Keepers of the Tomb

The Keepers of the Tomb were a religious group that worshiped a long since dead god. The name of the god has been forgotten to time, and is simply referred to as the Tomb God. The religious group believes that their god helped shape the world and bring about intelligent life but died long ago. In their dying moments the tomb god told their followers that they would one day return, and to keep those who die safe and protected in their tombs, for they too will be resurrected with the god's return.
During the time of Reus, they believed that the God of Balance was real, but had not created anything, only controlled the world as it was. They believed that there were gods older than Reus and they had simply died off, including the Tomb God. Followers of the religion worshiped their god in secret due to the prosecution of other religions at the time. The concept of the Wheel of Fate, the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, that Reus' followers preached was something they told themselves as a matter of ignorance, and that only the Tomb God would bring back the dead.
After the death/disappearance of Reus the Keepers of the Tomb were able to be much more open about their beliefs, though very few people embraced them. During the rise of the Colossus the Keepers were one of the last groups of people to leave Rodnia. They debated among themselves that they could not leave the dead in the hands of the vile invaders, but eventually came to the conclusion that they were the last of the Tomb God's worshipers, and if they had died out, the god may never awaken. They ended up leaving at the very peak of Berava with the invaders just hours away from where they were. 
Due to the lateness of their departure, as well as heavy currents shifting their boat, they ended up landing inland in Orisia a few weeks after most of the other boats had arrived. It's believed that they had arrived in the northern section of the Big Empty, but then traveled southward to the southern coast and stopping there due to better conditions. They decided to finally settle down, and began work on their tomb settlement, dubbing it Gravenhold. After constructing a few small shelters out of branches and leaves, the Keepers began their work they had wanted to accomplish so long ago. They began to dig down into the earth and work on a massive tomb that they themselves would live in, both in life, and afterwards. 
Eventually the people of Gravenhold were found by scouts and explorers from The Kingdom of Brennis about 30 years after their arrival. Residents were told of the Kingdom and the better conditions there, but the Keepers refused to leave saying this was their home and the amount of time and effort they had put into their tomb home was something they didn't wish to waste. Some of the scouts that found Gravenhold told them of other gods who had surfaced and spoke of their beliefs. The Keepers didn't mind hearing about the gods they were told about, and even found them interesting. 
When it comes to the new generation of gods, Keepers believe they do exist and control different aspects of the world in Reus' absence, but they claim that nearly everyone who dies does not join their gods in the afterlife, but instead are still bound to this world, and need to be protected. 
The tomb of Gravenhold now consists of fifteen rooms carved out of the stone below itself, and continues to slowly expand. Nearly everyone in Gravenhold lives in the tomb itself. 
The Keepers offer a class where people can come and learn stonecutting and tunnel engineering in exchange for labor. They are provided with free housing and food for their work as well. Those who continue work fore two years are given a plot within the tomb. Those who wish to buy a plot within the tomb are also able to buy one, the profits are used for supplies and tools.   
Currently only seventeen bodies are held in the tomb, most of them are the remains of the older members who first arrived in Orisia. There are also a number of partial skeletons that have been found in ruins around Gravenhold, mostly dwarven. While the Keepers would give them proper burial, the lack of complete bodies makes it difficult. They often just place the skulls of the unknown on shelves to hopefully have mercy from the Tomb God when they arise. 
Keepers of the Tomb are usually quite pleasant and friendly. They are understanding of other beliefs, and are firm in their own, but do not to try convert people. They disagree with cremation and other forms of body destroying funeral rites. They do however detest necromancy in all practices and see it as an abomination.

Mythology & Lore

The Keepers of the Tomb believe that there were gods before Reus but they had died off. The last of those ancient gods told their followers in their final moments that they would return one day, and bring everyone who had died back to life with them, but only if their remains still existed, and that it was up to them to keep them whole. The Keepers kept this belief strong and do as their dead god asked, taking care of all bodies and giving them a proper rest until they return.

Divine Origins

Though the Tomb God itself is believed to be older than Reus, the origin of the Keepers of the Tomb are unknown. Due to the zealot nature of the Order, there are no records of the group that extend before they arrived in Orisia.

Tenets of Faith

• The Tomb God shall return one day
• They will resurrect everyone who has fallen
• It is up to the living to respect and protect the dead
• The dead must not be forgotten

Ethics

• Respect the deceased, never talk ill of the dead
• Remember those who you knew who are dead, as long as there is a record of them, they are never gone
• Respect other religions, gods come and go, but bones can remain forever

Worship

Worship of the Tomb God is done simply by respecting the dead. By giving the dead a proper place to rest until their god returns is doing what they asked. 
Some clean graves or pay respects to the fallen with candles or reading to them.

Priesthood

There is no official organized religion of the Tomb God. As such, you are either a believer of the Tomb God's word, or not.

Type

Religious, Organised Religion

Deities

• Tomb God

Location

Orisia