The Watcher
The Watcher of Ruin
Title(s): The Watcher, The Watchful Raven
Pantheon: New Gods
Power: Primary Deity
Alignment: True Neutral
Symbol: Raven
Portfolio: Death, Erosion, Dust, Ravens, Dust
Domain(s): Grave
Worshipers: all destined to die
Contents
Description
The Watcher of Ruin also known as The Watchful Raven is the god of death, erosion and dust. He is the raven headed ruler of the Divine Realm of Stillness, a common afterlife for most souls of the living.
Spread
The Watcher is universally worshiped all across Eoran. It is one of the most ubiquitous gods.
Dogma
The Watcher is the deity who oversees passage of time and is responsible for weathering, erosion, crumbling to dust, as well as the process of aging and death. He is known as The Watcher because he never seems to act directly and merely watches as things fall and crumble to dust around him. However this is just an appearance, as he works tirelessly every second of every day to make cracks in stone, rust marks in iron and turn hair gray on the heads of the living.
He rules the Divine Realm of Stillness, which is a quiet, dusty plane that is neither hot, nor cold, and has neither day or night. It is said to be filled with ruins of every ancient city and monument that has fallen. It is also the final destination for all souls (but especially those who die of old age), except those who were chosen by other gods. Here they may lead quiet existence, knowing neither pain, hunger, nor desire.
The Watcher does not particularly care whether or not souls end up in Stillness or if they pass on to other realms. He allows other gods to pick out their chosen souls and whisk them away to their own realms. He also does not really care whether the souls he accepts are evil or virtuous. Everyone is equally welcome in Stillness and can expect an amicable, and peaceful afterlife.
The Divine Realm of Stillness is also said to be home of all spiders, who are natural plane travelers. It is said that when spiders spin their webs in Eoran, the first strand always starts in Stillness from whence the spider came.
Shrines and Temples
Because The Watcher is the de-facto god of death, his temples usually function as mortuaries where deceased are given their last rights, according to local customs. The Watcher's dogma does not actually proscribe any particular method of burial, so the actual rituals such as embalming, burning at a pyre or repurposing (as in Koda) are usually performed according to local tradition, or wishes of the deceased or their family. Often priests of other deities are invited to perform special final rights.
The temples are usually large buildings made out of dark or darkened stone. They are sparsely furnished, and unadorned. Stone slabs are preferred over benches or tables. The priests usually allow cobwebs to accumulate in places where they don't interfere with day to day functioning of the temple, as it is believed they attune the space to Stillness.
In places where burial in the ground is the most popular custom, the temples are usually adjacent to a graveyard, or built atop of underground crypt where dead are lain to rest. Tombstones and crypts are usually adorned with a figure of a raven, or a raven skull. Where burning is more popular, the temples have large courtyards specifically built altars for ritual cremation.
The shrines to The Watcher are usually just a simple stone statue. Often they are built into crypt walls. Grave tombstones adorned with the god's symbols also function as mini-shrines. It is believed that the act lighting a candle at a shrine is visible all the way from Stillness, and can facilitate communication with the deceased. It is best to light the candle at the crypt or tombstone of the specific deceased person to ensure they'll notice it, but any shrine will do.
Priesthood
The priests of The Watcher usually wear simple, unadorned black, hooded robes tied at the waist with a rope. Most of them wear a raven skull symbol around their neck. In poor, or rural areas this is usually an actual skull hanging from a rope or leather string. Priests in affluent areas will usually wear a silver chain, and a silver skull replica. This is usually the only adornment they wear - much like their temples, their clothing tends to be simple and functional.
The priests usually work as undertakers, conducting burials or ritual burning. Most are trained in simple embalming techniques they perform at the temple while they wash and prepare the deceased for actual last rights they perform in the presence of family. They also provide grief counseling, reminding surviving loved ones that everyone ends up in Stillness eventually and that they will be one day reunited.
Religious Observances
The Watcher does not require offerings or prayers, and thus most religious observations connected with him revolve around burial rights or communing with the dead.
The last rights rituals involve washing and embalming of the body, and incantations intended to hasten the arrival of The Reaper and passing of the deceased soul into the realm of Stillness. During he last rights, friends of family are usually invited to give a eulogy or say a few words.
The other most popular custom is burning candles or incense sticks at shrines or tombstones to commune with spirits of the deceased.
