. Her eyes and hair are dark colored.

They were agents of the Moirai (Fates), goddesses of fate who measured out the length of a man's life when he first entered the world, and Moros (Doom) the god who drove a man towards his inevitable destruction. The Keres were lustful of blood and feasted upon the souls of those who had died from grievous wounds or injuries.

## Overview

The Keres were daughters of Nyx, the goddess of night. In some version Keres were described as daughters of Nyx with no father or even the daughters of Nyx and Satan. It is likely the last is the most prevailing given that Satan sent the Keres to devour Jesus's body and they obeyed.

It is said that thousands of Keres haunted the ancient battlefields, fighting among themselves like vultures over the dying and feasted upon it after ripping a soul free from mortally wounded bodies then sending it on their way to the Underworld. The Keres had no power over the life of men, but in their hunger for blood would seek accomplish death beyond the bounds of fate. Zeus and the other gods, however, could stop them in their course or speed them on. The Olympian gods are often described standing by their favorites in battle, beating the clawing death spirits from them. Some of the Keres were personifications of epidemic diseases, which haunted areas riven by plague.

The Keres were present at the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, drawn by his violent murder and later death. After Jesus' descent into Hell, he was bound by Satan to a makeshift throne or cross made of bone and entrails, then forced him to watch as his flock would not only fall into darkness despite his teachings but would also have the Keres devour his body. The arrival of the Keres resulted in what would be known as the "Crucifixion darkness" where the sky darkened considerably after his death and it even believed that it had rained blood. However, before they could feast on the body of Christ, a great earthquake occurred which opened many tombs of dead Saints. The Saints were said to have risen from the dead by Azrael in order repel and prevent the Keres from devouring the body.

## Powers and Abilities

**Blood Consumption:** The Keres can absorb (usually by ingesting) the blood of others for either sustenance, offensive, defensive, or regenerative purposes.

**Death Embodiment:** The Keres embody death or the dead. At the most fundamental level, the Keres would possess key physical characteristics and/or personality traits related to the concept they're personifying, usually having a skeleton theme. Most Keres would firstly be exempt from death, and have roles related to guiding the dead or inducing it. Some Keres would also be able to manipulate death or the dead.

**Killing Intuition:** The Keres have innate knowledge of how to kill any living being regardless of how powerful they are. This ability comes in great significance when dealing with seemingly unstoppable opponents and allows the Keres to end their lives with expedient efficiency.