Death was once a force beyond reckoning. It was beyond anything mortal or immortal and as ancient as the world. However, as mankind grew and developed and found religion, they also found their own versions of Death, in the form of death gods. With each new death god, Death itself lost souls and power. At first this did not concern it as it was beyond such things. As time passed, however, it found itself greatly reduced in power and influence upon the world. With this realization, it became spiteful, angry, and evil. In an attempt to regain its power, it has sought worshippers, unleashed terrible plagues upon the earth, and tries to harvest as many souls as it can before they reach their destination.
Worshippers are few but certainly a force to be reckoned with. They are secretive, sinister, and have absolutely no regard for life. They have attributed to death both a male and female personae and only worshippers know which aspect applies to each belief for certain. It is thought that the female aspect tends to be the quiet, calm, and cold “business” aspect of death while the male aspect is the wicked, vengeful side that plans the plagues and sickness upon the mortal world. There are certainly clerics that represent each side of this duality. Most of these followers are evil, though there are a few “neutral” representatives of Death, preaching the Old Ways of Death as a natural part of existence. Though distrusted for the most part, these clerics are allowed to oversee graveyards in some cities, but are carefully watched.
Death is also venerated by evil wizards, most notably the Necromancers, a dark cult dedicated to bringing power to their dark god. Those seeking immortality or communication with a lost loved one will sometimes call upon Death as well. All of these followers consider any other “death” god to be an imposter and will openly show their feelings about these “lesser” beings. There are no known affiliations between Death’s cult and other gods, though it is rumored that followers of Amberley will sometimes attribute Death for her rise to power. This, however, is as dark and unknown as the hood upon death’s head.
The Grim Reaper, as he is called frequently, has influence over death, sickness, suffering, and magic. His symbol is a closed cemetery gate with scythes as the frame and arch. Sometimes there will be a hooded figure behind the gates, but usually only on clothes, drawings, and more detailed works rather than on pendants or other jewelry. Most of the jewelry made for followers of Death will be silver or iron, never anything flashy such as gold. His colors are black, silver, and blue.
