Mortara, Goddess of Death

**Mortara, Goddess of Passage and Serenity**
**Domains:** Death, Transition, Peace, Afterlife, Memory
**Symbols:** A silver ankh entwined with ivy, a serene face with closed eyes, a doorway framed by stars, a feather resting on still water.
**Dogma:** Mortara teaches that death is not an end but a transition, a passage from one state of being to another. She advocates for acceptance and understanding of death's role in the cycle of life, urging her followers to view it with serenity rather than fear. Mortara represents the peace that comes with acceptance, the quiet dignity of a life well-lived, and the gentle release from suffering. She encourages her followers to honor the memories of the departed, to provide comfort to those nearing their journey's end, and to face their own mortality with grace and courage.
**Followers:** Mortara's followers include healers, undertakers, grief counselors, and those who have experienced profound loss. They are seen as guides for the dying, shepherds for the departed souls, and comforters for the bereaved. Her clerics, known as the Serene Hand, perform funerary rites, maintain cemeteries, and help the living cope with loss and grief.
**Rituals and Ceremonies:** Worship of Mortara involves quiet reflection, remembrance ceremonies, and the sharing of stories about the deceased. Her rituals are designed to ease the pain of loss, celebrate the lives of the departed, and help souls transition peacefully to the afterlife. Offerings to Mortara include letters or tokens meant for the deceased, candles lit in memory, and acts of kindness done in the departed's name.
**Temples and Shrines:** Temples dedicated to Mortara are serene, comforting places, often located near cemeteries or in tranquil natural settings. They serve as sanctuaries for those in mourning and as gateways for the souls of the departed. Shrines to Mortara are common in homes, where families honor their ancestors and keep the memories of loved ones alive.
**Holy Days:** The most sacred time for Mortara's followers is the Night of Remembrance, an annual event where the veil between the living and the dead is believed to be at its thinnest. This night is observed with candlelit vigils, the telling of ancestors' stories, and the setting of empty places at dinner tables for the spirits of the departed to join the living in a meal of remembrance.
**In the World:** In the world, Mortara's influence is seen in the comfort brought to the grieving, the dignity afforded to the dead, and the acceptance of life's impermanence. She is the patron of all who seek to understand the mysteries of death, who provide solace in times of sorrow, and who honor the legacy of those who have passed. Her presence is felt in the stillness that follows a final breath, the gentle touch of a comforting hand, and the quiet strength that comes from facing loss with hope and love. While her followers come from all walks of life, they share a common bond in their reverence for the natural cycle of life and death and their commitment to aiding others through the transitions of existence.