Shepherd of Leaving
A Shepherd of Leaving is a mild variety of channeler in the Aré form of Ega, specializing in services to the deceased and their loved ones -- in this fashion, they are empathic psychopomps. They practice under the House of Leavings and are widespread throughout Icalar in nearly every community, with the exception of Kiva and eisorcei clutches. It is a secular profession, though sometimes aligned with the Order of the Burning Crown and with its roots in Sehndism.
The first Shepherds were nae'cthosai.
Career
Payment & Reimbursement
Modest stipend plus food, lodging, and uniform clothing.
Perception
Purpose
Mortuary services
Social Status
Practitioners are some of the most highly-regarded in any community and are typically treated with respect equal to that of a ruler, sometimes higher depending on the circumstances. In this sense they operate outside the hierarchies of the communities they serve.
In rare times that they have been seen in a negative light they are accused of prematurely heralding a death or calling souls out of their bodies; there have been some accusations in the past that they can also use their empathic abilities to influence the emotions and memories of, or even puppet, the living. This gave rise to the derogatory term khevaresh, a butchered version of the klatuut term khe-val areshea, meaning "beatific poisoner".
Nonetheless, it is considered bad luck by both Shepherds and non-Shepherds alike to visit / be in proximity of the sick, wounded, or dying.
Kivans have different death practices and as such, do not utilize Shepherds and are traditionally suspicious of them. They have adopted various semi-derogatory to outright slanderous alternative names for them, such as the Onshe term erseht-kefit (lit: 'death-walker').
Operations
Tools
- When attending a body, the Rites of Leaving are followed.
- Master Shepherds (and occasionally Apprentice Shepherds in special circumstances) are given a vial of yeccasphate.
- An ek'suul is used to wrap the departed's body as part of the Rites of Leaving.
- Hetul'n'gosh is used to anoint the departed as part of the Rites of Leaving.
- Hetul'bii is used to anoint the Shepherd in the release of a soul as part of the Rites of Leaving.
- In funeral processions, the presiding Shepherd wears a caped cap and carries a short-poled lantern.
Workplace
Based in a House of Leavings, but frequent traveling.
Provided Services
Coroner, grief counselor, funeral director, monk/priest.
Dangers & Hazards
It is not unheard of for less experienced Shepherds to become 'mired' in the Ega, especially when attending a soul; in this state they are unable to distinguish physical reality from the Ega and the boundaries between their own souls, memories, thoughts, and feelings may become blurred. Without help or self-discipline, they run the risk of remaining in a semi-comatose state. Upon being promoted to Apprentice, a Shepherd receives a thumbprint-sized ward in the form of an intricate eye-shaped tattoo at the top of their sternum (known simply as a 'ward') that helps keep their own soul within their body.
In the less extreme, emotional and mental exhaustion are common, as are headaches and other nerve-related physical ailments. Being empaths, in general constantly feeling the woes and traumas of the dead can take its toll. Psychologically, compassion exhaustion and the effects of anticipatory grief are also a risk. Many Shepherds also have difficulty with intimacy and close personal relationships.
In rare cases, there are dangers presented by the nature of the deceased's passing: contagious diseases in particular. It is not unheard of for the vindictive to attempt to sabotage the release of the soul of one they disliked in life, though this is seen as immensely taboo.
Alternative Names
Leaveguides (informal), Honored Guests (formal), Shepherds of Leaving (formal), erseht-kefit (Onshe dialect)
Type
Public Services
Demand
Intrinsic to most advanced cultures
Legality
Legal and protected unanimously by civil law. Impersonating a Shepherd is treated as a grave offense.
Famous in the Field
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