The Reaper

in: True Gods

**Alignment:** Lawful Neutral

**Domains:** Death, Life, Nature, Order

**Symbol:** A skull and a scythe

**Favored Weapon:** Scythe

**Portfolio:** Harvest, farming, natural death

**Epithets:** The Lord of the End, the Bringer of Rest, the Harvester of Souls

#### History

The Reaper is a lawful neutral deity who controls harvest, farming, and natural death. He is also known as the Lord of the End, the Bringer of Rest, and the Harvester of Souls. His symbol is a skull and a scythe.

The Reaper is usually depicted as a hooded figure in a black cloak, wielding a scythe that he uses to reap the souls of the living when their time has come. He may also carry an hourglass that shows how much time is left in a life. He is often accompanied by a ghostly white horse or a chariot pulled by white horses.

The Reaper is not evil, but rather a diligent and impartial worker who performs his duty without emotion or bias. He does not kill people out of malice or pleasure, but because it is their fate to die. He ends suffering for those who are old or sick, and prevents overpopulation and stagnation. He also ensures that the cycle of life and death continues, as he delivers the souls of the dead to their appropriate afterlife.

The Reaper is worshiped by those who respect the natural order of things, and who seek a peaceful and dignified end to their lives. He is also revered by farmers, who depend on his blessing for a bountiful harvest. His followers believe that death is not something to be feared or avoided, but rather accepted and embraced as a part of life. They honor him by burying their dead with proper rites, offering him the first fruits of their crops, and living each day as if it were their last.

The Reaper’s temples are usually located near graveyards, fields, or crossroads. They are simple and austere, with minimal decoration or ornamentation. The only adornments are skulls, scythes, hourglasses, and candles. The temples serve as places of worship, funeral homes, and hospices for the dying. The priests of the Reaper are called Reapers themselves, and they dress in black robes and skull masks. They act as guides for the dying, counselors for the bereaved, and guardians of the dead. They also perform rituals to appease the Reaper and ensure a good harvest.

The Reaper has few allies or enemies among the other deities, as he is mostly concerned with his own domain. He respects those who uphold the law and balance but he opposes those who disrupt or defy the natural order.

The Reaper’s holy days are the solstices and equinoxes, when he marks the changing of the seasons and the passage of time. His followers celebrate these days by holding festivals of harvest or remembrance, depending on the season. They also observe special rites on their birthdays and deathdays, when they reflect on their lives and prepare for their deaths.

The Reaper’s motto is "Death comes to all".

#### **Appearance**

The Reaper rarely manifests in a physical form, preferring to remain unseen and unnoticed by the living. When he does appear, he usually takes the shape of a hooded figure in a black cloak, wielding a scythe that he uses to reap the souls of the living when their time has come. He may also carry an hourglass that shows how much time is left in a life. He is often accompanied by a ghostly white horse or a chariot pulled by white horses.

Few people have glimpsed the figure beneath the black cloak and lived to tell the tale. Most legends paint the Reaper as a skeleton—white bones and an empty skull—but a few claim that nothing but a dark void lurks beneath the cloak.

#### **Personality**

The Reaper is not evil, but rather a diligent and impartial worker who performs his duty without emotion or bias. He does not kill people out of malice or pleasure, but because it is their fate to die. He ends suffering for those who are old or sick, and prevents overpopulation and stagnation. He also ensures that the cycle of life and death continues, as he delivers the souls of the dead to their appropriate afterlife.

The Reaper is not cruel, but neither is he compassionate. He does not take pity on those who beg for more time or mercy, nor does he reward those who accept their fate with grace. He simply does his job, without regard for the wishes or feelings of the living or the dead.

The Reaper is not interested in the affairs of the living, unless they interfere with his domain. He does not seek worship or praise, nor does he offer guidance or protection. He only cares about maintaining the natural order of things, and he will punish those who disrupt or defy it.

#### **Domain**

The Reaper’s domain is death, in all its forms and aspects. He rules over the end of life, the transition of souls, and the balance of life and death. He also has influence over harvest, farming, and natural cycles.

The Reaper’s realm is a vast and dark place, where the souls of the dead await their final judgment. It is a place of silence and solitude, where nothing grows or changes. The only sound is the ticking of countless hourglasses, each one representing a life.

#### **Worshipers**

The Reaper is worshiped by those who respect the natural order of things, and who seek a peaceful and dignified end to their lives. He is also revered by farmers, who depend on his blessing for a bountiful harvest. His followers believe that death is not something to be feared or avoided, but rather accepted and embraced as a part of life. They honor him by burying their dead with proper rites, offering him the first fruits of their crops, and living each day as if it were their last.

The Reaper’s worshipers are usually stoic and pragmatic people, who value hard work and honesty. They do not seek fame or fortune, nor do they indulge in excess or vice. They are loyal to their friends and family, but they do not cling to them too tightly. They are ready to face death when it comes, without regret or remorse.

#### **Clergy**

The Reaper’s clergy are called Reapers themselves, and they dress in black robes and skull masks. They act as guides for the dying, counselors for the bereaved, and guardians of the dead. They also perform rituals to appease the Reaper and ensure a good harvest.

Reapers are secretive and often solitary. Their secrecy only encourages their reputation; they wield rumor and ignorance as a weapon. They sometimes act as a secret shadow government in an otherwise innocuous village.

Reapers are trained in various skills related to death and dying, such as medicine, embalming, funeral rites, and necromancy. They also learn how to use scythes as weapons, both mundane and magical.

Reapers are expected to follow a strict code of conduct:

* Do not interfere with the natural course of life and death.
* Do not prolong or hasten anyone’s death without good reason.
* Do not raise or animate the dead without permission.
* Do not lie or cheat anyone out of their rightful inheritance.
* Do not fear or favor anyone in your duty.
* Do not neglect or abuse your own life.

#### **Temples and Shrines**

The Reaper’s temples are usually located near graveyards, fields, or crossroads. They are simple and austere, with minimal decoration or ornamentation. The only adornments are skulls, scythes, hourglasses, and candles. The temples serve as places of worship, funeral homes, and hospices for the dying.

The Reaper’s shrines are often found in secludedplaces where the living rarely go, such as caves, ruins, or forests. They are marked by a skull and a scythe, and sometimes a candle or a flower. The shrines are used by travelers or wanderers who seek the Reaper’s favor or protection.

The Reaper’s temples and shrines are usually tended by Reapers, who perform the necessary rites and ceremonies. They also welcome visitors who wish to pay their respects to the dead, seek guidance from the Reaper, or prepare for their own death.

#### **Holy Texts**

The Reaper’s holy texts are called the **Chronicles of the End**, a collection of writings that record the history of death and dying in the world. The Chronicles include stories of famous deaths, legends of the afterlife, prophecies of the end times, and instructions on how to die well.

The Chronicles are written in a cryptic and poetic language, full of metaphors and symbols. They are not meant to be read literally, but rather to inspire reflection and contemplation. The Chronicles are constantly updated by Reapers, who add new entries as they witness or learn of new deaths.

The Chronicles are kept in the Reaper’s temples, where they are guarded and studied by Reapers. They are also copied and distributed to other temples and shrines, or to anyone who wishes to read them. The Chronicles are considered sacred and authoritative by the Reaper’s followers, but they are not dogmatic or infallible. They are open to interpretation and revision, as long as they respect the spirit of the Reaper.

#### **Holidays**

The Reaper’s holidays are the solstices and equinoxes, when he marks the changing of the seasons and the passage of time. His followers celebrate these days by holding festivals of harvest or remembrance, depending on the season. They also observe special rites on their birthdays and deathdays, when they reflect on their lives and prepare for their deaths.

The most important holiday for the Reaper is **All Souls’ Day**, which falls on the first day of winter. On this day, his followers honor and remember all the souls who have died in the past year. They light candles and lanterns, visit graves and shrines, offer prayers and gifts, and share stories and memories. They also invite the spirits of the dead to join them in their celebration, hoping to receive their blessings or guidance.

On All Souls’ Day, the veil between the living and the dead is thin, and communication between them is easier. Some people use this opportunity to contact their deceased loved ones, seek answers from their ancestors, or make deals with restless spirits. Others use this opportunity to perform necromantic rituals or summon undead creatures, hoping to gain power or knowledge from them.

The Reaper does not approve or disapprove of these practices, as long as they do not disturb the natural order of things. He simply watches over them with his cold and impartial gaze.

#### Spells

##### **Reaper’s Scythe - Spell Level 2nd**

Traditions: Arcane, Divine

School: Necromancy

Cast: Somatic, Verbal

Range: 30 feet; Targets: 1 creature

Saving Throw: Fortitude; Duration: 1 round

You conjure a spectral scythe and swing it at a creature within range. Make a spell attack roll against the target’s AC. On a hit, you deal 2d8+ your spellcasting ability modifier slashing damage, and the target must attempt a Fortitude save. On a critical hit, you deal double damage and the target is automatically affected by the outcome of a failed save.

Critical Success: The target is unaffected.

Success: The target is frightened 1.

Failure: The target is frightened 2 and takes 1d6 persistent bleed damage.

Critical Failure: The target is frightened 3 and takes 2d6 persistent bleed damage.

Heightened (+1): The slashing damage increases by 1d8 and the bleed damage increases by 1d6.

##### **Reaper’s Blessing - Spell Level 2nd**

Traditions: Divine

School: Enchantment

Cast: Somatic, Verbal

Range: Touch; Targets: 1 willing living creature

Duration: 10 minutes

You touch a creature and grant it a measure of peace and acceptance in the face of death. The target gains a +1 status bonus to saving throws against fear effects and death effects. In addition, if the target dies while under the effect of this spell, its soul is immediately delivered to its appropriate afterlife, without any chance of being intercepted or trapped by other forces.

Heightened (4th): The duration increases to 1 hour, and the status bonus increases to +2.

Heightened (6th): The duration increases to 24 hours, and the status bonus increases to +3.

##### **Reaper’s Harvest - Spell Level 7th**

Traditions: Arcane, Divine

School: Necromancy

Cast: Somatic, Verbal

Area: 30-foot cone

Saving Throw: Fortitude; Duration: Instantaneous

You unleash a wave of dark energy that reaps the life force of your enemies. Each living creature in the area must attempt a Fortitude save.

Critical Success: The creature is unaffected.

Success: The creature takes half damage.

Failure: The creature takes full damage and is drained 1.

Critical Failure: The creature takes double damage and is drained 2.

The damage is equal to 10d8 plus your spellcasting ability modifier. If you are a follower of The Reaper, you also gain temporary hit points equal to half the damage you deal with this spell. These temporary hit points last for 1 minute.

Heightened (+1): The damage increases by 2d8.