《Ranger of the North》Interlude 3: Ereshkigal, The Goddess of Death

Advertisement

Death has many names but Ereshkigal is the one chosen by the inhabitants of the Nox Isles and so is the most widespread. Each race, each culture have their own way of referring to Her.

Ereshkigal is the Goddess of the Dead, the Queen who rules the underworld. The hooded specter, all mortal races have revered and feared death since time immemorial. With even the Immortals having a healthy respect for Her power. Her cult is the most secretive of all. No knowledge exists of the true visage under the hood, no idols represent Her, no paintings depict Her, no poems worship Her. She is said to be the most beautiful... or the most hideous depending on which tale you choose to believe.

But all tales feature one common identifier, the Raven perched on her shoulder. The Raven is said to be the eyes of Ereshkigal. It ferries the souls of the deceased to the underworld where they are judged. Ravens are also considered to carry messages to the deceased, which is why they are fed during Ereshkigal’s feast when the night is the longest and the underworld the closest to our realm. The Raven is revered by the people of the North, their shamans put great stock in the advice of these mystical birds.

Her Blind priests operate in every city providing charity to the poor, medicine to the sick and, rites to the dead. They do not judge one by their wealth, their race, their creed, or their religion for Death comes to all equally.

Ereshkigal abhors the perversion of the natural order. Liches, Draugr, and all manner of undead creatures and monsters that pervert the natural order are hunted down by the Reapers. This order of secretive warriors is only ever heard of in rumour. No person has ever caught a glimpse of a Reaper in action or choose not to divulge if they have. But they do exist for no undead threat ever remains one for too long.

Advertisement

Even those Blessed with her powers, the Necromancer, the Blood-Mage, and the Death Knight are not allowed to command the dead without a price. They must provide appropriate sacrifices and bargain with the departed souls for their assistance. Often these sacrifices are of blood or life, of oneself or one’s enemies. When prepared her Blessed are a terrifying foe to face on the battlefield.

The Obsidian tower located in the Nox Isles contains the Trials of Ereshkigal. It provides a permanent conduit to her Dominion allowing easier access to Death Magic which prevents most races from living there. As such the isles are populated primarily by the races of the Underdark; the Vampires, the Drow, the Duergar, and the Svirfneblin.

    people are reading<Ranger of the North>
      Close message
      Advertisement
      Next Chap
      You may like
      You can access <East Tale> through any of the following apps you have installed
      5800Coins for Signup,580 Coins daily.
      Update the hottest novels in time! Subscribe to push to read! Accurate recommendation from massive library!
      2 Then Click【Add To Home Screen】
      1Click