Kelemvor (Kelm-Vor)

Where the Cult Thrives

Kelemvor is primarily worshipped within Thaxnoria as a part of the Octurn, although his worship can be found in other places as well.

Tenets of the Faith

Followers of Kelemvor believe that death is a natural part of life and that the souls of the dead should be treated with respect and dignity. They also believe in the concept of an afterlife, where souls are judged and sent to their appropriate resting place. The Cult is seen as a just, fair, and comforting cult of death. The Cult’s priests teach that those who revere the gods according to the rites of their religion have done their proper service and will be offered the afterlife they seek. The Cult of Kelemvor provides relief, and eases the transition from pain to the peace of death. They help the dying put their affairs in order, and they officiate at funeral rites for those who can't afford the lavish ceremonies of their faith. The Cult believes that it is righteous to forestall or prevent untimely deaths when it is at all possible. Different sects and worshipers define "untimely" in different ways. One group might concentrate on stopping the spread of disease, another on the prevention of murder, and yet another on eliminating the scourge of the undead. In fact, all the faithful of Kelemvor despise the undead and work to some degree to eliminate them, for undead of any sort are seen as an abomination of the natural order. This belief obviously puts Kelemvor's faithful at odds with necromancers, the Cult of Myrkul, and others who promote the creation of the undead, even the Cult of the Jergal, and it also causes conflict from unexpected sources. For instance, the Cult routinely destroys any writings about the creation of the undead that they find-an act that offends those who value knowledge for its own sake, such as the faithful of Oghma and Deneir. The faithful of Kelemvor make no distinction between undead and their creators, seeing undead and necromancer as irredeemably evil and believing it their holy duty to destroy them. This brings the Cult into conflict with the Cult of Jergal and elves who consider baelnorn sacred.

Temples

Temples to Kelemvor are typically simple and austere, with a focus on honouring the dead rather than grandeur. They often contain tombs and crypts for the interment of the deceased, as well as places for funerary rites to be performed.

Priest

Priests of Kelemvor are often somber and serious individuals, who are responsible for performing funerary rites and helping the bereaved cope with their loss. They also serve as guides for souls in the afterlife and protectors of graveyards and tombs.

Depictions of the Deity

Kelemvor is typically depicted as a tall humanoid figure clad in dark robes with the only visible feature being its skull. He is often shown holding a set of scales, symbols of his role as the judge of souls in the afterlife.

Factions

Balancers of the Scales are a religious order to the deity Kelemvor that serve both as guardians of the dead and fighters against necromancy and undeath. Factions of the Balancers might concentrate on stopping the spread of disease, another on the prevention of murder, and yet another on eliminating the scourge of the undead. But despise the undead and work to some degree to eliminate them, for undead of any sort are seen as an abomination of the natural order.

Titles: The Lord of the Dead , the Judge of the Damned
Alignment: Lawful Neutral, Neutral
Symbol: Skeletal arm holding up scales in balance
Domains: Death, Grave, Order

Type

Religious, Organised Religion