The Gods of Death rule over the passage between the state of living and the Halls of the Dead. They choose, based on what the person accomplished and what he might become, whether or not the person should go on or returned to the world for another chance. They are also the judges of Fate, weighing out the course of each individual life as it occurs.
The Gods of Death are:
Aspect - Justice and Fate
Colors - yellow and white
Cult Titles - The Judge, Master of Death
Symbol - the balanced scale
Kane is the leader of the Gods of the Dead. He makes the decision whether a person travels to the Halls or returns for another pass though the Pattern. Under ordinary circumstances, the other Gods bow to his judgement in all maters. Occasionally Set disagrees with him, but the Lord of Destruction is inclined to let most matters pass without contest.
On the rare occasions that he is pictured, Kane is shown as a man in yellow robes, usually holding a scale.
Aspect - Compassion and Healing
Colors - Yellow and Red
Cult Titles - The Healer, Master of Hope
Symbol - The Open Palm, Four yellow suns
Manjor is the God who always speaks for compassion and moderation. He wishes to end suffering, protect the innocent, and give comfort those who suffer. Some theologians claim that Manjor is not a God of Death at all, but rather a personification of the desire to heal that exists in every being. Manjor himself is somewhat unsure to make of these arguments, but continues with his duties without worrying too much about it.
Aspect - Destruction, Nihilism
Colors - Yellow and Black
Cult Titles - Destroyer of Worlds, Font of Tears
Symbol - A shredded net
Set often finds himself at odds with the other Gods of Death. His purpose and desire are to destroy everything, regardless of the balance between creation and destruction. He always argues, sometimes persuasively, for the ultimate end for all living beings; that their Pattern be erased from the Pattern of the World forever. Set's desire for destruction often brings him directly into conflict with the Gods Rancor and B'cor, the twin gods responsible for creation and destruction.
Set is often pictured as a massively built black-skinned man armed with a spear and a shield. His eyes are often said to 'glow blackly', and his voice 'shakes the souls of the world'.
Aspect - History and Causes
Colors - yellow and blue
Cult Titles - The Librarian, He Who Came Before
Symbol - A quill and closed scroll
Skydo is usually pictured as a kindly old man, with a long beard and a robe of blue and yellow. He is the God responsible for insuring that Kane knows the truth about a person's life. His knowledge of the past is said to be both perfect and infinite, covering every detail of everything that has ever happened. Skydo's services are invaluable to Kane, as without correct information the Judge has difficulty deciding in difficult cases.
Skydo's younger brother Utu is the God of Foreknowledge. Together, they know everything that has ever occurred, and the logical outcomes of these events.
Aspect - Foreknowledge, Future, and Effects
Colors - yellow and gray
Cult Titles - The Avenger, Lord of Retribution, He Who Will Be
Symbol -A silver and black scythe
Utu is the God that knows what should happen in a person's life. Alone among all of the Gods, he has the gift of Foreknowledge, knowledge of what the Pattern must become in order to survive. All of his energies and efforts are dedicated to insuring that the events that should happen do happen, in the correct order, and in the proper time.
Utu is usually regarded as the God of Revenge and Justice, but the popular conception is far from the truth. His concern with mortals is only that they play out their roll in the Pattern - if a person comes to an untimely demise, he often argues with Kane to allow them to return. Occasionally, his Foreknowledge is flawed; the Pattern unfolds in unexpected ways.
Although their temples are numerous, there are only a few cults dedicated to the Gods of Death. The Gods actively pursue any that act in their name without their permission, destroying the blasphemer as quickly as possible.
Most Death temples have shrines to all five of the Gods within them. Occasionally, Set does not have a shrine in the Temple. This happens most often in the East, where Set is regarded as a dark god.
The spirits of the dead serves the Gods of Death. When a Priest of the Gods asks for assistance, the God will usually send a dead member of that Priest's race to help him. Thus, the spirit of a dead Elf will aid an Elven Priest of Skydo who succeeds at the Prayer of Assistance.
The Dead are different from the Undead. For more information, please refer to the Spirits section.