Ankou

Career

Qualifications

The Ankou is a mantle, taken up by the final Bediz over the age of 7 to die within a community during a given Year. The "Community" that an Ankou oversees is defined by the boundaries established by the Kalvar. Each Ankou will take up the mantle for the year following their death.
The Wheel of the Year begins and ends with the festival of Kalan-Goañv, which takes place between the 42nd of Du and the 3rd of Kerzu, with its height on 45 Du, where the Vigil takes place, from nightfall to daybreak.

Appearance

The basic morphology of the Ankou is indistinguishable from Bediz, save for their white hair, pale complexion and gaunt frame. They have often been described as almost skeletal in their appearance, but they do have skin, despite tales and depictions suggesting otherwise in local folklore. The Ankou are commonly tall and thin, but otherwise share the features of the last individual to die in their jurisdiction.

Career Progression

The Ankou typically arrives at the home of its replacement while the latter is on its deathbed, entering the home at the moment of Death. While this may occur before the Vigil of the Ankou, the mantle does not pass until the year's end, as an unfated death may upset the balance and spare the chosen of their mantle. The Alcolyte rides along with the Ankou's cart until the mantle is passed.
After the tolling of the Darkbell on 3 Kerzu, the alcolyte takes the place of the original Ankou, taking on their route seamlessly as if no change had occurred. This continues for the year until the mantle is passed again.

Payment & Reimbursement

In exchange for the year of service, the Anoan that binds the Ankou to Bedouar is granted several boons.
The Ankou must maintain its route collecting the Anoan of the dead, but is exempted from having to complete the Tro Breizh after death. Additionally, they are granted expedient passing across the White Plain of just 1 year, which may be significantly faster or moderately slower that the time the soul may have crossed the field.

Perception

Purpose

The Ankou is the Henchman of Death, and is tasked with overseeing the Anoan of their community, collecting these souls and guiding them from their place of death to the Kalvar of Mag Mor. Especially deserving individuals are driven deeper into the White Plain itself, taken to a point determined by the strange arcane methods known only to the Ankou themselves.
The Ankou is also charged with maintaining the peace between the living and the unquiet dead, handling Draugr and graverobbers with equal, brutal efficiency.

Social Status

The Vigil of the Ankou

The Wheel of the Year begins and ends with the festival of Kalan-Goañv, which takes place between the 42nd of Du and the 3rd of Kerzu, with its height on 45 Du, where the Vigil takes place, from nightfall to daybreak. The veils between worlds become thin during Kalan-Goañv and the mantle passes from the "elder" entity to the "younger", with the former making its final ride across the White Plains of Mag Mor. During the festival, both Ankou roam freely, leaving the protection of the dead to the living.
Should the dead be disturbed, calamity is sure to befall the community. To prevent this, a single individual was selected by lot to stand watch in the graveyards, accompanied by a single orange-waxed candle, remaining awake until the candle is expended. Other candles, placed in windows or in carved gourds, offer solidarity to the lonely watcher from afar. The Ankou's candle is lit at the first tolling of the Darkbell, and may be extinguished only at the final toll of the first Dawnbell.

The Procession of the Envorad

Throughout Letha on the Eve of Nedeleg, processions of Envorad can be seen walking to disused chapels and overgrown Nemeton, walking in 2 straight lines, each holding a candle that does not flicker in the wind. They are led by a hunch-backed white haired druid or perfect carrying a grail and a youth ringing a small bell. The Ankou give these ghostly Pardons a wide berth, watching silently at the crossroads as the procession passes them. There has been no record of the Ankou interfering with the procession, nor with any attempt by outsiders to interfere, although it is clear they disapprove of the latter.

Operations

Tools

The Scythe of Anaon

A large scythe is the standard tool carried by all Ankou, resembling that of Lethan farming tradition. The scythe can be manifested into an Ankou's hands from the aether, rather than being physically carried, although it often is. Unlike a normal scythe, the blade is upside down, as if to throw the cuttings away, rather than bringing them to the reaper. The scythe passes through solid matter, striking instead at the Foyson or Anaonof an entity. Those cut by the scythe are pulled into the afterlife by the reapers. Those who are not targeted by the ankou, typically attackers, do not experience this separation when struck. Instead, they are usually left broken and trembling, unable to describe what they have seen. These individuals, left with bleached white hair and chronic trembling, often exhibit signs of post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as other conditions, following their experience. Some Ankou carry mallets.
The Karrigell an Ankou is a cart or carriage, held by each Ankou, a black vehicle drawn by one or four Nightmares and lit by Faerie Fire. The metal wheels of the cart squeak and screech, as if they are badly in need of oil. The cart, which can appear as a simple farming cart, a hansom cab, or even a stagecoach, varies by region. and circumstance. The purpose of this cart is the collection of Anaon. The carts appear and disappear around corners, traveling along routes unknown even to the Fae on the single minded path of their drivers. In coastal communities, this takes the form of a ghostly ship or boat, the Bag Noz.
The final technology associated with the Ankou are glass and brass lanterns containing dim, swirling greenish light within. It is surmised that this light is drawn from Anaoan, starting dim and becoming brighter as the Ankou makes their rounds.

Dress

The dress of the Ankou develops alongside the communities they serve, but remain largely uniform during a period. In their current iteration, the Ankou favour long black coats of heavy wool-like fabric, secured by buttons of brass or bone. Ankou of both gender appearances wear black pants and boots. Capes and shoulder capes are common, but not universal in their dress. All Ankou possess a large, wide brimmed felt hat that they wear while making their rounds.

Labous an Ankou

The Ankou are often accompanied, or at least heralded by the Labous an Ankou, an owl-like bird that appears to operate as a familiar.

Dangers & Hazards

The Ankou appear to be enemies with the Yan-gant-y-tan, with reactions varying between cold suspicion or outright hostility. There have been no known altercations between the two, but the Yan-Gant-y-Tan will immediately retreat from the Ankou's presence. It will not retreat from the Labous an Ankou, but is almost always visibly aware of its presence.

Alternative Names

The Henchman of Death

Type

Arcane

Related Locations

• The Armorican Peninsula

Related Vehicles

• Bag Noz