Prince of Death
Death is a concept that is not foreign to any culture. Every living being should be able to understand that death is the end of all things. Unless, it isn't...
The Domain of Death explores the possibilities of the afterlife, its prince often attributed to being the first necromancer in history. Prior to the knowledge the outer planes they were also the one blamed for the appearance of demons and devils and other types of fiends. In many cultures it is accepted that once your soul leaves your body it travels to the realm of the Prince of Darkness, where ones soul is judged before being sent onto other domains.
Current Prince
According to the information we could findOften dig up, literally, the current Prince of Death is a creature known as Aaron, often nicknamed The Reaper. Given due to his cultural relevance in regards to taking the souls to their afterlife. It is said that in life Aaron was the first necromancer to ever exist, raising the dead to do as he commanded grabbed the attention of the Creator. Who bestowed powers beyond even lichdom upon this caster, granting it true immortality and the abiliy to harness princial magic. It is said, that Aaron has a son, known as Lukas. Who has said to have played a great role in the vanquishing of one of the Princes of Madness.
Common Worshippers
The Prince of Death is often worshipped within cultures that respect the dead or even those who have the living dead among them. Vampires, liches, and even some sentient simple undead such as zombies, ghouls, and ghosts often hold this deity is reverence. And he is universally accepted among all alignments ranging from good to evil and all inbetween.
Key among their worshippers were the members of the Dark Star, a necromantic cult that has often received blessings from the Prince of Death. Another notable cult is the Sanguine Pact, who serve the Lord of Blood, Sanguine. Utilising a subset of necromantic magic, (blood magic) and they have vampiric-esque powers.
Religion
There are currently no major organised religions dedicated to the Prince of Death. Certain shrines and other minor religions may exist but mostly in cult forms. Religions with this Prince as its chief deity often have one or more of the following tenents:
- Reincarnation
- We have lived many lives before this one, and will continue to live many lives after it. Every death is only the beginning of something new.
- Ancestral Worship
- Our ancestors watch over us from beyond the grave, guiding us and showing us the way forward. For this we must respect and honor them.
It should be noted that Ancestral Worship and Reincarnation are mutually exclusive and have been seen across vastly different parts across the world.
Cultural
Cultures that accept the gifts of the Prince of Death often allow the use of necromancy and blood magic. Bodies are often simply seen as vessels which carry the soul. Burial is not relevant for the soul to pass on and people often do not mourn the dead.