Pharasma

The Lady of Graves

In life before the Arcanaclysm, Pharasma was a nurse. She oversaw those dying from disease, wounds and sickness, while also helping deliver babies and take care of children.
On the day of the Arcanaclysm, she was at the site of The Final Battle, tending to the wounded soldiers, regardless of origin. She ascended at the time of the Arcanaclysm and now oversees the passage of life. Birth, Death, Fate, and Prophecy are all in her domain.
Pharasma seldom appears before mortals, but when she does she is typically a silent observer at a birth or a funeral. These events are often considered prophetic in nature, and herald a significant event.

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Appearance

Pharasma's physique was left largely unchanged by The Arcanaclysm. She retained her skinny build, though her stance has become more formal, her movements slower and more graceful. The most obvious changes were to her skin colour, which is an unnatural ash grey, and her hair, which is now long, billowing white hair.
She is typically depicted as wearing black dress with red edges. Below the waist the dress is made of several layers of a fabric that gets more translucent as it gets closer to the ground, billowing in such a way that gives it a smoky appearance. On her arms she has gloves that go from her upper arm down to her hand, leaving her fingers bare. On her feet, she wears slim shoes.
In most places she is depicted as holding or studying her hourglass. The hourglass appears to be made of adamantine and glass, with a red sand that slowly trickles from the top to the bottom. In The Clockwork Citadel, her hourglass is usually replaced by an adamantine pocket watch.
Some negative depictions of Pharasma show her as a hooded figure wielding a scythe, similar in appearance to Urgathoa. These depictions will sometimes show a bony hand, or a cruel smile, and can be distinguished from Urgathoa by the inclusion of her smoky grey hair. Showing or sharing these depictions isn't typically punished by her followers, though it may cause tensions.

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History

Apart from some few small bits of information, knowledge about Pharasma's past before the Arcanaclysm isn't well known. For unknown reasons, information on her old life, her relationships, appearance, allegiances is kept a closely guarded secret by the clergy and Pharasma herself. One theory is that it preserves her image of impartiality in guiding the dead to their respective afterlife.

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Followers

With the event of The Arcanaclysm, the number of undead rose. Area's that heightened necromancy and Urgathoa's growing power drove people to support Pharasma and her army of psychopomps. The importance of following proper burial ceremonies and rituals to reduce the chance of undeath was taught, and the people teaching this became the first clerics of Pharasma.

Tenets of Faith

The most basic tenets upheld by all those who follow Pharasma are: Strive to understand prophecies and omens. Destroy Undead and those that seek to disrupt the natural order of life. Lay bodies to rest.
The following are considered Anathemas by Pharasma: Create undead. Desecrate a corpse. Rob a tomb.

Priesthood

Priests of Pharasma are generally specialized in one of her three main concerns. The first branch are nurses and midwives, and assist with fertility and birth. The second branch is fate and prophecy. Most believe that, as a neutral deity, Pharasma and her clerics are the best at decoding prophecy with impartiality. The third branch is concerned with death and funerals. They oversee funeral rites and preparation for burial, and protect the tombs from malicious.

Worship

Worship of Pharasma isn't an everyday activity for the majority. Typically they would only worship around the time of birth and death. Some smaller cultures may have a celebration when a man or woman comes of age, and there will often be a small offering to Pharasma. Couples who are trying for children and expecting may also pray for fertility and a healthy child.
Offerings
Offerings made to Pharasma are typically gold, jewels, or other forms of currency. This currency is used to maintain cemeteries and perform any necessary rituals for their safekeeping.

Granted Divine Powers

Pharasma will sometimes grant her followers the gift of foresight, allowing them to see slightly into the future, allowing them to shift their actions moments before the fate would occur. She may also grant temporary immortality to her most loyal disciples. Generally this is only granted while they are on a quest of great importance. If the recipient of this boon were to die during the course of the mission, they would instead die after it had been completed to Pharasma's satisfaction.

Quests

Quests completed by the followers of Pharasma are typically dangerous and involve the hunting and destruction of undead. Low risk quests will typically involve unintelligent undead such as zombies and skeletons, while more serious quests may involve pursuing a more intelligent enemy such as a vampire or lich. There a few less dangerous quests such as consecrating a graveyard, or seeking out a tome about undeath or similar knowledge. Adventurers on any of these quests may find themselves at odds with followers and disciples of Urgathoa, even for the more simple tasks. Adventurers completing these quests are generally well armed and have experience dealing with the threats that may be encounters

Gender

Female

Eyes

White

Hair

Wispy long white hair

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

Ash Grey

Symbol
An iridescent blue spiral travelling outwards in a clockwise direction.
Domains
Death
Fate
Healing
Knowledge
Souls
Time
Vigil