Naveh

Best known as the bringer of nightmares, Naveh is the deity favored by assassins and thieves. Naveh is a lord of secrets, a doer of the impossible. His main symbols are Nava-shak-ara, an ebony knife; and Shinkra-akra, a translucent human skull. Replicas of both are used in temple rituals.
Naveh’s main demonic servants are Dekejis and the Gytevsha. Dekejis appears in the form of a black, redeyed cat. Dekejis considers human eyes and genitals a great delicacy; those who lack either are said to bear the curse of Naveh. There are three principal Gytevsha, each with numerous lesser servants. Gekrish, the “Hands of Despair,” can reach inside the body with taloned hands and still the heart, or possess the body, tormenting the resident Aura before slaying it. Krasula, the “Hunter of Sleep,” brings horrific nightmares and appears as a male child with one eye of the palest blue and the other of the deepest black. Vesha, the “Mouth of Falsehood,” spreads deceit and confusion and is strengthened by every lie told by men and wounded by every truth.
Temples of Naveh are always covert, even where lawful. Very little is known of the church by outsiders. Its discipline is second to none; temple masters have been known to order loyal underlings to commit ritual suicide for no apparent reason. Navehan clergy have little interest in the laity. It is widely believed that the temples kidnap children of good or noble birth to be raised as clerics and servants. Some temple rituals involve drug-induced trances. Each temple is self-sufficient. The chief temple and the seat of the primate for Hârn is in Coranan; there are also covert temples in Golotha, Shiran, and Tashal. The pontiff lives at the Temple of Maniquideh in Dalkesh.

Ethics

The church’s most interesting ritual punishment is the Herth-Akan, in which a target is given a one-hour start and must evade the murderous pursuit of seven of his temple brothers for three successive days and nights. Few are successful. If the victim evades death for the required period, he is permitted to live, but the failed assassins must then commit ceremonial suicide.

Worship

Ritual murder play a major role in the worship of Naveh.
The temples take commissions for assassinations or thievery and may be contacted through the Lia-Kavair, who often pay them tribute. Fees are high and the church is prone to refuse contracts without explanation.

Priesthood

The clerical garb is loose fitting to allow freedom of movement, and usually black with a trace of blood red. Ranking clergy wear an over-robe of red and may don the dreaded skull mask that denotes imminent death. All clergy carry razor-sharp daggers. An assassin wears a broad belt of white cloth that will be red with the victim’s blood when returned to the temple. Success and failure are judged by more than the simple death of the victim; there is a degree of “artistry” involved. Various punishments are meted out for failure.

Granted Divine Powers

Trickery Domain
Dark Domain

“Lord of the Pitch Shadows, Master
of Deceit and Evil Dreams, Lord of the
Last Illusion, The Merchant of Death,
Unseen Lifter of Lives, Trancer the Cat,
Wealth’s Worry.”

Naveh rituals:

Type

Religious, Organised Religion

Location

Losenor