Divine Attributes
Overview
Mortemius is the compassionate shepherd of souls, guiding the departed from life to whatever lies beyond. Contrary to popular misconception, he is not cruel or malevolent—death is not punishment but natural transition, and Mortemius ensures this passage occurs with dignity and minimal suffering.
The god of endings maintains the Underworld, a vast realm of seven layers serving different purposes in the soul's journey after death. He coordinates with Psychopomps—spirit guides who escort newly deceased souls—and ensures no soul becomes lost between realms.
Mortemius teaches that death gives life meaning. If existence continued endlessly without change, nothing would have value. Mortality creates urgency to live well, love deeply, and leave positive legacies.
Sacred Mythology
When Aetheron spoke the Sixth First Word—"Death"—Mortemius emerged as the embodiment of endings and transitions. Unlike other deities who appeared joyfully, Mortemius manifested with solemn acceptance of his necessary but difficult role.
The Silent Guide established the Underworld as a place of rest and reflection, not torment. He created the seven layers to serve different functions: reception, reflection, healing, judgment, preparation, transcendence, and eternal rest. Souls journey through appropriate layers based on their needs and the nature of their mortal existence.
Mortemius works in perfect partnership with Terravyn (who governs life) and Chronalix (who governs time). Together, they maintain the cycle of birth, life, death, and renewal that sustains natural order.
Philosophy and Teachings
Accept Mortality: Denying death's inevitability creates fear and prevents living fully. Accepting mortality as natural allows appreciation for each moment's preciousness.
Honor the Departed: Those who have died deserve remembrance and respect. Their wisdom and experiences should inform current choices, creating continuity between generations.
Death as Transition: Physical death is not absolute ending but transformation. Energy cannot be destroyed, only changed—souls continue in different forms, contributing to the cosmic whole.
Worship and Rituals
Mortemius is worshipped through honoring the dead and preparing for one's own eventual passing. The Ritual of Crossing the Veil allows communication with departed loved ones during the Festival of Remembrance. Death priests perform funeral rites, ensuring souls receive proper guidance to the Underworld.
Unlike other deities whose temples are grand and ornate, Mortemius's shrines are simple and contemplative—quiet spaces for meditation on mortality and impermanence. His primary worshippers are not those seeking favors but those seeking acceptance and understanding of life's natural conclusion.