Ostara

Introduction

Ostara is the goddess of Death, Fate, and Prophecy,

She is the mother waiting in the afterlife. Death, be it from natural causes, an accident, disease are her realm. Honorable deaths in combat also fall to her. It is she who decides who will stay in her realm, to serve her, and who will move on to the realms of the other Dholkhavir. She abhors the undead, seeing them as souls stolen from her. Ludger is her mortal enemy, as she also considers those assassinated by his adherents, since Ludger claims them, theft of souls that belong to her.

As the goddess of Fate, Ostara weaves the threads that guide an individual through life and, ultimately, to their death. It is said, she knows the path of a life from birth to death and her will is unwavering. Some, though, believe she merely guides people along a path and they must make their own way. In this persona, she is called upon to provide benefice to one’s fate.

As the goddess of Prophecy, seers request her guidance in their readings.

Depiction

She is usually shown as a gaunt and pale, but attractive, woman. Her skin is smooth and has a blue tinge. Her eyes are glowing violet. She wears a dark blue, sleeveless funeral gown with white trim at the shoulders and neck. Upon her feet are white sandals. Her hair is dark blue, with a white streak down the left side. She often is depicted carrying a staff of white oak, wrapped in silver cords. Occasionally, she is shown with an ivory-handled dagger at her waist.

Theological Mission

Social Mission

Her priests try to ease the suffering of those who recently lost a loved one, though they remind them that death is the ultimate end for us all. They prepare the dying for the afterlife. Even those who are devoted to another god are tended to by priests of Ostara.

Organization

Regional Authority

Nearly every city and sizeable village has a temple or shrine devoted to Ostara. She is major deity among all the races, as death comes to them all.

Temple Hierarchy

Much of the priesthood of Ostara are female, though there is a sizable male representation within the church.

Shauvrin (High priestess) – Supreme ruler of the church of Ostara and her wordly mouthpiece.

Shauvarinne (Bishops) – Oversee regions of Jhordunne and among the various races.

Helstene (Cardinals) – Priests who attend to the nobility, wealthy merchants, and other important groups/people. In many cases, they oversee the temples of Ostara.

Helmienke (Priests) – The bulk of the church heirarchy. These priests do the day-to-day work of the church and minster to the common people.

Clerical Orders

Ordern des Tod (Order of the Dead) – Wandering priests who preach the word of Ostara. They minister to the dying and teach the masses that death is not to be feared, that Ostara welcomes all (though she send the wicked to their dark gods).

Feinde von Ludger – a fighting order dedicated to eradicating the assassins of Ludger.

Todenjaeger – Hunters of the undead. Though they share a common goal, they often come into conflict with the undead hunters of Ludger, given the animosity between the two religions.

Religious Practices

Priests prepare the dying for death. After death, they oversee burials or cremation. Many tend to cemetaries.

Archetype: The Custodian
Titles: Mutter Tod, Mutter Grimm
Gender: Female
Sacred Animals: Raven, Whip-poor-will
Sacred Colors: Dark blue, white
Favored Weapons: Scythe, dagger

Holy Days

• Hochtentod: 31st of Ostarn
• Mass: 3rd and 19th of every month