Mortalitasi
A Mortalitasi (singular and plural) is a Quintist Cleric of The Raven Queen which have themselves reanimated into Undeath; mortalitasi are esteemed members of Gomuri society, and one is present in every noble court. In undeath, mortalitasi wholly dedicate themselves to a single task, which is purposed to prevent spontaneous reanimation within their community (e.g. patrolling the streets to thwart serial murderers, preventing them from reanimating into mohrgs). Mortalitasi are also well versed in Arcane Magic, rather than only Divine Magic.
While the practice is quite popular in the Corgomuran Free Cities, where mortalitasi are highly respected, the Raven Queen disapproves of this practice and frequently sends agents to rid Threas of these undead. Following The Gods War, an unprecedented consensus among Quintist clergy practically outlawed the practice of purposeful reanimation; those who reject this consensus do so in secret and are known as Lost Mortalitasi. Lost mortalitasi are often considered as rogue agents.
Career
Qualifications
Anyone who wishes, or was designated, to become a mortalitasi must be a member of the Quintist clergy, or a wizard who is well versed in in their field and in the Fifth Dogma. The nature of the role also requires a knowledge of the mechanics of souls, magic and death. Prior knowledge in necromancy is not strictly necessary, but does provide a significant advantage over other aspirants.
Perception
Social Status
While not owning many physical possessions themselves, mortalitasi often enjoy from great benefits. Being spiritual guides of the paths to afterlife, they are often trusted with moral secrets that wouldn't be shared even with the family's spymaster. The ability to commune with the willing dead to an extent is also a great source of knowledge. This makes the mortalitasi one of the most powerful, if not the most powerful members of their house advisors.
The position often comes with a lavish standard of living. Noble families, especially the most powerful of them, invest heavily in their family's crypts and mausoleums, often with private garden surrounding a sizable mansion above it for the mortalitasi to live in. Special garments are also often tailored for each mortalitasi, with the aim of making them stand out in the crowd.
Mortalitasi are protected by a special political standing, and can only be judged by the highest court tribunal of the Corgomuran Free Cities, by the Commissioner of their respective coalition, or by the Chief Commissioner if they don't fall under a coalition's jurisdiction.
Operations
Tools
Each mortalitasi binds their own unique tome, which functions as a wizard's spellbook but also as a prayer book; most of their rites and spells intertwine two forms of magic, with spells far too complex and amorphous to be conveniently written in a standard spellbook. No two tomes are ever the same, and even copying the spells from master to pupil requires some freeform and adjustments.
The rites of the mortalitasi are a closely guarded secret. Each construct their own, often needlessly complicated rituals, with fake lines and runes meant to confuse or outright mislead the spying competitors. The practice is generally well understood, yet the methods remain unique to each practitioner; this lack of standardization also stems from the Raven Queen's general disapproval of the practice.
Provided Services
Mortalitasi are the conductors of funerals, memorials and other event dedicated to the deceased. They are also trusted to execute the last will and testaments of the deceased, as well as dealing with any arrangments that were left unfullfiled before their passing. In noble families, mortalitasi also serve as record-keepers and are given exclusive permission to speak with dead members of their house.
To the living, the mortalitasi serves as a spiritual guide for the paths of the afterlife, and are often confided by members of their family with mortal dillemas or philosophical disputes that are to be kept hidden from the rest of the house's advisors and even its members. The nature of the mortalitasi's work with the dead, and the knowledge of ancestoral memories, offers a special kind of confidentiality for the living as well.
Type
Religious
Related Locations
Used By
Traditional mortalitasi attire
Often heavily decorated. The adorn mask must always reveal at least one of the eyes. A black diamond ring will be adorn on on the left hand.
Mortalitasi masks
A Mortalitasi's mask will generally never hide the eyes mouth, especially if the mortalitasi is blind. In case of severe disfigurement it is sometimes customary to cover the mouth, yet the eyes must remain visible.
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